Oct 30, 2013, 3:36 pm
Last edit by: Ocn Vw 1K
UA Insider's reply in posts 247 and 254 of this thread:
Hi everyone,
We recognize the importance and value to you of accessible and transparent information about United flights. It’s a meaningful part of your travel planning, and we are committed to providing useful information that is both accurate and preserves the integrity of United’s data and systems.
While we are committed to data transparency, Expert Flyer has been accessing united.com in an unauthorized fashion to retrieve UA availability. In addition, these activities have consumed significant united.com bandwidth that could otherwise be used by regular consumers. As a result, we had to take this action to protect the security and integrity of United’s systems.
Thank you for your understanding as to why we had to take this action. We continue to look at ways in which we can provide you with timely and useful information (some of which you will see in new releases of our own digital channels) as well as with partners that have authorized access to our data.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
We recognize the importance and value to you of accessible and transparent information about United flights. It’s a meaningful part of your travel planning, and we are committed to providing useful information that is both accurate and preserves the integrity of United’s data and systems.
While we are committed to data transparency, Expert Flyer has been accessing united.com in an unauthorized fashion to retrieve UA availability. In addition, these activities have consumed significant united.com bandwidth that could otherwise be used by regular consumers. As a result, we had to take this action to protect the security and integrity of United’s systems.
Thank you for your understanding as to why we had to take this action. We continue to look at ways in which we can provide you with timely and useful information (some of which you will see in new releases of our own digital channels) as well as with partners that have authorized access to our data.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
UA Blocking Expert Flyer and KVS Access to R and Elite Award Searches.
Oct 30, 2013, 10:56 am
#151
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
Hear him, hear him!!That's exactly what UA needs to do: clean up their act. It was much better in the old UA days.
Oct 30, 2013, 10:58 am
#152
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
Why is COdbaUA doing this? In my mind, it's clear.
EF has exposed their lies and incompetence. It's allowed us to see (and manage) failures to deliver (such as not clearing GPUs into R) and lies (such as promising enhanced elite availability that, in fact, does not exist).
We know they have no interest in fixing any of these problems, so they want to cover up the evidence instead.
In my mind, it's that simple.
EF has exposed their lies and incompetence. It's allowed us to see (and manage) failures to deliver (such as not clearing GPUs into R) and lies (such as promising enhanced elite availability that, in fact, does not exist).
We know they have no interest in fixing any of these problems, so they want to cover up the evidence instead.
In my mind, it's that simple.
Oct 30, 2013, 11:01 am
#153
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,291
Poor decision by UA. 
Oct 30, 2013, 11:02 am
#154
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
I’m extremely unhappy about the loss of EF. It is one of the first changes that I actually don’t like. I hope it comes back.
This forum has been overwhelmed by people complaining about UA making changes for the worse. United has also made incredible improvements to its top tier elite program.
Since the merger UA improved GS by providing:
-Dramatically improved GS-only saver award inventory
-Dramatically improved upgrade inventory
-Ability to upgrade GS award tickets even when the GS isn’t traveling
-Access to GlobalFirst lounge on trans-oceanic international BusinessFirst flights
-Improved phone agent support
These changes were enough to secure my business long term.
Many 1Ks are still living in the fantasy where “loyalty” makes them good customers. It doesn’t. 1Ks are still treated pretty damn good. I have trouble relating to 1Ks that think that $10k/year is a high bar. If you’re not even spending $10k you certainly shouldn’t think you’re god's gift to an airline.
This forum has been overwhelmed by people complaining about UA making changes for the worse. United has also made incredible improvements to its top tier elite program.
Since the merger UA improved GS by providing:
-Dramatically improved GS-only saver award inventory
-Dramatically improved upgrade inventory
-Ability to upgrade GS award tickets even when the GS isn’t traveling
-Access to GlobalFirst lounge on trans-oceanic international BusinessFirst flights
-Improved phone agent support
These changes were enough to secure my business long term.
Many 1Ks are still living in the fantasy where “loyalty” makes them good customers. It doesn’t. 1Ks are still treated pretty damn good. I have trouble relating to 1Ks that think that $10k/year is a high bar. If you’re not even spending $10k you certainly shouldn’t think you’re god's gift to an airline.
Oct 30, 2013, 11:04 am
#155
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
One point about KVS...while KVS should still have access to UA award inventory, I don't think there is access to R inventory nor is there a way to set alerts a la EF. Also, note that I find AVAILABILITY searches on KVS for UA flights to be inaccurate/incomplete, so I suggest testing thoroughly before running headlong into a KVS subscription.
Questions for you:
1) What percentage of customers is GS?
2) What percentage of customers is 1k?
3) How are various past devaluations affecting UA's financial performance?
Thanks for playing.
I’m extremely unhappy about the loss of EF. It is one of the first changes that I actually don’t like. I hope it comes back.
This forums has been overwhelmed by people complaining about UA making changes for the worse. United has also made incredible improvements to its top tier elite program.
Since the merger UA improved GS by providing:
-Dramatically improved GS-only saver award inventory
-Dramatically improved upgrade inventory
-Ability to upgrade GS award tickets even when the GS isn’t traveling
-Access to GlobalFirst lounge on trans-oceanic BusinessFirst flights
-Improved phone agent support
These changes were enough to secure my business long term.
Many 1Ks are still living in the fantasy where “loyalty” makes them good customers. It doesn’t. 1Ks are still treated pretty damn good. I have trouble relating to 1Ks that think that $10k/year is a high bar. If you’re not even spending $10k you certainly shouldn’t think you’re god's gift to an airline.
This forums has been overwhelmed by people complaining about UA making changes for the worse. United has also made incredible improvements to its top tier elite program.
Since the merger UA improved GS by providing:
-Dramatically improved GS-only saver award inventory
-Dramatically improved upgrade inventory
-Ability to upgrade GS award tickets even when the GS isn’t traveling
-Access to GlobalFirst lounge on trans-oceanic BusinessFirst flights
-Improved phone agent support
These changes were enough to secure my business long term.
Many 1Ks are still living in the fantasy where “loyalty” makes them good customers. It doesn’t. 1Ks are still treated pretty damn good. I have trouble relating to 1Ks that think that $10k/year is a high bar. If you’re not even spending $10k you certainly shouldn’t think you’re god's gift to an airline.
1) What percentage of customers is GS?
2) What percentage of customers is 1k?
3) How are various past devaluations affecting UA's financial performance?
Thanks for playing.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Oct 30, 2013 at 8:02 pm Reason: merge
Oct 30, 2013, 11:08 am
#156
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
If you're suggesting that potential loss of low revenue generating elites is going to hurt UA's performance, I don't agree. People that don't spend money don't produce revenue. High revenue elites are not leaving in swarms like this forum likes to portray. I don't see any relation between low-mid tier elite devaluation and UA's recent poor financial performance.
Oct 30, 2013, 11:13 am
#157
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: UA1K, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 212
Except for the minor matter of recent experience as well. The presumption of innocence doesn't prevent us from considering previous transgressions when we extrapolate.
The lack of transparency here is a disappointment. I would have to agree that UA doesn't exactly deserve the benefit of the doubt with respect to motivations.
I'd expect UA to try to squeeze every dime they can out of Q4. They desperately need it. More aggressive upsells of front cabin inventory seems like low hanging fruit there.
The lack of transparency here is a disappointment. I would have to agree that UA doesn't exactly deserve the benefit of the doubt with respect to motivations.
I'd expect UA to try to squeeze every dime they can out of Q4. They desperately need it. More aggressive upsells of front cabin inventory seems like low hanging fruit there.
Oct 30, 2013, 11:18 am
#158
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,214
I think that's unfair. My only grip with EF is that they didn't include me in the circulation list for this. But my reading between the lines in the communication quoted in this thread is that they are getting shafted by UA, but that they want to try to the channels open, in case UA gives in - for example, based on massive customer protest. I'm sure that, privately, they think exactly the same about UA as we do, but I understand perfectly why they don't want to say it on the record.
Oct 30, 2013, 11:22 am
#159
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Oct 30, 2013, 11:24 am
#161
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 288
Oct 30, 2013, 11:26 am
#162
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
Moderator Note
Going forward, let's not use this thread to debate elite status levels such as GS and 1K and instead focus on the topic at hand: display of upgrade/award availability. Thx, /Moderator.
Oct 30, 2013, 11:27 am
#163
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 923
Has UAInsider commented on this thread? If you are waiting to comment until tomorrow, it might be a better idea to just make a statement today...
Oct 30, 2013, 11:27 am
#164
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 272
Last edited by iluv2fly; Oct 30, 2013 at 8:02 pm Reason: merge
Oct 30, 2013, 11:30 am
#165
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
Moving the access of the data to behind the login was the plan all along. The "outcry" here or elsewhere had nothing to do with that. The timing was unfortunate and the original plan was just to move it without the outage rather than having the gap in the middle where it was completely gone but that obviously didn't happen.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...e-changes.html
The "enhancement" that UA initially offered in September 2012 was to force customers farther through the booking process and then only flag those flights selected as having upgrade space available, not with a discrete R metric. You could ultimately find trips with upgrade space but it was massively less efficient than using the "regular" expert mode which we are accustomed to on UA.com. It took me 10 to 20 times more time to assemble a trip with the changes made in early september 2012. These changes were rescinded shortly after with the return of the "behind the login" expert mode.