HNLbasedFlyer

sdix

Going off topic but at that property and most Euro Waldorf's I get greeted at the entrance and then escorted to my suite to complete my registration with a glass of bubbly. I guess everything is relative. Didn't even know there was a Diamond room in Rome

kokonutz

Yeeeah...I didn't want to take it off topic, but was thinking same.

Besides, i was also thinking:



Anyone who thinks they are getting better service than wealthy people do based on some sort of points or miles status has never been or been with wealthy people...

COSPILOT

What's more amazing is that until last year, I was unaware of this, and stood in line like I always do at any property. I was perfectly content to be a nobody and check in, Hilton decided my Diamond status is important, not me. UA has decided that status matters, and now we have a handful of people in a very long thread demanding better treatment, most of which have zero status with UA. Heads up to you that think what you paid; your one time payment means nothing, as it does with my clients. Do you think the demanding once a year client should deserve more than the consistent client I know will stay with me year after year? I've dealt with demanding clients, even fired some. The once a year prick that thinks he/she is all the money and demands everything gets shown the door, while my consistent clients are well taken care of, even at lower margins.

If Delta, American, or whatever airline fits your needs better, by all means fly with them. Somehow I doubt UA will care about 1 or 2 people leaving over prioritizing boarding of elites, in a situation that really is unimportant. I'll survive just fine, and you will survive much better if you avoid the apparent heart attack of flying UA. But since some of you have it all figured out, maybe you should start an airline.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

WIth the inane/nonsensical/impossible slogan "Everybody boards first!".

I just amazed as to why some people really can't understand why some businesses treat their very best customers a little better.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

I travelled w/ our Senior VP Exploration (who I can guarantee has far more money than me based on her 10K-reported stock grants and exercised options over the years). I got my meal choice on the way to South America. She didn't.

I think the people you are referring to are those who have their own plane (or charter).

BlueHenFlyer

LordHamster

I'm a GS because I consciously choose to concentrate as much of my travel as possible on United for the obvious benefits that makes. All things being equal (Price, Route etc), i'll choose United every time. However, if I see the "benefits" equation shifting, I'd certainly consider competitors.

rwmiller56

Sure, you can laugh all you want, but in my case, I'm referring to a real disability, like the side affects of cancer treatment. Yeah... It hurts, and I have never used it as a reason to pre-board before. Now, I may. Try not to pre-judge people, if you can comprehend that.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

If it impairs mobility, you have a far more valid reason to pre-board than some of the "disabled" people who seem to be cured prior to landing.

kokonutz

rwmiller56

Excused. Thanks.

mozilla

I understand, but I'm not sure how UA defines "very best customers".

If you take lounge access as a rule, the very best customers are apparently paid INTL F/J
If you take 3-cabin upgrade as a rule, the very best customers are apparently NRSA's and J-upgraders
If you take boarding order as a rule, the very best customers are apparently people who need more time.

I'm taking these examples because these are the groups that never saw their benefits taken away or devaluated in their respective category.

There is no apparent consistency in who is the very best customer. And this week, everything became even more inconsistent, as GS and Paid INTL F/J both saw devaluations.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

How did GS possibly see a devaluation? They now board ahead of families w/ spawn under 2. Is it that they have to share breathable air space with 1Ks? Or is the idea only GSs should be the only status level to preboard? The majority of the GS who have posted here have said they've encountered no problems w/ the new sequence. The main complaint is some over-anxious DYKWIA 1Ks who try to sprint ahead of everyone. Enough rebukes and that'll settle out in short time.

As for how United decides to identify (and reward) their very best customers, it does it by spend for GS status and then spend/miles further on down the pecker order.

A GS customer buys a $7500 Polaris ticket and gets to use GS check-in and gets short cut to head of TSA line and lounge access. A no-status customer buys a $7500 Polaris ticket and get only the lounge access. Using lounge access to identify UA's best customers is a fallacy. United's best customer was awarded extra bennies for his current and continuing spend.

mozilla

I'm repeating a remark that was made by more than one GS member in this thread, but otherwise, I'll let GS members speak for themselves on this subjective topic.

However, the point was that there is no apparent consistency in who is the best customer, it seems UA wants to reward many different groups. In most businesses, the "very best customers" are usually not the ones who categorize themselves that way.

For a complete reference, it should be noted that INTL F pax on UA enjoyed the exact same treatment without status before GF was rebranded Polaris Business Plus.