Changes to O/ON coming Feb. 1, 2013
#1
Company Representative, United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,176
Changes to O/ON coming Feb. 1, 2013
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to let you know about a change we’ll be making to the way we allocate MileagePlus award inventory for United Global First and United First on 3-cabin aircraft. As many of you know, we currently use the same fare class (ON) for both upgrades and Saver travel awards redeemed from MileagePlus Premier Platinum, Premier 1K and Global Services accounts. A consequence of this pairing has been fewer seats being available for upgrades.
To remedy this imbalance, we will begin using ON exclusively for upgrades into United Global First and United First on 3-cabin aircraft effective February 1, 2013. Having a dedicated fare class for these upgrades will enable us to offer differentiated availability. To accommodate this change, we will no longer offer a dedicated fare class for Saver travel awards redeemed from MileagePlus Premier Platinum, Premier 1K and Global Services accounts. Instead, the inventory once used for ON class will be allocated to O class, which will become the sole booking class used for Saver Awards in United Global First and United First on 3-cabin aircraft.
Between now and January 31, ON will still be used for new Saver Award bookings from Platinum, 1K and Global Services accounts, and any flights booked prior to this change will not be impacted. We’ll also continue to offer better access to Saver Awards in United First (on 2-cabin aircraft), United BusinessFirst and United Business for Premier Platinum members and above, and better access to Saver Awards in United Economy for all Premier members.
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
I wanted to let you know about a change we’ll be making to the way we allocate MileagePlus award inventory for United Global First and United First on 3-cabin aircraft. As many of you know, we currently use the same fare class (ON) for both upgrades and Saver travel awards redeemed from MileagePlus Premier Platinum, Premier 1K and Global Services accounts. A consequence of this pairing has been fewer seats being available for upgrades.
To remedy this imbalance, we will begin using ON exclusively for upgrades into United Global First and United First on 3-cabin aircraft effective February 1, 2013. Having a dedicated fare class for these upgrades will enable us to offer differentiated availability. To accommodate this change, we will no longer offer a dedicated fare class for Saver travel awards redeemed from MileagePlus Premier Platinum, Premier 1K and Global Services accounts. Instead, the inventory once used for ON class will be allocated to O class, which will become the sole booking class used for Saver Awards in United Global First and United First on 3-cabin aircraft.
Between now and January 31, ON will still be used for new Saver Award bookings from Platinum, 1K and Global Services accounts, and any flights booked prior to this change will not be impacted. We’ll also continue to offer better access to Saver Awards in United First (on 2-cabin aircraft), United BusinessFirst and United Business for Premier Platinum members and above, and better access to Saver Awards in United Economy for all Premier members.
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: UA 1K- RCC
Posts: 457
So premier platinum and above no longer have better access to saver awards for Global First than general members starting Feb 1, 2013?
While not the best news, I appreciate the transparency as always UA Insider.
While not the best news, I appreciate the transparency as always UA Insider.
#3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K MM, SQ PPS, CX Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Silver
Posts: 679
Agreed on all points- not the best news, but the transparency is appreciated. That said, it takes a lot of miles (140k for a transpac, if I recall) for a GF saver award, so that will limit the number of non-platinum and 1ks which are picking up GF tix.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indiana
Programs: United GS 1.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 533
While, that is probably going to mean that access to saver award F is probably going to go down and they would much rather people book and pay C and upgrade to F then to give out a F Saver award until the last minute.
Thumbs down for me.
Thumbs down for me.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ANP
Programs: UA 1k, Marriott Plat, HH gold, Avis/Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,408
thanks for the update and the transparency.
I just hope there are actual GF saver awards out there that we will actually be able to use miles on.
Im worried that its hard enough to get a transpac GF saver now, its going to be near impossible if its cut.
I just hope there are actual GF saver awards out there that we will actually be able to use miles on.
Im worried that its hard enough to get a transpac GF saver now, its going to be near impossible if its cut.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: United MM (formerly 1K), Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 551
I don't think I will be flying as much on UA this coming year.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,866
If upgrade availability from Y to C improves that's a good thing. Hopefully they don't intend to sell all the extra upgrade space (left by those upgrading to F) for cash.
Last edited by escapefromphl; Dec 18, 2012 at 7:48 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
If this is the only downgrade in the new year I'll take it. But definitely a downgrade. Doesn't matter to me as I've never redeemed for UA 3-cabin F and I likely never would have. Still a shame that the only way to make it work is to pull inventory from top elites.
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indiana
Programs: United GS 1.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 533
Seems this is more about C->F, no??
If this is the only downgrade in the new year I'll take it. But definitely a downgrade. Doesn't matter to me as I've never redeemed for UA 3-cabin F and I likely never would have. Still a shame that the only way to make it work is to pull inventory from top elites.
If this is the only downgrade in the new year I'll take it. But definitely a downgrade. Doesn't matter to me as I've never redeemed for UA 3-cabin F and I likely never would have. Still a shame that the only way to make it work is to pull inventory from top elites.
They just want more control over the ON space so they would probably release way more ON than O.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
this is stupid.
IF they want to separately manage O/ON/OU space .... why not create a separate booking code for upgrades (OU)? Its not like there's running out of 2-letter combinations... Its more about not giving better availability for award space in F to top tier members.
IF they want to separately manage O/ON/OU space .... why not create a separate booking code for upgrades (OU)? Its not like there's running out of 2-letter combinations... Its more about not giving better availability for award space in F to top tier members.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: UA 1K- RCC
Posts: 457
I tend to be agreeing with everyone's comments so far. Saver first has always been much easier than saver business in my experience. Rarely do i ever see saver business when I need it, and when I do there is usually first available too. So saver first reducing is a big minus. That being said GMs generally don't have 140k to spend readily. But to the last point, why can UA just add another inventory space if they are concerned and still want to maintain the same benefits for elites?
#12
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,847
this is stupid.
IF they want to separately manage O/ON/OU space .... why not create a separate booking code for upgrades (OU)? Its not like there's running out of 2-letter combinations... Its more about not giving better availability for award space in F to top tier members.
IF they want to separately manage O/ON/OU space .... why not create a separate booking code for upgrades (OU)? Its not like there's running out of 2-letter combinations... Its more about not giving better availability for award space in F to top tier members.
At the very least, bring back the ability to convert ON to O for GS.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,866
#15
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM Gold, AA Ex Plat, SPG Plat,Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 992