E+ free for all
Sep 27, 2014 | 7:06 pm
#31
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If it was a weight/balance issue, the GA would have been wise to announce it as such. "Due to a weight/balance issue, we are offering x number of complimentary E+ seats to passengers currently seated in E-. We are going to start with offering this free UG to Group 2 pax. Please, Group 2 pax only approach the podium now if interested."
It would have explained the "why," and kept the stampede from getting out of control. Better for UA. Better for pax. I'll bet this thread wouldn't even exist if it had been handled that way.
It would have explained the "why," and kept the stampede from getting out of control. Better for UA. Better for pax. I'll bet this thread wouldn't even exist if it had been handled that way.
Last edited by KenInEscazu; Sep 27, 2014 at 9:28 pm
Sep 27, 2014 | 8:20 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 135
I saw this once MSY to iAd about five months ago. GA said the first 20 people to approach her got E+ due to weight and balance needs.
It was pretty early, like 6:00 am-ish, and there was not a stampede.
That said, the flight seemed half empty so it was likely a legitimate need.
Mike
It was pretty early, like 6:00 am-ish, and there was not a stampede.
That said, the flight seemed half empty so it was likely a legitimate need.
Mike
Sep 27, 2014 | 9:19 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2006
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On the greater majority of flights this year, I have seen FAs ask some people sitting in E+ to show their boarding pass to prove they belonged there. And I think that's the way it ought to be to prevent people from upgrading themselves.
Sep 27, 2014 | 10:29 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Sep 28, 2014 | 5:17 am
#35
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E+ is given away for free on most flights I'm on. That's how it works. It's totally normal. When E- is full, that usually means that some portion of E+ has been given away. E+ is not a separate class of service. GAs have to assign seats at the gate for this reason all the time.
I do think making this all evident through announcements is not great.
I do think making this all evident through announcements is not great.
A few years ago I was flying AF on my first 380 flight. I paid extra for more leg room, and when I saw a FA give one of those seats away for free, I went up to the purser and asked how I should apply for a refund. He asked why, and I told him what had just happened. He said I should return to my seat, and he would be back shortly. He did come back, and moved me to a premium economy seat.
If UA is going to undercut their own policies, they should pay the price.
If it was a weight/balance issue, the GA would have been wise to announce it as such. "Due to a weight/balance issue, we are offering x number of complimentary E+ seats to passengers currently seated in E-. We are going to start with offering this free UG to Group 2 pax. Please, Group 2 pax only approach the podium now if interested."
It would have explained the "why," and kept the stampede from getting out of control. Better for UA. Better for pax. I'll bet this thread wouldn't even exist if it had been handled that way.
It would have explained the "why," and kept the stampede from getting out of control. Better for UA. Better for pax. I'll bet this thread wouldn't even exist if it had been handled that way.
Sep 28, 2014 | 6:34 am
#36
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I've been the recipient of smaller freebies from UA over the years, like a snack box, while others have paid.
Last edited by JBord; Sep 28, 2014 at 8:18 am Reason: grammar
Sep 28, 2014 | 10:59 am
#38
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Sep 28, 2014 | 11:34 am
#39
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I'm not suggesting they should. I realize they do put people in E+ for free all the time. But if they make an announcement that E+ is now free, why shouldn't someone who paid not be given a refund if they request it?
Sep 28, 2014 | 11:41 am
#40
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And if I had paid for E+, I'd demand a refund if UA gave it away for free.
A few years ago I was flying AF on my first 380 flight. I paid extra for more leg room, and when I saw a FA give one of those seats away for free, I went up to the purser and asked how I should apply for a refund. He asked why, and I told him what had just happened. He said I should return to my seat, and he would be back shortly. He did come back, and moved me to a premium economy seat.
If UA is going to undercut their own policies, they should pay the price.
Even if that was the reason for moving the people, if they are going to make an announcement like that, they should expect people to ask for a refund.
A few years ago I was flying AF on my first 380 flight. I paid extra for more leg room, and when I saw a FA give one of those seats away for free, I went up to the purser and asked how I should apply for a refund. He asked why, and I told him what had just happened. He said I should return to my seat, and he would be back shortly. He did come back, and moved me to a premium economy seat.
If UA is going to undercut their own policies, they should pay the price.
Even if that was the reason for moving the people, if they are going to make an announcement like that, they should expect people to ask for a refund.
You are paying for the assurance that you will have a seat in E+. Nothing more. You are not paying for exclusivity, or for an empty seat next to you, or for an assurance that UA will not seat other pax in E+ once they have filled E-.
Sep 28, 2014 | 11:48 am
#41
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And UA would be fully justified in declining a refund.
You are paying for the assurance that you will have a seat in E+. Nothing more. You are not paying for exclusivity, or for an empty seat next to you, or for an assurance that UA will not seat other pax in E+ once they have filled E-.
You are paying for the assurance that you will have a seat in E+. Nothing more. You are not paying for exclusivity, or for an empty seat next to you, or for an assurance that UA will not seat other pax in E+ once they have filled E-.
In the long run, how many people of the affected flight will pony up and pay the E+ fee next time around? Seems to me that refunding the fee would be the better business decision.
Sep 28, 2014 | 11:51 am
#43
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You may be right, because the current management team has no real appreciation of the concept of customer service.
In the long run, how many people of the affected flight will pony up and pay the E+ fee next time around? Seems to me that refunding the fee would be the better business decision.
In the long run, how many people of the affected flight will pony up and pay the E+ fee next time around? Seems to me that refunding the fee would be the better business decision.
Sep 28, 2014 | 11:55 am
#44
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SunLover
Sep 28, 2014 | 2:32 pm
#45
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Fine, don't agree. But if I pay for something that UA publicly gives away, I'm going to complain. And I doubt I'll be the only one complaining.