Kacee

That's a fundamental misapprehension of how the process works. You don't get "better" service through an upgrade. Whether elite or non-elite, you get the same service regardless how you get into the front cabin.

And anyone who buys domestic F on UA for the meal should have their head examined

cmd320

This.

nycityny

I agree with this sentiment and am amused by those "trashing" the idea. Many seem to be saying "that's not the way it works" so your idea is bad. So unless it's done United's way it's not a good idea?! Many saying that also seem to be GS/1K...

It appears that you fly a lot of different airlines so you're not stuck in the United "bubble" like many of us and can see this from an industry view. I appreciate that perspective.

JVPhoto

Pay for F, pay for F, pay for F!

So let's just have the manifest show everyone's ticket price since you are hung up on how valuable someone is based on what they bought. Prioritize that way.

USHPNWDLUA

No, that's exactly the reason! GS and 1k elites ARE more valuable than those without status, no matter the fare paid. As soon as you spend $12k and fly 100k miles, or much more, you can have your first choice, too.

Kacee

The corollary is that the one-time F buyer is probably buying exclusively on price and/or convenience. Whereas GS/1K are buying tickets on UA (lots of them!) even when it's not the cheapest or most convenient choice. That loyalty has tangible monetary value. Which is why UA chooses to reward it.

TWA Guy

1K on IAD-LAX on B739, I was seated in 1B.

Gate agent announced there were no GS passengers but still invited any to board if there were indeed any in the gate area.

FA took my order, then someone else's a few rows back, and then went front to back. ^

cmd320

So, what if I spend $15,000 and fly SYD-LAX-IAH as a non-status. Are you saying that a 1k who barely hit the 12k minimum for the prior year should be prioritized ahead of me on the domestic segment simply because they flew on UA for 85,000 more miles in the last year while spending less than I did in one day?

I understand the level of defensiveness by many of the elites here, you want your loyalty to mean something to a company (when in reality I can guarantee you that it doesn't, US airlines have made that very clear for some time now) but the reality is this is a system used by zero other airlines in the world, and for good reason.

Now, AA does few things right nowadays, however the ability to pre-order meals (albeit, now very buggy) is something that should be rolled out throughout the industry IMO. This alleviates any need to really prioritize order taking at all and leaves everyone the option to select their first choice.

Kacee

Not really. People are explaining what the rules are on UA and why they make sense in response to a personal opinion about the way things "should be" which has been presented as fact. You're entitled to your opinion, but that's all it is.

Did you really do that? $15K to fly UA? Seriously? Why would you not fly QF?

cmd320

Of course not. I'd need to have my head examined if I chose to fly UA (or DL, or AA for that matter) on such a route. However to potential for that scenario to arise does exist, and is not specific to that route.

It may be my opinion, but it says a lot that this is a procedure specific to UA.

nnn

Didn't PMUA group 1K/GS and F fares at the top of the list? That would make sense to me: rewards 1K/GS for their loyalty, but not above and at the expense of someone who actually purchased First Class.

cmd320

That is absolutely acceptable. In terms of those who are flying on upgrades, top tier elites should certainly get their choice over lower tier elites, however those who have actually paid to sit in the F seat on that flight should have priority over anyone on an upgrade of any kind.

JVPhoto

Chances are the 1K is going to make an ongoing effort to keep flying UA and spending $ there vs. a one time expensive fare purchaser.

USHPNWDLUA

Yes.

Ostensibly, you didn't spend that in the year before. If you had spent that $15k last year, you'd also be an elite and be getting your choice. The 1k in your highly unlikely scenario has been a longer-term loyal flier.

I understand the level of defensiveness by many of the non-elites here, but it is the policy. And really, it's an airline meal, so let's not take it so seriously.

cmd320

IMO it goes beyond the meal though. This is UA saying, we prioritize elites on free upgrades vs those paying to sit in the cabin. What incentive do I have to give UA my business over AA, DL, VX, AS, etc?