FlytheTail

If this all pans out, considering how much more E+ UA has compared to DL, I'd wager that UA would continue to give free E+ at booking to gold elites and above, as it is now. DL has much smaller E+ cabins and so naturally needs to be more restrictive. Of course, this assumes UA doesn't reduce the size of the E+ "cabins".

STS-134

You're kidding right? Bigger cabin just means they have more seats they can monetize.

They may ultimately CPU people to the next higher cabin, if the seats remain unsold. But my prediction is that in 2022, UA elites will be complaining about E+ upgrades being sold out from under them as TOD upgrades (and these types of upgrades may literally be TOD upgrades as opposed to HOD upgrades). Wouldn't be surprised to see an offer for E+ for as little as $20 at check-in.

PsiFighter37

If there is no free E+ at booking for Gold and above...yikes. I'm not tall at all, and I find the E- seating pretty uncomfortable. As someone mentioned above, I think this only makes sense if Kirby decides that Project Oasis is exactly what UA needs right now - my sense is that UA does not fill up E+ at booking by any stretch on most flights and ends up handing a decent number of folks the seat for free. I wouldn't be shocked if they think this is a backhanded way of dealing with their capacity issues due to the MAX grounding, which could go on for who knows how long.

Gig103

Higher prices mean easier MP qualification

If it's true, I wonder if UA will also copy Delta's boarding order, which gives C+ boarding ahead of all-but-diamond elites (to entice someone to justify the price jump). So will it become 1K, First, E+, *G....

Also for Amex cardholders, purchasing C+ on Delta does not qualify for airline incidentals reimbursement because it's an upgrade and not a paid seat fee. Not sure how E+ works currently or if is another area that might change for y'all.

MatthewLAX

False alarm...for now.

United told me:

milepig

...to allow customers to easily shop...

just like the new earnings plan for 2020 was marketed as being less complicated and easier to understand?

chrisl137

Once a year for a vacation? Sure. Third round trip transcon in 4 weeks? I'll find a way to not take the trip.

If they're going to kill or reduce the E+ benefit for Gold, then will there be any benefit for Silver at all anymore? I'm glad I switched almost all my flying away from UA - I have my first and maybe only UA flight this year next week.

STS-134

Those two things are not mutually exclusive. It's both.

naoh853

Yes. This move really kills the elite members. I decided not to be loyal because of the way AA & UA treat elite members. UA & AA continue to cut down the perks. I also believe this move will attract general members (GM) or non-members. I am GM and I find it attractive because B class fare has good perks. No copay for mileage upgrade. B class can be cheaper than R class. If you accumulate B class fare to Miles and More you get 150% of miles flown, while UA normally gives you less than the miles flown based on the revenue based accrual system. If you use other *A membership, there is one caveat: I have the Explorer Card that I am entitled for free luggage and Group 2 boarding. If you credit the mileage to M&M, you don't get free checked bag and priority boarding.

So what does it mean? You get more rewards for your bucks when you are a member other than UA.

cfischer

'for now' ... the test will likely be very successful very quickly ... and btw, DL already ran the test for them Well, we'll see

STS-134

Soooo basically, they didn't deny it. Nor did they issue any statements saying that they do not intend to roll this out to the entire UA fleet...interesting.

bugz

The fare class already exists. I booked a flight from EWR to PHX in the E+ fare class about 3 weeks ago. Will be fly on Sunday. Sadly, there was no PN class availability at the time of booking so the instant upgrade didn't come through.

jsloan

They said they're testing a concept. It would be ridiculous for them to say "we assume that the test will be unsuccessful."

Selling B fares that include E+, even at a discount compared to a regular B fare, doesn't immediately imply all of the doom and gloom scenarios in this thread. Maybe they're just trying to sell more E+ seats. They've been selling fares with E+ included for some time now -- international PE fares include E+ -- in B class -- on the domestic connectors.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Keep checking your flight; if upgrade space appears, you should be able to get it. Note that only 1K and GS members will clear into PN; other members with Premier status would require PZ availability.

gene2632

Whether it is true or not it confirms my decision to not do that 7 TPAC trips this coming year to make it to MM. This whole scenario just added to my list of reasons to forget MM and forget any loyalty to UA.

FlyerTalker70

Perhaps I’m missing something here but how does this impact Premiers? We can still buy K fares and get our free E+ seat as always. Unless and until UA strips Premiers of E+ seating which given how well the recent enhancements have gone doubt will happen.