How Much Would You Pay UA, if anything, for a AAirpass (Unlimited Flights for x Time)
Mar 18, 20, 3:26 pm
#16
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Originally Posted by zymm
How would points earning on flights booked with such a pass work now that everything is revenue based?
Originally Posted by aacharya
This is hard. I wouldnt be GS but I would be essentially 1K?
Originally Posted by EWR764
I wonder if we might see a more consumer-oriented PassPlus product... pre-paying for a certain dollar-figure of travel and then a declining balance with a fare-basis discount or other perks.
Originally Posted by EWR764
OTOH, $10k up front for ~15k in value down the road, might be more palatable. In any event, I imagine UA is considering things like this. Open tickets are another possibility?
Edit - see post below for details.
I'll see if I can dig up the thread unless WineCountryUA beats me too it.
Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer
It's been well publicized how much AA lost on those lifetime deals - nobody is going to replicate it.
Originally Posted by EWR764
Such a thing, in today's market (as depressed as it may be) would probably be worth in the neighborhood of $1m.
Originally Posted by entropy
well it ain't going to be 300k. I don't know who in their right mind would give UA a million or two.
Originally Posted by JetAway
...UA has a history of not honoring prior commitments so I wouldn't trust them with a pre-paid product.
> J.Edward! UA would never, NEVER, agree to such terms!
...desperate times, desperate measures and all.
Last edited by J.Edward; Mar 18, 20 at 9:12 pm
Mar 18, 20, 4:04 pm
#18
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Found it!
Exclusive Invitation-Only UA Offer - Flight Pass
Major hat tip to FriendlySkies !
Key Points:
1. 90-day membership;
2. $450 - $900 buy-in, depends on the city you're based in and geography of flights desired;
3. copays of $229 (F) or $29 - $129 (Y), depending on city based out of;
4. AP varies by city based out of (DEN = 0 AP, LAX = 7 day AP);
5. Round-trip NOT required, but trip must either orginate or terminate at the base city.
DENVER / DEN Option
LOS ANGELES / LAX Option
Terms & Conditions
Major hat tip to FriendlySkies !
Key Points:
1. 90-day membership;
2. $450 - $900 buy-in, depends on the city you're based in and geography of flights desired;
3. copays of $229 (F) or $29 - $129 (Y), depending on city based out of;
4. AP varies by city based out of (DEN = 0 AP, LAX = 7 day AP);
5. Round-trip NOT required, but trip must either orginate or terminate at the base city.
DENVER / DEN Option
Save on travel to or from Denver with United Flight Pass
We're inviting you to participate in an exclusive test of United Flight Pass, a trial program that lets you save big when you travel with us.
When you purchase a 90-day membership, we'll send a special code by email that lets you book unlimited discount travel. Travel booked with this code must be purchased and completed by the end of your membership period. Finally, we'll ask for your help in evaluating the program.
Fly between Denver and the continental U.S.
* Purchase a 90-day Flight Pass membership for $450.
* During your membership period, you'll pay $229* each way for First Class or $129 each way for Economy Class, every time you fly United or United Express to any destination in the continental 48 U.S., excluding Alaska.
* There is no advance purchase requirement.
Other important things to know:
* Payment for the full 90-day period must be made in advance, and is nonrefundable. Your travel period begins on the day your membership payment is made.
* This offer is by invitation only, valid for one passenger traveling on one itinerary using a registered Mileage Plus number. The discount is for you only. It is not transferable and may not be used for multiple passengers traveling on the same itinerary.
* The discount code will be sent to the email address on file in your Mileage Plus account.
*Discount fares are each way and subject to availability. Additional taxes and fees will apply.
Don't let this unique offer pass you by - purchase by August 29, 2010.
We're inviting you to participate in an exclusive test of United Flight Pass, a trial program that lets you save big when you travel with us.
When you purchase a 90-day membership, we'll send a special code by email that lets you book unlimited discount travel. Travel booked with this code must be purchased and completed by the end of your membership period. Finally, we'll ask for your help in evaluating the program.
Fly between Denver and the continental U.S.
* Purchase a 90-day Flight Pass membership for $450.
* During your membership period, you'll pay $229* each way for First Class or $129 each way for Economy Class, every time you fly United or United Express to any destination in the continental 48 U.S., excluding Alaska.
* There is no advance purchase requirement.
Other important things to know:
* Payment for the full 90-day period must be made in advance, and is nonrefundable. Your travel period begins on the day your membership payment is made.
* This offer is by invitation only, valid for one passenger traveling on one itinerary using a registered Mileage Plus number. The discount is for you only. It is not transferable and may not be used for multiple passengers traveling on the same itinerary.
* The discount code will be sent to the email address on file in your Mileage Plus account.
*Discount fares are each way and subject to availability. Additional taxes and fees will apply.
Don't let this unique offer pass you by - purchase by August 29, 2010.
Save on travel to or from Los Angeles with United Flight PassSM
We're inviting you to participate in an exclusive test of United Flight Pass, a trial program that lets you save big when you travel with us.
When you purchase a 90-day membership, we'll send a special code by email that lets you book unlimited discount travel during that period. Travel booked with this code must be purchased and completed by the end of your membership period. We'll also ask for your help in evaluating the program.
Choose the option below that best suits your travel needs.
Travel to and from: 90-day membership cost Discounted economy class fare, each way Advance purchase
requirement:
Los Angeles - San Francisco
Flight Pass $600 $29* 7 days
Los Angeles - 48 United States**
Flight Pass $900 $29* (for travel within CA, OR or WA)
$59* (for travel to or from all other states) 7 days
Example: If you purchase a 90-day Los Angeles - San Francisco Flight Pass membership for $600, you'll then pay just $29* each way every time you fly this route during your membership period, as long as you book at least seven days prior to departure.
Other important things to know:
Payment for the full 90-day period must be made in advance and is nonrefundable. Your travel period begins on the date your membership payment is made.
This offer is by invitation only, valid for one passenger traveling on one itinerary using a registered Mileage Plus number. The discount is for you only. It is not transferable and may not be used for multiple passengers traveling on the same itinerary.
The discount code will be sent to the email address on file in your Mileage Plus® account.
*Discount fares are each way and subject to availability. Additional taxes and fees will apply.
**48 continental United States, which excludes Alaska and Hawaii
We're inviting you to participate in an exclusive test of United Flight Pass, a trial program that lets you save big when you travel with us.
When you purchase a 90-day membership, we'll send a special code by email that lets you book unlimited discount travel during that period. Travel booked with this code must be purchased and completed by the end of your membership period. We'll also ask for your help in evaluating the program.
Choose the option below that best suits your travel needs.
Travel to and from: 90-day membership cost Discounted economy class fare, each way Advance purchase
requirement:
Los Angeles - San Francisco
Flight Pass $600 $29* 7 days
Los Angeles - 48 United States**
Flight Pass $900 $29* (for travel within CA, OR or WA)
$59* (for travel to or from all other states) 7 days
Example: If you purchase a 90-day Los Angeles - San Francisco Flight Pass membership for $600, you'll then pay just $29* each way every time you fly this route during your membership period, as long as you book at least seven days prior to departure.
Other important things to know:
Payment for the full 90-day period must be made in advance and is nonrefundable. Your travel period begins on the date your membership payment is made.
This offer is by invitation only, valid for one passenger traveling on one itinerary using a registered Mileage Plus number. The discount is for you only. It is not transferable and may not be used for multiple passengers traveling on the same itinerary.
The discount code will be sent to the email address on file in your Mileage Plus® account.
*Discount fares are each way and subject to availability. Additional taxes and fees will apply.
**48 continental United States, which excludes Alaska and Hawaii
1. Permitted Travel Area: Travel is permitted within the 48 continental United States excludes Alaska. Valid for U.S. point of sale. Travel is valid to and from Denver.
2. Discount Amount: The discount applies only to the base fare, and not to any taxes, fees or surcharges, including, but not limited to Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), departure and arrival taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges. Total price shown on united.com is inclusive of excise taxes, fees and surcharges.
3. Eligibility Restrictions: This discount may only be applied to the purchase of new tickets and may not be applied to a previously issued ticket.
4. Valid Carrier: United® and United Express® It is not valid on any other flights operated by other airlines, such as United-marketed code-share and Star Alliance flights.
5. Ticketing Dates: Ninety (90) days from the purchase of your Denver Flight Pass subscription.
6. Travel Dates: Ninety (90) days from the purchase of your Denver Flight Pass subscription.
7. Blackout Dates: None.
8. Advance Purchase: None.
9. Min/Max Stay Requirements: None.
10. Valid Routing: Must be to or from Denver, CO.
11. Stopovers: Per rule of fare purchased.
12. Qualifying Fares: You may use this certificate to purchase QA0NSUB for United Economy travel or AA0NSUB for United First Class travel.
13. Restricted Fares: This discount may not be used on the following fares: published fares outside the above permitted fares, companion, travel industry G class, contract, bulk, convention, tour conductor, children, family plan, government, group, military, tour basing, senior discount, student, youth, infant, Around the World, Circle the Pacific, Visit USA, or any non published fares.
14. Additional Taxes and Fees: All taxes, fees and carrier imposed surcharges are additional.
15. Fare Rules: All rules of the fare purchased apply.
16. Combinability: Not combinable with any other discount offers
17. Maximum number of uses per certificate: Unlimited throughout the 90 day pass period.
18. Maximum number of passengers per itinerary: One (1)
19. Ticketing: Discount only applies when ticket is purchased within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. All dollar levels are stated in U.S. currency.
20. Residual Value of Certificate/Discount: When the discount certificate amount is greater than the cost of the ticket, the difference will be forfeited.
21. Mileage Plus® Accrual: Permitted
22. Upgrades: To determine if the fare purchased with this discount allows the use of an upgrade certificate, refer to the terms, conditions and booking class restrictions associated with the upgrade type you are using.
23. Changes: Rules of the fare determine if changes are permitted. If changes are allowed, there may be service charges and fees associated with a change. You will receive the value of the discounted ticket, less any of the aforementioned service charges and/or fees, towards the purchase of a new ticket.
24. Refunds: This discount is non-refundable. Once used, the discount will not be reissued for future use.
25. Denied Boarding Compensation: Permitted
26. Transfer of certificate: This certificate is not transferable.
27. Important Notes: Offer subject to availability and may not be available on all flights/dates.
28. Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply
2. Discount Amount: The discount applies only to the base fare, and not to any taxes, fees or surcharges, including, but not limited to Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs), departure and arrival taxes and carrier-imposed surcharges. Total price shown on united.com is inclusive of excise taxes, fees and surcharges.
3. Eligibility Restrictions: This discount may only be applied to the purchase of new tickets and may not be applied to a previously issued ticket.
4. Valid Carrier: United® and United Express® It is not valid on any other flights operated by other airlines, such as United-marketed code-share and Star Alliance flights.
5. Ticketing Dates: Ninety (90) days from the purchase of your Denver Flight Pass subscription.
6. Travel Dates: Ninety (90) days from the purchase of your Denver Flight Pass subscription.
7. Blackout Dates: None.
8. Advance Purchase: None.
9. Min/Max Stay Requirements: None.
10. Valid Routing: Must be to or from Denver, CO.
11. Stopovers: Per rule of fare purchased.
12. Qualifying Fares: You may use this certificate to purchase QA0NSUB for United Economy travel or AA0NSUB for United First Class travel.
13. Restricted Fares: This discount may not be used on the following fares: published fares outside the above permitted fares, companion, travel industry G class, contract, bulk, convention, tour conductor, children, family plan, government, group, military, tour basing, senior discount, student, youth, infant, Around the World, Circle the Pacific, Visit USA, or any non published fares.
14. Additional Taxes and Fees: All taxes, fees and carrier imposed surcharges are additional.
15. Fare Rules: All rules of the fare purchased apply.
16. Combinability: Not combinable with any other discount offers
17. Maximum number of uses per certificate: Unlimited throughout the 90 day pass period.
18. Maximum number of passengers per itinerary: One (1)
19. Ticketing: Discount only applies when ticket is purchased within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. All dollar levels are stated in U.S. currency.
20. Residual Value of Certificate/Discount: When the discount certificate amount is greater than the cost of the ticket, the difference will be forfeited.
21. Mileage Plus® Accrual: Permitted
22. Upgrades: To determine if the fare purchased with this discount allows the use of an upgrade certificate, refer to the terms, conditions and booking class restrictions associated with the upgrade type you are using.
23. Changes: Rules of the fare determine if changes are permitted. If changes are allowed, there may be service charges and fees associated with a change. You will receive the value of the discounted ticket, less any of the aforementioned service charges and/or fees, towards the purchase of a new ticket.
24. Refunds: This discount is non-refundable. Once used, the discount will not be reissued for future use.
25. Denied Boarding Compensation: Permitted
26. Transfer of certificate: This certificate is not transferable.
27. Important Notes: Offer subject to availability and may not be available on all flights/dates.
28. Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply
Mar 18, 20, 4:16 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Platinum, IHG and Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,159
Didn't CO offer lifetime Gold, when that was the highest level, or whatever the highest level would be at the time, for flyers that stuck with them during the early '90s? I knew someone who turned that into lifetime 1K after the merger.
Mar 18, 20, 4:45 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Posts: 3,653
Originally Posted by Say Vandelay
Didn't CO offer lifetime Gold, when that was the highest level, or whatever the highest level would be at the time, for flyers that stuck with them during the early '90s? I knew someone who turned that into lifetime 1K after the merger.
Mar 18, 20, 5:06 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 33,545
Originally Posted by J.Edward
years later.
Last edited by Xyzzy; Mar 18, 20 at 5:29 pm Reason: Discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
Mar 18, 20, 5:46 pm
#23
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Originally Posted by climmy
OK J. I'll bite.
I'd pay $250K each for 3 of us to go biz class forever. No restrictions.
Interesting question.
I'd pay $250K each for 3 of us to go biz class forever. No restrictions.
Interesting question.
airline would be willing to sell such a pass in the future for anywhere remotely near that price, if at all.
Mar 18, 20, 5:57 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lovely Tahoe City
Programs: UA 1mm Gold. Former 1K and GS.
Posts: 951
Originally Posted by Xyzzy
The 1981 cost was $250k. I'd imagine that it would be considerably higher today -- IF an airline decided to sell such a pass. Based on our knowledge of how these worked out in the past I'd guess n airline would be willing to sell such a pass in the future for anywhere remotely near that price, if at all.
airline would be willing to sell such a pass in the future for anywhere remotely near that price, if at all.Besides, I'm working off the knowledge of my age. I'd assume they would pro-rate the charges base on birthdate. I'd expect to pay a whole lot more if I was 21
Mar 18, 20, 5:57 pm
#26
Moderator: United MileagePlus
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
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Posts: 9,072
Originally Posted by Xyzzy
That's from 2010, and it's limited to domestic flights for a period of 90 days with a per-segment fee. Would the figures cited there be good for today?
For example, would one be willing to opt for an all-you-can-fly domestic option vs an entire network option? What about being able to book into last seat availability vs minimum AP requirements and/or fare bucket restrictions?
The key here is the promotion from ten years ago gives some insight into how UA was thinking about this ten years ago (it should also be noted that since the promo did not come back it probably suggest UA was NOT thinking about over the past decade either) but my point is this: when COVID passes I suspect there will be a period of time where plans will have low LFs compared to the past 10 years. UA and its industry peers will also be hurting for cash. As such, it may make sense for UA to dust off this decade-old idea and see if it now makes sense, even if it did not make sense in the years prior due to strong demand and full planes.
Originally Posted by Xyzzy
The 1981 cost was $250k. I'd imagine that it would be considerably higher today -- IF an airline decided to sell such a pass. Based on our knowledge of how these worked out in the past I'd guess n airline would be willing to sell such a pass in the future for anywhere remotely near that price, if at all.
airline would be willing to sell such a pass in the future for anywhere remotely near that price, if at all.OTOH if UA offered something like a six month global PE pass for $2,500 with a $300 co-pay per one-way trip, that might be interesting to many here (and UA too!). Let's otherwise spoiled inventory be used up rather than go empty, gets cash into UA coffers, and removes the "what-if-UA-reneges-risk" others have ID'd upthread.
Mar 18, 20, 6:10 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: AUS, ORD, SFO, SIN
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Posts: 48
Good article written by the daughter of a man who bought one of those AApasses then got it revoked for abusing it. Sorta long article but good.
https://narratively.com/the-man-with...irline-ticket/
The Man with the Golden Airline Ticket
My dad was one of the only people with a good-for-life, go-anywhere American Airlines pass. Then they took it away. This is the true story of having—and losing—a superpower.
https://narratively.com/the-man-with...irline-ticket/
The Man with the Golden Airline Ticket
My dad was one of the only people with a good-for-life, go-anywhere American Airlines pass. Then they took it away. This is the true story of having—and losing—a superpower.
Mar 18, 20, 6:13 pm
#29
Moderator: United MileagePlus
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Originally Posted by ctownflyer
Lifetime groups UA lied to:
Lifetime MM (RPUs)
Lifetime SilverWings (Discontinued)
Lifetime Club membership (Revoked ability to use lounge when not flying or flying other airlines)
Sure, sign me up to give UA $$$$$$$ for something they'll revoke during the next regime change. I can't think of what will possibly go wrong!
Lifetime MM (RPUs)
Lifetime SilverWings (Discontinued)
Lifetime Club membership (Revoked ability to use lounge when not flying or flying other airlines)
Sure, sign me up to give UA $$$$$$$ for something they'll revoke during the next regime change. I can't think of what will possibly go wrong!
Originally Posted by narvik
'Lifetime' for UA means:
"Eternity, or until we change our mind - whichever happens earlier."
"Eternity, or until we change our mind - whichever happens earlier."
And at the risk of stating the obvious: the longer the time horizon, the greater the risk for both parties.
I'll echo again what I said up thread, I would be game for a set period of time (e.g. 6 months) of an all-you-can-eat PremiumPlus pass. I'd rather pay more upfront and have a lower/no copay later, but either way, I think this is a clever way for UA to help move distressed inventory once they reactivate the network.
As for a lifetime option...I'd look at it but not sure if there's a price point where it makes sense for both parties - and even if there was - I'd want some strong liquidated damage language in the contract should UA ever decide to get cute.
Mar 18, 20, 6:17 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
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Posts: 4,446
Lifetime groups UA lied to:
Lifetime MM (RPUs)
Lifetime SilverWings (Discontinued)
Lifetime Club membership (Revoked ability to use lounge when not flying or flying other airlines)
Sure, sign me up to give UA $$$$$$$ for something they'll revoke during the next regime change. I can't think of what will possibly go wrong!
Lifetime MM (RPUs)
Lifetime SilverWings (Discontinued)
Lifetime Club membership (Revoked ability to use lounge when not flying or flying other airlines)
Sure, sign me up to give UA $$$$$$$ for something they'll revoke during the next regime change. I can't think of what will possibly go wrong!
