How are 1Ks being treated by UA?
#376
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
I don't see UA dropping the 1K preboarding. It literally costs UA nothing, and has become more meaningful as the status continues to otherwise devalue. The numbers should drop significantly as of Feb. 1, 2023, when all the pandemic rollovers finally expire.
#377
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA, Some Others
Posts: 286
Maybe, maybe not. I am involved in tourist centric business on Maui; we are 100% booked through February. No dropping like a rock out here in the out islands!
#378
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
The remaining value to me is pre-boarding and international meal selection. I do find that treatement on mainlines is significantly better than regionals, but on short flights that's really not important. I had some luck during the pandemic with pluspoint upgrades upon booking transatlantic months in advance, but that ship has obviously sailed.
#379
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,986
This is my experience. I've got 5 trips booked to/from Maui for the fall and most F cabins are heavily booked already. In addition, hotel rates are higher than they were a couple months ago.
#380
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,151
The 1K free box or hot food item on board (and drink for those that use it) is a welcome perk. FAs either proactively thank me for loyalty or cheerfully offer the options when I mention being a 1K.
I once had to write 1K voice to reverse a mistaken charge for a free box. Overall this is a nice option though
I once had to write 1K voice to reverse a mistaken charge for a free box. Overall this is a nice option though
#381
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 818
It's time
Careful...UA historically follows DLs lead and I hope they adopt this. If UA intends to treat passengers based on the money they spend, then revenue UA Polaris, UA Business, and UA First should board the aircraft first. I chuckle every time the agents pre board and I can count the number of times I've heard passengers in group 1 say its only on UA where Polaris, Business, and First class passengers are treated like second class citizens after being allowed to board after six pre boarding groups - hahaha I am lol right now as I type this. You get what you pay for so allow UA Polaris, UA Business, and UA First to board after active duty US Military customers. Win win for all.
#382
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
In some areas. Fortunately, UA never followed DL in terms of operational meltdowns this year. Of more direct relevance, DL previously allowed Diamonds to board with - not ahead of - premium cabin pax, so not really a valid comparison to UA's boarding process.
Also, allowing 1Ks to pre-board rewards spend in the aggregate, rather than focusing on a single transaction.
Personally I don't understand how DL gets away with all its FFP devaluations - especially at the Diamond level - particularly considering how far its fallen operationally this year.
Also, allowing 1Ks to pre-board rewards spend in the aggregate, rather than focusing on a single transaction.
Personally I don't understand how DL gets away with all its FFP devaluations - especially at the Diamond level - particularly considering how far its fallen operationally this year.
#383
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,991
Again - the argument without an answer. A passenger gives UA $18,000 over the course of 2021. Bob flies one time in 2021, buying a F ticket from Denver to Kansas. Who is more valuable to UA? Are you going to board a GS in coach after Bob? In a world without frequent flyer loyalty programs and status - sure. But the reality is frequent flyer programs exist and perks are given out to attract and keep the passengers that do spend.
#384
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,526
Again - the argument without an answer. A passenger gives UA $18,000 over the course of 2021. Bob flies one time in 2021, buying a F ticket from Denver to Kansas. Who is more valuable to UA? Are you going to board a GS in coach after Bob? In a world without frequent flyer loyalty programs and status - sure. But the reality is frequent flyer programs exist and perks are given out to attract and keep the passengers that do spend.
#385
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
#387
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,452
#388
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
Ahhh the never ending boarding issue. I will admit UA has gotten their act together a bit better recently but it is still can be ridiculous chaos at the gate. Literally dozens of paxs of whatever status level standing in front of any line like confused cattle, poor sound quality on the PA system, and still issues with GA's who don't know or were not trained on the actual boarding routine all contribute to the the boarding confusion. Even with "status" I just board last. I have previously stated I usually minimize my carry on as I usually have to check luggage and I take aisle seats. But that is just my boarding MO I know others will strongly disagree.
#389
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
Ahhh the never ending boarding issue. I will admit UA has gotten their act together a bit better recently but it is still can be ridiculous chaos at the gate. Literally dozens of paxs of whatever status level standing in front of any line like confused cattle, poor sound quality on the PA system, and still issues with GA's who don't know or were not trained on the actual boarding routine all contribute to the the boarding confusion.
IME, UA boarding works relatively well these days, at least at my usual airports. They usually board at the designated time (something AA, AS, and DL never seem to do), and 1Ks have mostly figured out where to stand for pre-boarding. IME, the worst boarding experiences tend to occur where the gate area is too small - so, for example, boarding at LAX gate 77 (who ever thought this space was suitable for widebody boarding?) or HNL gate F1 will always suck, no matter the process.
#390
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,991