Apr 10, 2017, 4:49 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United WiFi subscription.
First announced in early 2017, withdrawn and then re-introduced Feb 2018
Appears to be the same as the originally proposed pricing
Annual is 11x monthly; North America & Central America or Global option
On 8 May 2017, some received
First announced in early 2017, withdrawn and then re-introduced Feb 2018
Appears to be the same as the originally proposed pricing
Annual is 11x monthly; North America & Central America or Global option
For some reason, they put a wrong link on the MP account overview page.
The new Wi-Fi subscription is handled by the same general subscription management interface which also covers subscriptions for United Club, Economy+, etc.
Here is the correct link: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/subscription/wifi
Pricing depends on the term and the covered geographical region:
North America and Central America, monthly: $49 or 7,540 miles
North America and Central America, annual: $539 or 82,930 miles
Global, monthly: $69 or 10,620 miles
Global, annual: $759 or 82,930 miles
Yes, I've noticed the discrepancy, same mileage pricing in both annual options, but that's what it says right now.
Subscribers can change the geographic region where they want to use a subscription from the North and Central America region to Global at any time. Subscribers cannot switch from a Global subscription to a North and Central America subscription.
As with the other subscriptions, it is possible to gift a Wi-Fi subscription to someone else.
The new Wi-Fi subscription is handled by the same general subscription management interface which also covers subscriptions for United Club, Economy+, etc.
Here is the correct link: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/subscription/wifi
Pricing depends on the term and the covered geographical region:
North America and Central America, monthly: $49 or 7,540 miles
North America and Central America, annual: $539 or 82,930 miles
Global, monthly: $69 or 10,620 miles
Global, annual: $759 or 82,930 miles
Yes, I've noticed the discrepancy, same mileage pricing in both annual options, but that's what it says right now.
Subscribers can change the geographic region where they want to use a subscription from the North and Central America region to Global at any time. Subscribers cannot switch from a Global subscription to a North and Central America subscription.
As with the other subscriptions, it is possible to gift a Wi-Fi subscription to someone else.
Hard to believe this is true, but here's an email I just received from UA:
We have some important information about your United Wi-FiSM subscription purchase on April 10, 2017.
Due to a technical issue, we offered United Wi-Fi subscriptions before we were fully ready to make them available. We have since removed the option to purchase United Wi-Fi subscriptions.
The good news is that you can still use your subscription until December 31, 2017, and you’ll receive a full refund for your purchase. United Wi-Fi subscriptions will also be available for purchase again soon.
We hope you enjoy your subscription, and we’re sorry for any confusion that this may have caused.
United Airlines Wi-Fi Team
We have some important information about your United Wi-FiSM subscription purchase on April 10, 2017.
Due to a technical issue, we offered United Wi-Fi subscriptions before we were fully ready to make them available. We have since removed the option to purchase United Wi-Fi subscriptions.
The good news is that you can still use your subscription until December 31, 2017, and you’ll receive a full refund for your purchase. United Wi-Fi subscriptions will also be available for purchase again soon.
We hope you enjoy your subscription, and we’re sorry for any confusion that this may have caused.
United Airlines Wi-Fi Team
United Wi-Fi Subscription - Q&A, issues, ...
Dec 3, 2016, 12:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LIM
Programs: United Premier 1K, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, AmEx Plat
Posts: 559
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?
Dec 3, 2016, 7:03 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
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.
Dec 3, 2016, 10:25 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
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.
Dec 3, 2016, 12:04 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Also, despite the website saying a subscription will be available by EoY I'd bet pretty heavily against that.
Dec 4, 2016, 2:43 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,305
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.
Dec 4, 2016, 6:44 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
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.
Dec 4, 2016, 10:56 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold + 1MM; HHonors Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 746
+1. The service is highly unreliable when flying over water. That will have to be addressed before I will cough up a subscription.
Dec 7, 2016, 1:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,821
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.
Dec 7, 2016, 1:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
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!
Dec 7, 2016, 1:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Malvern, Pennsylvania
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 114
Dec 7, 2016, 1:48 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 120
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.
Dec 8, 2016, 6:55 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,234
That would be a good benefit, and consistent with hotel programs which give free high-speed wifi to their top level elite.
Jan 11, 2017, 6:52 pm
#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/
Jan 11, 2017, 8:27 pm
#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/
