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, 3:52 pm
#256
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 239
Well, nice to know that it is still available, but I call BS on the unauthorized stuff. UA has to have known about this forever, and if it really was all about it being 'unauthorized' access, there would be no waiting until Oct 31, they would shut the access off _immediately_.
Oct 30, 2013, 3:52 pm
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
While I certainly wish things were not changing, UA will hardly see a dent from reaction to this.
And let's keep life in perspective: A lump in your oatmeal is an inconvenience. A lump in your breast is a serious problem.
This is a lump in my oatmeal. So it will take extra time to find the upgrade space. I'm really not all that annoyed. And those who say they are leaving because of this are being kind of petty.
And let's keep life in perspective: A lump in your oatmeal is an inconvenience. A lump in your breast is a serious problem.
This is a lump in my oatmeal. So it will take extra time to find the upgrade space. I'm really not all that annoyed. And those who say they are leaving because of this are being kind of petty.
Oct 30, 2013, 3:54 pm
#258
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: CRP
Programs: UA 1K and 1MM, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 300
This is an excellent point! I hope this is communicated to those at United who make these sorts of decisions.
Oct 30, 2013, 3:58 pm
#259
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PBI / FLL / YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Delta Plat, AA Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 1,983
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.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...27142338884936
Really, it comes down to the fact that if we're using ExpertFlyer and not UA.com in order to search for R/award availability, UA loses the ability to pollute our screen with useless banners and ads for the explorer card.
Oct 30, 2013, 3:59 pm
#260
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Searching R, O, I, X (and their 'N' siblings) takes up more "Bandwidth" then searching F, A, Z, P, J, C, D Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G, N?
That does not pass the sniff test
That does not pass the sniff test
Oct 30, 2013, 3:59 pm
#261
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM; AS; GP D; HH D
Posts: 132
Please work with ExpertFlyer
As the united.com site is not able to provide this access in a usable way, please work with ExpertFlyer to allow them authorized access to the information so that they may continue to provide us with a valuable resource.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:04 pm
#262
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
I would second this. If the access was unauthorized, I would hope that this particular feature would be available in Expertflyer or in some way.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:05 pm
#263
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,323
What is this 1995? Servers and bandwidth are the cheapest resources you have available to you. Since your consumers are using ExpertFlyer instead of going to United.com directly for searches, there was no loss of "bandwidth", the search was going to happen regardless, via EF or not. EF also never asked us for a password to login to United.com, so maybe you're confusing them with the websites that login as their users to get point/mile balances. It would be nice if you gave us a non boiler plate answer.
It either is 1995 at UA's web IT dept, or they have healthcare.gov contractors running the solution...
Oct 30, 2013, 4:07 pm
#264
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NY
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 630
UA Blocking Access to R and Award Searches as of 31-Oct-2013? (per ExpertFlyer.com)
How much bandwidth will it take when we all have to call for an hour a day or a week to do manual award routing check across multiple days?
Oct 30, 2013, 4:09 pm
#265
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: COS/DEN
Programs: UA 1P (w/ no expectations whatsoever); Marriott Gold; Hilton Silver; Hertz Pres
Posts: 693
I don't think I've heard "bandwidth" as an excuse from a large company in....years. Maybe Jeff's internet was slow this morning. Perhaps use some of those profits from service cutbacks and UC drink price hikes to invest in infrastructure to keep up with demand (perceived "significant" or otherwise)?
UA Insider (the various ones over time) has had rare opportunities to listen to direct feedback from a variety of customers (high-value GS, to occasional business or vacation tripper, and everyone in between) There have been also rare opportunities to earn accolades, loyalty, and points with customers. It seems UA has not taken those opportunities and have chosen to do the opposite, unfortunately.
UA Insider (the various ones over time) has had rare opportunities to listen to direct feedback from a variety of customers (high-value GS, to occasional business or vacation tripper, and everyone in between) There have been also rare opportunities to earn accolades, loyalty, and points with customers. It seems UA has not taken those opportunities and have chosen to do the opposite, unfortunately.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:15 pm
#266
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA-GS; WN A-list;Hyatt - CC; Hertz - PC
Posts: 644
Aaron;
As a former spinster myself, I commend you on the try. I really hope there are no hidden changes to Expert Mode on the horizon, that will make my traveling experience a tougher and longer process than it already is.
As a former spinster myself, I commend you on the try. I really hope there are no hidden changes to Expert Mode on the horizon, that will make my traveling experience a tougher and longer process than it already is.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:26 pm
#267
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,595
And the bandwith claim? Hogwash.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:27 pm
#268
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
Obviously if visibility worked to UA's advantage they'd provide it. The "bandwidth" excuse is impossible to believe.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:30 pm
#269
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Marriott Plat
Posts: 946
EF has always said that they don't screenscrape. Curious what their reaction is.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:34 pm
#270
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: LI, NY
Programs: AA PLT, AAdv since Day One
Posts: 2,682
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