Comments on: United limits Economy Plus to its own elites http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:31:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Cole http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-195 Cole Sat, 16 Sep 2006 22:46:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-195 I'm a US Airways preferred member but normally split my Star Alliance travel pretty evenly between US and UA. I'm torn about this change, as I can see how United was offering a lot more to frequent flyers from the rest of the Star Alliance than UA flyers were getting back, but at the same time, it's frustrating. It certainly means I won't go out of my way to fly on United any more as I have sometimes in the past--and since UA's regular economy section is often pretty dismal, I may even go out of my way <I>not</I> to fly United. However, I don't really expect United to care, since I'm typically flying on discount tickets that aren't making them any money anyway. It would be great if the Star Alliance could take a break from expansion long enough to improve its cross-airline benefits. SkyTeam has recently (or, recently to me, anyway) made some major steps in that area: cross-airline club access is much smoother than it once was and accessing a partner club does not require a ticket on that partner airline, and all SkyTeam elites get access to preferred seating at the front of the plane (no more legroom, but faster getting off) and in exit rows on <I>every</I> Sky airline. It's only a shame they don't really have any airlines worth getting excited about. I’m a US Airways preferred member but normally split my Star Alliance travel pretty evenly between US and UA. I’m torn about this change, as I can see how United was offering a lot more to frequent flyers from the rest of the Star Alliance than UA flyers were getting back, but at the same time, it’s frustrating.

It certainly means I won’t go out of my way to fly on United any more as I have sometimes in the past–and since UA’s regular economy section is often pretty dismal, I may even go out of my way not to fly United. However, I don’t really expect United to care, since I’m typically flying on discount tickets that aren’t making them any money anyway.

It would be great if the Star Alliance could take a break from expansion long enough to improve its cross-airline benefits. SkyTeam has recently (or, recently to me, anyway) made some major steps in that area: cross-airline club access is much smoother than it once was and accessing a partner club does not require a ticket on that partner airline, and all SkyTeam elites get access to preferred seating at the front of the plane (no more legroom, but faster getting off) and in exit rows on every Sky airline. It’s only a shame they don’t really have any airlines worth getting excited about.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-194 Anonymous Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:10:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-194 I definitely think you are right on this one. Let the full fares sit in E+. They paid almost twice what some of the Efares paid and if they are paying full fare they probably have to fly, so give them a reason to pick UA over USAir. So many times I've seen E+ with some extra seats so give out some perks to keep that full fare passenger happier. Rob http://www.theairlinehub.com I definitely think you are right on this one. Let the full fares sit in E+. They paid almost twice what some of the Efares paid and if they are paying full fare they probably have to fly, so give them a reason to pick UA over USAir. So many times I’ve seen E+ with some extra seats so give out some perks to keep that full fare passenger happier.

Rob
http://www.theairlinehub.com

]]> By: Joe http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-193 Joe Fri, 15 Sep 2006 01:54:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-193 I'm a UA elite, and I have to say, it's sort of evening the playing field. I've flown on any number of other *A airlines, and have not seen any of them recognizing my *gold status, other than letting me board early. However, it would be nice if all *A airlines recognized each others elites, and were consistent about it. That's a pipe dream, I fear. I’m a UA elite, and I have to say, it’s sort of evening the playing field. I’ve flown on any number of other *A airlines, and have not seen any of them recognizing my *gold status, other than letting me board early.

However, it would be nice if all *A airlines recognized each others elites, and were consistent about it. That’s a pipe dream, I fear.

]]> By: dxoigmn http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-191 dxoigmn Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:42:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-191 There was a big fuss on the Dividend Miles Flyertalk forums about this issue. Many of them seem to agree that this will only hurt United, as there is no longer a perk for giving them their revenue. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=599616&page=1&pp=15 There was a big fuss on the Dividend Miles Flyertalk forums about this issue. Many of them seem to agree that this will only hurt United, as there is no longer a perk for giving them their revenue.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=599616&page=1&pp=15

]]> By: dxoigmn http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-192 dxoigmn Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:42:00 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/09/14/united-limits-economy-plus-to-its-own-elites/#comment-192 There was a big fuss on the Dividend Miles Flyertalk forums about this issue. Many of them seem to agree that this will only hurt United, as there is no longer a perk for giving them their revenue. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=599616&page=1&pp=15 There was a big fuss on the Dividend Miles Flyertalk forums about this issue. Many of them seem to agree that this will only hurt United, as there is no longer a perk for giving them their revenue.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=599616&page=1&pp=15

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