When does this go into effect? Fares are still showing right now for me.

stupid, stupid, stupid move by UA.

But now the cutting will occur only for people who happen to book or call at the right moment, the rest are frozen out.

As I understand it EF mines the data from UA.com, and mining is one of UA's concerns. So no, they didn't say so, but it may well be the end.

EmailKid

R inventory availability with waitlisted upgrades not clearing is a common event. I agree that expert mode is a big deal.

My understanding is that EF gets the data from GDS. As long as UA still provides the inventory information to GDS (which they have to do otherwise travel agents will have no way to sell UA tickets), EF will be fine.

I can't believe how bad United has become....this is pathetic.

So do AA or DL have an expert mode to see their fare buckets and upgrade availability? Or was UA the only US airline doing this?

But UA doesn't have to provide OIXR info to GDS and travel agents can still sell UA tickets.

Everything has been pretty well said already in this thread and UA is no longer fooling anybody about its intentions and the way it intends to do business.

It's impressive how quickly the new UA has managed to destroy my "loyalty" (such an old-fashioned concept) to the formerly "friendly skies of United." Mrs. Fredd and I are in a position to change our flying habits and even to change our travel habits. We're doing both and I feel for those not in a position to do so.

I can only guess there will be still a few more enhancements to come. :td:

Pmco used to show the R bucket, then stopped a few years ago.
History repeating.

Every other airline in the world has this expert mode, and UA is the first one that decides to disable it. I completely understand the rage of the people here. They are not at all over-entitled. Oh wait...

If UA cleared upgrades the way AA does, I wouldn't care. We need this because of how uniquely pathetic this regime is.

Its happened to me 3 times this week.

Sneaky, eh? Announce the "bad" news late on Friday and hope nobody notices.

It is going to be spectacular, as the doofus CEO says in the videos.

Can't wait to see what other enhancements are in store :td:

Wow. Incredible awful thing to do to your loyal customers.

The ability to get a pre-confirmed upgrade has meant I have taken flights with connections on UA over nonstop flights on other airlines probably hundreds of times over the last decade.

The ability to get a pre-confirmed upgrade or see flights with F9 C9 Z9 etc etc to get a good shot at an upgrade has meant that I have spent $1000s on UA on the W-fare lottery that would have gone on other airlines with better economy service over the last decade...

UA - what are your true intentions here? Announce on a Friday afternoon is the lowest of the low in terms of generating customer loyalty. I simply cannot begin to think of how unfriendly that office must be right now.

Think Dr Evil and Mini-me.

The stone was dropped into the well when the merger was announced and it hasn't hit the bottom yet, that's because the anti-customer mentality at the new UA continues to move the bottom at any time it considers necessary.

Terrible. Awful, Suicidal. Shockingly poor decision.

Wow, just wow.