Originally Posted by
fly18725
BE is effectively a fare increase. There's never a guarantee a fare increase will "stick" and be adopted by competitors. But, you're leaving money on the table if you don't try. Pricing is fully transparent and it is nearly impossible for an airline to operate in isolation.
I know it hurts, but if you're only buying the lowest price tickets, it is difficult to argue that the value of your loyalty was mis-calculated.
Yup, it's a fare increase that causes me to go through an extra process step every time I travel for work to get it approved. I always get it approved; but it's a waste of time and resources for myself and my organization and I'm starting to fill like a jerk even submitting for it.
And no, I've never been the lowest price ticket buyer. Never mileage ran in my life. Last year I ended at about 120,000 miles and $30,000 in spend. 90% of my travel is for work and is generally purchased about a week out from travel date.
The fact that UA wants an extra $40 from me (my employer) so I can select a seat when I'm booking a $1,000 t-con is just too much. I'm 6'3" so E+ access matters.
I've maintained that I understand why BE exists and on routes that they compete directly against NK, F9, B6 and other true LCCs (maybe WN on hyper competitive routes) it makes sense. But that's the fundamental difference between DL's implementation and UAs. I don't like DL's implementation of BE but when I'm already giving them a wheelbarrow full of cash they don't ask me for an extra $40 so I can buy some lube to make the pounding less painful.
And it's not like UA has such a vastly superior product, service, or really, anything.