United CFO Rainey Implies Certain Elites were "Over Entitled".
#1081
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
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Posts: 1,819
Yeah that rumor has been around a few years now. It does nothing for intra-china flights. All of their mainland destinations are covered. Their only contribution is the LAX - TPE direct. Back in the day my dad flew them on a revenue ticket in C once and they donwgraded him into Y without compensation. When my dad asked about any other type of accommodation for his inconvenience their answer was sorry if you don't like it you don't have to fly . I am sure he could have got a partial refund but it wasn't worth his time. Not impressed.
#1082
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,355
I just have to LOL that CKinMD'sv mock-up was shown right before a real ad showing the EXACT SAME GUY and AD below next to PanAMWT's post. A true example of where the new UA places their value.
#1083
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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Posts: 13,811
LMAO
CKinMD is doing an excellent job by posting this.
I like when that guy is showing AA EXP card.
CKinMD is doing an excellent job by posting this.
I like when that guy is showing AA EXP card.
#1084
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 13,437
I don't buy that upgrades are THAT much easier on AA. I know I have stated a few times that upgrades are NOT my complaint w UA. When I said this and posted I am now 28/29 on UA A LOT of 1Ks came out of the wood work to say they too, have had little or no problems with upgrades. In a nutshell, most of us are angry about something but we are not all angry about upgrades
The fact AAs SWUs can be used on any fare and UAs require a W fare or above Kind of gets me angry, yet that's the way it's been for years and years w UA and up till now many of us were ok with that.
The fact AAs SWUs can be used on any fare and UAs require a W fare or above Kind of gets me angry, yet that's the way it's been for years and years w UA and up till now many of us were ok with that.
EXPs have to be riding up front more than 1ks. Just because you ride upfront 95 percent of the time does not mean the rest of us do. When we buy inside 72 hours, we are screwed. And even when we buy outside 96 hours, tods to non elites take our seats.
63,000 posts and then this?
Please, you are doing a disservice to the FT community and the random few others who may stumble in here.
If YOUR experience is worse than last year, I'll buy that and continue to hope it gets better for you.
But please don't take your experience and try and extrapolate that to the experience of all UA elites.
Please, you are doing a disservice to the FT community and the random few others who may stumble in here.
If YOUR experience is worse than last year, I'll buy that and continue to hope it gets better for you.
But please don't take your experience and try and extrapolate that to the experience of all UA elites.
I am amazing for example that you question boarding priority is a cluster.
#1085
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Western PA
Programs: ExPlAAt; United 1K
Posts: 480
word from an account rep
Fwiw, I have been corresponding about the CFO's remarks with our account rep. I don't have his permission to post our exchange, but the gist of it is that he reads the remarks as referring to Silvers who were advance booking E+ windows and aisles on PMUA. This was creating a problem with higher elites, who tend to book closer in. If they were not upgraded, they were getting middle E+ seats. According to him, it was one of the biggest complaints of Gold and 1K flyers.
#1086
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Fwiw, I have been corresponding about the CFO's remarks with our account rep. I don't have his permission to post our exchange, but the gist of it is that he reads the remarks as referring to Silvers who were advance booking E+ windows and aisles on PMUA. This was creating a problem with higher elites, who tend to book closer in. If they were not upgraded, they were getting middle E+ seats. According to him, it was one of the biggest complaints of Gold and 1K flyers.
#1087
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
UA accounts reps can spin it all they want but in the end, it doesn't really matter who the intended target was. The damage is done. And with all the issues that have affected every elite level, it's not a stretch for any level elite to feel that that Raimey's poorly chosen, indeed stupid, remarks were directed at them.
The lack of E+ availability when I needed to fly 2-3 days out was always one of the biggest annoyances for me on PMUA. I think many higher-level elites applauded this change.
#1088
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,358
UA accounts reps can spin it all they want but in the end, it doesn't really matter who the intended target was. The damage is done. And with all the issues that have affected every elite level, it's not a stretch for any level elite to feel that that Raimey's poorly chosen, indeed stupid, remarks were directed at them.
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Great analysis, SFO777. Thanks.
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#1089
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus(ick)
Posts: 296
UA accounts reps can spin it all they want but in the end, it doesn't really matter who the intended target was. The damage is done. And with all the issues that have affected every elite level, it's not a stretch for any level elite to feel that that Raimey's poorly chosen, indeed stupid, remarks were directed at them.
Any company that treats their best customers like this, does not share my values. In that regard, why would I ever want to even "aspire" to be Elite on UA now?
#1090
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,011
Fwiw, I have been corresponding about the CFO's remarks with our account rep. I don't have his permission to post our exchange, but the gist of it is that he reads the remarks as referring to Silvers who were advance booking E+ windows and aisles on PMUA. This was creating a problem with higher elites, who tend to book closer in. If they were not upgraded, they were getting middle E+ seats. According to him, it was one of the biggest complaints of Gold and 1K flyers.
I had suggested UA hold back a couple to a few (depending on plane) rows of E+ for irrops, late-booking 1K & GS, etc., pax, which the person I discussed the matter with thought was a great idea.
What UA did at the expense of 2Ps did have that same effect it seems, though my most recent flight change did still land me in a middle seat--at least one in E+ vs. E-, though.
#1091
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
It also shows how many people don't like the changes that $mi$ek keeps telling us to like. Seems easy for lots of people at all levels to identify with idea that treatment has become much worse across many aspects of dealing with UA.
#1092
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
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they may *say* that what he's talking about are Silvers. That's a nice way to try to appease the higher-end elites. (and it is true that there is a problem on elite heavy routes getting last minute E+).
United has declared war on their higher end elites as well:
clipping elite bonii for Gold/Plat
eliminating differentiated service for plat/1K
clip promised benefits for MM's.
and the overall clumsiness of SHARES means that elites used to outstanding service and the ability for agents to quickly get them on their way in IRROPs are no longer getting that service.
United has declared war on their higher end elites as well:
clipping elite bonii for Gold/Plat
eliminating differentiated service for plat/1K
clip promised benefits for MM's.
and the overall clumsiness of SHARES means that elites used to outstanding service and the ability for agents to quickly get them on their way in IRROPs are no longer getting that service.
#1093
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: UA 1K 2.3mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, IHG Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
I just got off the phone with AA Customer Service. It sure is hard to dislike these guys with the great attitudes they have.
Well I just booked my first AA trip.... We will see if I join the cult or not.
Well I just booked my first AA trip.... We will see if I join the cult or not.
Last edited by c502cid; May 24, 2012 at 9:48 am
#1094
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I'd much rather apply logical, reasoned arguments like those mentioned above that actually make sense instead of a purely emotional response that isn't actually based on anything.
The lack of E+ availability when I needed to fly 2-3 days out was always one of the biggest annoyances for me on PMUA. I think many higher-level elites applauded this change.
The lack of E+ availability when I needed to fly 2-3 days out was always one of the biggest annoyances for me on PMUA. I think many higher-level elites applauded this change.
UA would have no problem screwing its elites if it meant that it could sell every E+ seat.
#1095
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,635
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The reason why so many people felt the comment applied to them is because of the shift in culture.
1K upgrades not going through b/c of kettle miles even in the window, TODs, shenanigans.
Its the top tier that seems to be mostly frustrated, according to hundreds of FTers.
Its not an accident that nearly everyone on here are saying post-3/3 the experience has been much different and for the worse
The reason why so many people felt the comment applied to them is because of the shift in culture.
1K upgrades not going through b/c of kettle miles even in the window, TODs, shenanigans.
Its the top tier that seems to be mostly frustrated, according to hundreds of FTers.
Its not an accident that nearly everyone on here are saying post-3/3 the experience has been much different and for the worse