UA Flex-Schedule Program,bidding for voluntary bumps & sometimes confirmed rebookings
Jul 12, 2017, 11:09 am
#46
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Maybe not explicitly, but the new seats were delayed resulting in the 77Ws not joining the fleet as quickly as desired. It also delayed the 763 conversion from 3-class to 2-class with the new seats which is pretty obvious at this point.
As for the statement, I have no idea why it is a "boon for business travelers." That's actually not who it is targeted towards at all. Unless UA is facing a situation where many business travelers are booking away on last-minute trips because planes are sold out.
I've spoken at length with one of the competitors to the company UA is using for this (I didn't realize there were so many players in the space). The goal is to solve the problem of "unexpectedly" full flights and UA not being able to sell more seats last minute. I expect usage will be very limited.I also find it interesting that UA is cutting off the window to switch people 5 days out. I would've expected it closer in based on my understanding of the business problem.
As for the statement, I have no idea why it is a "boon for business travelers." That's actually not who it is targeted towards at all. Unless UA is facing a situation where many business travelers are booking away on last-minute trips because planes are sold out.
I've spoken at length with one of the competitors to the company UA is using for this (I didn't realize there were so many players in the space). The goal is to solve the problem of "unexpectedly" full flights and UA not being able to sell more seats last minute. I expect usage will be very limited.
Last edited by sbm12; Jul 12, 2017 at 11:50 am
Jul 12, 2017, 11:12 am
#47
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*crosses fingers*
I would hope that this wouldn't impact that at all. They're already pretty good about not SDC'ing into an oversell situation, so I would expect that benefit would remain the same. Particularly if this shuffle is happening days in advance, by the time you get to T-24, the major adjustments will have occurred. I can't imagine there's enough walk-up sales anymore to materially impact day-of availability.
I would hope that this wouldn't impact that at all. They're already pretty good about not SDC'ing into an oversell situation, so I would expect that benefit would remain the same. Particularly if this shuffle is happening days in advance, by the time you get to T-24, the major adjustments will have occurred. I can't imagine there's enough walk-up sales anymore to materially impact day-of availability.
I also suspect that peoples' willingness to accept a VDB is increased when they don't have to schlep out to the airport and then the gate and sit around. Lastly, the herd mentality won't work. You won't be sitting there with someone saying "sit tight, they will raise it to $1K if nobody stands up.
Jul 12, 2017, 11:46 am
#48
Join Date: Mar 2014
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UGH. Apparently this is called
and it is a reverse auction as we suspected. Basically takes the place of Flight Recovery.
The author says "up to 5 days" meaning 0-5 days before the flight.
The author says "up to 5 days" meaning 0-5 days before the flight.
Jul 12, 2017, 12:05 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2017
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Seems like a good idea . . . this to me is what makes it potentially most appealing:
Much more willing to take a different flight if it means sitting at home an extra few hours rather than sitting at the airport. (And of course it means you could take an earlier flight - not possible if you show up on time for your expected departure).
Much more willing to take a different flight if it means sitting at home an extra few hours rather than sitting at the airport. (And of course it means you could take an earlier flight - not possible if you show up on time for your expected departure).
It would be nice if they'd try this out for delays too.
Jul 12, 2017, 12:15 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 123
This "solution" is all about maximizing revenue to UA and nothing about giving the customer what was paid for. UA gets big cash for your seat, you get a "voucher" that may or may not be of any use to you. Based on experience, I absolutely do not trust UA to rebook into the class and seat preference paid for. Be prepared to have a paid J or E+ seat turn into a middle seat in the back of coach.
The question is always "how can we make more money" and never "how can we make this right".
The question is always "how can we make more money" and never "how can we make this right".
Jul 12, 2017, 1:23 pm
#52
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This "solution" is all about maximizing revenue to UA and nothing about giving the customer what was paid for. UA gets big cash for your seat, you get a "voucher" that may or may not be of any use to you. Based on experience, I absolutely do not trust UA to rebook into the class and seat preference paid for. Be prepared to have a paid J or E+ seat turn into a middle seat in the back of coach.
The question is always "how can we make more money" and never "how can we make this right".
The question is always "how can we make more money" and never "how can we make this right".
Last edited by notquiteaff; Jul 12, 2017 at 1:31 pm
Jul 12, 2017, 1:50 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2009
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This is a more advanced in time (it appears to make the offers days in advance) version of what Delta is already doing w/i 24 hours (an auction type offer).
What interests me is what happens with pricing close in. Traditionally to use a simply example, there may be 90 seats at $200, 40 seats at $300, 20 seats at $500, 10 seats at $700, and 3 at $900. So if 5 days out the $700 seats are gone, only $900 seats are offered. (or the $500 seats are gone and only $900 seats are offered). This would appear to allow United to continue to offer $500 or $700 seats for longer, while still keeping the few remaining $900 seats until the very end. If my thinking is correct, what this will really do is make more upper-mid priced seats available for longer on flights where UA would otherwise be undercut by competitor airlines that still have lower fare bucket availability.
What interests me is what happens with pricing close in. Traditionally to use a simply example, there may be 90 seats at $200, 40 seats at $300, 20 seats at $500, 10 seats at $700, and 3 at $900. So if 5 days out the $700 seats are gone, only $900 seats are offered. (or the $500 seats are gone and only $900 seats are offered). This would appear to allow United to continue to offer $500 or $700 seats for longer, while still keeping the few remaining $900 seats until the very end. If my thinking is correct, what this will really do is make more upper-mid priced seats available for longer on flights where UA would otherwise be undercut by competitor airlines that still have lower fare bucket availability.
What it seems more likely to do is (a) reduce the cost of bumping and (b) increase the numbers they can bump (presumably people are more likely to take $250 3 days out than at the airport).
Jul 12, 2017, 1:53 pm
#54
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Precisely. It also reduces the cost or the VDB/IDB in that the bumped passenger typically has more options available for a reroute 3 days out than 3 hours out. I've already had some travelers note that they're disinclined to take a bump at the gate but would do so for a lower TVC amount if they knew a day or two in advance so they didn't return the rental car or otherwise get to the airport earlier than necessary for the new trip.
The company makes more money and passengers are happier.
(link to said discussion on my post about the new program)
Jul 12, 2017, 1:55 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Customer service hasn't been part of United's business model in at least a decade. In other news, sharks in the sea, the sky is blue.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 12, 2017 at 2:04 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
Jul 12, 2017, 1:58 pm
#56
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Alaska Airlines, which gets great marks for customer service, is rolling the same system from the same vendor out later this year.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 12, 2017 at 2:03 pm Reason: quote updated to reflect moderator edit
Jul 12, 2017, 2:16 pm
#57
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This can significantly help UA @ EWR or ORD hub during anticipation or disruption for major winter storm.
E.g. A guy with a Y class 1K seat scheduled to fly in December in the middle of a storm will suffer a cancellation and join the cattle attempting reschedule two days later vs. contact granny flying 2x a year and advising her we'll give you $500 if you reschedule to fly in 3 days vs. 2 days from now. They can reaccomodate Y class 1K and granny is happy with her $500 voucher.
E.g. A guy with a Y class 1K seat scheduled to fly in December in the middle of a storm will suffer a cancellation and join the cattle attempting reschedule two days later vs. contact granny flying 2x a year and advising her we'll give you $500 if you reschedule to fly in 3 days vs. 2 days from now. They can reaccomodate Y class 1K and granny is happy with her $500 voucher.
Jul 12, 2017, 3:00 pm
#59
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Jul 12, 2017, 3:03 pm
#60
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my guess is it starts narrow and simple - higher frequency domestic routes with reasonable "green egg" opportunities.
the very high load factors make the entire thing seem to be less of a big deal though.