LAX

I thought the exception being discussed here is the ability to upfare into more expensive ones for GS. I feel this exception should be made available to more elites (if true) although the "allowed" fares would be based on status. For example, GS would be allowed to refare into any fare above BE while a silver may only be allowed to refare into some of the most expensive Y fares. I think this will allow UA to lock pax into BE fares early on (thus getting the guaranteed cash for the seat), and also offer UA the opportunity to get more $$ from these pax when they upfare for whatever reason. Plus, as flights get fuller early on, the overall fare for a particular flight goes up earlier as less seats become available for sale. I say this would be a win for UA and potential win for pax.

LAX

cfischer

escapefromphl

I assumed we were discussing the granting of benefits of on BE fares, but UA would still be significantly weakening the concept of BE fares letting GS or any elites upfare, perhaps there should be some restricted "BE upfare" class that gets elite upgrade benefits but is still non-changeable, no SDC etc. Otherwise, you're just effectively giving the customers who can best afford any fares access to the cheapest fares with no restrictions.

​​​​​​​They will keep the BE fares when it makes sense but upfare and change etc when they want to. UA will get none of the upsells or breakage that they would have got had they not allowed the free upfare.