[Unconfirmed] UA Preparing to Sell E+ at Booking as Separate Cabin (like DL C+)
Nov 8, 2019, 10:18 am
#31
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Nov 8, 2019, 10:18 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2009
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I don't think they need to remove E+ from Golds to offer this....more concerning to one's ability to get E+ is the tiny E+ cabins on the new 787 retrofits. I am happy about this as they were leaving money on the table with the old system, for example, I'm allowed to book PE on transcons but not allowed to pay for premium seats....but most flights on UA didn't have PE so I was stuck in E-.
I'd even buy these out of my own pocket if I could get an E+ seat at booking and mileage credit for a B fare to a foreign program.
I'd even buy these out of my own pocket if I could get an E+ seat at booking and mileage credit for a B fare to a foreign program.
Nov 8, 2019, 10:27 am
#33
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Generally yes, but some DL widebody international aircraft currently have premium economy but not C+.
Also, IIRC southern South America flights had been treated differently and continuing to permit C+ access by paying just the seat fee, with elites being able to pick these seats themselves since C+ wasn't treated as a separate cabin class on these routes. I don't know whether this has changed recently to mirror how C+ is handled on other routes.
Also, IIRC southern South America flights had been treated differently and continuing to permit C+ access by paying just the seat fee, with elites being able to pick these seats themselves since C+ wasn't treated as a separate cabin class on these routes. I don't know whether this has changed recently to mirror how C+ is handled on other routes.
Nov 8, 2019, 10:32 am
#34
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All we know is that E+ is potentially being bundled w/ some fares. UA hasn't gurgled anything about changes to free E+ selection - that is all speculation. The only real impact that can be discerned from the bundling at this point is probably less inventory of E+ seats for free.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Nov 8, 2019 at 10:41 am
Nov 8, 2019, 10:39 am
#35
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Nov 8, 2019, 10:48 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2005
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This is CLEARLY what's coming (E+ as a separate booking class)... it's painfully obvious. We'll see how UA handles the E+ seating benefit for elites.
Last edited by EWR764; Nov 8, 2019 at 10:55 am
Nov 8, 2019, 11:39 am
#37
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Maybe the most important question is "how far in advance would United tell us that the E+ benefit is going to become more restrictive?" (whether Golds lose at-booking, or other reductions).
Nov 8, 2019, 11:41 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2017
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Let's assume that 50% of business flyers are in the same situation as you, then this change would mean that there would be a huge increase in the percentage of "sold" E+ seats because previously unbookable seats now fit into corporate criteria for "economy" travel. This should result in an average price increase, and thus more revenue, for UA and decreased availability of "free" E+ for elites, no?
Nov 8, 2019, 11:53 am
#40
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In spades. What have I done wrong that UA hates me so much. I'm a decades-long loyal traveler, having flown nothing by UA or their partners. They can thank be for being a loyal 1K customer, but every action they take says otherwise.
Nov 8, 2019, 12:37 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,333
This is definitely another prime example of devaluing UA status, but not surprising since almost every change they make is for the worse. On the flip side, this is a potential benefit for all of the non-UA *A fliers, as we may (hopefully) be able to earn more miles on a UA flight when booking E+. As it stands now, there is no benefit to paying extra for E+ in terms of earning. As long as UA has their ridiculous MQD, I will continue to earn with any other *A program that does not have such requirements. Basically, it is just one more reason to choose a program other than UA for earning mileage.
Nov 8, 2019, 12:56 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
2. Only one plane, the 777, has the narrow seats, and they are still just about 17" wide, i.e., no narrower than the seats on an old 727.
3. And by the way- I am 6'3". I love the E+ benefit. I am just saying, there's nothing particularly outrageous about E-, it's industry standard economy.
Last edited by dilanesp; Nov 8, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Nov 8, 2019, 12:59 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
Let's assume that 50% of business flyers are in the same situation as you, then this change would mean that there would be a huge increase in the percentage of "sold" E+ seats because previously unbookable seats now fit into corporate criteria for "economy" travel. This should result in an average price increase, and thus more revenue, for UA and decreased availability of "free" E+ for elites, no?
Nov 8, 2019, 1:01 pm
#45
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
This is definitely another prime example of devaluing UA status, but not surprising since almost every change they make is for the worse. On the flip side, this is a potential benefit for all of the non-UA *A fliers, as we may (hopefully) be able to earn more miles on a UA flight when booking E+. As it stands now, there is no benefit to paying extra for E+ in terms of earning. As long as UA has their ridiculous MQD, I will continue to earn with any other *A program that does not have such requirements. Basically, it is just one more reason to choose a program other than UA for earning mileage.
If you are spending on UA, it should count as spend.