Originally Posted by
SS255
I don't think it will disappear, because I don't think that CO wants the kind of uproar that they will inevitably receive from UA elites if they took E+ away. With all of the other hiccups and inconveniences which this merger is bound to create, why add one other item to the list to tick off your best customers? On the other hand, I am skeptical about their commitment to install E+ on CO metal aircraft -- at least in the short-term.
You're assuming that CO considers its Elites to be its "best customers." You're also assuming that CO is responsive to uproar.
CO has had for years a very watered down FF program with the 50% EQM nonsense and it didn't seem to phase them. There was uproar for years on that, and they did nothing, even sometimes arrogantly suggesting they had too many Elites. And now, CO is the only airline that charges for specialty drinks in First Class, and it doesn't bother them. They are not really interested in how it appears, they just want your $3.
UA Elites may be in for a shock with the anti-customer attitude of CO management.
Originally Posted by
reinballe
Is E+ really that good... (my signature reveals by lack of experience in this regard)... or is it E- which is that horrible?
Sometimes you're not on an upgradeable ticket (e.g., award), or can't get the whole family up there and would rather sit together. Or flying internationally and are ineligible for upgrade. Or are flying standby and just want to get on. Or get bumped and just want a reasonable seat. Or misconnect or reroute and would like to get something decent to sit in.
There are many angles to E+. I think it's clear that CO has banked too much on upgrades which they are no longer able to reliably deliver. E+ is a perfect solution for that.