Wow, they're sure selling a lot of upgrades
Jan 29, 2013, 9:12 am
#2476
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,487
In the past, I would have said that the route network allows me to stick with UA metal and that allows me to get status and that allows me to get upgrades.
Now that the benefits of status have been drastically cut, and upgrades have also been drastically reduced, the value proposition for status is cut in half, and therefore, if the only point of the route network is to fly more places on UA to get status, the route network becomes as worthless as the status that it enabled me to get.
And so starts the process of considering alternative airlines that I'd never before contemplated flying with.
Now that the benefits of status have been drastically cut, and upgrades have also been drastically reduced, the value proposition for status is cut in half, and therefore, if the only point of the route network is to fly more places on UA to get status, the route network becomes as worthless as the status that it enabled me to get.
And so starts the process of considering alternative airlines that I'd never before contemplated flying with.
Two weeks ago we flew another grandkid on AS metal all the way. UA's service problems and its various devaluations, including UGs and our reduced "million mile" status, have actually liberated us.
Jan 29, 2013, 11:58 am
#2477
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: ASE, COR, EZE, SBP, OGG, NRT, LGA, ORD, PRG
Programs: AA Concierge Key UA 1K
Posts: 147
[QUOTEAnd at UNITED now both GMs and 1ks can trump the loyalty system for cash...but UNITED wants 1ks to pay more to trump the system.
Again, i am not an airline exec, but if that is the business model they want to build, I am happy to respond to it by not being a 1k!]
Again, i am not an airline exec, but if that is the business model they want to build, I am happy to respond to it by not being a 1k!]
[/QUOTE]How long will you be in business when your top customers find out that you are selling the same product to anyone that's walks into your door for a lot less??
Jan 29, 2013, 12:01 pm
#2478
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
Jan 29, 2013, 12:38 pm
#2479
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
Jan 31, 2013, 10:45 am
#2480
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX,SNA,CLD,SAN
Programs: UA PP/Marriott Platinum Elite/Hyatt Diamond/Avis Preferred/Hertz Presidential
Posts: 602
UPG to UA First for $869 p person..IAH>LAX
What? So seats are available when I check in T-24, me Plat, and no CPU? Something is certainly wrong with this system as mentioned a million times. And then ask me to pay $869?
UA, I hate to say, but I don't see a long term relationship in our future. With 24 segments in Jan 2013 and expect up to 250 segments this year, I don't know where to turn.
UA, I hate to say, but I don't see a long term relationship in our future. With 24 segments in Jan 2013 and expect up to 250 segments this year, I don't know where to turn.
Jan 31, 2013, 10:49 am
#2481
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Feel your pain. Very well-worn thread on this topic http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...lling+upgrades
Jan 31, 2013, 10:49 am
#2482
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
What? So seats are available when I check in T-24, me Plat, and no CPU? Something is certainly wrong with this system as mentioned a million times. And then ask me to pay $869?
UA, I hate to say, but I don't see a long term relationship in our future. With 24 segments in Jan 2013 and expect up to 250 segments this year, I don't know where to turn.
UA, I hate to say, but I don't see a long term relationship in our future. With 24 segments in Jan 2013 and expect up to 250 segments this year, I don't know where to turn.
1. We have a ToD thread for this.
2. UA will always offer the buy-up into Y, B, or M.
3. R isn't >0 yet.
In other words, selling you a confirmed F ticket is not news.
Selling a $99 ToD is news. Selling a M-up or Y-up or B-up for normal price is just business.
Jan 31, 2013, 10:52 am
#2483
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
What's wrong with charging $900 to move into F? That's an insane amount of money for a short flight. If UA can find someone who's willing to pay for it, good on them -- they can take it.
Jan 31, 2013, 10:59 am
#2484
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,951
Exactly. There is no reason to be complaining here. If they can sell seats for $869 then by all means...please.
Jan 31, 2013, 11:06 am
#2486
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,718
If they can find anyone stupid enough to bite at that price point, sure. But I think it'll take some looking.
As points of comparison, I'm doing DCA-CLT-SEA today on US. At OLCI yesterday I was offered an F seat on CLT-SEA for $250. Took it. And a few months ago, I was on SEA-ORD-DCA on AA and at OLCI was offered both segments in F for $270. Took that too. The UA ask of $869 is way out of whack with the marketplace.
As points of comparison, I'm doing DCA-CLT-SEA today on US. At OLCI yesterday I was offered an F seat on CLT-SEA for $250. Took it. And a few months ago, I was on SEA-ORD-DCA on AA and at OLCI was offered both segments in F for $270. Took that too. The UA ask of $869 is way out of whack with the marketplace.
Jan 31, 2013, 11:18 am
#2487
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1kMM; AA EX Plat, Hilton Diamond and SPG Plat
Posts: 2,012
What? So seats are available when I check in T-24, me Plat, and no CPU? Something is certainly wrong with this system as mentioned a million times. And then ask me to pay $869?
UA, I hate to say, but I don't see a long term relationship in our future. With 24 segments in Jan 2013 and expect up to 250 segments this year, I don't know where to turn.
UA, I hate to say, but I don't see a long term relationship in our future. With 24 segments in Jan 2013 and expect up to 250 segments this year, I don't know where to turn.
This year already flown 15k on AA and have another 20k booked. Only 8 segments booked with UA this year so far, but none flown yet. I also have 5 more trips to book for March and most will go to AA.
Jan 31, 2013, 11:25 am
#2488
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: LAX,SNA,CLD,SAN
Programs: UA PP/Marriott Platinum Elite/Hyatt Diamond/Avis Preferred/Hertz Presidential
Posts: 602
Do what I've done and take your business elsewhere. I flew 125k on UA last year and then switched to AA. I did 77k on AA between August and Dec, and only 4 segements on UA in that same time. My $$$ walked.
This year already flown 15k on AA and have another 20k booked. Only 8 segments booked with UA this year so far, but none flown yet. I also have 5 more trips to book for March and most will go to AA.
This year already flown 15k on AA and have another 20k booked. Only 8 segments booked with UA this year so far, but none flown yet. I also have 5 more trips to book for March and most will go to AA.
Feb 1, 2013, 8:11 am
#2489
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,156
I have been following the CPU success percentage discussion with detached interest. My travel of late has all been international, so I don't have any recent personal experience with how 1Ks are doing.
But I booked a quick domestic trip a couple weeks ago. One leg is on Sunday afternoon (Super Bowl Sunday) ORD->non-hub 2 hour flight, on a A320.
Just checked, and now only 1 F seat left....my upgrade still pending.
I thought this would be a sure thing.
But I booked a quick domestic trip a couple weeks ago. One leg is on Sunday afternoon (Super Bowl Sunday) ORD->non-hub 2 hour flight, on a A320.
Just checked, and now only 1 F seat left....my upgrade still pending.
I thought this would be a sure thing.
Feb 1, 2013, 9:21 am
#2490
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: Miles & Smiles: Elite
Posts: 21
Beyond the facetiousness, one take-away is that without buy-in to a higher ideology (e.g., socialism, faith, etc.), if your customers know that others are paying less for the same thing, they may become disaffected and defect.
Last edited by Umasoba; Feb 1, 2013 at 9:27 am
