Another example of why UAL is in trouble
 

Today I actually tried to book a r/t flight from IAD to OAK on UAL -- I must be a glutton for punishment. I went to the website, entered my desired dates and flights, got a quote of $217, but noticed that the return flight only had middle seats. I decided to call UAL for two reasons: 1) I had a $25 off coupon; and 2) I wanted to upgrade (since there were only middle seats available in coach). When I called I was quoted $297. When I asked for the discrepancy in price, the agent said that on the internet you do all the work. When I pointed out that such a policy rendered the coupon worthless, she essentially said so. As for an upgrade, there were no seats available for the flights I requested or for that matter, for the next week. Guess what: 1) I'm flying JetBlue to Oakland; and 2) I'm moving my UAL miles to Diner Club points.

I am sorry you didn't leave any sooner.
When you get the $25.00 is subject to conditions.
People like you kill the industry.
I am in business to make money, no to lose.
I will set up my policies, and yes sometimes people don't like it, too bad.
Go to plenty online merchants and you will see a price difference between the web and the mortar and brick store.

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Proud to be a UA 1K flyer, however no longer proud to be a DL GM.

[This message has been edited by mlibers (edited 02-03-2003).]

Huh? What did I miss here? Just because someone doesn't want to pay more it hurts the industry? He still paid money to Jetblue to fly, isn't Jetblue the "industry"?

I may be a United junkie, but that doesn't mean I don't agree with portions of common sense.

I agree. I have taken flights to LAX & LGA from O'Hare in the last 2 weeks and could not even come CLOSE to getting an upgrade. They have taken most of the large planes off these routes. I am looknig hard at NW and AA now. Once I cash in these FF tickets on UA, it's see ya later!!

mlibers, do you work for United? if you do, IMHO you are not helping one bit.

I'm not quite sure NW or AA has large planes either? A quick check on both websites shows that LAX-ORD on AA is served by 757s, 737-800s and one 767. LGA-ORD is all MD-80.

And well, if these are your main routes, ORD on NW isn't exactly the best bet given the NW hubs are in MSP and DTW.


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When once you have experienced being a 1K, you will forever fly the friendly skies with your eyes set on 100% mileage bonus and SWUs, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return, every year!

Wow!! What caused this attack? He had legitimate voucher and wanted to use it? He doesn't agree with some UA policies? Very venomous!! Hope I don't have do any business with you - I'm surprised you have any customers with that attitude.

This happens all the time -- internet fare vs. non-internet fare. It essentially devalues paper coupons somewhat.

Other airlines take coupons/discounts on their websites. CO and NW are good examples.

Internet fare minus bump voucher, and you're in business. The fact that UA closed all the CTO's but still issues paper bump vouchers and coupons is just asinine, IMO.

It's clear UA is trying to direct as much sales and administrative activity to the Internet as possible, and who can blame them?? What many, many threads show is that there are still important areas where the Internet is not a viable option to get things done at all or to do so safely. Clearly, allowing handling of coupons on-line (by entering a coupon type code and certificate number) would help. It would still be necessary for the coupon to be validated by mailing it in or presenting it at check-in. There are still a lot of people who are unable or uncomfortable using the Web. If UA only made coupons available on-line to people who had an "account" with UA, it would certainly be easier. In the meantime there will be rough edges.

Does anyone know if any other airlines have this aspect (i.e. use of coupons on-line) nailed??

Called UA tonight to ask a very simple question. Greeted by their agents (Mileage +) with "you should know this if you're a PremEx"

The attitude these days at this airline is just a total turn off. Wouldn't you think that the employees would try and be civil these days? How difficult is that?!

I now know that I just need to burn my miles and figure out how to fly AS to ORD from SEA! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Actually, UAL has figured out how to use electronic/internet discount coupons, as a bunch of them are in my 2003 Entertainment Book, Denver edition. This makes the $25 and $50 paper vouchers they give us when there is a snag all the more rediculous, inasmuch as they are useless unless used for a much more expensive non-internet ticket - and UA is trying to eliminate such non-internet purchases.

[This message has been edited by Colo1K (edited 02-03-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Colo1K (edited 02-04-2003).]

the 737's have 20F seats-- pretty easy to upgrade on. The 757's have 22 but they're the old brown ones. the 767's is, temporarily, 3-class sold as 2. if you do land an upgrade it will be flat-bed. the new 763 config will be 30 in J.

Actually many flights out of IAD/DCA have the same fare when booked on UAL.com or 800 reservations. It is literally hit or miss.

Coupons may be difficult to utilize, yet not impossible. Ive used 3 in the past 6 months by mailing them into UAL with no issues whatsoever.

Yep, those d*mn customers are ruining everything! If it weren't for them, UA could just fly around their empty planes in peace! (Until they ran out of money and lost their jobs, that is...)

First, let me say that I would like to see what people on this thread would do as UAL management or employees facing bankruptcy, job loss, etc. With unions, Federal government work rules, etc., running an airline with everyone cutting prices is a very difficult business. And should the people on the phones be nicer? Of course. But after thousands of screeching phone calls, they get sick of it. Not an excuse, mind you, but try walking a mile in their shoes.

Second, put yourself in UAL's shoes. Someone buys a $250 ticket and wants to get upgraded to business (which normally costs several thousand dollars). If you have NW model (nobody in their right mind would pay $$$ for NW's first class seats) where upgrades are simply to reward the best passengers, it is one thing. But where UAL actually wants paying business passengers (and are relying on some to keep them afloat), the last thing they want to hear is a $250 ticket passenger whining about their mistreatment. Switch airlines. Get a life. But don't expect an airline to leap for joy because you demand a $3,000 ticket for $250. You think you are a valued customer because you pay virtually nothing for a ticket?

I am so sick of the whining on this forum by cheap ticket flyers expecting to be treated like royalty because they buy dirt cheap tickets and TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TERRIBLE SITUATION FACING THE AIRLINES. These flyerts are predators that don't really care if the airlines go bankrupt as long as they get your upgrades for virtually nothing.

In sports, there is a term. "Suck it up." Stop whining about it!