US Airways award travel chart change
Feb 7, 2013, 2:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
US Airways award travel chart change
US Airways award travel chart changed last night (the night between 2/5-2/6) on some awards up to 25% higher. I called their customers relation and they claimed they can change the rates anytime without notice...Assuming it is correct and acceptable by the terms is it a proper business ethical behavior?
Here is the award chart after the change:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...wardchart.html
Not enough there are not "Standard" bonus tickets they increase the rates.
Here is the award chart after the change:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...wardchart.html
Not enough there are not "Standard" bonus tickets they increase the rates.
Feb 7, 2013, 5:22 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: DM member since 1996, DM Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 255
No more low off peak envoy for 60k miles.
Feb 7, 2013, 5:34 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Originally Posted by Bighead1970:20201901
No more low off peak envoy for 60k miles.
Feb 7, 2013, 5:53 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: HKG
Programs: DL, CX
Posts: 223
still no change in star partner award miles. Or change in the way?
Feb 7, 2013, 5:58 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)
Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze
Posts: 1,633
I guess their new business class is selling well enough to justify taking away the 60k award level...
Feb 7, 2013, 6:01 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,663
That was the first thing I looked at. Double Arrgggghhhh!
Feb 7, 2013, 6:02 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Choice Gold, Hilton Diamond, US CP
Posts: 334
And how is it unethical? Its not. They are operating under the guidelines which we all agree to when we enroll in the program.
You are assuming you could have found enough seats for your whole family.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:15 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Charlotte
Programs: US CP
Posts: 224
I have been looking for off peak envoy for next week and noticed this this morning. Spoke with the Chairman's desk and 2 people said they hadn't heard of any change. Their explanation was that availability must be moving those awards higher. (Obv wrong)
Feb 7, 2013, 6:17 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Charlotte
Programs: US CP
Posts: 224
Not to mention they make the change for off peak during the last 3 weeks its offered this year for Europe
Feb 7, 2013, 6:20 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: TPA
Programs: US Plat, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 793
This should not surprise anyone. With all the buy/share promotions they have had over the last years. I'm still buying points and flying US. Although my next LHR flight will be on BA to check out the product since they are a partner with AA and that's where we all be in a few months.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:22 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
It's been a really long time since they adjusted that chart, so I don't think any of us should be surprised.
As for business ethics.... testing vaccines on babies in third-world countries without their parents' informed consent is unethical. Highly unethical. Changing the price you charge for your product or service is not unethical at all.
As for business ethics.... testing vaccines on babies in third-world countries without their parents' informed consent is unethical. Highly unethical. Changing the price you charge for your product or service is not unethical at all.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:28 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
1. Why ask US? The terms and conditions of the program are publicly available on its website and make it clear that US can change the program at any time and without notice.
2. Why would this be unethical? When you join MP, you specifically check the "I agree" box noting that you have read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions in #1. It's a voluntary program, costs nothing and is upfront and transperent about its terms. Those are the hallmarks of business ethics.
3. As to whether it's good business, only US knows the numbers, but presumably an improved economic situation leading to more purchased premium seats, coupled with capacity cuts, means that there's no reason to give those seats away at such a low "price." Miles are no different than dollars. When demand goes up, US raises its prices for revenue tickets. Makes sense to do so for award tickets too.
2. Why would this be unethical? When you join MP, you specifically check the "I agree" box noting that you have read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions in #1. It's a voluntary program, costs nothing and is upfront and transperent about its terms. Those are the hallmarks of business ethics.
3. As to whether it's good business, only US knows the numbers, but presumably an improved economic situation leading to more purchased premium seats, coupled with capacity cuts, means that there's no reason to give those seats away at such a low "price." Miles are no different than dollars. When demand goes up, US raises its prices for revenue tickets. Makes sense to do so for award tickets too.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:29 am
#13
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
They do have the right to change the award chart, but there is a tipping point at which it would be considered fradulent.
Many years ago, in the late 80's or early 90's I think, as the loyalty programs realized the monster they had created, they did major changes to awards. The state attorneys general got into the act and there was some sort of general negotiated settlement limiting how much they could change. I know for example that around 1992, 93, 94 or something like that, my United miles were split into "old" miles which could be redeemed at the old rates, and "new" miles at the new rates. I think old miles converted to new miles in 1997. The old charge was two first-class tickets USA to Austrailia for 120K miles. (Although back then, I think "F" still meant the same as domestic F is now.)
One thing that stimulated that was the 1988 debacle. Eastern Airlines, running on fumes, had a promotion that if you flew one Eastern flight in the first three months, you got triple miles on every flight all year. All the competitors matched it. That was also in the day before CC bonuses, so the inflation in miles in "circulation" was very significant.
Many years ago, in the late 80's or early 90's I think, as the loyalty programs realized the monster they had created, they did major changes to awards. The state attorneys general got into the act and there was some sort of general negotiated settlement limiting how much they could change. I know for example that around 1992, 93, 94 or something like that, my United miles were split into "old" miles which could be redeemed at the old rates, and "new" miles at the new rates. I think old miles converted to new miles in 1997. The old charge was two first-class tickets USA to Austrailia for 120K miles. (Although back then, I think "F" still meant the same as domestic F is now.)
One thing that stimulated that was the 1988 debacle. Eastern Airlines, running on fumes, had a promotion that if you flew one Eastern flight in the first three months, you got triple miles on every flight all year. All the competitors matched it. That was also in the day before CC bonuses, so the inflation in miles in "circulation" was very significant.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:29 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
US must have taken a page out the playbook of DL and thought: "how can we gut our program as well"...
Feb 7, 2013, 6:37 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Charlotte
Programs: US CP
Posts: 224
I've been taking advantage of the CP no award change fee and piecing a trip together for next week. I already had my flight to Europe booked from PHL in Envoy but hadn't found a low level of CLT-PHL. DO you think it is going to reprice when I find my connection to PHL? Or will it stay at the old 30000?