Economy Plus is here to stay
#91
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,986
I do feel that the decision was not an easy one and that there may have been a serious power struggle inside UACO over which way they would go based upon how long it took them to make the announcement. I had already made a decision to stay with UA this year and just last night finished booking the trip that will put me over the top to make 1K again for 2012.
I am exceptionally happy today and proud to be a loyal UACO customer!
Last edited by zombietooth; Feb 17, 2011 at 3:37 pm
#92
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Antonio
Programs: UA Premier iK, Accor Platinum
Posts: 98
On aircraft with flatbed seats suck as the 757 and 777, it is very unlikely they will be touched. I would expect changes will be limited to Y.
On the CO 764 the position of the exit, galley and lav dictate that the changes be only in Y.
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
However, IF the more expensive B fares (and M too) are here to stay, once they resolve the fare mapping issues, and IF TODs are truly done...F upgrade rates may just stabilize even with losing a row of F on the bigger a/c.
#94
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 456
Maybe you didn't notice, but 18 months ago, UA's share price was $3.50.
Last week it north of $27.
There are many in the business world who would say the management team is at least doing SOMETHING right in the past year.
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
but let's just celebrate our little victory here as long as possible...
#97
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Yes! They listened to the masses on the E+ question and my guess (no guarantees) is they will listen again. We need to make our voices loud and clear.
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
It has been very nice changes for CO flyers (other than B fare is way up), SWU, CR1, now E+.
But what do we get? Practically nothing.
We pray no "change", not even expecting any new goodies. Very sad, indeed.
Lack of competition only results in higher fares and benefit cuts.
Airline executives will get more bonus and share holders will be happy too. But consumers lose.
#100
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: United Premier Gold, AirBerlin Gold, Starwood Gold, Avis Preferred, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 497
Thank you! ^
#101
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 456
We really need to see the rest of this announcement before we make conclusions:
1. Reduction of F would be bad. Still TBD
2. EUA/UDU to E+ for low level elites would be bad for them. Who can reserve E+ or ELR in advance is TBD.
What if:
1. UA/CO reduces F cabins
2. Top tiers PPlat/Plat/Gold/GS/1K/1P get E+ at time of ticket. But have to pay for upgrade to F. With the buy up program we sort of see this now.
3. Silver/2P only get EUA/UDU into E+ if there are E+ seats available.
While the good news has been announced, the TBDs could be the bad news.
I think UA/CO is trying to differentiate from LLC with E+. But E+ becomes the elite seating option and F becomes a buy up or requires a high fare code (B or M) to get F. These buyups or high fare only to F helps pay for the loss of 1 row of Y to create E+.
What would you do if auto upgrades to F go away and only upgradeable for set or variable fees or only apply to high level fare codes? Would you switch to DL or AA (if you earn AA Exec Plat)?
1. Reduction of F would be bad. Still TBD
2. EUA/UDU to E+ for low level elites would be bad for them. Who can reserve E+ or ELR in advance is TBD.
What if:
1. UA/CO reduces F cabins
2. Top tiers PPlat/Plat/Gold/GS/1K/1P get E+ at time of ticket. But have to pay for upgrade to F. With the buy up program we sort of see this now.
3. Silver/2P only get EUA/UDU into E+ if there are E+ seats available.
While the good news has been announced, the TBDs could be the bad news.
I think UA/CO is trying to differentiate from LLC with E+. But E+ becomes the elite seating option and F becomes a buy up or requires a high fare code (B or M) to get F. These buyups or high fare only to F helps pay for the loss of 1 row of Y to create E+.
What would you do if auto upgrades to F go away and only upgradeable for set or variable fees or only apply to high level fare codes? Would you switch to DL or AA (if you earn AA Exec Plat)?
Everyone's making SUCH a big deal about E+, but what if it comes at the ultimate expense of fewer/costlier/no free upgrades to F?
E+ may not be so "glorious" if complimentary EUAs get replaced by ToD's and instrument-based (i.e. "earned") upgrades.
As they always say, "Be careful what you wish for..."
Personally, I don't think we should be dancing in the streets and tossing the Mardi Gras beads off the balcony just yet.....
#102
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
#103
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: GSO
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 776
Huge ^^ for this - I have recently flown US and AA several times and only then realized how great E+ really is. Thanks UA!
#105
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,120
Great news. Thanks for letting us know!