I wrote a few days ago about why I was leaving United, or rather why I thought they had left me.

Over the past couple of days United has made a series of announcement that will have impact on its remaining frequent flyers.

1. NO STATUS TRANSFER ON AWARD TICKETS GIFTED TO OTHERS
United’s system have long had a bug where your status is transferred to another if you gift them an award ticket from your Mileage Plus account. This is useful for them to secure priority boarding and access to Economy Plus, United’s extra legroom seats.
This is gone on 15 April 2015

2. COPA AIRLINES IS LEAVING UNITED MILEAGEPLUS
In 2015 Copa will be leaving MileagePlus on 1 July. A long time partner of Continental, this seems a strange move to me. However, they are setting up their own frequent flyer scheme. You will still be able to earn miles, but no Premier Qualifying Dollars after this date (miles and segments continue however). These miles won’t count towards Million Mile Status however. You can read United’s spin here.
Free Premier Upgrades go away on the same date but GPU’s and Regional Premier Upgrades can be used. Also gone is access to the front rows of Copa for Premier and above members.

3. PREMIER GOLDS LOSE THIRD FREE CHECKED BAG
Until 1 Feb 2015 Premier Golds can check 3 bags (at 70lbs), after that it’s 2 bags (at 70lbs). Some international destinations will allow three bags.

More changes no one (except United) likes…..

BTW, I just noticed that if you buy a Copa ticket from Copa and credit to United your earning levels are down too from 1 July:

C , D, Y, B, M, H, Q (Business and Economy Flex) will earn 100%
K, V, U, S, W, E (Economy Plus) will earn 75%
L, T, N (Economy Promo) will earn 50%

There will be NO Premier bonuses.