Realistic and actionable items United can change (or not) to make MileagePlus better
#46
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
Change fees ($200-450) (From an IT point of view, might be difficult to adjust each segment by this amount. But they can add a standalone "PQD adjustment" at the end of the trip.)
Unaccompanied Minor Fee ($250) This is a required payment for the passenger. At $500 roundtrip, it can add up pretty quickly.
#47
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
#48
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago: ORD, MDW
Programs: United Million Mile Flyer, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold, DL, AA WN
Posts: 514
In the Airline business of today there will never be any positive changes for the customer.
A positive for a customer means a negative for the airlines. "Give" costs money, "Take"
increases profit. On top of it, if the customers have few choices, then what incentive
does an airline have to "play nice". That's just the way it is in 2017.
A positive for a customer means a negative for the airlines. "Give" costs money, "Take"
increases profit. On top of it, if the customers have few choices, then what incentive
does an airline have to "play nice". That's just the way it is in 2017.
However, as the current and continuing list of customer service challenges at every airline continue to get generate bad news, perhaps some airline executive will get the brilliant idea that rewarding loyalty might generate some financial benefit in the long run! They might "reinvent" some of the tried and true frequent flyer program practices of the past.
Some things, like a flight attendant or a desk agent recognizing frequent flyers, offering a drink now and then, occasionally offering a free upgrade, etc. don't cost a lot, but go a long way to make frequent customers feel better - especially when pitch, seat size, cup size, etc. - seem to be shrinking.
At lest this is my hope.
#49
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
So true! For things that should count toward PQD, I would also add:
Change fees ($200-450) (From an IT point of view, might be difficult to adjust each segment by this amount. But they can add a standalone "PQD adjustment" at the end of the trip.)
Unaccompanied Minor Fee ($250) This is a required payment for the passenger. At $500 roundtrip, it can add up pretty quickly.
Change fees ($200-450) (From an IT point of view, might be difficult to adjust each segment by this amount. But they can add a standalone "PQD adjustment" at the end of the trip.)
Unaccompanied Minor Fee ($250) This is a required payment for the passenger. At $500 roundtrip, it can add up pretty quickly.
#50
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 304
Two tangible "It's never too late to do the right thing" actions would be
1. restore the pre-merger UA Million Mile Flyer benefits; and,
2. Honor the promises made on this page to Silver Wings Lifetime members.
No, I'm not holding my breath waiting.
1. restore the pre-merger UA Million Mile Flyer benefits; and,
2. Honor the promises made on this page to Silver Wings Lifetime members.
No, I'm not holding my breath waiting.
#52
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DC Suburbs
Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Gold, Carnival VIFP Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 459
First, GPUs:
Allow 1Ks to use GPUs as they can today, to upgrade from a W+ Y fare to lie-flats when R space is available
OR...
Allow 1Ks to use 2 GPUs to upgrade from <W to lie-flats when R space is available
OR...
Allow 1Ks to use 2 GPUs to upgrade from W+ to lie-flats when R space is exhausted but seats remain available in the cabin
OR...
Allow 1Ks to use 3 GPUs to upgrade from <W to lie-flats even if R space is not available but seats are still available in the cabin (perhaps with some specific holiday black out dates).
Second, award travel. Keep the excursionist perk for those constructing stopovers on a trip, but allow the multi city tool to be used to concoct any Zone A to Zone B (but not via Zone C) itinerary with <24 hour stopovers (<4 hours domestic when next flights are sooner). And be realistic about I space: I can't recall the number of times I've seen zero I space for February TPACs 9, 10, 11 months out...despite knowing well that those TPACs will go out with 10 or more empty business seats. (UA seems to finally have released the I space for February...but then again UA also emailed me about a sub-$600 round trip fare to CTU, so I think that's a result of recent events and not UA's norm).
Third, emulate AA's "super-saver" calendar for Y with below-saver redemption rates during the true off-season every year on a calendar pax can plan around, not some one-off sale.
Fourth, change BE to earn 0.5 PQM/PQD/PQS and 1.0 MM qualification miles. No one's going to hit 1K or MM off of BE fares, but if they find themselves on the occasional BE ticket, show that you still value them as a customer.
Finally, make ALL dollars spent with United count for PQD.
There's got to be a way to make the CPU system better but I think that's a separate discussion, and will need to be addressed comprehensively when International PE comes out.
Allow 1Ks to use GPUs as they can today, to upgrade from a W+ Y fare to lie-flats when R space is available
OR...
Allow 1Ks to use 2 GPUs to upgrade from <W to lie-flats when R space is available
OR...
Allow 1Ks to use 2 GPUs to upgrade from W+ to lie-flats when R space is exhausted but seats remain available in the cabin
OR...
Allow 1Ks to use 3 GPUs to upgrade from <W to lie-flats even if R space is not available but seats are still available in the cabin (perhaps with some specific holiday black out dates).
Second, award travel. Keep the excursionist perk for those constructing stopovers on a trip, but allow the multi city tool to be used to concoct any Zone A to Zone B (but not via Zone C) itinerary with <24 hour stopovers (<4 hours domestic when next flights are sooner). And be realistic about I space: I can't recall the number of times I've seen zero I space for February TPACs 9, 10, 11 months out...despite knowing well that those TPACs will go out with 10 or more empty business seats. (UA seems to finally have released the I space for February...but then again UA also emailed me about a sub-$600 round trip fare to CTU, so I think that's a result of recent events and not UA's norm).
Third, emulate AA's "super-saver" calendar for Y with below-saver redemption rates during the true off-season every year on a calendar pax can plan around, not some one-off sale.
Fourth, change BE to earn 0.5 PQM/PQD/PQS and 1.0 MM qualification miles. No one's going to hit 1K or MM off of BE fares, but if they find themselves on the occasional BE ticket, show that you still value them as a customer.
Finally, make ALL dollars spent with United count for PQD.
There's got to be a way to make the CPU system better but I think that's a separate discussion, and will need to be addressed comprehensively when International PE comes out.
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
(I further expect that there will be 2-3 fare classes for PE, and the discount one will not allow GPUs. But I digress).
#56
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Syd
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, VA G
Posts: 886
I'd just like to see SDC changed to 26 hours so I can fly ahead by a day on a SYD->LAX/SFO or reverse
Edit... End CPU's... either use an instrument, pay for it or sit in the bank, the game just needs to end....
Edit... End CPU's... either use an instrument, pay for it or sit in the bank, the game just needs to end....
#57
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DC Suburbs
Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Gold, Carnival VIFP Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 459
What does CPU have to do with international PE? I see no reason to believe that UA will offer CPUs into PE. Sadly, I expect them to offer GPUs to PE instead, meaning that if you want to get into J, you need to buy PE and upgrade, and we'll be back in a three-class system again. The more things change...
(I further expect that there will be 2-3 fare classes for PE, and the discount one will not allow GPUs. But I digress).
(I further expect that there will be 2-3 fare classes for PE, and the discount one will not allow GPUs. But I digress).
And a better CPU system that takes into account PE does not have to force GPUs to clear Y into PE instead of Y into C, AA doesn't do it that way.
#59
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Washington DC and Denver CO
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 379
So many people here talking about the GE credit like it was some amazing perk. Am I missing something? I barely noticed - it amounts to $20 a year?? With the spend most 1Ks and nevermind GS'S have, $20 out of at least $12,000 makes a difference to people?
#60
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
Agreed; it makes no sense. Just as some 1K + GS get excited about UA throwing them a free food and drink item in Y when their CPU would in the past would likely have cleared (before UA introduced widespread cheap upfaring to F).