Comments on: United Sells Economy Plus at Time of Booking

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:51:59 +0000

@ Nick: I'm with you a 100% on this one Nick as I'm the same 1k-Prem Ex Nick

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:43:51 +0000

I just did my online checkin and did the upgrade to E+ for 39.00 so I’m a happy camper. I fly from Seattle to Chicago on a redeye so for that price, I think it’s a great deal.

By: woti

woti — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:06:18 +0000

Hey – I am happy with the E+ at the time of booking. I normally fly American BDL to ORD and their cheapest fare was almost $700. My E+ ticket with a confirmed seat? $330.

By: Jeff K

Jeff K — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:34:42 +0000

Bob brought up a great point – those of us who purchase annual Economy Plus access are getting a screwed along with the Elites. I E+ access because I would probably never reach 1k/whatever (and because you couldn’t purchase at the time of booking).

For me, E+ is *the* differentiator giving UA an edge over all other U.S. carriers.

I hope they don’t really mess it up.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:41:37 +0000

I view this as a big takeaway from Elite members and people who purchase annual Economy Plus access. Economy Plus is a significant reason of why I fly exclusively with United if they service the route.

I guess it’s time to be more loyal to my wallet and comfort on a per flight basis, than worrying about making elite status on a single airline and making use of their benefits.

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:20:48 +0000

You definitely hit the nail on the head. What perks are now available for their LOYAL customers? This week with the E+ being “given away” to anybody (many of us have to book at the last minute and the actual mileage component is driving me to book more on AS and their partners now. UA just doesn’t seem to “get it.”

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:59:45 +0000

I hope that (UAL) United might be looking at some of the comments spawned here as I feel that the sentiments most probably run through countless thousands of loyal customers they have, but this loyalty will no doubt wane if they continue n this fashion. One respondent mentioned that invariably the flight costs are higher on United than on other, possibly as good airlines they are 100% right and United do not want this section of the paying public to jump ship, as this other ship might be a delightful surprise!.

Thank you all for your contributions to this as they have been informative and thought provoking at the same time.

Nick

By: CF

CF — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:58:57 +0000

QRC – Thanks for the comment. There’s no question in my mind that frequent flier programs in the US are broken, but the airlines are too afraid to make drastic changes that will potentially push people away. It’s too bad, really. I also think it’s a good idea to sell access to these seats, but since UA has identified Y+ as a differentiator that is primarily for elite members of the program, they should value the potential displacement of those people at a higher level. In other words, great idea but they should charge more.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:00:17 +0000

Jean my sentiments exactly

Nick

By: ML Harris

ML Harris — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:34:46 +0000

Thanks for the forum. I see UA and I see red. Happily, I’m moving to Chicago, so I won’t ever have to fly UA again (sarcasm off).