App display of early cleared upgrades changed? Waitlists on gate monitors going away?
Jun 8, 2018, 9:05 pm
#76
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jsloan — You obviously know far more about this topic than I do. I just know that, as a business owner, I don't make changes just for the sake of making changes, and when I do make changes, it's because I believe they'll increase revenue. Assuming these changes by United weren't unintended, it seems like there's a revenue motive somewhere.
I’m sure you’re right that UA thinks they’re making more money with this change (again, assuming it’s intentional). But they’ve had to make high-profile about-faces before (see: BE).
Jun 8, 2018, 9:07 pm
#77
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jsloan — You obviously know far more about this topic than I do. I just know that, as a business owner, I don't make changes just for the sake of making changes, and when I do make changes, it's because I believe they'll cut costs and/or increase revenue. Assuming these changes by United weren't unintended, it seems like there's a cost/revenue motive somewhere.
I agree that United isn't losing money from SDC, but as with anything, the longer something exists, the more people find a way to exploit it. If United is trying to be less transparent with SDC and/or upgrades, perhaps they're responding to some trend they've noticed.
I agree that United isn't losing money from SDC, but as with anything, the longer something exists, the more people find a way to exploit it. If United is trying to be less transparent with SDC and/or upgrades, perhaps they're responding to some trend they've noticed.
Jun 8, 2018, 9:09 pm
#78
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As jsloan notes - the person buying the $1500 Y ticket is either paying for refundability/unrestricted changeability or they're paying for last minute availability. We used to be all full-fare Y until someone finally did the math and decided even paying quite a few change fees was cheaper. We can still get them if there's justification - I've had to go on travel where I knew there were likely to be schedule changes on the outbound and the return (and potentially multiple changes) and just put that in a note and they got me a refundable ticket (that also got me an instant upgrade as a silver). I've been on expensive last minute tickets as well- there were certainly no $300 F fares available when I was on a $1000 discount-Y (not even full Y) on tickets purchased 24 hours or less before I had to fly.
Jun 8, 2018, 9:13 pm
#79
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Seems like United must realize that, but trusts its beancounters who have assuredly run the numbers a hundred different ways.
Jun 9, 2018, 7:07 am
#80
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In 2018 I have only purchased a few domestic P fares and even then some of those were upfares after the original purchase as the upfare was less than the P fare at time of purchase. However, for the last couple the upfare would have resulted in paying more then the original P fare price and as I have used all my RPUs I am relying on CPUs for those trips.
For 2018 I have purchased no international P fares. A first for a number of years. I had eight GPUs and so far been able to use them (still waiting for two to take but they have all been applied). I have one international flight where I will be in E+ as no more available GPUs and the P fare was too expensive. I use a routing to limit the TATL portion.
So I think there has been a change in pricing for the routes I take with less availability of low P fares. Of course my idea of a low P fare compared to others may be quite different.
I think UA are doing themselves a disservice by taking away the transparency of the UG lists at the gate. Something to be said for looking at the monitors and wondering how you can get to be one of the people who have been upgraded or close to the top of the upgrade list - something to aim for. Is it annoying to be #1 and not get the upgrade? Yes, of course, but think the transparency is important. If you take away the transparency I get concerned there is more availability for "shenanigans" (to use the FT phrase).
Last edited by Aussienarelle; Jun 9, 2018 at 7:09 am Reason: Grammar (as always)
Jun 9, 2018, 9:15 am
#82
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You had the choice to pay less and you decided not to.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 9, 2018 at 12:20 pm Reason: Unappropriate comments removed
Jun 9, 2018, 9:39 am
#83
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Sure they do. They don't care. UA values the guaranteed $300 more than the chance of $1500. People buy refundable tickets because they're refundable, meaning many times, they are refunded. Bird in hand and all that. If sitting in FC is more important than refund-ability, buy P and not Y. I credit RM with knowing what they're doing most of the time.
Jun 9, 2018, 10:00 am
#84
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If I buy a refundable Y fare, rather than a cheaper nonrefundable P fare, it's not because I have a flawed purchasing strategy. It's because I can't be stuck with a nonrefundable ticket if the event for which I'm traveling cancels.
That is an unwarranted assumption
That is an unwarranted assumption
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 9, 2018 at 12:21 pm Reason: quote updated to reflect Mod edit; removed response to deleted material
Jun 9, 2018, 4:08 pm
#85
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I’m not saying that UA isn’t charging “too much” for refundability, if your definition of “too much” is “more than their expected cost.” But that’s true of dozens of things they sell, from E+ to checked bags to alcoholic drinks to change fees to phone booking charges. At the end of the day they’re going to charge what the market bears, not what it costs them.
Jun 9, 2018, 6:13 pm
#86
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How often do your events get canceled? If we're really talking about $1,500 for Y vs. $300 for P, or anything remotely close thereto, ~75% of your events could get canceled and you'd still come out ahead by buying the non-refundable P fares.
Jun 9, 2018, 6:57 pm
#87
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I am the same way - here is my difference
If i have a $300 ticket and the job cancels and I forfeit the ticket my BOSS and company pays - If I bought a $1500 refundable ticket - it is refunded
If i have a $1500 refundable ticket and the job goes as planned my company takes the $1500 and adds 10% and charges the client $1650 for a ticket
So, the difference is cancelled flights without refunds, my boss and company pay for, tickets I fly are paid for by the client, so 100% of my cancelled tickets are paid for by the company and they always will come out behind no matter what - so I buy refundable ALWAYS
Sorry boss, that $6400 ticket to SIN, yeah, you are going to have to eat it - LOL, yeah, not gonna be making that phone call
As for how often do they get cancelled, it is June and I have 23 cancelled intermarries so far this year.
Jun 9, 2018, 6:59 pm
#88
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Moderator Note
We seem to be drifting OT. Let's return to the discussion of the change in the displayed upgrade waitlist. The booking of refundable vs nonrefundable fares has been discussed many times in many forums and not really relevant to the topic at hand.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
We seem to be drifting OT. Let's return to the discussion of the change in the displayed upgrade waitlist. The booking of refundable vs nonrefundable fares has been discussed many times in many forums and not really relevant to the topic at hand.
WineCountryUA
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Jun 10, 2018, 6:23 am
#89
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While I agree with information, from a practical standpoint the information isn't relevant. If your upgrade cleared before T-24 for whatever reason, when you check in you'll have your upgraded seat. If you haven't been upgraded yet, then you'll show on a list as awaiting an upgrade or upgraded. Only those pax really have a *need* to consult the list. For everyone else it's just curiousity.
Jun 10, 2018, 1:54 pm
#90
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As curious as I am with airline systems and inventories and think more information is better for those of us who are more experienced, I guess the "who upgraded information is not relevant for those on the list" argument is valid.
I guess the problem is that there is not much trust with UA nowadays and we wonder if this is part of a bigger scheme to screw us down the road.
I guess the problem is that there is not much trust with UA nowadays and we wonder if this is part of a bigger scheme to screw us down the road.