{"id":6664,"date":"2014-06-13T12:06:12","date_gmt":"2014-06-13T16:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/?p=6664"},"modified":"2014-06-13T12:06:12","modified_gmt":"2014-06-13T16:06:12","slug":"uniteds-frequent-flyer-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/verygoodpoints\/2014\/06\/13\/uniteds-frequent-flyer-program\/","title":{"rendered":"United’s Frequent Flyer Program Changes Help JetBlue!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I can’t count the number of emails and Facebook messages\u00a0I’ve\u00a0received about the changes to the United’s Frequent Flyer Program. \u00a0 Everyone seems so distraught about the changes, but let’s be realistic, the changes only impact a small number of travelers. Let’s compare:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Frequent Domestic Business Travelers: \u00a0All of the frequent business travelers I know spend a good deal of money on their airfare, so they probably\u00a0will be okay under the new scheme. In fact, some of them who don’t have the highest status because they don’t fly enough might do better. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Independent\/Small Business Frequent Traveler: \u00a0This group maybe impacted by the changes because they often look for discounted fares. \u00a0They will still earn miles and status, but perhaps not as much as before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

International Business Travelers: \u00a0If you fly internationally on a regular basis you’re probably going to be just fine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Family\/Leisure Travel: \u00a0Travelers who only take a few trips a year likely have earned status through some other program or have no status at all, so they won’t be impacted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mileage Runners: This is really the only group of people who is hurt. \u00a0Those people who like to earn status by flying on lots and lots of cheap fares will have to rethink their strategy because they likely will be most impacted by the changes. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian Kelly, The Points Guy<\/span><\/a>, did a great post <\/span><\/a>today about the changes. He created a chart that outlined what the revenue based program would really mean based on route and ticket cost in 2014 compared to 2015. Here’s a screen shot of that chart: \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For those people who are just beside themselves about the changes United has made, I guess it’s time to look at a new airline loyalty program. \u00a0 Consider a program like JetBlue. \u00a0If you’re a frequent domestic business traveler and JetBlue flies in your market, they might be a great alternative airline. \u00a0 Here are some of the key benefits of JetBlue’s TrueBlue program:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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