Upgrade Policy Changes for Houston – Lima, Effective Feb. 6th, 2013
Jan 4, 2013, 6:36 pm
#1
Company Representative, United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,176
Upgrade Policy Changes for Houston – Lima, Effective Feb. 6th, 2013
Hi Everyone,
As some of you have noticed, late last year we began operating flights between Houston (IAH) and Lima, Peru (LIM) with newly configured Boeing 767-300 aircraft. These flights now have flat-bed seats in BusinessFirst, a refreshed interior throughout and on-demand entertainment nose to tail. We hope you’ll agree this is a significant improvement over the previous aircraft which had recliner seats and overhead TV monitors.
With this improvement, we’ll also be eliminating the upgrade carve-outs we previously had in place for this market. As you may remember, in Feb 2011, we began operating ‘domestic’ premium cabin service between IAH and LIM. At that same time, we also instituted our ‘domestic’ upgrade policy for these flights to align with the service provided. Now that we have restored our BusinessFirst level of service on a year-round basis, our upgrade policies are again being aligned accordingly.
Specifically, on February 6th, 2013, upgrade policies for flights between IAH and LIM will be aligned to match the policies in other markets, such as Newark – LIM, where we offer our United BusinessFirst product. For those of you planning to book travel between IAH and LIM, here are some details to keep in mind:
We’ll be updating our systems over the course of the next couple days to reflect these upgrade policy changes. In the meantime, I hope you find the above information helpful. If you have any questions please post them here.
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
As some of you have noticed, late last year we began operating flights between Houston (IAH) and Lima, Peru (LIM) with newly configured Boeing 767-300 aircraft. These flights now have flat-bed seats in BusinessFirst, a refreshed interior throughout and on-demand entertainment nose to tail. We hope you’ll agree this is a significant improvement over the previous aircraft which had recliner seats and overhead TV monitors.
With this improvement, we’ll also be eliminating the upgrade carve-outs we previously had in place for this market. As you may remember, in Feb 2011, we began operating ‘domestic’ premium cabin service between IAH and LIM. At that same time, we also instituted our ‘domestic’ upgrade policy for these flights to align with the service provided. Now that we have restored our BusinessFirst level of service on a year-round basis, our upgrade policies are again being aligned accordingly.
Specifically, on February 6th, 2013, upgrade policies for flights between IAH and LIM will be aligned to match the policies in other markets, such as Newark – LIM, where we offer our United BusinessFirst product. For those of you planning to book travel between IAH and LIM, here are some details to keep in mind:
- The current Premier Upgrade benefits will apply through Feb 5th. Between now and Feb. 5th, Premier Upgrades will continue to be processed within the guidelines of our current Premier Upgrade policy. This includes both space-available Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPU) and instant upgrades for Premiers booked in Y/B or, when applicable, M classes
- Regional Premier Upgrade (RPU) requests will be accepted through Feb 5th. Regardless of your travel date, we’ll also continue to accept RPUs through Feb 5th. After this date, Global Premier Upgrades (GPU) can be used instead and will require booking into W class or higher
- MileagePlus Upgrade Award co-pays for Premier members will be waived through Feb 5th. After this date, all requests for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards will be subject to applicable upgrade co-pays
- For those of you who are already booked to travel Feb 6th onward (ticketed on or before Jan. 6), we’ll ensure any upgrade requests (including Complimentary Premier Upgrades) are honored in accordance with the policies in effect when you booked your flight. In fact, we’ll be confirming these upgrades for you automatically by the beginning of next week.
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
Jan 4, 2013, 6:49 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
Jan 4, 2013, 6:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
I'm not sure how this is a "war on elites." Previously, this route was operated with the "ghetto-bird," now a much better product is offered on the route...thus, upgrade policies have been aligned with the aircraft switch. This makes sense to me to do so.
Jan 4, 2013, 7:03 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Izamal, Yucatan
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Posts: 787
Jan 4, 2013, 7:11 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,599
I agree. And announcing these changes on Friday is the way business and government operates.
Jan 4, 2013, 7:20 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
[*]For those of you who are already booked to travel Feb 6th onward (ticketed on or before Jan. 6), we’ll ensure any upgrade requests (including Complimentary Premier Upgrades) are honored in accordance with the policies in effect when you booked your flight. In fact, we’ll be confirming these upgrades for you automatically by the beginning of next week.[/LIST][/INDENT]We’ll be updating our systems over the course of the next couple days to reflect these upgrade policy changes. In the meantime, I hope you find the above information helpful. If you have any questions please post them here.
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines
I must say, the UA 763 is far less vile than others of its species. The bulkhead E+ seats are great and J is fine.
And this isn't the first time we've had LIM BF policy changes. I was a beneficiary of the last round under CO in 2010, when the service was 752 and it was reclassified to BF with these restrictions. Those of us already booked were auto-EUA'd. Compare this ^ to Jeff R's method of "announcing" "enhancements to DL SM
I haven't made my ritualistic proclamation so far this year, so let me say without doubt, you all know - including UA management - that DL SM is :-: best in class :-:
Now, UA, please can you do something about the ghetto 772s? They're among the worst of the species in operation worldwide.
Jan 4, 2013, 7:23 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Syd
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Posts: 886