First Up Program

[US1YFARE]

I buy the $25 500-milers on AA frequently. Then again, I'd get fed on a flight of similar length.

ditto on UA....and it is good food.

If ya dont get your stinking f/c seat, stop whining!
Pure and SIMPLE!
How do people handle a crisis if they can't accept f/c is FULL?

And if you don't have a job because you snub your nose at your best customers...SORRRRRRRYYYYYYY

Read the posts more carefully. We are not complaining that FC is full. We are are complaining because gate agents are selling upgrades before upgrading elites. They are not supposed to be doing this. Plain and SIMPLE!

And, my upgrade is not free--I send tens of thousands of $$$$$ to your airline to have the "privilege" of sitting in that big dirty seat. Plain and SIMPLE!

If you think that the FC seats should ALL be bought, talk to Dougie and his entourage and tell them to sit in Y. Is your Y product that bad that DP can't sit in the back for a mere 4 or 5 hours--Oh my, we must not be a bunch of whiners after all. After all, DP's butt is taking $5 away from a gate agent and $95 away from the airline who could've sold that upgrade.

 

[markkus757]

Bottom line is that the current system is flawed and the company needs to listen to all, both customer and employee, who are involved. They need to better COMMUNICATE as to how the program is structured and what the actually policy is going forward. I agree that this might not be the best way to generate more incremental revenue, but there are ways to punish the people who try to manipulate the rules on both sides of the counter. This just needs more guidance.

 

[tadjr]

Another thing that might help would be to open up the 1 hour E availability window for any seats left unsold at the airport. Most people will have already checked in and have been put on the SB list by the time the 1 hour window pops in the leftover E inventory to sell. I realize you want to hold out the FC seats as long as possible for sale, but even a 2 or 3 hour window of them opening up at the airport would alleviate the standby game for many people since when they stop by the counter to check in or get put on the upgrade list the E seats would be there to upgrade the 1/2/3s instead of the agent at the counter checking (yes it looks like 3 seats left in FC, but they have to clear at the gate, no Es left) and putting them on the sb list and then having many of them check again at the gate. Just get it full in FC and then deal with the couple of noshow clearances or sell the Firstups at the gate.

 

[PhxMama]

And if you did work for this airline, I'd give you a big hug!!

It goes both ways! Your patronage provides my job and serving you is my pleasure! Regards Mama

 

[Singleflyer]

Tadjr,

My company rarely purchases my tickets more than 3 hours before flight times, and usually within 1 1/2 hours of flight time. Lately because of full planes, they had to purchase paid first class tickets on the carriers. Therefore if you cut off 3 hours befor flight time, the company would loose out on the high ticket prices they pay. One thing I think is crazy, but good for my company, are the discount tickets that are sold right up to flight time. NW is the worst getting upgraded with a full fare on the day of purchase by an elite member. I don't recall ever missing an up-grade on US with a full fare ticket. But if I continually not get upgrades as a full fare Y ticket I would find another airline.

 

[AIRMAIL]

Here is a different angle. Why don`t we set the tier status based on the dollar amount one spends with the airline. Once you spend x amount of dollars then you are at silver, then gold, etc. Set the limits so it is a true status symbol to reach that level. The ones at US1 would truely be the elite because there would only be a small percentage reaching this level. Each level would be allowed x amount of upgrades free and the rest could be purchased at a discount. Those reaching US1 would be free. Doing it this way would allow a small business man who travels maybe 12 times a year but purchases expensive tickets to qualify for a status. Those flying a lot but always buying the discount tickets might not qualify. Reward those that spend the most. Fuel is going up and the airlines need to start charging what is costs to fly an airplane.

 

[US1YFARE]

Why don`t we set the tier status based on the dollar amount one spends with the airline.

I believe you make many good points (better than your previous post ).

UA has added a 4th level (the top level) called Global Services members who are invited to this status level based on revenue. Most rewards programs are based on revenue--Banana Republic, American Express, etc. Making an airline program based on revenue makes sense as well. You would probably find that there wouldn't be a huge change in the ranks of customers, but there would be some changes. Mileage runners would drop several levels, some golds would go to US1, etc.

Now, all of the legacy carriers, EXCEPT the new US, have a revenue recognition component in their mileage programs. UA has 2 components. What the other carriers all have is a tier mileage reward for high priced tickets (B and Y fares)--you earn 1.5 miles for every actual mile flown on a B and Y fare. These miles only apply to tier/elite status miles and not redeemable miles. The new US has elected to discontinue this benefit. I think it was a big mistake--they obviously think otherwise--actually, I don't know what they think, because they never responded to my concerns and disappointment.

Previously, US gave unlimited upgrades to US1's and paid/earned upgrades to US2's and US3's. The program was modified in response to actions taken by other carriers. I don't mind this type of system--even when I was a US2 I didn't mind the idea of paid upgrades. When that system was in place, I was almost always upgraded as a US2.

 

[Barbell]

Many business fliers have the rank to pick who we fly and to have great leeway on price; and it is not all price that matters, it is also value.

This is very true.

UA's post-BK business model claims that they can run a profitable business going after a few repeat high-yield customers. Whether that's enough to sustain a company of that size is yet to be seen.

I think we can all agree that many business travelers choose WN for their ultra low fares, and their business model has proven that profit can be made from a higher volume of repeat low-yield customers.

US's challenge is to fulfill the ride down the middle: fares not quite as low as WN's, w/ service not quite as costly as UA's. It's your valuable feedback that helps us find that balance. Thank you all for your loyalty, and for your feedback.

 

[LGA / 037]

If the E class inventories would be opened up 30 hours prior to departure, then US1 & US2 customers would be able to call and get their automatic upgrade ahead of the First Ups. This would remedy the majority of concerns of the US1 and US2 customers, and leave the remaining seats for First Ups on day of departure.

 

[Art at ISP]

Barbell,

There has been no indication from anyone other than you that they want our feedback. You and I have discussed methods of getting feedback from customers, and to date I have heard nothing on any new committees or advisory boards being formed. The lady who called me from Doug's office was clear that this would be done.

The majority of the proposed changes to DM and the issue in this thread are clear examples of Tempe acting first and neither wanting to hear or listening to input from customers.

The amenities being offered by UA to attract repeat business travelers are not that expensive. I fully understand US doesn't want to be at that level, but then they can't charge the same prices now can they?

And by the way it would be fine to reward extra revenue by adding bonuses or added segment credit toward elite. What would not work is penalizing those who take advantage of normal discount fares.

Thank you for YOUR participation here.

My best to you all...

 

[SegmentKing]

gawd if you guys are so antsy about missing upgrades cause you didn't call in, I'm going to hate to see your reactions over on FlyerTalk once the new program is released.

And trust me, there will be a *firestorm* from hell over the changes, especially to those Silver & Golds...

 

[Art at ISP]

Segment King,

We have heard what some of those changes MIGHT be, and it is a perfect illustration of Tempe not caring what the customer has to say. If they want to nickel and dime us and further devalue both the product and the DM program, that is there choice, but the fares must be adjusted downward also. You can't offer less and charge the same-that is a recipe for disaster.

Also, as said before, UA and other airlines listen to their customers, or at least give us a vehicle to be heard. There has been no such move from Tempe.

You reap what you sew...I am sure UA will be happy to have me and the thousands of other elites who may be motivated to move on by all the changes coming down the pike.

You can't take and take without giving some back--and to date nothing has been given.

 

[ClueByFour]

And trust me, there will be a *firestorm* from hell over the changes, especially to those Silver & Golds...

Having thousands of people who fly between 25 and 60 segments per year heading for the exits (especially given the fact that the onboard product in the back does not exactly blow the rest of the LCCs away) is probably not in Tempe's best interests.

But that's just me.

 

[US1YFARE]

Well, that's why I am keeping up my status on UA so that I don't have to worry about fleeing should the changes be that terrible--hedging my bets this time.

 

[FCYTravis]

If they start charging Silvers and Golds an upgrade fee BUT at the same time commit to an improvement program in First Class - meaning glassware/snack basket on all flights, at least snack-meals on all flights blocked for 900 miles or more, etc. - then I think that's a reasonable program. I don't mind paying for upgrades if I get more out of it. In fact, I'd welcome it.

But if they just start charging for the same snack mix, plastic cups and sammiches they're dishing out now, I'm jumping ship. And I've got 33,000 BIS miles flown so far, with another 10,000 booked. I was planning on going for US1 this year...