Is anyone else sick of hearing E+ is the solution to everything in regards to UA?
May 9, 2011 | 9:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
Is anyone else sick of hearing E+ is the solution to everything in regards to UA?
Over the past several months I've heard it over and over again..."well there is always E+". While I will say in concept it is good but it isn't the solution to everything. Today alone I saw that or something close to it said in 11 individual threads that were commented on within the past 48 hours.
For those of us who aren't elite, which there are many, this isn't a free benefit so we have to calculate that into the price.
For those of us elite on other airline program it is not available and buying a $425/annual e+ package isn't something that will be cost worthy for under 4 trips a year.
Economy is still economy and many of us have to sit in it.
For those of us who aren't elite, which there are many, this isn't a free benefit so we have to calculate that into the price.
For those of us elite on other airline program it is not available and buying a $425/annual e+ package isn't something that will be cost worthy for under 4 trips a year.
Economy is still economy and many of us have to sit in it.
May 9, 2011 | 9:54 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,529
Over the past several months I've heard it over and over again..."well there is always E+". While I will say in concept it is good but it isn't the solution to everything. Today alone I saw that or something close to it said in 11 individual threads that were commented on within the past 48 hours.
For those of us who aren't elite, which there are many, this isn't a free benefit so we have to calculate that into the price.
For those of us elite on other airline program it is not available and buying a $425/annual e+ package isn't something that will be cost worthy for under 4 trips a year.
Economy is still economy and many of us have to sit in it.
For those of us who aren't elite, which there are many, this isn't a free benefit so we have to calculate that into the price.
For those of us elite on other airline program it is not available and buying a $425/annual e+ package isn't something that will be cost worthy for under 4 trips a year.
Economy is still economy and many of us have to sit in it.
May 9, 2011 | 10:07 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
Example of one thread I read from 3 months ago was asking about COvsLH economy and EWRvsJFK. 2 UA respondents said to fly via NY-IAD to FRA as you can get E+. It's just thrown in as the answer to anything.
May 9, 2011 | 10:10 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,696
So if your not elite (or have EPA), there is basically no difference in the offering between airlines.
IMhO, so many variables here.
Agreed E+ is not attractive to someone who flies 4 times per year ORD-LAS. But it could be attractive for someone who flies 4X LHR-SYD.
No E+ is not attractive to a 4'7" horse jockey. But it is attractive to a 6'4" basketball player.
May 9, 2011 | 10:10 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,529
I posted it as CO flyer but read these statements in Travelbuzz, Staralliance and the UA/CO forums. Of the 11 posts 3 were from "foreign" alliance members asking about service and they were told to get E+. I just think it's the simple answer of what puts UA's economy above another's product even if the other carrier doesn't have a product. I'm sure that I too will get to enjoy E+ when it is installed on CO planes.
Example of one thread I read from 3 months ago was asking about COvsLH economy and EWRvsJFK. 2 UA respondents said to fly via NY-IAD to FRA as you can get E+. It's just thrown in as the answer to anything.
Example of one thread I read from 3 months ago was asking about COvsLH economy and EWRvsJFK. 2 UA respondents said to fly via NY-IAD to FRA as you can get E+. It's just thrown in as the answer to anything.
May 9, 2011 | 10:22 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
And E- on UA is pretty close to most Y seats on other domestic US airlines.
So if your not elite (or have EPA), there is basically no difference in the offering between airlines.
IMhO, so many variables here.
Agreed E+ is not attractive to someone who flies 4 times per year ORD-LAS. But it could be attractive for someone who flies 4X LHR-SYD.
No E+ is not attractive to a 4'7" horse jockey. But it is attractive to a 6'4" basketball player.
So if your not elite (or have EPA), there is basically no difference in the offering between airlines.
IMhO, so many variables here.
Agreed E+ is not attractive to someone who flies 4 times per year ORD-LAS. But it could be attractive for someone who flies 4X LHR-SYD.
No E+ is not attractive to a 4'7" horse jockey. But it is attractive to a 6'4" basketball player.
Aacharya: That's pretty much the point I was making. That the person asked about two specific products and which airport is preferred for the better experience and 2 people's responses was to fly another airline via another airport just to get a couple of extra inches of legroom where all 3 (CO,UA &LH) have identical "E-" legroom. The kicker...this was posted in Budget travel so obviously the person didn't want to spend more to get "E+"
May 9, 2011 | 11:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,443
May 10, 2011 | 8:57 am
#8
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
You don't have to buy E+ as an annual package, you can buy it on individual trips if you want. Or you can fly the PS flights where all of coach is E+ seating.
E+ is a huge benefit, which is why it's mentioned over and over again. When somebody asks what the benefits of status are with United, in thread after thread it's far above the priority line, the free luggage allowance, the early boarding. It is a big deal, and it's certainly one reason United can charge more for the same route many other airlines are flying.
Starting another thread complaining about the number of threads about it seems counter productive, but that's not the point.
E+ is a huge benefit, which is why it's mentioned over and over again. When somebody asks what the benefits of status are with United, in thread after thread it's far above the priority line, the free luggage allowance, the early boarding. It is a big deal, and it's certainly one reason United can charge more for the same route many other airlines are flying.
Starting another thread complaining about the number of threads about it seems counter productive, but that's not the point.
May 10, 2011 | 9:07 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: IHG Gold Ambassador
Posts: 333
E+ in my mind is an over rated product for most domestic flights. It is just way for the airline to stick it to customers in a different way. E+ is not a chance that we will like as much as it is a change that we'll have to get used to until it becomes normal to us. The new UA is something I'm not looking forward to but it's something I'll have do deal with.
May 10, 2011 | 9:39 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,529
That's pretty much my main point right there. Standard Y is just that. and A few seats available mostly to Elites isn't the solution to the the casual flyer or to someone who asks about specific routing.
Aacharya: That's pretty much the point I was making. That the person asked about two specific products and which airport is preferred for the better experience and 2 people's responses was to fly another airline via another airport just to get a couple of extra inches of legroom where all 3 (CO,UA &LH) have identical "E-" legroom. The kicker...this was posted in Budget travel so obviously the person didn't want to spend more to get "E+"
Aacharya: That's pretty much the point I was making. That the person asked about two specific products and which airport is preferred for the better experience and 2 people's responses was to fly another airline via another airport just to get a couple of extra inches of legroom where all 3 (CO,UA &LH) have identical "E-" legroom. The kicker...this was posted in Budget travel so obviously the person didn't want to spend more to get "E+"
A little longer posting on your end to clarify the situation (as well as a much better thread title) would have gone a longways.
May 10, 2011 | 9:46 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
You don't have to buy E+ as an annual package, you can buy it on individual trips if you want. Or you can fly the PS flights where all of coach is E+ seating.
E+ is a huge benefit, which is why it's mentioned over and over again. When somebody asks what the benefits of status are with United, in thread after thread it's far above the priority line, the free luggage allowance, the early boarding. It is a big deal, and it's certainly one reason United can charge more for the same route many other airlines are flying.
Starting another thread complaining about the number of threads about it seems counter productive, but that's not the point.
E+ is a huge benefit, which is why it's mentioned over and over again. When somebody asks what the benefits of status are with United, in thread after thread it's far above the priority line, the free luggage allowance, the early boarding. It is a big deal, and it's certainly one reason United can charge more for the same route many other airlines are flying.
Starting another thread complaining about the number of threads about it seems counter productive, but that's not the point.
Cordelli: Most of what you said is valid but the fact is most of the people asking about flying on UA aren't UA elites. They are people who are elite on another program or not elite at all. So they're not open to having it for free. And when people are flying to Tokyo they don't necessarily need to hear..fly E+ as it will cure all your problems when in fact the schedule, seat and service are what they are more in-tune with.
May 10, 2011 | 9:50 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Programs: DL SM Plat, B6 TrueBlue, UA MP, AAdvantage
Posts: 10,008
E+ Is Great
I am a UaCo non-elite, who always buys up to E+ when flying UA.
I love E+. I find E- unacceptably cramped, and the additional few inches of legroom in E+ make all the difference for me.
Yes, it's not FC, but the E+ buy-ups are inexpensive (certainly compared to buying up to FC for a non-elite), and, for me, completely worth it.
By the way, I'm less excited about the current version of E+ on CO, namely the additional legroom at the exit rows, because the seat cushions on most the seats are shorter (and therefore less comfortable) and some of these seats do not recline.
But, then again, E+ is coming to the entire merged UaCo, so I will keep buying tickets on the airline, and continue purchasing buy-ups.
I love E+. I find E- unacceptably cramped, and the additional few inches of legroom in E+ make all the difference for me.
Yes, it's not FC, but the E+ buy-ups are inexpensive (certainly compared to buying up to FC for a non-elite), and, for me, completely worth it.
By the way, I'm less excited about the current version of E+ on CO, namely the additional legroom at the exit rows, because the seat cushions on most the seats are shorter (and therefore less comfortable) and some of these seats do not recline.
But, then again, E+ is coming to the entire merged UaCo, so I will keep buying tickets on the airline, and continue purchasing buy-ups.
May 10, 2011 | 10:06 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United Global Services and 1MM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 10,304
I have yet to see one significant change that benefits 1Ks.
May 10, 2011 | 10:12 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
May 10, 2011 | 10:36 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,822
