"Expert Mode" Changes
Sep 7, 2012, 4:07 pm
#76
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: OSH/ATW
Programs: Mileage Plus Silver, Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 258
Instead of fixing issues with upgrades, lets stop the ability of customers to see when they are getting hosed.
I'm so glad I stopped flying United. Burning my last few GPU's going to Oktoberfest this year. Losing status with United next year won't be so painful now since I won't be flying on them any more.
Been looking at switching to Delta for a long time, and now I'm at that point.
I'm so glad I stopped flying United. Burning my last few GPU's going to Oktoberfest this year. Losing status with United next year won't be so painful now since I won't be flying on them any more.
Been looking at switching to Delta for a long time, and now I'm at that point.
Sep 7, 2012, 4:09 pm
#77
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 838
SDC/Fare Availability
I also just realized that this really sucks for SDC purposes. "Expert Mode" made it easy to check SDC feasibility ahead of the 24 hour window (or within it but without the specific fare class available).
Really, truly bummed.
Really, truly bummed.
Sep 7, 2012, 4:10 pm
#78
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AS MVP, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,848
Maybe they should offer 1Ks a reimbursement of their subscription fee, like they do for Global Entry?
Sep 7, 2012, 4:11 pm
#79
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,551
Well, at least this means that UA's call centers will be hiring, so the phone agents don't need to be afraid of lay offs.
If there is a business decision that this information shouldn't be available, dare I ask if the new GUI for agents might also make this information harder to get at?
Someone mentioned that AA removed this visibility as well, any AA flyers that can comment or tell us how they handle it?
If there is a business decision that this information shouldn't be available, dare I ask if the new GUI for agents might also make this information harder to get at?
Someone mentioned that AA removed this visibility as well, any AA flyers that can comment or tell us how they handle it?
Sep 7, 2012, 4:14 pm
#80
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
I sincerely hope that the inventory will still show up on EF, although I'm not all that optimistic about it.
Sep 7, 2012, 4:14 pm
#81
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, BA Silver, Marriott Plat., Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis First
Posts: 917
Yes, and is all of the inventory fro AA available on EF? I have never bothered with EF, but if this is the direction airlines are going it may be a necessity hereafter...
Sep 7, 2012, 4:16 pm
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
You can still see fare class info for all the revenue classes on EF/KVS.
Sep 7, 2012, 4:17 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Instrument supported upgrade space IS available thru EF from AA. Equivalent to R/RN space. I am NOT optimistic that UA will make that available to EF, since one reason in their answer was to escape "scraping". 
Dave
Dave
Sep 7, 2012, 4:19 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 12 stops from ORD
Programs: UA, AA, DL
Posts: 992
Hi Everyone,
Later this evening we’ll be making a change on united.com that will remove the ability to see the specific allocation of seat inventory made to each Fare Class (this is the Fare Class hyperlink found in the right-most column when searching for flights or viewing itinerary details). I know that this is a popular feature for many of you here – in fact, we liked it too. But, it wasn’t without issues. Specifically, for many customers who are not as familiar with the ins and outs of fare structures, there was often room for this information to be misinterpreted. It also left the door open for undesired exposure that allowed automated scripts to scrape and re-display information in ways for which it was not intended.
* * *
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
Later this evening we’ll be making a change on united.com that will remove the ability to see the specific allocation of seat inventory made to each Fare Class (this is the Fare Class hyperlink found in the right-most column when searching for flights or viewing itinerary details). I know that this is a popular feature for many of you here – in fact, we liked it too. But, it wasn’t without issues. Specifically, for many customers who are not as familiar with the ins and outs of fare structures, there was often room for this information to be misinterpreted. It also left the door open for undesired exposure that allowed automated scripts to scrape and re-display information in ways for which it was not intended.
* * *
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
Thanks.
Last edited by XLR26; Sep 7, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Sep 7, 2012, 4:25 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
Sep 7, 2012, 4:25 pm
#86
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Programs: UA GS/3MM; American EXP; Hilton Diamond; Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 272
Reminds me of the statement by the RNC spokesman last week abou not allowing their campaign to be dictated by fact (checkers), except in this case it business decisions....
Sep 7, 2012, 4:27 pm
#87
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
Wow, this is a terrible move. I use those values frequently to make decisions on booking flights, especially R values for regional and systemwide upgrades. I guess I will be calling United frequently to get that information, which will probably amount to a few hours a week.
Really poor, customer-unfriendly decision.
Really poor, customer-unfriendly decision.
Sep 7, 2012, 4:28 pm
#88
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA-1K-MM AA-EXP-MM
Posts: 726
United wants ignorant customers
Retail clothing chain Syms slogan:
AN EDUCATED CONSUMER IS OUR BEST CUSTOMER
United airlines slogan
AN IGNORANT CONSUMER IS OUR BEST CUSTOMER
It is sad to see the utter disregard for intelligent customers by United.
AN EDUCATED CONSUMER IS OUR BEST CUSTOMER
United airlines slogan
AN IGNORANT CONSUMER IS OUR BEST CUSTOMER
It is sad to see the utter disregard for intelligent customers by United.
Sep 7, 2012, 4:30 pm
#89
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: UA GS 2MM, SPG Plat
Posts: 96
Really dislike this decision...
Sep 7, 2012, 4:31 pm
#90
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 642
Does this mean X awards, super savers will no longer be available on ExpertFlyer?