UA cutbacks, has it come to this?
Aug 11, 2003, 10:10 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
UA cutbacks, has it come to this?
Just received the latest email special fares offer from UA. Can UA really be serious with the photo being used to promote these specials? A picture of two people "jumping" out of an airport jetway on bicycles, does not inspire confidence in the airline promoting its flights in this fashion. Can UA be telling us the cutbacks have let to our having to bike to our destinations?
This is as bad as BA's email promo last week saying "now is the best time to come over to the Continent". Sure, to enjoy in the 100+ degree F weather, with no air conditioning...
Who thinks these things up?
This is as bad as BA's email promo last week saying "now is the best time to come over to the Continent". Sure, to enjoy in the 100+ degree F weather, with no air conditioning...
Who thinks these things up?
Aug 11, 2003, 10:14 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 31
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Shareholder:
Just received the latest email special fares offer from UA. Can UA really be serious with the photo being used to promote these specials? A picture of two people "jumping" out of an airport jetway on bicycles, does not inspire confidence in the airline promoting its flights in this fashion. Can UA be telling us the cutbacks have let to our having to bike to our destinations?
This is as bad as BA's email promo last week saying "now is the best time to come over to the Continent". Sure, to enjoy in the 100+ degree F weather, with no air conditioning...
Who thinks these things up?</font>
Just received the latest email special fares offer from UA. Can UA really be serious with the photo being used to promote these specials? A picture of two people "jumping" out of an airport jetway on bicycles, does not inspire confidence in the airline promoting its flights in this fashion. Can UA be telling us the cutbacks have let to our having to bike to our destinations?
This is as bad as BA's email promo last week saying "now is the best time to come over to the Continent". Sure, to enjoy in the 100+ degree F weather, with no air conditioning...
Who thinks these things up?</font>
Aug 11, 2003, 10:20 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
I saw it differently.
Take a friend using the Companion Fare sale - go someplace fun, as you arrive, go enjoy nature, the parks, the USA.
I liked the idea it presented.
Take a friend using the Companion Fare sale - go someplace fun, as you arrive, go enjoy nature, the parks, the USA.
I liked the idea it presented.
Aug 11, 2003, 1:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 119
I got it this morning and actually thought it was pretty clever (i.e. straight off the plane and into some fun somewhere...).
Anyway, each to his own...
Anyway, each to his own...
Aug 11, 2003, 1:06 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 154
I guess you don't like the ATA commercial on
TV with a row of 3 airline seats in the
front yard of the guys house.
Don't fly ATA, it is not safe to fly in 3
seats without the plane.
TV with a row of 3 airline seats in the
front yard of the guys house.
Don't fly ATA, it is not safe to fly in 3
seats without the plane.
Aug 11, 2003, 1:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Once Seattle...then DC....now CDG.
Posts: 4,059
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jprim:
I got it this morning and actually thought it was pretty clever (i.e. straight off the plane and into some fun somewhere...).
</font>
I got it this morning and actually thought it was pretty clever (i.e. straight off the plane and into some fun somewhere...).
</font>
Aug 11, 2003, 3:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 142
more believable than me and the coors twins.
Aug 11, 2003, 4:56 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
The print ad is most impressive, spread across two full pages the picture is incredible. I wonder where gate B7 is? ORD?
This is a great promotion, well done UA.
This is a great promotion, well done UA.
Aug 11, 2003, 5:54 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 13,344
I also thought it was a brilliant ad - certainly something out of the ordinary. Not quite as good as Frontier Airlines talking Animal Tails, but still good.
------------------
Too late is tomorrow's life; live for today.
Martial (1st century), Epigrams, I, 15
------------------
Too late is tomorrow's life; live for today.
Martial (1st century), Epigrams, I, 15
Aug 11, 2003, 7:11 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The banks of the river, Styx
Posts: 1,692
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Shareholder:
Just received the latest email special fares offer from UA. Can UA really be serious with the photo being used to promote these specials? A picture of two people "jumping" out of an airport jetway on bicycles, does not inspire confidence in the airline promoting its flights in this fashion. Can UA be telling us the cutbacks have let to our having to bike to our destinations?
This is as bad as BA's email promo last week saying "now is the best time to come over to the Continent". Sure, to enjoy in the 100+ degree F weather, with no air conditioning...
Who thinks these things up?</font>
Just received the latest email special fares offer from UA. Can UA really be serious with the photo being used to promote these specials? A picture of two people "jumping" out of an airport jetway on bicycles, does not inspire confidence in the airline promoting its flights in this fashion. Can UA be telling us the cutbacks have let to our having to bike to our destinations?
This is as bad as BA's email promo last week saying "now is the best time to come over to the Continent". Sure, to enjoy in the 100+ degree F weather, with no air conditioning...
Who thinks these things up?</font>
Aug 11, 2003, 9:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 119
All I can add is "Did it cause me to consider booking another trip?" YES "Did I go to UAL.com and check out where I might take my wife for a vacation and get a potentially good deal?" YES
And I might still book a trip with this promo. So...it seems like it is pretty effective advertising to me
And I might still book a trip with this promo. So...it seems like it is pretty effective advertising to me
Aug 12, 2003, 12:12 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: lapsed UA 1K (now a lowly 2P), HGP Platinum
Posts: 9,607
I actually stopped and thought what an attractive picture they used when I got the email. I'm realy surprised to hear that, of all things, criticized about the campaign.
Aug 12, 2003, 11:00 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 862
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by robb:
I actually stopped and thought what an attractive picture they used when I got the email. I'm realy surprised to hear that, of all things, criticized about the campaign.</font>
I actually stopped and thought what an attractive picture they used when I got the email. I'm realy surprised to hear that, of all things, criticized about the campaign.</font>
I really liked the ad. I just wish it was part of a new policy where United would let us roll our bicycles on to the plane!
Aug 13, 2003, 1:04 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Not at home
Programs: MP
Posts: 2,312
I saw the ad in USA Today across two pages. Looked great to me!
Aug 19, 2003, 6:05 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
I just saw a TV version of this ad. The mountain bikers come out of the jetway and ride away. Nice ad.