2014 Upsell Offers to Business/First (UFC/PCU) Questions/Discussion (Paid Upgrades)
Oct 19, 2014, 3:22 pm
#527
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
So do upsells appear as upgrades on the flight status...
Tomorrows LAX-SYD just went from 32 this morning to 40(FULL) as of 4pm CST.
Envy may be a sin, but 14 hours in coach is hell so I am already damned.
Tomorrows LAX-SYD just went from 32 this morning to 40(FULL) as of 4pm CST.
Envy may be a sin, but 14 hours in coach is hell so I am already damned.
Oct 19, 2014, 5:34 pm
#528
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Could be worse, a few months ago you would have been consigned to Y on the 744.
Oct 19, 2014, 9:30 pm
#529
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,078
Another data point:
1/15 LGA-DEN-BZN, W fare
Ticketed the reservation without my MP number (I'm a Silver but going to lose status at the end of January). Offer at purchase: $599 for LGA-DEN, $129 for DEN-BZN. Declined.
After the reservation ticketed, I was offered a buy-up for $224.
I went back to my reservation and added my MP #. When I did, the buy-up offer increased to $938 for the same legs, even though inventory remained the same with the same number of seats available for upgrade.
I tried to clear my MP number unsuccessfully but it continued to recognize my Silver status. I then went back and replaced my MP # with ANA non-status # and the buy-up dropped back down to $224. The website continued to show the same inventory as in both previous situations. I accepted the lower price offer.
In summary:
Premier Silver: Buy-up: $938
No status: $224
Why does United think it's ok to charge an elite 4x+ the price for the buy-up as a non-status member all else being constant? Is this complaint worthy? I took screenshots to back this all up because of what I'd read on this thread and because I was so shocked at the price gap and how easy it was to see that the root cause of it was my status.
1/15 LGA-DEN-BZN, W fare
Ticketed the reservation without my MP number (I'm a Silver but going to lose status at the end of January). Offer at purchase: $599 for LGA-DEN, $129 for DEN-BZN. Declined.
After the reservation ticketed, I was offered a buy-up for $224.
I went back to my reservation and added my MP #. When I did, the buy-up offer increased to $938 for the same legs, even though inventory remained the same with the same number of seats available for upgrade.
I tried to clear my MP number unsuccessfully but it continued to recognize my Silver status. I then went back and replaced my MP # with ANA non-status # and the buy-up dropped back down to $224. The website continued to show the same inventory as in both previous situations. I accepted the lower price offer.
In summary:
Premier Silver: Buy-up: $938
No status: $224
Why does United think it's ok to charge an elite 4x+ the price for the buy-up as a non-status member all else being constant? Is this complaint worthy? I took screenshots to back this all up because of what I'd read on this thread and because I was so shocked at the price gap and how easy it was to see that the root cause of it was my status.
Oct 19, 2014, 9:31 pm
#530
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
Why does United think it's ok to charge an elite 4x+ the price for the buy-up as a non-status member all else being constant? Is this complaint worthy? I took screenshots to back this all up because of what I'd read on this thread and because I was so shocked at the price gap and how easy it was to see that the root cause of it was my status.
It seems as though you have the perfectly documented test case.
Greg
Oct 19, 2014, 10:29 pm
#531
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
I suspect it's a bug rather than demand-exploitation; something like:
If you're an elite, it looks for the cheapest B fare (M for 1K), since someone assumed coach would always be cheaper than first and elites are instant upgrade eligible.
If you're non-elite, it looks for the cheapest first fare, and it's finding UP/UPDI fares that are way cheaper than B.
If you're an elite, it looks for the cheapest B fare (M for 1K), since someone assumed coach would always be cheaper than first and elites are instant upgrade eligible.
If you're non-elite, it looks for the cheapest first fare, and it's finding UP/UPDI fares that are way cheaper than B.
Oct 19, 2014, 11:30 pm
#532
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
6th fail on p.s. this year on tomorrow's JFK-SFO. My girlfriend will be enjoying my J seat while I sit in E+ yet again. R never appeared at T-24, or at any point. I give up.
p.s. is just a raging TOD Fest, to the point where it's actually a farce. 4 of us are on JFK-SFO tomorrow. I'm already in J. Gold, offered $399 at check-in to upgrade. His fiancée, GM, offered $269 at check-in. My girlfriend, waitlisted on RPU, offered nothing. It went from 22/28 at check-in to booked full in J in a few hours. This is the new UA.
p.s. is just a raging TOD Fest, to the point where it's actually a farce. 4 of us are on JFK-SFO tomorrow. I'm already in J. Gold, offered $399 at check-in to upgrade. His fiancée, GM, offered $269 at check-in. My girlfriend, waitlisted on RPU, offered nothing. It went from 22/28 at check-in to booked full in J in a few hours. This is the new UA.
Oct 20, 2014, 1:40 am
#533
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
10/17/14
EWR-FRA, 777 T fare, 2 seats open in Biz.
Silver
Was offered $1429 at check in to go from coach to biz. Declined. Had a comfortable flight in E+ for $0 extra as E+ was wide open at check in.
EWR-FRA, 777 T fare, 2 seats open in Biz.
Silver
Was offered $1429 at check in to go from coach to biz. Declined. Had a comfortable flight in E+ for $0 extra as E+ was wide open at check in.
Oct 20, 2014, 4:30 am
#534
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Hilton Diamond DL Platinum UA 1K, DL Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 500
Do they really think we are Suckers. At that price it is cheaper to pay for the RT Business ticket.
Oct 20, 2014, 5:20 am
#535
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
Oct 20, 2014, 6:19 am
#536
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
I suspect it's a bug rather than demand-exploitation; something like:
If you're an elite, it looks for the cheapest B fare (M for 1K), since someone assumed coach would always be cheaper than first and elites are instant upgrade eligible.
If you're non-elite, it looks for the cheapest first fare, and it's finding UP/UPDI fares that are way cheaper than B.
If you're an elite, it looks for the cheapest B fare (M for 1K), since someone assumed coach would always be cheaper than first and elites are instant upgrade eligible.
If you're non-elite, it looks for the cheapest first fare, and it's finding UP/UPDI fares that are way cheaper than B.
Disgusting behavior on United's part.
Oct 20, 2014, 7:30 am
#537
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,511
I suspect it's a bug rather than demand-exploitation; something like:
If you're an elite, it looks for the cheapest B fare (M for 1K), since someone assumed coach would always be cheaper than first and elites are instant upgrade eligible.
If you're non-elite, it looks for the cheapest first fare, and it's finding UP/UPDI fares that are way cheaper than B.
If you're an elite, it looks for the cheapest B fare (M for 1K), since someone assumed coach would always be cheaper than first and elites are instant upgrade eligible.
If you're non-elite, it looks for the cheapest first fare, and it's finding UP/UPDI fares that are way cheaper than B.
Oct 20, 2014, 12:09 pm
#538
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Plano, TX
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz President's Circle, Avis Preferred Plus, AMEX Platinum
Posts: 344
AS same-day buy-ups
Just another anecdote...
My friends, non status on AS, received a text the morning of their recent SEA-SFO flight offering a buy up to F for $50 each (2 pax).
They were checking bags anyway, so took it thinking 'I am only paying $25 extra to sit in F'.
Hopefully all of the loyal AS elites were accommodated before this TOD offer was broadcast!
Texting out upsell offers - Nobody has observed this behavior (yet) with UA, right?
My friends, non status on AS, received a text the morning of their recent SEA-SFO flight offering a buy up to F for $50 each (2 pax).
They were checking bags anyway, so took it thinking 'I am only paying $25 extra to sit in F'.
Hopefully all of the loyal AS elites were accommodated before this TOD offer was broadcast!
Texting out upsell offers - Nobody has observed this behavior (yet) with UA, right?
I've never received a text message, email, or other communication specifically advertising these buy-up opportunities, however. I've sought them out because I happen to know that AS offers them.
FYI, sometimes it's a good deal to just buy the first class ticket on AS to begin with. For instance, for an SEA-OAK flight on Aug 10, there was only a $54 difference between the lowest available coach fare and the lowest available first class fare (booked in P class, which is probably similar to UA's P class) at the time of purchase. I just went ahead and bought the P fare and got a guaranteed seat in first class along with 150% RDMs and EQMs.
I guess the difference is that while this allows AS to sell more of their first class seats and have fewer available for complimentary elite upgrades, AS offers the same pricing to all regardless of elite status, whereas UA appears to be discriminating AGAINST elites.
Oct 20, 2014, 12:25 pm
#539
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Plano, TX
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz President's Circle, Avis Preferred Plus, AMEX Platinum
Posts: 344
Another data point:
1/15 LGA-DEN-BZN, W fare
Ticketed the reservation without my MP number (I'm a Silver but going to lose status at the end of January). Offer at purchase: $599 for LGA-DEN, $129 for DEN-BZN. Declined.
After the reservation ticketed, I was offered a buy-up for $224.
I went back to my reservation and added my MP #. When I did, the buy-up offer increased to $938 for the same legs, even though inventory remained the same with the same number of seats available for upgrade.
I tried to clear my MP number unsuccessfully but it continued to recognize my Silver status. I then went back and replaced my MP # with ANA non-status # and the buy-up dropped back down to $224. The website continued to show the same inventory as in both previous situations. I accepted the lower price offer.
In summary:
Premier Silver: Buy-up: $938
No status: $224
Why does United think it's ok to charge an elite 4x+ the price for the buy-up as a non-status member all else being constant? Is this complaint worthy? I took screenshots to back this all up because of what I'd read on this thread and because I was so shocked at the price gap and how easy it was to see that the root cause of it was my status.
1/15 LGA-DEN-BZN, W fare
Ticketed the reservation without my MP number (I'm a Silver but going to lose status at the end of January). Offer at purchase: $599 for LGA-DEN, $129 for DEN-BZN. Declined.
After the reservation ticketed, I was offered a buy-up for $224.
I went back to my reservation and added my MP #. When I did, the buy-up offer increased to $938 for the same legs, even though inventory remained the same with the same number of seats available for upgrade.
I tried to clear my MP number unsuccessfully but it continued to recognize my Silver status. I then went back and replaced my MP # with ANA non-status # and the buy-up dropped back down to $224. The website continued to show the same inventory as in both previous situations. I accepted the lower price offer.
In summary:
Premier Silver: Buy-up: $938
No status: $224
Why does United think it's ok to charge an elite 4x+ the price for the buy-up as a non-status member all else being constant? Is this complaint worthy? I took screenshots to back this all up because of what I'd read on this thread and because I was so shocked at the price gap and how easy it was to see that the root cause of it was my status.
Oct 20, 2014, 12:53 pm
#540
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K and MM, Marriot, Hilton
Posts: 804
SFO-LHR, 10-20, U fare, 5999, at purchase, no offer at chicken