United Wi-Fi Subscription - Q&A, issues, ...
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#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LIM
Programs: United Premier Platinum (Former Premier 1K), Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, AmEx Plat
Posts: 558
United Wi-Fi Subscription - Q&A, issues, ...
According to United Airtime (https://unitedairtime.com/your-quest...ction-package/) there will be a Wi-Fi subscription available by the end of this year. I'm guessing it should be released this month. Has anyone heard anything else about it? Any ideas on pricing, increments (monthly/yearly)? Would you opt for one of these subscriptions?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 466
Like many things, the devil is in the details. United currently has multiple pricing schemes, though I've noticed in recent months they are harmonizing around a single interface/pricing model of 1hr/2hr/whole flight, and payable with miles or dollars. (The pricing per hour varies based on flight length, interestingly). Until that system is rolled out to all aircraft, it will be hard for them to sell monthly or yearly plans because some planes will recognize it and others won't.
I generally fly TCON flights, about 15x a year, so ~30 segments annually. Typically, I take advantage of United's "pause wifi" feature, and get email, download what I need, then hit pause. After that I can do all my work, then unpause, send emails, etc. Doing that, I only need an hour of wifi for a 6 hr flight, and the price for one hour is generally $3.99, or 30x$3.99 = $120yr/$10mo.
So, unless United's subscription is <$10/mo, I wouldn't bite. And I doubt it would be that cheap.
If you need constant connectivity in the air and/or you fly a lot of segments and have to pay over and over on every flight, I can see the calculus being quite different.
I generally fly TCON flights, about 15x a year, so ~30 segments annually. Typically, I take advantage of United's "pause wifi" feature, and get email, download what I need, then hit pause. After that I can do all my work, then unpause, send emails, etc. Doing that, I only need an hour of wifi for a 6 hr flight, and the price for one hour is generally $3.99, or 30x$3.99 = $120yr/$10mo.
So, unless United's subscription is <$10/mo, I wouldn't bite. And I doubt it would be that cheap.
If you need constant connectivity in the air and/or you fly a lot of segments and have to pay over and over on every flight, I can see the calculus being quite different.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,022
I just noticed they upgraded the TPAC flight onboard wifi interface and hiked the price, now $6.99 for 1hr, $12.99 for 2 hrs and $24.99 for whole flight. That's almost 50% price increase...I believe this is since November.
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,210
Also, despite the website saying a subscription will be available by EoY I'd bet pretty heavily against that.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD/DCA/FLL/MIA
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, SQ*PPS, Hyatt*Globalist
Posts: 11,425
The wifi reliability is an issue. I have noted interruptions through out every international flight I have been on this year. I am willing to pay for an annual subscription if the reliability improves and the pricing makes sense.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,516
Exactly. A subscription will make it difficult to determine what refund is due for broken or intermittent service on a flight. I don't use it often, but the few times I've tried have all been very poor experiences.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K + 1MM; HHonors Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 732
+1. The service is highly unreliable when flying over water. That will have to be addressed before I will cough up a subscription.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + UA Plat + AS MVP 75k Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,570
Comped wifi would be a great way to increase the value of high end credit cards (e.g. Club +PP) and Plat/1k/GS status. WN offers it to elites IMHO.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,122
I, for one, would be very interested in a package.. for basic coms my wifi success has been ~90% with a few un-usable times..
Not having to go through the purchase each time would be great!
Not having to go through the purchase each time would be great!
#10
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Malvern, Pennsylvania
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 110
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA
Programs: UA Gold, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 117
I'd definitely be interested in the service. I fly UA a lot for transcons SFO-IAD to visit family, and always purchase WiFi as it saves me a vacation day sitting on a plane. I typically do full flight, as my mode of work requires access to an online messaging app.
Of course, it'll depend on pricing and the number of flights needed to break even.
One other minor note, typically subscriptions count toward PQD, while wifi purchases do not as far as I know, so a possible small advantage.
Of course, it'll depend on pricing and the number of flights needed to break even.
One other minor note, typically subscriptions count toward PQD, while wifi purchases do not as far as I know, so a possible small advantage.
#13
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott Titanium (LT Plat), Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,953
That would be a good benefit, and consistent with hotel programs which give free high-speed wifi to their top level elite.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
In the meantime, JetBlue just made wi-fi free. That's what I am willing to pay (and I'll definitely take this into consideration for the next domestic flight)
http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/11/pf/j...estic-flights/
http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/11/pf/j...estic-flights/
#15
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
In the meantime, JetBlue just made wi-fi free. That's what I am willing to pay (and I'll definitely take this into consideration for the next domestic flight)
http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/11/pf/j...estic-flights/
http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/11/pf/j...estic-flights/