i knew that i made 1K on less than $4,000 of PQD spend last year, but it’s not until i saw my most recent flight postings that it really hit home as to why United doesn’t care for people like me. i simply am not helping them bring home the bacon. i may be a high-volume flyer, but i’m certainly not high-value, in terms of actual dollar amount and what i mean for the airline.
yeah, i’m helping them with their load factors, but i have to wonder if they aren’t losing money on me overall. i plead ignorance when it comes to the economics of running an airline, but $205 on a 5,692 mile flight doesn’t sound like there’s much room for profit. this is especially true when you consider i skate by without paying those cha-ching! fees thanks to being part of the elite crowd that this spending requirement is designed to whittle the numbers of: no baggage fees (i usually only carry on, and when i do check a bag, i’m exempt), no better-seat fees, no lounge access fees (and you know how much i enjoy using the lounges), no fees for changing award tickets, and so on. why reward a cheapskate flyer like me if i’m not good for business?
as i’ve said previously, i can totally understand where they’re coming from, but it’s not a nice feeling to know that your loyalty is not being returned. but, i love getting deals so i can’t hold a grudge! the airline (not United) will for sure be losing money on my next flight, the $150 fare mistake from Mexico City to Buenos Aires and back.
