United/Continental post-Mar 3 merger: upgrades and co-pays
 

Has anyone noticed that as of March 3, 2012, the newly merged United/Continental will expect payment of co-pays when wait-listed for International upgrades? For a typical WSTKLG fare btwn the U.S. and Europe that would mean an upfront payment of $550 each way or $1100 roundtrip. United will be sitting on my money from the time I book and request an upgrade until (and if) the upgrade clears. {If the upgrade doesn't clear, United will refund the co-pay.} I can understand charging me for the co-pay when the upgrade clears, BUT charging me months ahead of time?! It's bad enough that United collects the miles-points ahead of time prior to upgrade clearance.

I saw that in the announcement yesterday and was quite upset about it.

It will be a huge gain for COdbaUA. There are often 50+ people on the waitlist for these upgrades, and in the past we only paid when it cleared, knowing it usually doesn't. Now they will get everyones cash, and have to refund it all later. They are probably manging this money and earning a lot of interest on it. I would hate to part with $1,100 for 3 months knowing I probably won't get the upgrade. One of the many reasons I will now book all international trips on other carriers.

Now the scary part, what if they file for bankruptcy, will they then not have to refund us the co-pays if our refund doesn't clear?

Yep - was being discussed in at least one other thread. It's the sCO method, and allows UA to float the cash.

Wow. Things just get worse.

Reading the web site I see:

"My flight departs on or after system conversion*"

AND

"I requested my upgrade prior to system conversion*"

THEN

"Contact United Reservations after system conversion* to provide payment"

Nice.

* The system conversion date is the day the United MileagePlus and Continental OnePass technology systems are converted to a single system. This transition will occur in late in the first quarter of 2012.

You want my money? Give me a call. #fail

Similarly, my understanding is that when you want to cancel a $500 nonrefundable ticket and apply it towards the purchase of a new ticket, things are a little different. On UA you can buy a $350 flight straightaway. On CO you pay $150 cash and then can buy a $500 flight.

Wow -- thanks for the info -- I didn't realize this was happening. Overall, I have to agree that the merger with Continental has been unfortunate -- United in the aggregate is going downhill from a consumer's point of view. The Continental way is not to my liking.

This is absolutely outrageous & deserves a firestorm of complaints!!! Perhaps to the Consumer Protection Agency, FAA, or whatever. When I put up a CR-1 or SWU, it sits there sequestered & is returned if the upgrade does not clear. Why should they have the benefit of my (provisional) money to be on a waitlist. Not the same as booking & paying for a flight in advance. BTW, that last quoted remark makes me think of MFGlobal.

I don't think this is the "Continental" way at all. It's actually the "United" way, but they are using Continental colours and logos to mask this fact. :mad:

I can't decide if this is satire or not...

Thanks for posting about this, OP. I wasn't aware of this practice.

In a word: sleazy.

Wow, it's not like these copays are typically tens of dollars, we're talking some serious fronting of cash for a chance at an upgrade. I guess this is the new UA - maybe Jeff will put this in the next pre-safety video:

"We've also made some changes to the way upgrade co-pays work that I think you'll like. Instead of charging you when your upgrade clears, we'll now charge you at the time of request! This means that you won't have to worry about us charging you right before you travel when your upgrade clears. Instead, you'll have peace of mind to use that credit card, maybe even the United MileagePlus Explorer Card, during your well deserved vacation."

Totally not true. In the past (and currently) United never has charged our credit cards, either when reserved NOR when confirmed. It's only on when the flight actually is in the air!

It may be the idea of a UA staff member, but it's not the UA way.

But it is sleazy! Trashy. Poor business practice. :td:

Yikes! UA Insider is quick to post stuff bragging on how great the new UA is, but neglects to update us on changes like this. Pathetic.:td:

To me, this is even worse! So I now have to pay $150 to not fly? So I have an emergency and I have to pull out my credit card and pay COdbaUA $150 for the pleasure of having a soon to expire $500 credit? I liked the UA way better, I just call and cancel and use my credit later and it's just worth $150 less. This is a deal breaker for me.

Really customer unfriendly policy, and I hope it gets reversed.

On a positive note, I wonder if this will reduce the miles+copay requests and in turn improve SWU success...