2015 MileagePlus Change - Co-Pay Required for All Mileage-Supported Upgrades on p.s.
Nov 19, 2014, 7:37 pm
#46
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The copay on PS flights will dramatically reduce the use of MP miles for upgrades and lead to some empty seats upfront.
It becomes more cost effective for elites just to just buy $1K one way BF seats. A one way K fare of $200, plus a $250 copay, plus $400 (the approx value of 20k miles) and you are at $850 for an unconfirmed seat. Plus, by buying the BF seat at $1k versus an economy seat for $200, you get another 8,800 miles under the new earning scheme (11x).
Will also reduce all the 1K's who use their miles for family members to upgrade.
All those critics who say UA can't come up with an original idea, looks like they proved you wrong. Can't believe they couldn't come up with an exception for GS and 1Ks.
It becomes more cost effective for elites just to just buy $1K one way BF seats. A one way K fare of $200, plus a $250 copay, plus $400 (the approx value of 20k miles) and you are at $850 for an unconfirmed seat. Plus, by buying the BF seat at $1k versus an economy seat for $200, you get another 8,800 miles under the new earning scheme (11x).
Will also reduce all the 1K's who use their miles for family members to upgrade.
All those critics who say UA can't come up with an original idea, looks like they proved you wrong. Can't believe they couldn't come up with an exception for GS and 1Ks.
Nov 19, 2014, 7:38 pm
#47
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Just glanced thru. Biggest changes:
1. No co-pay waiver for PS upgrades for Premier Members. - not great but not as bad as DL. So hopefully it will make upgrade space easier on those routes??
2. Award travel will no longer carry the status of the person whose miles where used, instead status of person actually traveling. (I think this is a good thing).
1. No co-pay waiver for PS upgrades for Premier Members. - not great but not as bad as DL. So hopefully it will make upgrade space easier on those routes??
2. Award travel will no longer carry the status of the person whose miles where used, instead status of person actually traveling. (I think this is a good thing).
Nov 19, 2014, 7:38 pm
#48
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I'm sure the prior poster does. You're still committing that money and those miles when the inventory isn't available--and then have to rely on UA's IT to refund them correctly if you don't clear (and meanwhile, you've made an interest-free loan to UA).
You do understand how a co-pay works? And a waitlist (if necessary)?
Nov 19, 2014, 7:52 pm
#49
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Nov 19, 2014, 8:23 pm
#50
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I've yet to ever see any change that has been made that has ever changed the availability of upgrades etc. People say "oh this will thin the ranks" but in reality it won't change a thing except they will sell more day of trip cheap upgrades, but no one will now get upgrades to clear any better. United has approximately ZERO interest in helping you clear your upgrade. Think about it, has the addition of PQD thinned anything out for you ??
Some people are assuming R space will remain static; the reality is it has been steadily decreasing throughout all these negative changes and there is no credible reason to believe that will magically change for the better due to "thinning of the ranks."
Nov 19, 2014, 9:08 pm
#51
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If the situation is that United thinks it can compete for full fare business tickets on PS routes with an inferior product, all power to them. They are at a quality and price disadvantage. JetBlue at $599 is better and cheaper. Delta and American are just better, not cheaper.
Nov 20, 2014, 7:35 am
#52
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If the situation is that United thinks it can compete for full fare business tickets on PS routes with an inferior product, all power to them. They are at a quality and price disadvantage. JetBlue at $599 is better and cheaper. Delta and American are just better, not cheaper.
No redeposit fees- redeposit fees are charged based on the account holder, not traveler.
Nov 20, 2014, 8:03 am
#53
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Nov 20, 2014, 9:22 am
#54
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Besides, If I wanted to buy a big seat on the coast to coast flights, I'd pay $599 and do it on Jetblue which offers a significantly better premium product on the route. Being able to redeem miles and upgrade is the only benefit that matter to many. United Airlines trails in most departments compared to the competition, so if I am going to have to pay full price for the products (as opposed to benefiting from my status), then I will pay my money to the one that offers me a good product. United Airlines loses that money more or less every time.
Just book B6 Mint and save your money...assuming you can find a seat in Mint because it is selling very well.
Nov 21, 2014, 2:01 pm
#55
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2015 MileagePlus Change - Co-Pay Required for All Mileage-Supported Upgrades on p.s.
Next down the pipeline will be a $250 co pay for all milage upgrades regardless if it's PS or not...Never thought I'd see this day come. What a shame.
Nov 21, 2014, 8:10 pm
#56
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UA is a business. PS waitlist for upgrades are long because many people fly this route and are willing to use RPU/GPU/Mileage Co-pay. Even then, there are folk who buy up at check-in to jump the line. Is there any wonder why UA wouldn't do this? I'm not saying as Premier members we shouldn't be upset that they keep rolling out new changes to devalue the program but I'm not surprised if they can add cashflow.
Nov 22, 2014, 12:25 am
#57
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If the situation is that United thinks it can compete for full fare business tickets on PS routes with an inferior product, all power to them. They are at a quality and price disadvantage. JetBlue at $599 is better and cheaper. Delta and American are just better, not cheaper.
Have you directly compared AA to UA seats, same class of service? I haven't, but everything I read says AA seats are a bit inferior to UA seats in Business, and in Economy Plus. Almost as comfortable, almost as much space, almost as workable an IFE. All of the specific complaints with the AA product don't apply in my experience to the UA product. AA's one edge is fewer people per bathroom in coach. People like AA because they've been getting upgraded, not because the equipment is actually better. Before I bet the bank on switching, are you just talking here?
Nov 22, 2014, 4:18 am
#58
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If the situation is that United thinks it can compete for full fare business tickets on PS routes with an inferior product, all power to them. They are at a quality and price disadvantage. JetBlue at $599 is better and cheaper. Delta and American are just better, not cheaper.
Exactly - B6 Mint and even the new AA 321 service are vastly superior to the tired relic that PS has been turned into - and UA wants to charge extra for something that is barely a foot above domestic F?
Just book B6 Mint and save your money...assuming you can find a seat in Mint because it is selling very well.
Just book B6 Mint and save your money...assuming you can find a seat in Mint because it is selling very well.
Huh. Delta is flying angle-flat seats JFK to SFO.
Have you directly compared AA to UA seats, same class of service? I haven't, but everything I read says AA seats are a bit inferior to UA seats in Business, and in Economy Plus. Almost as comfortable, almost as much space, almost as workable an IFE. All of the specific complaints with the AA product don't apply in my experience to the UA product. AA's one edge is fewer people per bathroom in coach. People like AA because they've been getting upgraded, not because the equipment is actually better. Before I bet the bank on switching, are you just talking here?
Have you directly compared AA to UA seats, same class of service? I haven't, but everything I read says AA seats are a bit inferior to UA seats in Business, and in Economy Plus. Almost as comfortable, almost as much space, almost as workable an IFE. All of the specific complaints with the AA product don't apply in my experience to the UA product. AA's one edge is fewer people per bathroom in coach. People like AA because they've been getting upgraded, not because the equipment is actually better. Before I bet the bank on switching, are you just talking here?
Nov 22, 2014, 8:56 am
#59
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UA is a business. PS waitlist for upgrades are long because many people fly this route and are willing to use RPU/GPU/Mileage Co-pay. Even then, there are folk who buy up at check-in to jump the line. Is there any wonder why UA wouldn't do this? I'm not saying as Premier members we shouldn't be upset that they keep rolling out new changes to devalue the program but I'm not surprised if they can add cashflow.
Nov 22, 2014, 9:47 am
#60
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2015 MileagePlus Change - Co-Pay Required for All Mileage-Supported Upgrades on p.s.
My experience of the AA service was better than the UA service. Food was better, plane felt significantly newer, crew nicer, seats a wash. My experience of the JetBlue service was significantly better than the UA service. EVERYTHING on all levels was better.