"Expert Mode" Changes
Sep 10, 2012, 4:37 pm
#1021
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
I just got an email from Award Wallet saying DL was pulling their info as well. I know it's not exactly price fixing but I would bet with DL's timing as well as AC now also pulling their bucket transparency as well that the airlines got together & discussed this first. I guess it's not illegal but others would know better then I. At least it's not UA picking on us. It looks like they are all doing this. My guess is AA comes next
Sep 10, 2012, 4:38 pm
#1022
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
Sep 10, 2012, 4:41 pm
#1023
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I emailed GS immediately Friday when this came out. Here is the reply I just received:
So, if this is correct, they seem to be going with the option of some sort of 'expert' mode. Notice the wording of "persons of status" (bolding mine). So maybe only 1K/GS?? The plot thickens.
So, if this is correct, they seem to be going with the option of some sort of 'expert' mode. Notice the wording of "persons of status" (bolding mine). So maybe only 1K/GS?? The plot thickens.
Sep 10, 2012, 4:42 pm
#1024
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Now MFE... formerly SEA and DCA
Programs: Now UA free!, AA Ex Plat, AS MVP, Marriott Titanium for life
Posts: 664
Sep 10, 2012, 4:46 pm
#1025
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,291
Sep 10, 2012, 4:47 pm
#1026
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP , Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 105
This is the last straw for me. Bye Bye UA, RIP.
Sep 10, 2012, 4:50 pm
#1028
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,465
I sent an email to 1kvoice and Mr Smisek about a few other issues (operational nightmares the past 3 weeks) and included this issue. Got a reply back this morning from Executive Services Customer Care.
Thank you for your Sept. 7th email to Mr. Smisek. He asked that I
respond to you on his behalf.
Please accept my apologies for your frustrating and unpleasant travel
experience. I am sorry to hear of all the flight irregularities you
have encountered at EWR lately. United recognizes how important it is
to you to get to your destination on time, and we never want to disrupt
your travel plans. Our goal is to achieve the highest level of on-time
performance whenever possible with safety always being our number one
concern. Unfortunately, our industry faces a number of daily challenges
that affect our operation like equipment repairs, poor weather or air
traffic control issues.
You have also mentioned your disappointment when hearing about disabling
the feature that allows you to view the availability of certain fare
classes. You referred to it as "expert mode". I regret the
inconvenience this will cause you. We always want to provide you with
transparent information. Unfortunately, we?ve found this feature could
be misinterpreted, causing confusion. Please know that we anticipate
future united.com improvements which will add tools and resources to
assist in sharing information. Reliability and a clean and comfortable
product is a the forefront of our focus. We will take possession of 19
new Boeing 737-800s in the near future and increase the number of spare
aircraft in Hubs so that we will improve reliability.
While I cannot undo the problems you experienced on Sept. 6th when you
had to travel from Washington to New York on US Airways please accept an
electronic travel certificate for $150 as a gesture of our concern. A
follow-up email will be sent within 72 hours with the certificate number
and PIN.
OT, but just to mention: I should note that I had attached a cab fare receipt to get from LGA to EWR last week to make a HKG flight because DCA-EWR was so delayed. Their response said nothing about being reimbursed for this and I don't consider a $150 voucher making up for it.
Thank you for your Sept. 7th email to Mr. Smisek. He asked that I
respond to you on his behalf.
Please accept my apologies for your frustrating and unpleasant travel
experience. I am sorry to hear of all the flight irregularities you
have encountered at EWR lately. United recognizes how important it is
to you to get to your destination on time, and we never want to disrupt
your travel plans. Our goal is to achieve the highest level of on-time
performance whenever possible with safety always being our number one
concern. Unfortunately, our industry faces a number of daily challenges
that affect our operation like equipment repairs, poor weather or air
traffic control issues.
You have also mentioned your disappointment when hearing about disabling
the feature that allows you to view the availability of certain fare
classes. You referred to it as "expert mode". I regret the
inconvenience this will cause you. We always want to provide you with
transparent information. Unfortunately, we?ve found this feature could
be misinterpreted, causing confusion. Please know that we anticipate
future united.com improvements which will add tools and resources to
assist in sharing information. Reliability and a clean and comfortable
product is a the forefront of our focus. We will take possession of 19
new Boeing 737-800s in the near future and increase the number of spare
aircraft in Hubs so that we will improve reliability.
While I cannot undo the problems you experienced on Sept. 6th when you
had to travel from Washington to New York on US Airways please accept an
electronic travel certificate for $150 as a gesture of our concern. A
follow-up email will be sent within 72 hours with the certificate number
and PIN.
Sep 10, 2012, 4:51 pm
#1029
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: Recovering after 7 years of UA 1K, Still UA Silver (Which means nothing), Marriott Lifetime Plat Pre
Posts: 1,950
Sep 10, 2012, 4:55 pm
#1030
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
More good revenue for $$$MI/J.
Sep 10, 2012, 4:55 pm
#1031
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
The skeptic in me firmly believes the "confusion issues" relate to pax seeing R availability and their upgrade having not cleared.
Sep 10, 2012, 5:08 pm
#1032
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: United Premier Gold, AirBerlin Gold, Starwood Gold, Avis Preferred, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 497
Over sushi near SFO on Friday night I explained to a friend in the airline industry (who remained incredulous) why I was sticking with UA--actually increasing my travel with them--in light of everything that was going wrong. I saw it as sticking with a company that was going through a rough patch and figured loyalty meant something.
An hour later I fired up FT and found this (it's taken me a couple of days to read through the whole thread).
1.
2. Amateur PR move announcing bad news on Friday at nearly 5:00 pm. If you're going to take away functionality, own it. And have a replacement on hand ready to go live, even if that means having to wait.
3. There's money to be made from your proprietary data. Yes, you could add a feature to your website. But probably better for everyone if you sell it to KVS/EF. Their IT/capability blows yours away and everybody wins.
4. Why are free upgrades (CPUs) and "paid" upgrades (RPU/GPU) the same bucket?
5. Win/win means that UA offers upgrades for its most loyal passengers who go out of their way to fly UA and also that UA gives them the opportunity to actually use them by showing availability. Otherwise, it's no different than the "FREE BEER TOMORROW" sign hanging permanently over the bar.
An hour later I fired up FT and found this (it's taken me a couple of days to read through the whole thread).
1.
2. Amateur PR move announcing bad news on Friday at nearly 5:00 pm. If you're going to take away functionality, own it. And have a replacement on hand ready to go live, even if that means having to wait.
3. There's money to be made from your proprietary data. Yes, you could add a feature to your website. But probably better for everyone if you sell it to KVS/EF. Their IT/capability blows yours away and everybody wins.
4. Why are free upgrades (CPUs) and "paid" upgrades (RPU/GPU) the same bucket?
5. Win/win means that UA offers upgrades for its most loyal passengers who go out of their way to fly UA and also that UA gives them the opportunity to actually use them by showing availability. Otherwise, it's no different than the "FREE BEER TOMORROW" sign hanging permanently over the bar.
Last edited by glasnost7; Sep 10, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Sep 10, 2012, 5:34 pm
#1033
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,650
Look what I found from the "overentitled elites" thread. Promises in action!
<snip>
In the coming year, we will be adding more transparency to the upgrade process, and will also be making important improvements to the upgrade system itself. Please be assured, whether your concern is that we reward loyalty solely or that we also offer a higher level of benefits to those loyal members who also spend more, we are listening.
<snip>
<snip>
In the coming year, we will be adding more transparency to the upgrade process, and will also be making important improvements to the upgrade system itself. Please be assured, whether your concern is that we reward loyalty solely or that we also offer a higher level of benefits to those loyal members who also spend more, we are listening.
<snip>
Sep 10, 2012, 6:23 pm
#1034
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Den
Programs: AA EXP, HGP Diamond, UA PP
Posts: 27
Writing has been on the wall - You're Overentitled!
This is exactly the customer unfriendly move that has become the norm at the new United. Take way functionality before the new "fix" is even out. The only reason you should fly United is because you are at a fortress or in a real pinch. Want to use your RPUs/GPUs....good luck. Now they'll mask that inventory and offer a TOD or miles and cash to sell it right out from under you.
I am thankful I started a slow migration to Oneworld this summer. Lots of other airlines will happily accept and reciprocate your loyalty. Until that changes I'll go out of my way on other carriers.
I am thankful I started a slow migration to Oneworld this summer. Lots of other airlines will happily accept and reciprocate your loyalty. Until that changes I'll go out of my way on other carriers.
Sep 10, 2012, 6:28 pm
#1035
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,862
I cannot imagine there is any other way to get the information you are now publishing about upgrades WITHOUT screenscraping, unless a similar format is available from a GDS.