The demise of UA Connection software
Jun 18, 2001, 3:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD)
Programs: AA Gold, UA Premier Exec, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,100
The demise of UA Connection software
I received a letter from UA today with some sad news (I have no scanner, so I'll put in excerpts).
For those wondering when the funtionality problems would be solved, I guess the answer is never. 
They specifically mentioned that it's most likely not good news since the ability to hold a reservation isn't on united.com 'right now' but they say they are 'working hard to add the features that are important to you'. Plus, to those who receive the letter, they're doing a one-time special bonus of 2,000 miles for booking and completing a trip by Sept. 15 on united.com (it does not say it has to be your first web booking ever). If there is enough interest, I will type in the letter's full contents.
------------------
Regards,
- Anna
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">...effective July 20, 2001, we will be discontinuing the United Connection software.</font>
They specifically mentioned that it's most likely not good news since the ability to hold a reservation isn't on united.com 'right now' but they say they are 'working hard to add the features that are important to you'. Plus, to those who receive the letter, they're doing a one-time special bonus of 2,000 miles for booking and completing a trip by Sept. 15 on united.com (it does not say it has to be your first web booking ever). If there is enough interest, I will type in the letter's full contents.
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Regards,
- Anna
Jun 18, 2001, 4:21 pm
#2
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
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I got the same letter too. A sad day indeed!
Jun 18, 2001, 4:22 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Leon, MX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 282
That is horrible news, very distressing... I do all my bookings on UA CNXN. Does anyone know of any web based or disk based software that allows you to hold a reservation without ticketing? I don't think its acceptable to kill UA CNXN without getting the web product upto the same feature level... sadly another lame decision that is probably a cost saving issue for UA.
Jun 18, 2001, 4:23 pm
#4
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Danville, CA
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Posts: 3,242
I think it's time for a write in campaign....
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danville 1K
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danville 1K
Jun 18, 2001, 4:35 pm
#5
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by danville 1K:
I think it's time for a write in campaign.... </font>
I think it's time for a write in campaign.... </font>
FYI, the letter is signed by David Milobsky, Product Manager, united.com, P.O. Box 66100, Chicago IL 60666
Second, might I suggest that everyone post a copy of their note to
http://www.quicktopic.com/7/H/t9QwZcxhaUiG
which is a Save United Connection Software site which I've started and make a reference to that website address in your letter.
Is there someone who post to the appropriate usenet newsgroups too, AOL travel boards, or ??? Or anyone know a sympathetic reporter?
How about asking your favorite UA CTO "angel" if he/she would be willing to weigh in with a letter to Mr. Milobsky attesting to how much time is saved by customer's having done the "up-front" work with the UA Cxn software (something my CTO has told me several times).
[This message has been edited by cblaisd (edited 06-18-2001).]
Jun 18, 2001, 4:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat, Hertz P Circle
Posts: 1,628
Bad move, very bad move!
This makes as even less sense than retraining CSRs to turn away passengers, closing CTOs, and putting employees in first over paying passengers. UA must really dislike me to try so hard to push me towards other airlines.
It can't be a cost-savings thing - they haven't spent anything to support it! If the phone line costs money, fine, shut it down and let me continue to use my own ISP. Why take away the only online reservation option that works consistently well?
UA, I will GIVE YOU 2,000 of my miles if you reverse your decision.
This makes as even less sense than retraining CSRs to turn away passengers, closing CTOs, and putting employees in first over paying passengers. UA must really dislike me to try so hard to push me towards other airlines.
It can't be a cost-savings thing - they haven't spent anything to support it! If the phone line costs money, fine, shut it down and let me continue to use my own ISP. Why take away the only online reservation option that works consistently well?
UA, I will GIVE YOU 2,000 of my miles if you reverse your decision.
Jun 18, 2001, 4:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: 1K from SMF (Home of the Kings)
Posts: 314
United:
I have booked conservatively 50 itineraries on the softwear and have repeatedly inquired as to why the web based system can not be made as functional. I specifically like the ability to register as a 'senior' and get the
reflected senior fare display, the ability to 'see' all the flights from point 'a' to 'b'
instead of just the ones United wants to show me, and the ability to 'hold' a reservation until the next day when I can get to the airport or CTO with my Silver-Pak and/or certificates.
If the decision to abandon UCNX stands without bringing the web product up to the same level, United can expect to field at least 50 percent more telephone calls or CTO visits to serve my needs.
I have booked conservatively 50 itineraries on the softwear and have repeatedly inquired as to why the web based system can not be made as functional. I specifically like the ability to register as a 'senior' and get the
reflected senior fare display, the ability to 'see' all the flights from point 'a' to 'b'
instead of just the ones United wants to show me, and the ability to 'hold' a reservation until the next day when I can get to the airport or CTO with my Silver-Pak and/or certificates.
If the decision to abandon UCNX stands without bringing the web product up to the same level, United can expect to field at least 50 percent more telephone calls or CTO visits to serve my needs.
Jun 18, 2001, 5:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Anywhere but a middle in coach!
Posts: 465
What are they thinking?
United Connection is much faster than the website and is much easier to use. I also like the ability to save itineraries which makes it very easy so see if fares have changed.
SAVE UNITED CONNECTION
UA LURKERS: DO SOMETHING
United Connection is much faster than the website and is much easier to use. I also like the ability to save itineraries which makes it very easy so see if fares have changed.
SAVE UNITED CONNECTION
UA LURKERS: DO SOMETHING
Jun 18, 2001, 6:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Just got my letter - this really sucks! Mine offers 4000 bonus miles for booking at united.com. If they don't add ability to hold reservations then this becomes almost useless for booking "business" travel.
Jun 18, 2001, 6:27 pm
#10
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,585
The dream is dead. The beancounters striek again! The address to send questions on the letter is [email protected]
But I suggest going straight to Jimmy-Boy with this one.
One more way UAL is sinking to the lowest common denominator!!!!!
Paging Jane Costello!!!!!!!!!!
I'll post a draft of my letter once it's sent.
But I suggest going straight to Jimmy-Boy with this one.
One more way UAL is sinking to the lowest common denominator!!!!!
Paging Jane Costello!!!!!!!!!!
I'll post a draft of my letter once it's sent.
Jun 18, 2001, 6:29 pm
#11
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
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I've posted a copy of the letter from United here
http://www.tdl.com/~cblaisd/UCXN.jpg
[This message has been edited by cblaisd (edited 06-18-2001).]
http://www.tdl.com/~cblaisd/UCXN.jpg
[This message has been edited by cblaisd (edited 06-18-2001).]
Jun 18, 2001, 6:34 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,751
I too received my letter today.
Everyone who feels the need to write should send their letters to:
[email protected]
[email protected] (Prod Mgr-united.com)
[email protected] (CEO and Chairman)
[email protected] (IS and CIO)
[email protected] (VP E-Commerce)
Don't delay - it will take a serious effort to get UA to put off a July 20th cutoff of the software.
Everyone who feels the need to write should send their letters to:
[email protected]
[email protected] (Prod Mgr-united.com)
[email protected] (CEO and Chairman)
[email protected] (IS and CIO)
[email protected] (VP E-Commerce)
Don't delay - it will take a serious effort to get UA to put off a July 20th cutoff of the software.
Jun 18, 2001, 6:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: AA EXP 4MM
Posts: 1,609
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by miket:
TDoes anyone know of any web based or disk based software that allows you to hold a reservation without ticketing?</font>
TDoes anyone know of any web based or disk based software that allows you to hold a reservation without ticketing?</font>
Jun 18, 2001, 7:14 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 846
.....just can't believe it.....
Here's my note to Mr. G:
Dear Mr. Goodwin:
I'm one of your most loyal customers. I believe this is my
6th straight year as a 1K. Since I live in Minneapolis and
my company has a corporate rate with that "other airline", I
sometimes have to work real hard to stay loyal. But I've
done so, even through last year's horrible summer.
But let me get straight to my point. You may not even be
aware of this, but I just learned that United is planning to
discontinue use of the United Connection 3.0 disk / CD ROM
software effective July 20. I do not track this precisely,
but I would conservatively estimate that I've booked over
300 trips using this wonderful system. Let me tell you the
web version at United.com doesn't even come close. There
are so many things that are great about this software. I
beg you to stop this madness while you still can. I cannot
believe that United would pick this time to drop this
valuable tool.
I'll leave it at that. Please ask your technical folks to
take another look. I'd love to see them enhance the
software, but I'll certainly settle for keeping it alive.
Sincerely,
Steve Helgen
Here's my note to Mr. G:
Dear Mr. Goodwin:
I'm one of your most loyal customers. I believe this is my
6th straight year as a 1K. Since I live in Minneapolis and
my company has a corporate rate with that "other airline", I
sometimes have to work real hard to stay loyal. But I've
done so, even through last year's horrible summer.
But let me get straight to my point. You may not even be
aware of this, but I just learned that United is planning to
discontinue use of the United Connection 3.0 disk / CD ROM
software effective July 20. I do not track this precisely,
but I would conservatively estimate that I've booked over
300 trips using this wonderful system. Let me tell you the
web version at United.com doesn't even come close. There
are so many things that are great about this software. I
beg you to stop this madness while you still can. I cannot
believe that United would pick this time to drop this
valuable tool.
I'll leave it at that. Please ask your technical folks to
take another look. I'd love to see them enhance the
software, but I'll certainly settle for keeping it alive.
Sincerely,
Steve Helgen
Jun 18, 2001, 7:23 pm
#15
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
<<< 550 <[email protected]>... User unknown
What's the correct e-mail address for Mr. Goodwin?
What's the correct e-mail address for Mr. Goodwin?