Originally Posted by
Boraxo
I might as well just buy the lowest fare and toss my elite status into the trash.
United has already beat you to the punch, you have to pay MORE now to avoid a BE fare if you want to use your elite status.
As an e.g. if one looks two weeks out SEA-SFO, UA wants another $20 to avoid BE (BE fares of $123 or $133) while Delta will just sell you a regular Y at $105 or $145, and VX/AS will sell you seats at $106 or $123.
So United's BE is not cheaper, and it gives you less, unless you pay a loyalty tax to use your "elite status"