Originally Posted by
mahasamatman
It was fun while it lasted, but I see its primary purpose as just closing a loophole for people who love(d) to game the system.
Though I also feel they should waive the fee for all *S and *G, as those people have shown some loyalty and thus should be rewarded with this capability. (I've just sent an email to 1KVoice to express this opinion.)
I don't think the people who "gamed the system" were kettles, so your point seems like an oxymoron.
Speaking of *G, it would appear then a 1 MM flyer is now subject to this fee. Utterly ridiculous. If this stands, my incentive to go for 1 MM diminishes. While I'll still make 1 MM due to a lot of domestic travel required for work, what this means is that by business for TPACs and TATLs will go to other *A carriers, especially now that UA has extended the EQM and RDM accrual benefits to more of its partners. I can hit lifetime elite on other airlines via credit cards if the standby fees are waived. Sad: I was looking forward to using UA as a my primary carrier during retirement.
A tiered fee structure makes sense to me ... e.g. non-members pay $100, GMs $50, elites $0. How can a standby cost UA more than a upgrade, and as of March 19, they are handing out upgrades in higher numbers than before to 2Ps and 1Ps.
Regarding "gaming the system" ...
Originally Posted by
legalalien
Anyway, I never did book the last flight of the day 'on purpose', but being able to fly home earlier if a meeting ends on time once in a while is definitely a benefit. Was a benefit.
I really want to understand this. IME, the last flight of the day is the most expensive because it is the one that maximizes the business traveler's work time and personal time. IME the first flight of the day is the least expensive, because few people want to wake up at 3am or earlier to make a 6am flight.
What website offers me these cheap deals on the last flight of the day; I really would like to take advantage of them.
Originally Posted by
axpmaluga
As someone who is pushing to make 1P for the first time ever, this is a tough blow. Besides E+ I'm not sure what's keeping me from AA as an ORD based flyer. This may cause me to do a status match/challenge once I hit my goal because I'll be able to get exit rows on AA by then.
I agree. Any UA elite in ORD, Texas, or New York City should have moved a long time ago.
Those of us in Colorado, California, and D.C. are staying though.