Wow, they're sure selling a lot of upgrades
Jan 26, 2013, 9:26 pm
#2431
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
It is that bad as I witnessed a scene at EWR one evening some months ago where a group of 4 travelling to FLL made sure everyone knew that they each paid $10 to upgrade to first ---and I can assure you they drank a lot more than $10 worth of booze ! (I had upgraded an intinerary with points so had a chance to sit in on the action)
Jan 26, 2013, 10:09 pm
#2432
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA1MM*GL/1K, AA, BnVy PlatL, HH Silver,
Posts: 681
It is that bad as I witnessed a scene at EWR one evening some months ago where a group of 4 travelling to FLL made sure everyone knew that they each paid $10 to upgrade to first ---and I can assure you they drank a lot more than $10 worth of booze ! (I had upgraded an intinerary with points so had a chance to sit in on the action)
Seriously with e500s maybe elites make the new UA big seat for free or at a min, FLL-EWR makes $100 to cover the cost of booze and a Jeff mcmuffin; LAX-ORD would be $200. At those added fees maybe we could go from the CO big seat to a proper UA F service and in turn entice back those who used to buy F on UA- which by all accounts/CO FF attacks was quite the rarity for a CO front cabin big seat lacking any lumbar support. God what a wretched airline.
Jan 27, 2013, 1:42 am
#2433
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111
UDU is such a joke. Bring back the e500s and at least put the lottery among those with status. What does $10 cover? What does the $99 on LAX-ORD cover..craptacular down gauged CO front cabin service? Imagine the horror if you actually booked F on these flights. Found it odd after CO joined star alliance that I had to argue with a lady on my ORD-IAH flight who refused to move from my seat, which she confused with the. @*^# gate number...thinking at time, how does a CO FF confuse a gate number for a seat assignment...in retrospect
Seriously with e500s maybe elites make the new UA big seat for free or at a min, FLL-EWR makes $100 to cover the cost of booze and a Jeff mcmuffin; LAX-ORD would be $200. At those added fees maybe we could go from the CO big seat to a proper UA F service and in turn entice back those who used to buy F on UA- which by all accounts/CO FF attacks was quite the rarity for a CO front cabin big seat lacking any lumbar support. God what a wretched airline.
Seriously with e500s maybe elites make the new UA big seat for free or at a min, FLL-EWR makes $100 to cover the cost of booze and a Jeff mcmuffin; LAX-ORD would be $200. At those added fees maybe we could go from the CO big seat to a proper UA F service and in turn entice back those who used to buy F on UA- which by all accounts/CO FF attacks was quite the rarity for a CO front cabin big seat lacking any lumbar support. God what a wretched airline.
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Jan 27, 2013, 5:19 am
#2434
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
Lady sitting across the aisle from me on UA 770 SFO-BOS last night was commenting to her neighbor how she almost sat in first class because when checking in, the kiosk gave her an offer for $61. She was so surprised but said she ultimately sat in coach since it was a red eye and she wouldn't really make use of the first class benefits. Also commented on how she rarely flies United but if she kept getting offers like that she just might fly UA more. What's worse is that this flight was scheduled for a 320 but got downgraded to a 319 and they needed people in F to downgrade for $500.
I just rolled my eyes. Out of a 6 segment MR this weekend I cleared 1 upgrade as a 1K. (SAN-SFO....big deal for 45 min) and was #4 or lower on upgrade list for nearly all flights. Hasn't been this bad for me MRing on Saturdays since I was a 2P!
I just rolled my eyes. Out of a 6 segment MR this weekend I cleared 1 upgrade as a 1K. (SAN-SFO....big deal for 45 min) and was #4 or lower on upgrade list for nearly all flights. Hasn't been this bad for me MRing on Saturdays since I was a 2P!
Last edited by weirdlyndon; Jan 27, 2013 at 1:11 pm Reason: spelling
Jan 27, 2013, 1:31 pm
#2435
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX,SNA,CLD,SAN
Programs: UA PP/Marriott Platinum Elite/Hyatt Diamond/Avis Preferred/Hertz Presidential
Posts: 602
MR upgrades
If your on a MR and not getting upgrades, good. I have had 1 CPU since July 7th last year and UA would rather sell the seat for cheap IMO than give you an upgrade. My weekly 5100 mile RT gets me zero upgrades and zero complaints. I will earn 1K and then status match for AA and give them a try. MR folks not getting upgrades, boo hoo. UA is trying to put and end to that and there new MR tracking analytics program, yes they have a new one installed, will find you. The only segment eligible for CPU for me is LAX to IAH and reverse and I not expecting one on that route.
Jan 27, 2013, 1:44 pm
#2436
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, UA MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,329
If your on a MR and not getting upgrades, good. I have had 1 CPU since July 7th last year and UA would rather sell the seat for cheap IMO than give you an upgrade. My weekly 5100 mile RT gets me zero upgrades and zero complaints. I will earn 1K and then status match for AA and give them a try. MR folks not getting upgrades, boo hoo. UA is trying to put and end to that and there new MR tracking analytics program, yes they have a new one installed, will find you. The only segment eligible for CPU for me is LAX to IAH and reverse and I not expecting one on that route.
Jan 27, 2013, 1:45 pm
#2437
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SLC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 493
If your on a MR and not getting upgrades, good. I have had 1 CPU since July 7th last year and UA would rather sell the seat for cheap IMO than give you an upgrade. My weekly 5100 mile RT gets me zero upgrades and zero complaints. I will earn 1K and then status match for AA and give them a try. MR folks not getting upgrades, boo hoo. UA is trying to put and end to that and there new MR tracking analytics program, yes they have a new one installed, will find you. The only segment eligible for CPU for me is LAX to IAH and reverse and I not expecting one on that route.
I couldn't care less why you are flying, seems entirely irrelvant. There are plenty if checks in the system that reduce the UDU chance for those on the ultra-cheapo fares. The question of allocating upgrades to reward loyalty CS bring in a few extra bucks at check-in is totally unrelated to this.
Jan 27, 2013, 2:52 pm
#2438
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX,SNA,CLD,SAN
Programs: UA PP/Marriott Platinum Elite/Hyatt Diamond/Avis Preferred/Hertz Presidential
Posts: 602
??? And when the hounds track you down, then what?
I couldn't care less why you are flying, seems entirely irrelvant. There are plenty if checks in the system that reduce the UDU chance for those on the ultra-cheapo fares. The question of allocating upgrades to reward loyalty CS bring in a few extra bucks at check-in is totally unrelated to this.
I couldn't care less why you are flying, seems entirely irrelvant. There are plenty if checks in the system that reduce the UDU chance for those on the ultra-cheapo fares. The question of allocating upgrades to reward loyalty CS bring in a few extra bucks at check-in is totally unrelated to this.
Of course the inside systems have an analytics engine to for see MR folks and and cheap tickets for upgrades.
Jan 27, 2013, 2:58 pm
#2439
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,136
If your on a MR and not getting upgrades, good. I have had 1 CPU since July 7th last year and UA would rather sell the seat for cheap IMO than give you an upgrade. My weekly 5100 mile RT gets me zero upgrades and zero complaints. I will earn 1K and then status match for AA and give them a try. MR folks not getting upgrades, boo hoo. UA is trying to put and end to that and there new MR tracking analytics program, yes they have a new one installed, will find you. The only segment eligible for CPU for me is LAX to IAH and reverse and I not expecting one on that route.
And what exactly counts as a "MR," I wonder? I'm not talking a crazy segment run--those are an even smaller subset of the already-small subset of pax who engage in MR activity. How do you differentiate a single trip as to whether it is a MR, a business trip, or a personal (but non-MR) trip? (And if you believe UA has the capability to look at patterns across multiple trips, I've got several bridges to sell you, because in aggressively pursuing a "you are your transaction" model of revenue, UA has shown that they have no ability whatsoever to create long-term analytics of a given pax--else they wouldn't be driving away high-value customers by selling TODs and other shenanigans).
My company requires the lowest fare available be purchased (even though they have contracts with UA; I've ended up on a few contracted fares on occasion); you tell me how you differentiate a $238 K fare bought for business because it was cheaper than the competition from a mileage runner buying that same $238 K fare. I've had business trips which required same-day return travel, for example, and not every mileage run involves same-day returns.
What it boils down to is this: UA offers cheap fares, and people buy them. You apparently don't like that some people are better at buying them than others. Fine. UA wouldn't offer those cheap fares if they were costing the airline money (assuming UA has any financial sense at all, which is perhaps assuming too much
). Yes, those pax then redeem their miles for international premium cabin travel--then maybe UA needs to make earning miles harder? They already have capacity controls in place.Seriously, MRers are a drop in the bucket of the normal passenger flow. I say that as someone who spends around $15k to earn 1K--these days entirely on my own dime (as my current contract at work doesn't require travel, unfortunately). I fly where I want, when I want, and buy the fares UA is offering. Yes, I get an occasional cheap transcon, but I also spend out the wazoo for the occasional midcon or regional flight, too.
Jan 27, 2013, 3:28 pm
#2440
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
What exactly do you think UA is going to do when they "find" the MRers? Said pax have done nothing wrong by the T&C of the MP program (except perhaps in the paranoid fantasy world of folks who seem to think MRers are responsible for everything from upgrade issues to airline financial woes to the bubonic plague).
And what exactly counts as a "MR," I wonder? I'm not talking a crazy segment run--those are an even smaller subset of the already-small subset of pax who engage in MR activity. How do you differentiate a single trip as to whether it is a MR, a business trip, or a personal (but non-MR) trip? (And if you believe UA has the capability to look at patterns across multiple trips, I've got several bridges to sell you, because in aggressively pursuing a "you are your transaction" model of revenue, UA has shown that they have no ability whatsoever to create long-term analytics of a given pax--else they wouldn't be driving away high-value customers by selling TODs and other shenanigans).
My company requires the lowest fare available be purchased (even though they have contracts with UA; I've ended up on a few contracted fares on occasion); you tell me how you differentiate a $238 K fare bought for business because it was cheaper than the competition from a mileage runner buying that same $238 K fare. I've had business trips which required same-day return travel, for example, and not every mileage run involves same-day returns.
What it boils down to is this: UA offers cheap fares, and people buy them. You apparently don't like that some people are better at buying them than others. Fine. UA wouldn't offer those cheap fares if they were costing the airline money (assuming UA has any financial sense at all, which is perhaps assuming too much). Yes, those pax then redeem their miles for international premium cabin travel--then maybe UA needs to make earning miles harder? They already have capacity controls in place.
Seriously, MRers are a drop in the bucket of the normal passenger flow. I say that as someone who spends around $15k to earn 1K--these days entirely on my own dime (as my current contract at work doesn't require travel, unfortunately). I fly where I want, when I want, and buy the fares UA is offering. Yes, I get an occasional cheap transcon, but I also spend out the wazoo for the occasional midcon or regional flight, too.
And what exactly counts as a "MR," I wonder? I'm not talking a crazy segment run--those are an even smaller subset of the already-small subset of pax who engage in MR activity. How do you differentiate a single trip as to whether it is a MR, a business trip, or a personal (but non-MR) trip? (And if you believe UA has the capability to look at patterns across multiple trips, I've got several bridges to sell you, because in aggressively pursuing a "you are your transaction" model of revenue, UA has shown that they have no ability whatsoever to create long-term analytics of a given pax--else they wouldn't be driving away high-value customers by selling TODs and other shenanigans).
My company requires the lowest fare available be purchased (even though they have contracts with UA; I've ended up on a few contracted fares on occasion); you tell me how you differentiate a $238 K fare bought for business because it was cheaper than the competition from a mileage runner buying that same $238 K fare. I've had business trips which required same-day return travel, for example, and not every mileage run involves same-day returns.
What it boils down to is this: UA offers cheap fares, and people buy them. You apparently don't like that some people are better at buying them than others. Fine. UA wouldn't offer those cheap fares if they were costing the airline money (assuming UA has any financial sense at all, which is perhaps assuming too much
). Yes, those pax then redeem their miles for international premium cabin travel--then maybe UA needs to make earning miles harder? They already have capacity controls in place.Seriously, MRers are a drop in the bucket of the normal passenger flow. I say that as someone who spends around $15k to earn 1K--these days entirely on my own dime (as my current contract at work doesn't require travel, unfortunately). I fly where I want, when I want, and buy the fares UA is offering. Yes, I get an occasional cheap transcon, but I also spend out the wazoo for the occasional midcon or regional flight, too.
Plus to the OP about the "MR tracking program." If true, which I highly doubt, what's the point? If UA wants to find me doing a MR, pull my reservations for most Saturdays with flights starting in the east, most likely heading west, and coming back the same day.
Jan 27, 2013, 3:31 pm
#2441
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SLC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 493
I have to admit to not being especially passionate about any of them, but I think you will find all manner of concerns expressed in this thread. Folks on MR stealing all the upgrades seems to me the most trivial of them.
Jan 27, 2013, 4:08 pm
#2442
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Kettlesville, home of GLOBAL SERVICES, (.....es)
Programs: Mileage Plus in America and Qantas down under
Posts: 44
What exactly do you think UA is going to do when they "find" the MRers? Said pax have done nothing wrong by the T&C of the MP program (except perhaps in the paranoid fantasy world of folks who seem to think MRers are responsible for everything from upgrade issues to airline financial woes to the bubonic plague).
And what exactly counts as a "MR," I wonder? I'm not talking a crazy segment run--those are an even smaller subset of the already-small subset of pax who engage in MR activity. How do you differentiate a single trip as to whether it is a MR, a business trip, or a personal (but non-MR) trip? (And if you believe UA has the capability to look at patterns across multiple trips, I've got several bridges to sell you, because in aggressively pursuing a "you are your transaction" model of revenue, UA has shown that they have no ability whatsoever to create long-term analytics of a given pax--else they wouldn't be driving away high-value customers by selling TODs and other shenanigans).
My company requires the lowest fare available be purchased (even though they have contracts with UA; I've ended up on a few contracted fares on occasion); you tell me how you differentiate a $238 K fare bought for business because it was cheaper than the competition from a mileage runner buying that same $238 K fare. I've had business trips which required same-day return travel, for example, and not every mileage run involves same-day returns.
What it boils down to is this: UA offers cheap fares, and people buy them. You apparently don't like that some people are better at buying them than others. Fine. UA wouldn't offer those cheap fares if they were costing the airline money (assuming UA has any financial sense at all, which is perhaps assuming too much). Yes, those pax then redeem their miles for international premium cabin travel--then maybe UA needs to make earning miles harder? They already have capacity controls in place.
Seriously, MRers are a drop in the bucket of the normal passenger flow. I say that as someone who spends around $15k to earn 1K--these days entirely on my own dime (as my current contract at work doesn't require travel, unfortunately). I fly where I want, when I want, and buy the fares UA is offering. Yes, I get an occasional cheap transcon, but I also spend out the wazoo for the occasional midcon or regional flight, too.
And what exactly counts as a "MR," I wonder? I'm not talking a crazy segment run--those are an even smaller subset of the already-small subset of pax who engage in MR activity. How do you differentiate a single trip as to whether it is a MR, a business trip, or a personal (but non-MR) trip? (And if you believe UA has the capability to look at patterns across multiple trips, I've got several bridges to sell you, because in aggressively pursuing a "you are your transaction" model of revenue, UA has shown that they have no ability whatsoever to create long-term analytics of a given pax--else they wouldn't be driving away high-value customers by selling TODs and other shenanigans).
My company requires the lowest fare available be purchased (even though they have contracts with UA; I've ended up on a few contracted fares on occasion); you tell me how you differentiate a $238 K fare bought for business because it was cheaper than the competition from a mileage runner buying that same $238 K fare. I've had business trips which required same-day return travel, for example, and not every mileage run involves same-day returns.
What it boils down to is this: UA offers cheap fares, and people buy them. You apparently don't like that some people are better at buying them than others. Fine. UA wouldn't offer those cheap fares if they were costing the airline money (assuming UA has any financial sense at all, which is perhaps assuming too much
). Yes, those pax then redeem their miles for international premium cabin travel--then maybe UA needs to make earning miles harder? They already have capacity controls in place.Seriously, MRers are a drop in the bucket of the normal passenger flow. I say that as someone who spends around $15k to earn 1K--these days entirely on my own dime (as my current contract at work doesn't require travel, unfortunately). I fly where I want, when I want, and buy the fares UA is offering. Yes, I get an occasional cheap transcon, but I also spend out the wazoo for the occasional midcon or regional flight, too.
Jan 27, 2013, 4:10 pm
#2443
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Maybe United is taking DL's data mining a few steps further...
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfr...-keeps-on-you/
Check out Seth's (sbm12) number of posts here, and then take a look at his blog (Wandering Aramean).
It is possible to fly and blog! (or fly and post to FT in exerda's case...)
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfr...-keeps-on-you/
It is possible to fly and blog! (or fly and post to FT in exerda's case...)
Jan 27, 2013, 4:31 pm
#2444
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
Maybe United is taking DL's data mining a few steps further...
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfr...-keeps-on-you/
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfr...-keeps-on-you/
Jan 27, 2013, 5:39 pm
#2445
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX,SNA,CLD,SAN
Programs: UA PP/Marriott Platinum Elite/Hyatt Diamond/Avis Preferred/Hertz Presidential
Posts: 602
Agreed on all accounts!
Plus to the OP about the "MR tracking program." If true, which I highly doubt, what's the point? If UA wants to find me doing a MR, pull my reservations for most Saturdays with flights starting in the east, most likely heading west, and coming back the same day.
Plus to the OP about the "MR tracking program." If true, which I highly doubt, what's the point? If UA wants to find me doing a MR, pull my reservations for most Saturdays with flights starting in the east, most likely heading west, and coming back the same day.