UA Bare Fares [Merged threads]
Dec 13, 2006, 2:14 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California/In the air
Programs: DL
Posts: 10,382
I don't see what this proposal gains. People who are that price sensitive don't want to be nickel and dimed to death with hidden charges. They want to get from A to B and know what it's going to really cost them. I've noticed a new Southwest ad on this very theme recently; the ad features a guy on a plane being forced to stick coins in the overhead, in the seat to get it to recline, etc. I think this approach plays right in to the hands of the LCCs who offer a known product at a fixed price. As some have noted, WN and B6 offer an arguably better coach product domestically as it is -- and make it easier to book their flights (no India and no .bomb).
Dec 13, 2006, 3:31 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
I'm with us2 the worst thing that UA could do would be to have a million charges that start to kick in after you think that you've booked a great deal on a full-service airline. Knowing UA, these would be additional fares that fall into S and T buckets, further complicating the arcane pricing scheme that UA clings to. At least AC has simplified to 4 fares. This has always been one of Southwest's strengths - fare transparency.
Dec 13, 2006, 8:52 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA and everywhere else
Programs: VX Gold, UA MM, SPG Plat
Posts: 707
My understanding is that AC only offers the lowest Tango fares on their website, and not through corporate travel agents. Last time I bought an AC ticket for work, it was a Tango Plus, and was the lowest available fare from the agent at work. I got 100% EQMs or whatever (on UA).
Is this the case, or am I on crack? One would assume United would do the same? (Part of the low fare is avoiding the margin usually given to the travel agents.)
Is this the case, or am I on crack? One would assume United would do the same? (Part of the low fare is avoiding the margin usually given to the travel agents.)
Dec 13, 2006, 9:34 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA1k, BAbronze
Posts: 110
Would Apply to Non-Elite Members
I think the important take away is that these "Bare Fares" would be offered to non-elites.
Dec 13, 2006, 9:56 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
This would be the beginning of the end of United being a full service airline, imho.
Dec 13, 2006, 10:02 am
#21
Join Date: May 2001
Location: IAD
Posts: 6,148
Unbundling is coming and is the future.
For better or worse.
For better or worse.
Dec 13, 2006, 10:58 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: US Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 204
This is good in theory, but...
I just don't see how this would work. Your average infrequent flyer wants two things that are usually in conflict: the lowest possible fare and a high-level of service, comparable to the heyday of air travel. UA could make all of the disclosures about added fees and limited seating and such, but the fact of the matter is that consumers don't want bare-bones service. If they did, a U.S. version of Ryan Air would have been created by now.
Dec 13, 2006, 12:05 pm
#23
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD), Phoenix AZ (PHX)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Starwood Platinum, a nothing in several others
Posts: 5,176
From the ID talk it looks like you will be able to buy a bare fare, then choose from the a la carte menu an advance seat assignment, checked bags, etc. There is going to have to be some kind of enforcement of carryon limits for the bare fares. I can see all the BFs (Bare Farers) trying to lug on a duffel and 2 shopping bags to avoid the checked bag charge.
There are people are willing to forgo the extra services for a really cheap price. I remember taking the standby, no checked bags flights (ORD-LAX) some years ago for $25.
There are people are willing to forgo the extra services for a really cheap price. I remember taking the standby, no checked bags flights (ORD-LAX) some years ago for $25.
Dec 13, 2006, 12:49 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Dec 13, 2006, 1:43 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
From the ID talk it looks like you will be able to buy a bare fare, then choose from the a la carte menu an advance seat assignment, checked bags, etc. There is going to have to be some kind of enforcement of carryon limits for the bare fares. I can see all the BFs (Bare Farers) trying to lug on a duffel and 2 shopping bags to avoid the checked bag charge.
There are people are willing to forgo the extra services for a really cheap price. I remember taking the standby, no checked bags flights (ORD-LAX) some years ago for $25.
There are people are willing to forgo the extra services for a really cheap price. I remember taking the standby, no checked bags flights (ORD-LAX) some years ago for $25.
Dec 13, 2006, 1:52 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SFO, SEA, ROA, RDU
Programs: UA 1K, AS
Posts: 1,018
I can't see myself purchasing any of these flights, as I often go on extended trips and have yet to do a roundtrip in a day ... but ... the name "bare fare" should be changed for marketing reasons. Perhaps "a la carte" or "fare du jour" would work. :-) It's less of a negative name.
You know, the next idea airlines will look into is having people stored in the cargo hold along with live animals. You'll be lucky to get a chamber pot to do your business in if you really have to go!
You know, the next idea airlines will look into is having people stored in the cargo hold along with live animals. You'll be lucky to get a chamber pot to do your business in if you really have to go!
Dec 13, 2006, 2:00 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
I posted over in the investor conference thread:
The lowest of the low (Tango with all discounts) lacks standby, refunds, and any changes; earns no EQM, only 50% RDM, and 33% of online booking bonus miles; and adds fees for sports equipment, call center or airport service, changes, same day changes, onboard food, seat selection, and checked bags. (Higher fare classes don't pay those fees, and get lounge access, etc.)
Compared to that product, at least the LCCs allow checked baggage, customer service calls, and standby seating.
The lowest of the low (Tango with all discounts) lacks standby, refunds, and any changes; earns no EQM, only 50% RDM, and 33% of online booking bonus miles; and adds fees for sports equipment, call center or airport service, changes, same day changes, onboard food, seat selection, and checked bags. (Higher fare classes don't pay those fees, and get lounge access, etc.)
Compared to that product, at least the LCCs allow checked baggage, customer service calls, and standby seating.
1.*GOLD on Tango fare get access to Lounges.
2.Higher fares do pay fees to call center for NA bookings. Including "J" class fares.
3.There is no free same day standby on AC for any restricted discounted fares including discounted Business Class fare. I had to pay a fee for my "C" class fare (Discounted Business Class) for an earlier flight as my meeting finished earlier.
AC nickel & Dimes no matter what type of discounted fare you pay including discounted business.
Dec 13, 2006, 10:27 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
I have no interest in flying UA if they want to fashion themselves into Ryanair. 
Dec 14, 2006, 2:19 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 725
While I have no problem with the Bare Fares concept, I was troubled by another idea discussed in the same section of the webcast:
• One day Red Carpet pass
While I applaud UA's creativity, this one should have been DOA.
Fare Unbundling And Value-Added
Product Features Provide Significant
Revenue Opportunities
• Premier for a dayProduct Features Provide Significant
Revenue Opportunities
– For a nominal fee, customers can purchase elite
status for a single trip which gives them
status for a single trip which gives them
• Priority boarding
• Priority security line access
• Priority check-in, etc.
• Priority security line access
• Priority check-in, etc.
– Purchase a single visit airport club pass
What is upsetting to me is that this "Premier For A Day" really has the potential to undermine the value of Economy Plus and Priority Security Lines -- two elite benefits which are near and dear to all elites. Such a move muddies the segmentation of elites from fare shoppers and could easily deprive a 1K from E+ on a last minute booking -- UGS are guaranteed E+ and could "bump" a lower elite or one of these "singlke day wonders".While I applaud UA's creativity, this one should have been DOA.
Dec 14, 2006, 3:02 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SFO/HKG
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 152
SQ and CX are all on bare fare concept. They usually sell bottom low fare (lower than UA) with no mileage accrual. They had succeed because they have a larger pool of travellers who are usually vacationers or casual flyers. That is also my reason not to choose them and put all my business to UA. If UA goes for bare fare, then it levels the playing field. My choice would not only limited to UA, I can then have SQ, CX, ANA and OZ to choose from.