PN9 & R0: UA opening upgrades only to Global Services, message to other elites?
Aug 28, 2015, 1:58 am
#121
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,839
Exactly. There are plenty of GS who contribute much, much less revenue to United than 1Ks. Indeed, ones who don't even meet the 1K thresholds.
Aug 28, 2015, 5:45 am
#122
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
From what I read here, it sounds like GS is not really revenue based, but based on tickets coded as purchased via corporate contracts. I guess UA figures that you aren't buying the ticket, so your fare is whatever it turns out to be. Most big corporations require coach travel at the absolute cheapest fare and they are willing to pay change fees. So seems like GS is for corporate purchases and a few very wealthy people who buy many premium tickets.
If you are not traveling on a corporate contract, likely not good to fly UA. Seems like the elite program is GS and then others - others with status getting preboard, E+, etc, and some extra miles.
If you are not traveling on a corporate contract, likely not good to fly UA. Seems like the elite program is GS and then others - others with status getting preboard, E+, etc, and some extra miles.
Aug 28, 2015, 6:33 am
#123
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
I have no problem with how UA decides to award GS to a given customer, and that they prioritize GS above other customers. It's their business, and they get to decide when and how to apportion the benefits they bestow.
My problem is that status under MP has become an unpredictable and illusory shell game. Add that to UA's sub-par operations and inconsistent soft product, I've significantly reduced my frequency of flying on UA, and have shifted that business elsewhere, where I'm treated better. For example, I was just upgraded on my Monday AM AA flight - 72 hours before departure, and I'm just a Plat there.
The only thing I feel bad for are the dedicated front line employees I've met over the years who have to labor under a management team that isn't the least bit concerned about anything other than their own personal financial status. Got to keep those stock options flowing, after all.
My problem is that status under MP has become an unpredictable and illusory shell game. Add that to UA's sub-par operations and inconsistent soft product, I've significantly reduced my frequency of flying on UA, and have shifted that business elsewhere, where I'm treated better. For example, I was just upgraded on my Monday AM AA flight - 72 hours before departure, and I'm just a Plat there.
The only thing I feel bad for are the dedicated front line employees I've met over the years who have to labor under a management team that isn't the least bit concerned about anything other than their own personal financial status. Got to keep those stock options flowing, after all.
Aug 28, 2015, 6:58 am
#124
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Exactly. No rational decision maker would choose to spend >$50k/yr on Jeff's pathetic airline. These days, GS is comped to corporations in exchange for volume commitments but those corporations force lowest fare travel so Jeff is stupidly giving away GS as a perk to secure a bucket of low-margin revenue. Even when these corporate flyers are in J, it's a discounted J.