Mileage Plus: Loyalty program for the new United in 2012
Jun 29, 2011, 7:20 pm
#91
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Still a couple of questions to look at. I have no problem with UMP FFP, but:
1. Would continental.com retire too? If so, that would be a really bad news for FTs out here coz this website does a much better job in reward reservation, seat assignment, and so on. .bomb has way more glitches than CO. Rewards play a huge part as I never like the reward search engine of UA.
2. Would UMP keep the tradition of upgrade order as it is or change it to the OnePass biz-oriented approach? (Fare > elite or elite > Fare)? I have warned that 1Ks would not get over 90% UDU if fare type trumps the elite status.
Things to see:
1. Many are jumping ship. Three GSs talked to me about it in LAX AC yesterday because of this CO/UA merger.
2. SWUs going down to the toilet. I have repeatedly said it's not a great policy to start having the SWUs mid July 2011 until July 31, 2011.
3. CO staff are not appreciating elites. I called PLT desk a couple of times and the sense that I got was, no elite recognition, no thank-you phrase, no loyalty phrase. 'It's all about business.' I doubt whether they are pissed off with the union development during the merger.
1. Would continental.com retire too? If so, that would be a really bad news for FTs out here coz this website does a much better job in reward reservation, seat assignment, and so on. .bomb has way more glitches than CO. Rewards play a huge part as I never like the reward search engine of UA.
2. Would UMP keep the tradition of upgrade order as it is or change it to the OnePass biz-oriented approach? (Fare > elite or elite > Fare)? I have warned that 1Ks would not get over 90% UDU if fare type trumps the elite status.
Things to see:
1. Many are jumping ship. Three GSs talked to me about it in LAX AC yesterday because of this CO/UA merger.
2. SWUs going down to the toilet. I have repeatedly said it's not a great policy to start having the SWUs mid July 2011 until July 31, 2011.
3. CO staff are not appreciating elites. I called PLT desk a couple of times and the sense that I got was, no elite recognition, no thank-you phrase, no loyalty phrase. 'It's all about business.' I doubt whether they are pissed off with the union development during the merger.
As for fare trumping elite, that's not exactly the case. It's only with Y/B fares. And CO makes a lot of money due to elites buying Y/B fares to upgrade.
It already is.
I guess what you are saying is that you hope Mileage Plus will eliminate Starnet blocking at some point in the future.
I say the odds of that are slim.
Bear in mind they are not throwing out both computer systems and installing a third one. The Mileage Plus computers and software will hum on just like before. Continental flyers and miles will be added to mileage plus accounts, and then Continental's software and computers will go dark. Starnet blocking will not magically go away in this process, it will continue as before as a "feature" of the Mileage Plus program.
So get your Continental award tickets while you can.
I guess what you are saying is that you hope Mileage Plus will eliminate Starnet blocking at some point in the future.
I say the odds of that are slim.
Bear in mind they are not throwing out both computer systems and installing a third one. The Mileage Plus computers and software will hum on just like before. Continental flyers and miles will be added to mileage plus accounts, and then Continental's software and computers will go dark. Starnet blocking will not magically go away in this process, it will continue as before as a "feature" of the Mileage Plus program.
So get your Continental award tickets while you can.
And to do the extreme, you have mergers where the name of one company is kept, but the identity of the other is what runs the every-day happenings of the company. Unfortunately, my mind is blanking, but I'll get back to you when I have a good example.
With the "the airline owes me everything, I don't care about the cost" mentality dominating these boards, why should this be any different?
Since no one on these boards would likely have miles expire, I don't understand the rationale for keeping this.
Jun 29, 2011, 7:26 pm
#92
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,830
Jun 29, 2011, 7:34 pm
#94
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Posts: 66,830
Jun 29, 2011, 7:38 pm
#95
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PANC
Programs: Mileage Plan
Posts: 444
Marketing Company
Slightly OT, but does anyone know which marketing company is handling the rebranding? I did some trials last year for the new westlaw and the logos are VERY similar...especially to some of the ones they didn't go with. Ironically, West has a product called OnePass.
https://1.next.westlaw.com/Session/SignOn.html?bhcp=1
https://1.next.westlaw.com/Session/SignOn.html?bhcp=1
Jun 29, 2011, 7:44 pm
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
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Posts: 21,167
Slightly OT, but does anyone know which marketing company is handling the rebranding? I did some trials last year for the new westlaw and the logos are VERY similar...especially to some of the ones they didn't go with. Ironically, West has a product called OnePass.
https://1.next.westlaw.com/Session/SignOn.html?bhcp=1
https://1.next.westlaw.com/Session/SignOn.html?bhcp=1
OT, but finally had a chance to trek through ORD today. I work in the graphics & visual branding categories, and in pretty much every category, white universally resonates with consumers as cheap / private label (with a few exeptions). The expanses of white banners just look...cheap.
And the Premier Access vs. Economy signs at the gates lack key information - no wonder there's such crowding.
Jun 29, 2011, 7:51 pm
#97
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SAT
Programs: UA Plat, Hilton Diamond, National Exec
Posts: 55
US Air and America West. That airline is America West (except for their ongoing union problems...), but the label says US Air...
Jun 29, 2011, 7:52 pm
#98
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: BOS/PVD
Programs: AA-Plat./ UA-Plat.
Posts: 159
Thanks for starting this thread, it'll be helpful info.
Please do announce the MM program changes, if any, sooner rather than later....and why is it taking so long to get this info, it's like pulling teeth....it's always "later, later" I think as Frequent flyers we'd like to know sooner than later.
Please do announce the MM program changes, if any, sooner rather than later....and why is it taking so long to get this info, it's like pulling teeth....it's always "later, later" I think as Frequent flyers we'd like to know sooner than later.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:02 pm
#99
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Thanks for starting this thread, it'll be helpful info.
Please do announce the MM program changes, if any, sooner rather than later....and why is it taking so long to get this info, it's like pulling teeth....it's always "later, later" I think as Frequent flyers we'd like to know sooner than later.
Please do announce the MM program changes, if any, sooner rather than later....and why is it taking so long to get this info, it's like pulling teeth....it's always "later, later" I think as Frequent flyers we'd like to know sooner than later.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:26 pm
#101
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 185
Like when Southwestern Bell acquired AT&T
Jun 29, 2011, 8:33 pm
#103
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
Something that I've not seen mentioned anywhere that is a big concern of mine regarding Mileage Plus vs. OnePass.
Not sure what the policy is these days, but last time I did a Mileage Plus award in 2008, it was impossible to make any changes to the ticket once the first segment was flown. Your choice was either fly it as booked, or abandon the remainder of the ticket.
OnePass on the other hand has allowed me to make countless changes to the return (as a Platinum at the time) for free, after I had flown the outbound portion of the ticket. There have been many times when I've been somewhere overseas and plans changed or a more desirable airline / routing combination opened up for the return that wasn't available when I booked. This is one part of OnePass I really hope survives, UA's no changes policy is pretty brutal.
Not sure what the policy is these days, but last time I did a Mileage Plus award in 2008, it was impossible to make any changes to the ticket once the first segment was flown. Your choice was either fly it as booked, or abandon the remainder of the ticket.
OnePass on the other hand has allowed me to make countless changes to the return (as a Platinum at the time) for free, after I had flown the outbound portion of the ticket. There have been many times when I've been somewhere overseas and plans changed or a more desirable airline / routing combination opened up for the return that wasn't available when I booked. This is one part of OnePass I really hope survives, UA's no changes policy is pretty brutal.
Jun 29, 2011, 8:37 pm
#104
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: United 'Cattle Car', American, JetBlue Airways, Marriott Rewards 'Gold', Amtrak AGR 'Select'
Posts: 197
Happy, Happy, Happy
According To The Wording Of The Email - It Appears I Don't Have To Change My MP Number - I know it just as well as my Calif. Driver's License and SSN. The Continental Folks Should Sign Up Right Now and Transfer Their Old OP Miles to MP and not wait - before 2012 Hee Hee ^ Joe G
Jun 29, 2011, 8:50 pm
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,474
Something that I've not seen mentioned anywhere that is a big concern of mine regarding Mileage Plus vs. OnePass.
Not sure what the policy is these days, but last time I did a Mileage Plus award in 2008, it was impossible to make any changes to the ticket once the first segment was flown. Your choice was either fly it as booked, or abandon the remainder of the ticket.
OnePass on the other hand has allowed me to make countless changes to the return (as a Platinum at the time) for free, after I had flown the outbound portion of the ticket. There have been many times when I've been somewhere overseas and plans changed or a more desirable airline / routing combination opened up for the return that wasn't available when I booked. This is one part of OnePass I really hope survives, UA's no changes policy is pretty brutal.
Not sure what the policy is these days, but last time I did a Mileage Plus award in 2008, it was impossible to make any changes to the ticket once the first segment was flown. Your choice was either fly it as booked, or abandon the remainder of the ticket.
OnePass on the other hand has allowed me to make countless changes to the return (as a Platinum at the time) for free, after I had flown the outbound portion of the ticket. There have been many times when I've been somewhere overseas and plans changed or a more desirable airline / routing combination opened up for the return that wasn't available when I booked. This is one part of OnePass I really hope survives, UA's no changes policy is pretty brutal.