Originally Posted by CalmTraveler (Post 17190490)

I joined FlyerTalk to post the following letter to UA Insider.

Dear UA Insider:

I have been a United Mileage Plus member, since 1983. I have flown United almost exclusively for nearly three decades. My status has been Premier, sometimes Premier Executive. This year and last year, I have been Premier Executive. I expect I will have about 40,000 EQM, or less, by the end of this year, so, I will likely be “Premier Silver,” in the coming year.

My travel is for business. I fly domestically. I tend to purchase tickets late, one to two weeks before departure, sometimes a few days. Price is not a factor. I opt to purchase paid upgrades to first class, even though there may be a likelihood I would be upgraded for free. On occasion, I buy a first class ticket. I do this so that my jacket can go on a hanger--I am one of the few travelers who wears a suit and tie, while flying.

I am a Red Carpet Club member, although I do not use the clubs enough to justify the annual membership fee that I pay. The annual fee divided by the number of visits per year would be rather embarrassing.

I have never taken an inexpensive flight with a large number of miles--a “mileage run”-- for the purpose of qualifying for a certain status. I just have no interest in that.

I do not know the total revenue United receives from me in a year, let alone the revenue per mile, and I am not going to take the time to calculate it. That should be United’s job.

To me, the benefit of having elite status in the Mileage Plus program was not free travel from accumulated miles. It was in being appreciated as a regular customer, whether at check-in, or flying, or having to call to make a change in a reservation. But, your front line employees no longer seem “empowered,” as they once were, years back. Except for perhaps your Global Services customers, United’s interaction with its customers is now defined by the increasingly complex rules of the Mileage Plus loyalty program.

I read the changes United will be implementing to the program, beginning next year. At first, I was somewhat disappointed in United, particularly given that United announced the changes towards the end of the year, after advertising a different program during the year, for which people may have sought to qualify.

In addition to disappointment, I felt unappreciated. I have had this as a growing sense. Although your rules are becoming ever more complex, over such things as the pecking order for upgrades or who boards before whom, your new rules seem to further diminish recognition of customers such as myself, who are already handicapped by a loyalty system focused primarily on miles and not revenue, let alone revenue per mile or profitability.

After a few days, however, I came to welcome the change: I no longer feel limited to taking United flights. Maybe the perceived benefit of my “elite” status was always somewhat of an apparition from clever marketing. The further diminishment of the program benefits, relative to me, essentially eliminated any remaining loyalty incentive.

I am not “switching” to another airline. I am not angry at United. United may still be the airline I fly most, in the future. But United will be one among several. Put simply, just as I do not enjoy recognition by United in their decision making, United will no longer enjoy a special recognition in my decision making.

I will register in other airline frequent flier programs, probably while waiting at the gate. But I do not expect to achieve elite status in any, nor will I be attempting to do so. I expect to pay more often for upgrades, or simply be purchasing business class tickets more often. I have the money, and spending a little more should make me immune from lack of elite status. As for accumulating miles for free travel, it is a nice bonus, but it reminds me a little of when my mother collected S&H green stamps.

I am now in my early 50s, and my wife and I are planning to take one to two international trips a year, for fun. I had been planning on flying United in business class. Now I can consider Korean Air for our trip to Seoul and Air France for our trip to Paris. I flew Cathay Pacific in 1979, when I was student, and have always remembered it. I am looking forward to the experience of flying some of the most acclaimed airlines.

I recently obtained the new Mercedes-Benz American Express Platinum card, which I would prefer to use for my travel. No longer being tied to United has solved a minor dilemma. I can discontinue use of my Chase United Mileage Plus card and simply close out the account.

Thank you for the freedom.

Originally Posted by vksun (Post 17190574)

The loss of E+ seat selection at the time of booking is a huge loss for families. My wife, 3 year-old daughter, and myself are all 2P having deliberately chosen to fly UA for the baggage benefits and seat selection. I now foresee us being separated in E+ in all middle seats and not having anyone willing to swap with us to allow us to sit together. Are there any provisions for 2P members who are small children flying w/ parents?

Originally Posted by LarkSFO (Post 17190606)

Yes! From Las Vegas: Virgin America, Southwest, etc...

Originally Posted by vksun (Post 17190634)

I'm sure most of the travelers on this forum would love for us families with children to leave UA and start flying the discounters.... but does UA?

Originally Posted by ssh (Post 17190737)

Ok... What am I missing? Other than the ever-so-slight bump in upgrade priority and timing and RDM bonus, what does a 1K have over a Platinum? I may be happy just to stay Plat this year instead of work to get my 1K by taking some flights that would just be for fun...

So... what am I missing?

Originally Posted by LarkSFO (Post 17190757)

SWU's
Irrops priority

Those seem like two of the more important ones...

Originally Posted by LarkSFO (Post 17190757)

Starting next year, reserved saver inventory in C and F. I am intrigued by this, and am curious to see how it will play out.

Originally Posted by CollegeFlyer (Post 17189234)

Hmm. How "deeply" are these "deeply discounted tickets taht book into Y by contract" typically discounted? Are we talking about comparable to S/T/K pricing, or comparable to B/M pricing? And how freely does UA give out such contracts to corporate types?

Originally Posted by Mike Jacoubowsky (Post 17189872)

No, what's stupid about this stance is that the lowly 2Ps aren't getting together and organizing an email campaign to travel editors (TV, print & web) telling them about it. Seriously, someone has to be the cat herder and get something going.

The issue for 1Ps isn't nearly as dramatic, and for 1Ks & GS folk, they come out even or better. But the 2P has been given a complete shafting, and I'm sure a fair amount of media sympathy could be had for someone who can still fit the definitions of both "frequent flyer" and "loyal to one airline."

If the 2Ps got their act together, they'd have a far better shot at United giving better benefits than they would finding a better home someplace else.

Originally Posted by seanthepilot (Post 17190909)

As I understand it, government Y fares were, as recently as last year, appx 800 R/T from west coast to Asia. The availability of these creates and even further 'uneven playing field'. It's a losing situation for a loyal flyer.

Originally Posted by seanthepilot (Post 17190909)

As I understand it, government Y fares were, as recently as last year, appx 800 R/T from west coast to Asia. The availability of these creates and even further 'uneven playing field'. It's a losing situation for a loyal flyer.

Originally Posted by seanthepilot (Post 17190909)

As I understand it, government Y fares were, as recently as last year, appx 800 R/T from west coast to Asia. The availability of these creates and even further 'uneven playing field'. It's a losing situation for a loyal flyer.

Originally Posted by seanthepilot (Post 17190909)

As I understand it, government Y fares were, as recently as last year, appx 800 R/T from west coast to Asia. The availability of these creates and even further 'uneven playing field'. It's a losing situation for a loyal flyer.

Originally Posted by drewguy (Post 17192659)

You can look up the fares here:

http://apps.fas.gsa.gov/citypairs/search/

Keep in mind that government travelers are basically required to use the "contract carrier" for a given city pair, so they can't fly United if the carrier is Delta just to take advantage of any status they have.

Originally Posted by Bow Rider (Post 17190939)

The speculation about UA trying to get rid of low revenue pax is interesting but, well, speculative. Revenue is revenue, isn't it? If they price a TCON seat at $250 they shouldn't be surprised when it sells. If someone buys 6 of them in a year, why do they become an undesirable customer? Because they earn 2P status? It doesn't compute, IMO, though I can't think it through any better.