Aug 13, 2018, 11:55 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United Airlines Strengthens Commitment to Top Corporate Customers with Launch of United Corporate Preferred
New exclusive program provides multi-level benefits to airline's top business travelers
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today debuted United Corporate Preferred, the industry's newest corporate travel program designed to offer top travel benefits to the airline's most loyal business customers. United announced the new program this morning at the Global Business Traveler Association (GBTA) Convention in San Diego.
United Corporate Preferred is a new and exclusive benefits program that provides added perks for the airline's top corporate customers. A multi-level program, United Corporate Preferred offers escalating benefits at three levels, including United Corporate Preferred, United Corporate Preferred Plus and United Corporate Preferred Elite. Eligibility for the new program is determined by a corporation's contract status, revenue contribution and loyalty with United. Eligible corporate agreements include United corporate share agreements, United PassPlus and United Meetings.
"Every day thousands of road warriors are jetting off on United to work events and business meetings all over the world," said Jake Cefolia, United's senior vice president of Worldwide Sales. "We designed our United Corporate Preferred program with the customer's entire travel experience in mind, from booking to landing, to identify opportunities to show our appreciation to our loyal business customers with a program that offers extra perks and travel benefits."
Benefits offered to all United Corporate Preferred customers include:
• Preferred upgrades – tie-breaker preferences for upgrades.
• Preferred standby – prioritization when traveling on standby for a different flight and when waitlisting for a seat in a different cabin or booking class.
• Operational adjustment protection – protection during travel interruptions, as well as seat protection to retain the same or similar seat in the event of an aircraft swap.
• Preferred discounts and offers – eligibility to receive exclusive promotions offered by both United and its partners in the near future.
Customers in the airline's new United Corporate Preferred Elite level will also receive the following:
• Additional travel waiver flexibility – when United has a travel waiver in place, customers will receive additional flexibility to adjust their travel beyond restrictions in place on the standard waiver.
• Preferred boarding – later this year, customers will receive priority boarding in group two.
• Preferred seating – later this year, customers will have access to book designated standard economy seats closer to the front of the plane.
To receive these benefits, tickets must be flown on United or United Express flights, reservations must include the customer's corporate account number at the time of booking, and the travel must be for the corporate customer's business. Companies invited to participate in United Corporate Preferred will receive a tailored webpage with information on benefits eligible to their employees. For more information on the program, visit unitedcorporatepreferred.com.
New exclusive program provides multi-level benefits to airline's top business travelers
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today debuted United Corporate Preferred, the industry's newest corporate travel program designed to offer top travel benefits to the airline's most loyal business customers. United announced the new program this morning at the Global Business Traveler Association (GBTA) Convention in San Diego.
United Corporate Preferred is a new and exclusive benefits program that provides added perks for the airline's top corporate customers. A multi-level program, United Corporate Preferred offers escalating benefits at three levels, including United Corporate Preferred, United Corporate Preferred Plus and United Corporate Preferred Elite. Eligibility for the new program is determined by a corporation's contract status, revenue contribution and loyalty with United. Eligible corporate agreements include United corporate share agreements, United PassPlus and United Meetings.
"Every day thousands of road warriors are jetting off on United to work events and business meetings all over the world," said Jake Cefolia, United's senior vice president of Worldwide Sales. "We designed our United Corporate Preferred program with the customer's entire travel experience in mind, from booking to landing, to identify opportunities to show our appreciation to our loyal business customers with a program that offers extra perks and travel benefits."
Benefits offered to all United Corporate Preferred customers include:
• Preferred upgrades – tie-breaker preferences for upgrades.
• Preferred standby – prioritization when traveling on standby for a different flight and when waitlisting for a seat in a different cabin or booking class.
• Operational adjustment protection – protection during travel interruptions, as well as seat protection to retain the same or similar seat in the event of an aircraft swap.
• Preferred discounts and offers – eligibility to receive exclusive promotions offered by both United and its partners in the near future.
Customers in the airline's new United Corporate Preferred Elite level will also receive the following:
• Additional travel waiver flexibility – when United has a travel waiver in place, customers will receive additional flexibility to adjust their travel beyond restrictions in place on the standard waiver.
• Preferred boarding – later this year, customers will receive priority boarding in group two.
• Preferred seating – later this year, customers will have access to book designated standard economy seats closer to the front of the plane.
To receive these benefits, tickets must be flown on United or United Express flights, reservations must include the customer's corporate account number at the time of booking, and the travel must be for the corporate customer's business. Companies invited to participate in United Corporate Preferred will receive a tailored webpage with information on benefits eligible to their employees. For more information on the program, visit unitedcorporatepreferred.com.
What benefits do United Corporate Preferred travelers receive?
Specific benefits are listed below. Being a multi-level program, within each benefit in tie-breaker scenarios, United Corporate Preferred Elite travelers receive the highest priority, followed by United Corporate Preferred Plus and then United Corporate Preferred.
Specific benefits are listed below. Being a multi-level program, within each benefit in tie-breaker scenarios, United Corporate Preferred Elite travelers receive the highest priority, followed by United Corporate Preferred Plus and then United Corporate Preferred.
Refunds:
UA says
Refunds for preferred seating purchases are processed automatically after scheduled departure in the event of flight cancellation change, when travel is completed in a standard United Economy seat, or when travel is completed in a seat of equal or greater value through the purchase of a premium cabin seating offer.
In the event of a ticket refund or cancellation, preferred seating purchases will be automatically refunded.
...
If you decide to change your flight, your preferred seating purchase will be automatically refunded. If the ticket is partially used at the time of the change, only the value of unused preferred seating will be refunded.
...
If you decide to change your flight, your preferred seating purchase will be automatically refunded. If the ticket is partially used at the time of the change, only the value of unused preferred seating will be refunded.
MileagePlus Premier® members will receive access to preferred seating, where available, at no additional cost.
Preferred seat refunds (changed flights, upgraded, purchased E+, ...)
New Corporate Preferred (upgrade tiebreaker) / new 'preferred' seating section
Feb 25, 2019, 7:07 pm
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
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The program was just rolled out at my company (or just announced) … not a shocker as we were on the SFO board that was posted earlier this year 
Was all excited until I saw the actual perks ...
Not much here for Gold and above, though I can see the Preferred standby, Preferred downgrade, Preferred reaccomodation and Preferred seat protection may come in handy, particularly as I have often been shafted on equipment swaps (even as 1K). Excuse me for being a bit skeptical about how this will play with other elites. Presumably GS and 1K will continue to be prioritized, but never found that to be the case as Gold or below.
Unfortunately it appears that these perks only apply through tickets purchased the corporate portal, not for personal tix which would be more valuable to me during IRROPS.
I see this mainly as benefitting new employees that start with NO status (like me a decade ago) - they will get preferred boarding and seating which will be nice when traveling domestic economy and maybe some better protection during IRROPS. .
Was all excited until I saw the actual perks ...Not much here for Gold and above, though I can see the Preferred standby, Preferred downgrade, Preferred reaccomodation and Preferred seat protection may come in handy, particularly as I have often been shafted on equipment swaps (even as 1K). Excuse me for being a bit skeptical about how this will play with other elites. Presumably GS and 1K will continue to be prioritized, but never found that to be the case as Gold or below.
Unfortunately it appears that these perks only apply through tickets purchased the corporate portal, not for personal tix which would be more valuable to me during IRROPS.
I see this mainly as benefitting new employees that start with NO status (like me a decade ago) - they will get preferred boarding and seating which will be nice when traveling domestic economy and maybe some better protection during IRROPS. .
Feb 25, 2019, 9:02 pm
#137
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,821
As you mentioned the flyer with status already has most of this and probably not interested in an E- seat regardless of the location
As a general note, if this corporate program starts impacting Gold or higher elites, UA has a lot to lose. UA is going to be less concerned about pushing no status folks further down the list.
It is the corporation that UA is targeting.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 25, 2019 at 9:10 pm Reason: more thoughts
Mar 23, 2019, 2:24 pm
#138
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: WAW
Programs: LH SEN *
Posts: 1,152
I have an award booking made by Lufthansa Miles & More program for domestic flights on United in economy class in August. I have a Lufthansa Star Alliance Gold (Senator) status on Lufthansa. Am I eligible to chose Preferred Seats free of charge?
I'm asking because I was assigned a Preferred Seat 22D free of charge at the time of completing the award booking on both UA flights. While 22D is still assigned for one of my award flights, on the other flight my seat was changed by United the other day from 22D to a regular economy seat 27D. I don't understand.
I'm asking because I was assigned a Preferred Seat 22D free of charge at the time of completing the award booking on both UA flights. While 22D is still assigned for one of my award flights, on the other flight my seat was changed by United the other day from 22D to a regular economy seat 27D. I don't understand.
Mar 23, 2019, 7:41 pm
#139
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 223
I have an award booking made by Lufthansa Miles & More program for domestic flights on United in economy class in August. I have a Lufthansa Star Alliance Gold (Senator) status on Lufthansa. Am I eligible to chose Preferred Seats free of charge?
I'm asking because I was assigned a Preferred Seat 22D free of charge at the time of completing the award booking on both UA flights. While 22D is still assigned for one of my award flights, on the other flight my seat was changed by United the other day from 22D to a regular economy seat 27D. I don't understand.
I'm asking because I was assigned a Preferred Seat 22D free of charge at the time of completing the award booking on both UA flights. While 22D is still assigned for one of my award flights, on the other flight my seat was changed by United the other day from 22D to a regular economy seat 27D. I don't understand.
Mar 23, 2019, 7:51 pm
#140
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
Note there is nothing special about the "preferred" seats. They are just closer to the front of the aircraft. Only E+ seats have more legroom.
Mar 24, 2019, 4:56 am
#141
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
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Zero preferred seat protection on a recent equipment change. Went from aisle to middle. So much for this status being useful
Mar 24, 2019, 8:24 am
#142
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: WAW
Programs: LH SEN *
Posts: 1,152
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough about my question.
I was wondering why I was moved out from my preferred seat on one UA flight while the preferred seat on another UA flight was kept.
Both flights are domestic UA. The aircraft has not changed. It is an award booking on the phone with LH Miles & More, I was assigned the preferred seats on both flights at the time of the booking (so I assume I was eligible).
Anyway, I called UA. The assistant first told me preferred seats are paid seats and was really surprised I got the seat when I made the booking. She claimed my status is irrelevant.
After I pointed out I still have a preferred seat on another flight in the same reservation, she was puzzled and put me on hold.
After 2 or 3 minutes on hold she said she got me back to the preferred seat. No explanation though, so UA rules are mystery to me.
Mar 24, 2019, 8:45 am
#143
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Anyway, I called UA. The assistant first told me preferred seats are paid seats and was really surprised I got the seat when I made the booking. She claimed my status is irrelevant.
After I pointed out I still have a preferred seat on another flight in the same reservation, she was puzzled and put me on hold.
After 2 or 3 minutes on hold she said she got me back to the preferred seat. No explanation though, so UA rules are mystery to me.
After I pointed out I still have a preferred seat on another flight in the same reservation, she was puzzled and put me on hold.
After 2 or 3 minutes on hold she said she got me back to the preferred seat. No explanation though, so UA rules are mystery to me.
Mar 24, 2019, 8:50 am
#144
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: WAW
Programs: LH SEN *
Posts: 1,152
Correct, the idea of preferred seats is not about being physically different from economy seats. I wouldn't want to waste minutes of my time waiting to get off the plane when connection is tight though.
Mar 24, 2019, 9:24 am
#145
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
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Yes, I know what the preferred seats are, LH/LX call them the same way, but unlike UA they cannot be bought, preferred seats on LH/LX can only be selected by status passengers (LH Gold), or they become available to everyone when the check-in commences.
The preferred seats ARE available, and there are plenty of them.
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough about my question.
I was wondering why I was moved out from my preferred seat on one UA flight while the preferred seat on another UA flight was kept.
Both flights are domestic UA. The aircraft has not changed. It is an award booking on the phone with LH Miles & More, I was assigned the preferred seats on both flights at the time of the booking (so I assume I was eligible).
Anyway, I called UA. The assistant first told me preferred seats are paid seats and was really surprised I got the seat when I made the booking. She claimed my status is irrelevant.
After I pointed out I still have a preferred seat on another flight in the same reservation, she was puzzled and put me on hold.
After 2 or 3 minutes on hold she said she got me back to the preferred seat. No explanation though, so UA rules are mystery to me.
The preferred seats ARE available, and there are plenty of them.
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough about my question.
I was wondering why I was moved out from my preferred seat on one UA flight while the preferred seat on another UA flight was kept.
Both flights are domestic UA. The aircraft has not changed. It is an award booking on the phone with LH Miles & More, I was assigned the preferred seats on both flights at the time of the booking (so I assume I was eligible).
Anyway, I called UA. The assistant first told me preferred seats are paid seats and was really surprised I got the seat when I made the booking. She claimed my status is irrelevant.
After I pointed out I still have a preferred seat on another flight in the same reservation, she was puzzled and put me on hold.
After 2 or 3 minutes on hold she said she got me back to the preferred seat. No explanation though, so UA rules are mystery to me.
I had some bad experience even with 'executive' agents who still pretty just do what the computer tells them with a little bit more wiggle room to override the system.
Mar 25, 2019, 12:06 am
#146
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,151
Just to be clear, do you work for a Corporate Preferred company, and was this ticket purchased through your corporate travel agency (ie, with a relevant tour code) and on 016 stock?
Mar 25, 2019, 10:21 am
#147
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Location: Danville, CA, USA;
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May 3, 2019, 10:20 am
#148
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 22
Changing preferred seats
My family of four is going to China next month and when we booked the seats we originally did two on one row and two on the row directly behind us. I booked us early so the preferred seats were only $9.
We we decided to change our seating so it’s four straight across ... three and then one in the middle section. United wants to recharge us for preferred seats which are now $40 each. I tried calling customer service but the lady I spoke with was less than helpful. I’m not asking to get upgraded seats for free such as to economy plus. 🤷🏻. I’m not sure why it’s such a big deal for United to honor something we’ve already purchased that is on the same “level.”
I would have no problem moving to non-preferred economy seats that are four across but none are available. Thoughts?
We we decided to change our seating so it’s four straight across ... three and then one in the middle section. United wants to recharge us for preferred seats which are now $40 each. I tried calling customer service but the lady I spoke with was less than helpful. I’m not asking to get upgraded seats for free such as to economy plus. 🤷🏻. I’m not sure why it’s such a big deal for United to honor something we’ve already purchased that is on the same “level.”
I would have no problem moving to non-preferred economy seats that are four across but none are available. Thoughts?
Last edited by GLewis; May 3, 2019 at 10:24 am Reason: Word change
May 3, 2019, 10:31 am
#149
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Posts: 14,404
I haven't seen an official policy, but by analogy to how paid E+ works, you would have to pay the new cost of the seats ($40) and then would receive a refund for the old cost ($9).