UA thinking of eliminating ff miles on cheap tickets
Dec 14, 2006, 4:06 pm
#46
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People mention the LCC's - specifically Southwest. The ironic thing is that they've almost gone the other way: better service, fewer bogus fees, and more respect for passenger flexibility than the majors. If anything, UA might want to look to them for ideas on how to compete.
I'm generally a fan of UA - I like upgrades, I like E+, I like miles that can take me to global destinations. But still, WN gets a chunk of my business every year because any trip I'm not 100% sure I'm really going to take can't be bought through UA without buying up to a very high fare. For certain business trips I might still do that, but for most trips - business or leisure - I just grab the seat on WN knowing that if I mix the trip it's no big deal.
I'm generally a fan of UA - I like upgrades, I like E+, I like miles that can take me to global destinations. But still, WN gets a chunk of my business every year because any trip I'm not 100% sure I'm really going to take can't be bought through UA without buying up to a very high fare. For certain business trips I might still do that, but for most trips - business or leisure - I just grab the seat on WN knowing that if I mix the trip it's no big deal.
Dec 14, 2006, 4:16 pm
#47
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Isn't that (the unpredictability of when flights will arrive or depart) already the way it is when flying out of ORD (due to frequent weather delays)?
Dec 14, 2006, 4:20 pm
#48
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Yeah, it makes me cringe to actually have to do it, which is why I'm interested in any innovation on United's part that might offer additional flexibility, as was indicated as one of the new product possibilities in that Denver Post article.
Dec 14, 2006, 5:21 pm
#50
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No one has discussed this, but I HATE the idea of "Premiere for a day." Competition is already fierce for upgrades, and many flights have more elites boarding in Zone 1 than all other zones together. I put in my BIS miles to earn the privilege (and my $350 for the RCC) -- I don't think a casual flier who ponies up an extra $25 once a year should get exactly the same benefits that I've earned through my loyalty to the airline.
Dec 14, 2006, 5:54 pm
#51
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Should United ever institute such a policy by eliminating miles on discounted fares they will kill the potential of ever seeing any of my future business.
The reason to fly United is the program eliminate any chance to earn miles and there isn't a chance in the world I would otherwise step foot on one of their planes except if it's the last carrier standing.
I came to United to participate in its program and earn miles. It is all about the miles especially with what a flyer has to put up with these days……
I came to Flyertalk to enhance the potential or earning miles on United. The rest of this outstanding community was an unexpected bonus along the way.
I do the lion’s share of my business at American today. Not because they are any better carrier then United. They simply run a less conditional program today then United. At the end of the day I get most of the seats I need on AA including business class tickets to the West Coast for Christmas week at the 45k redemption level booked just 30 days ago.
Trying doing that on UA these days.
Of course United had nothing when I checked. American simply secured my business again for next year as well.United walks a fine line IMO
I eliminated other programs/carriers for a lot less serious concerns.Not earning miles when flying would be sucicide.Miles are the reason to fly period
Many more miles and Happy Holidays all ^ Three cheers for Flyertalk while we are at it
The reason to fly United is the program eliminate any chance to earn miles and there isn't a chance in the world I would otherwise step foot on one of their planes except if it's the last carrier standing.
I came to United to participate in its program and earn miles. It is all about the miles especially with what a flyer has to put up with these days……
I came to Flyertalk to enhance the potential or earning miles on United. The rest of this outstanding community was an unexpected bonus along the way.
I do the lion’s share of my business at American today. Not because they are any better carrier then United. They simply run a less conditional program today then United. At the end of the day I get most of the seats I need on AA including business class tickets to the West Coast for Christmas week at the 45k redemption level booked just 30 days ago.
Trying doing that on UA these days.
Of course United had nothing when I checked. American simply secured my business again for next year as well.United walks a fine line IMO
I eliminated other programs/carriers for a lot less serious concerns.Not earning miles when flying would be sucicide.Miles are the reason to fly period
Many more miles and Happy Holidays all ^ Three cheers for Flyertalk while we are at it
Last edited by 777 global mile hound; Dec 14, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Dec 14, 2006, 6:08 pm
#52
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If the carriers in the US were all stupid enough to jump on such a bandwagon, they'd be commoditizing their business even more than is already the case. I think we'd have holdouts.
Were such a thing to come to pass, FlyerTalk would have to reinvent itself.
Were such a thing to come to pass, FlyerTalk would have to reinvent itself.
Dec 14, 2006, 8:41 pm
#53
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No one has discussed this, but I HATE the idea of "Premiere for a day." Competition is already fierce for upgrades, and many flights have more elites boarding in Zone 1 than all other zones together. I put in my BIS miles to earn the privilege (and my $350 for the RCC) -- I don't think a casual flier who ponies up an extra $25 once a year should get exactly the same benefits that I've earned through my loyalty to the airline.
That would be detrimental to the frequent fliers who buy their seats closer to the flight time - by definition, the more valuable customers.
If UA rolls out "Premier for a Day", I hope they limit their ability to select an E+ seat to the OLCI window - just like it is today, where you can "buy up" if you are not 3P or higher. My take is that the perk wouldn't include an RCC pass, as they already sell those separately.
I would be fine with P for a D getting you C/F counter service if you need to check a bag, Zone 1 boarding, and an E+ seat - but only after the legitimate elites have already had dibs on their E+ seats.
Dec 14, 2006, 11:51 pm
#54
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I'm really surprised no one has yet mentioned Northwest's BS premium charge for certain seats. I thought either every airline would start this or it would flop and NW would go back to handing out seats like everyone else. So far neither has happened. I can't believe they are getting away with it, but somehow they are.
Dec 15, 2006, 1:10 am
#55
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Did you read the article? You will still be able to earn miles on the lowest fares, but you will pay for them. Everyone pays for them now, they are bundled into the price of the ticket. The proposed system would break out the non-essential elements of the ticket and price them separately.
The trouble is with miles - why would one want to pay for them, except when going on a mileage run? The idea of a frequent flyer scheme is to reward loyalty, surely, and charging for them isn't really a way to do that. Better just to be honest and do away with miles on cheapo fares (like BA, I think) or do away with the FF scheme completely.
As far as "why should a middle seat cost the same as a window/aisle" goes, and the likes, that's adding unnecessary complexity and penny-pinching, IMO, like the idea of charging extra if you want sugar in your coffee. If you want to play that game, you should also ask "why should business class passengers subsidise lowest-fare economy class passengers", which is indeed what they do in a lot of cases now, certainly long-haul.
Neil
Dec 15, 2006, 1:46 am
#56
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Indeed, it'd play right into the hands of the LCCs. Ask people who don't fly WN (if it's a choice they have) why they don't and the cattle car seating and FFP have got to be among the top reasons.
Gordon Bethune also used to talk about doing the unbundled bit, but the customers will decide.
Gordon Bethune also used to talk about doing the unbundled bit, but the customers will decide.
Dec 15, 2006, 9:33 am
#57
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some might argue that "premier for a day" is a fancy name to market what they already are doing. You can already get into the rcc club if i remember right by paying $50 for a day. And you can already pay to get economy plus on united. So in some senses it already takes place.
further if they are charging $50 a day to get into the rcc, it aint gonna be cheap to be premier for a day.
further if they are charging $50 a day to get into the rcc, it aint gonna be cheap to be premier for a day.
Dec 16, 2006, 4:00 am
#59
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Did you read the article? You will still be able to earn miles on the lowest fares, but you will pay for them. Everyone pays for them now, they are bundled into the price of the ticket. The proposed system would break out the non-essential elements of the ticket and price them separately.
MM
Dec 16, 2006, 4:04 am
#60
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well, you get the idea. Do you like really still trust the airlines to actually get that stuff to you all the time in one piece on time? We are being prompted to pay extra to get the norm these days and that is very sad.
MM