Originally Posted by ExCrew

My second letter on the subject:

To whom it may concern,

This is my second and final letter to United regarding your policy to remove 500 mile minimums on United coded flights. I recently relocated from IAD to SMF and have gone out of my way since moving there to fly UA. Doing so requires me 100% of the time to connect in SFO or LAX. Most times, I find myself questioning why I stay loyal, as most often there is a delay for one of my connecting flights. Likewise, there are usually better non-stop options to my destination on other carriers, but I instead choose to be loyal to UA. However, since the removal of the 500 mile minimum, I question why I am remaining loyal to a company that clearly isn't rewarding my loyalty. I ask myself 'Why am I doing this when UA's actions clearly state to me that they don't want my business?'.
To date, regardless of how United 'spins' this, every major legacy carrier still has the 500 mile minimums left in place, at least for their top tier elites (Continental, Delta, Northwest, and American all maintain 500 mile minimums for their elite fliers). Why is United standing alone on this? It's as if United is telling me 'Go to the competition...we don't need your stinking business anyway!'
If your reply to me is that United is keeping its policies in line with its competition, then I assume you are speaking about your Star Alliance partner US Airways. They are no longer considered a 'legacy' carrier, instead a 'low cost carrier' (their stock ticker symbol is even LCC). UA has always been head and shoulders above US...why would you want to lower your standards to their clearly anti-loyalty levels? If this is your reply, save yourself the effort. I would, however, enjoy a reply that addresses why United would choose to be so undeniably defiant of your true competition on this policy.
There are roughly 8 weeks left in this calendar year. Unless United decides to join your other legacy brethren, I will have no choice but to fly one of your competition in 2009. But I suppose United doesn't care that they lose my travel spend and my business. Maybe not. But when hundreds (if not thousands) of us short haul flyers walk and take our money and business elsewhere next year because of United's shortsightedness, maybe then you will change you mind. Until such time, don't look for me on any UA flights in 2009.

Here's hoping UA changes it's mind and takes care of one of your most loyal passengers,

ExCrew
MP 1K
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