DrDesmo

+1

To be frank with you, between the fact I've cleared 4 UDU's this entire year and the abysmal state of the United Clubs - I'll see how 1K is the first few months of next year, and if it's "more of the same" I'll just stop the game altogether and start flying JetBlue to Boston, Virgin from BOS > SFO, and Cathay to Hong Kong.

Life's too short.

Cheers,
Adam

N1120A

I have mixed feelings on this. I certainly got shafted when I had to sit in row 3 on a CR7 BUR-SFO, directly behind a 2P who was upgraded. They filled the F cabin before T-24, which was quite annoying. Then again, I absolutely hate waiting for the "battlefield" (as our CO colleagues like to say).

DrDesmo

I read an interview with an executive at an airline, and when asked what motivates FF members, her answer was "upgrades, upgrades, upgrades."

If UA changes the mystical UDU process of "clearing at T-whatever" and making them request only, etc. watch their loyal base jump ship.

Honestly, the more I fly the more I realize that it's a big scam - much like the videos you see at casinos of a 78 year old grandmother making $10M off a single, triumphant pull of the slot machine: this fantasy masks the fact that the house always wins. But it gives us all something to aspire to, so we all keep playing.

Cheers,
Adam

halls120

I'm in the same boat. If my UG percentage on the IAD-SFO route remains pathetic, B6 or VX is an excellent alternative. I may even go to the dAArk side - at least they still give their 1P equivalents 100% mileage credit, and the Admirals Clubs are much nicer than the UC's.

boiflyer

Thanks. Premiers losing E+ at booking...LAME. I can live with only one checked bag I guess. But the E+ is a deal breaker for me. I no longer see any point in maintaining loyalty to UA to achieve Premier to be left hanging like a Southwest PAX in not knowing where you'll end up sitting.

In fact, Mrs. Boiflyer always asks my why I'm loyal to UA when we can take shorter more direct flights. I don't really have a valid answer for her any longer. For example, BOI-LAS is a straight shot on SWA. I've stuck with UA and always done BOI-SFO, LAX, or DEN to LAS just to maintain loyalty and status to get the E+ seats.

I guess I'm just disappointed that this is the reward for my 7 years of Premier loyalty.

r_pad

You mean the way it was before when more of us were happier with Mileage Plus?

I'd gladly take back the days of e500s and quarterly CR1s over UDU. I'm sure lots of people here feel the same. With UDU I'm getting all the short haul upgrades I never cared about and missing long haul upgrades that used to be much easier to get when I had to request them.

DrDesmo

... And yet you're still a 1K

They've run the numbers, clearly there's a benefit to the new system.

I can't wait till they tie status to revenue, then the cycle will be complete.

Cheers,
Adam

r_pad

What does it matter that I'm still 1K? That has everything to do with the routes United flies. No other airline matches my travel patterns better. Just because I'm still 1K, I can't point out that the value of the status has been declining year after year?

The benefit is theirs, not mine. UDU has meant less upgrade on long haul flights for me and many other 1Ks. That hasn't benefitted me at all.

DrDesmo

Fair enough - carry on.

Cheers,
Adam

EnvoyBoy

[QUOTE=g_leyser;17572244]You're assuming that is even a reasonable option on the route in question - it usually isn't.
My example is ORD-DCA. I fly this often for work, and it usually is with very little notice (not by my choice - it drives me crazy!).
My choices are American Eagle or UA. An E- seat is better than Eagle IMHO, an anyways, UA's frequency is better.
US and CO would require a connection - when I'm traveling for work I have neither the time nor the inclination to do that. And I'm not sure why you think seating options would be better on CO or US at the last minute anyways?

Re-read my post. I noted "if you can get" better seats. I assumed nothing. Was just an idea/suggestion. You are not at all obligated to pursue it. It was also a general comment, not restricted to your specific route.

Making suggestions and trying to help: that's what FT used to be for.

nmenaker

Here is another data point.
1P (soon to be 1MM Platinum with this trip) travelling on a 1500 B fare ORD_SFO_ORD, bought three weeks ago. I figured sure, it'll most likely get upgraded as SOME point, but put in using a CR1 anyways - which didn't clear.

Flight is later today, six seats in C (this is the three class from ORD to SFO), she's (PIL) NINE on the upgrade list.

Is everyone in front GS, 1K (on higher fare?) or higher fares?

At t-24, doesn't a high priced B fare have any edge over 1K, or GS?

I, on the other hand as a 1P (party of 2 actually) was upgraded FOUR weeks ago with a CR1, on a W fare (343$) after 24 hours of booking..

I will most likely be giving up my seat of course. :-(

CAPT Tee

For hub to hub flight, that's not that surprsing.

No, the packing order is still status, check-in time, and then fare code.

bldr1k

Is check-in time ahead of fare?

Often1

UA's new MP to be implemented in 2012 responds to OP's valid concerns. But, even with those concerns, the fact is that on the IAD-DEN run with capacity cuts, there are simply fewer seats to be had:

1. UG's -

1. GS continue to be UG at the window space avail (for UG).

2. Purchase a Y-UP fare and you will be UG at time of purchase as in the past. Double-check the t&c of your fare because it's an UG, not a paid F seat.

3. Y-UP's who couldn't get an FC seat at time of purchase.

4. Pax of any status flying on Y/B fares. 1K also on M fare. Tie-breaker within fare bucket is status.

5. Status

Thus, a 1P on a B fare trumps a 1K on a discounted fare bucket. But, a 1P on a B fare trumps a 2P on a B fare.

2. As to E+, as others note, 1P will only get it (without fee) at T-24.

Crank into this UA's agressive marketing of corporate discounts which result in discounted fares being treated as full Y for UG purposes and the actual # of seats out there will go away.

Many people don't realize that there is an entire segment of the business community which books last minute. It's remarkable to me as a TCON xIAD who also has regular travel to and through DEN that it's entirely possible to be willing to book a full F fare, but the best available is full Y in E- middle.

Holding seats back won't fix 100% of the problems, but it will make it a great deal easier. There will, however, be a lot of angry 1K and below who generally fly on discount fares (below M). While they will technically be eligible for UDU, the likelihood of that happening on status-heavy F-heavy routes will drop radically.

kittiyut

She gets Premier Platinum as long as;

1. You give it to her
2. You are still alive

You have to nominate her (or whoever you wish to) every year, and that privilege dies with you.

Only yourself gets it for life