UA biggest corporate accounts out of SFO (leaked data)
Jan 14, 2019, 9:45 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Silver, AA, WN, DL
Posts: 4,091
Well if there's any question as to whether it is or is not a big deal, it is:
https://9to5mac.com/2019/01/14/unite...gest-customer/
If you need to follow up and explain to your customer, yeah then it's a bit more than just, "oops, but no one cares" kind of thing.
https://9to5mac.com/2019/01/14/unite...gest-customer/
If you need to follow up and explain to your customer, yeah then it's a bit more than just, "oops, but no one cares" kind of thing.
Last edited by luv2ctheworld; Jan 14, 2019 at 9:59 am
Jan 14, 2019, 10:01 am
#107
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,907
I'm suspecting that the entire amount of money does not actually change hands. Part of the amount is probably paid in iPhones. I heard they just went to the 8.
Jan 14, 2019, 10:48 am
#108
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Well if there's any question as to whether it is or is not a big deal, it is:
https://9to5mac.com/2019/01/14/unite...gest-customer/
If you need to follow up and explain to your customer, yeah then it's a bit more than just, "oops, but no one cares" kind of thing.
https://9to5mac.com/2019/01/14/unite...gest-customer/
If you need to follow up and explain to your customer, yeah then it's a bit more than just, "oops, but no one cares" kind of thing.
"UA is horrible, why would apple choose them, go with Delta"
Jan 14, 2019, 10:55 am
#109
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,177
One of the largest companies in the world is spending a lot of money on one of the largest airlines in the world? I don't think this is shocking. Nor is it really a big blunder people make it out to be either for Apple or United.
If anything, it ups pressure on smaller corporations or businesses that are trying to negotiate better rates at UA. I could see a company with 5,000 employees demanding the world, and UA just needs to tell them, "well, Apple spends $150million, you barely scratch the surface. next."
If anything, it ups pressure on smaller corporations or businesses that are trying to negotiate better rates at UA. I could see a company with 5,000 employees demanding the world, and UA just needs to tell them, "well, Apple spends $150million, you barely scratch the surface. next."
Jan 14, 2019, 11:55 am
#110
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,052
The deal Salesforce has with UA is similar. One premium cabin domestic RT gets you gold, two international ones get you 1K. UA is an old pro at exploiting the cyclical SF Tech booms.
Jan 14, 2019, 12:04 pm
#111
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
One of the largest companies in the world is spending a lot of money on one of the largest airlines in the world? I don't think this is shocking. Nor is it really a big blunder people make it out to be either for Apple or United.
If anything, it ups pressure on smaller corporations or businesses that are trying to negotiate better rates at UA. I could see a company with 5,000 employees demanding the world, and UA just needs to tell them, "well, Apple spends $150million, you barely scratch the surface. next."
If anything, it ups pressure on smaller corporations or businesses that are trying to negotiate better rates at UA. I could see a company with 5,000 employees demanding the world, and UA just needs to tell them, "well, Apple spends $150million, you barely scratch the surface. next."
Jan 14, 2019, 12:35 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: UA Global Services, Bonvoy LT Titanium, National EE
Posts: 887
To those of you who say this is a non-issue, if you've ever worked with Apple (and companies like Amazon), you'll know that they are extremely secretive and don't like to have their company named in public--ever. It has nothing to do with the perception of how much money they spend, but all because they like to be in complete control of their brand and the outward mentions of their brand. I actually do think that either Tim or someone else from the C Suite probably got their counterpart at United engaged and gave them a piece of their mind.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:06 pm
#113
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
The reason I believe it's likely fake data is that the rules of publishing/presenting confidential information are that no less than 3 cohorts are included in any data/average etc. presented...that way no two can identify themselves without the third which prevents both collusion and protects confidentiality. If UA chose to ignore that then they should burn...I mean not even scrub the names? customer A, B, C etc? rank amateurs. Did Kirby and Oscar get their MBA from the cheerios box?
Jan 14, 2019, 1:09 pm
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,452
The reason I believe it's likely fake data is that the rules of publishing/presenting confidential information are that no less than 3 cohorts are included in any data/average etc. presented...that way no two can identify themselves without the third which prevents both collusion and protects confidentiality. If UA chose to ignore that then they should burn...I mean not even scrub the names? customer A, B, C etc? amateur hour Did Kirby and Oscar get their MBA from the cheerios box?
In any case, this was meant to be UA-internal communication only. I doubt it's in any way fake.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:14 pm
#115
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
United took steps to address the leak on Monday.
“This information was provided to United employees as part of a limited pilot project focused on San Francisco to highlight the importance of our corporate relationships and was not intended to be shared publicly,” the airline said in a statement. “The project has since been discontinued.”
...
<SNIP>
“This information was provided to United employees as part of a limited pilot project focused on San Francisco to highlight the importance of our corporate relationships and was not intended to be shared publicly,” the airline said in a statement. “The project has since been discontinued.”
...
<SNIP>
I have to wonder if the employee(s) who were at the root of the leak were "discontinued" as well.
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This link is to an online source to which I contribute and/or have a financial interest.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 14, 2019 at 3:42 pm Reason: formatting for readability
Jan 14, 2019, 1:17 pm
#116
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
Same here - HP(E) actually. Same issue, lowest everything, not even seat booking charges to book an aisle/bulkhead with legroom on a ULH LH flight, etc. Out-of-policy allowance for domestic flights within 2 hours either way dropped from $200 to $100 to $50 (e.g., I wanted an 8:00am flight; the system wouldn't allow it if there was a 6:00am flight for $51 less.) I'm not complaining, either. Companies have a right to their set travel policies but don't have the right to be surprised when people leave for what they consider to be a more humane travel policy.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:27 pm
#117
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
If you have ever worked with sensitive financial information (such as this) you would have to sign of on these rules. It doesn't matter if it was internal communication, it means that UA failed to take steps to protect 'Protected' information.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:37 pm
#118
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Wow, do they have to be specific fare classes?
So the international premium cabin fares are more closer to $10k each than $4k or less that you sometimes get with P fares?
Jan 14, 2019, 1:45 pm
#119
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 258
Suffice to say I felt pretty p***ed off by their response
Jan 14, 2019, 1:48 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
No, it was all too real. That's why United issued the following statement and also told me (and probably countless others) that it is contacting the companies that were mentioned.
Above cited from Apple is United Airline’s Largest Customer, Annual Spend is $150 Million
I have to wonder if the employee(s) who were at the root of the leak were "discontinued" as well.
.
.
This link is to an online source to which I contribute and/or have a financial interest.
Above cited from Apple is United Airline’s Largest Customer, Annual Spend is $150 Million
I have to wonder if the employee(s) who were at the root of the leak were "discontinued" as well.
.
.
This link is to an online source to which I contribute and/or have a financial interest.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 14, 2019 at 3:44 pm Reason: Quote updated to reflect Moderator formatting changes