GoEnvoy and GoSleeperEnvoy

[Art at ISP]

Flygirl,

My guess is that a US5 not only doesn't know that you know the pecking order, but I would bet that many don't even know there IS a pecking order.

That said, thank you for your complement to my fellow US1's, and please be aware that WE appreciate you and your colleagues more than you'll ever know. If it weren't for the outstanding way you take care of us, many of us would have been long gone.

I sat next to a US1 on my flight to SAN this morning, and we had a very interesting conversation exchanging experiences in travel of late. I have not met one single US1 who didn't go out of his way to complement the crews however. And I have only seen 2 US1's behave badly, and both did pay a price for their antics.

So it's a symbiotic relationship I think--and thank you for all you do.

My best to you all...

 

[NCYankee]

My CP's have been just fine lately. It's the US5's that are my current problem. What is a US5 anyway?? Until recently US4 was the lowest ranking on the manifest.
CP's are usually the easiest to deal with..they know the routine. US5's act like they are royalty (attitude included). Do they know that WE know their pecking order?? :blink:

I agree; most of the CP's I talk to in res are wonderful!
US5's are the old US4's...with the integration of Platinums (who are the new US2's) the rankings were renumbered.

 

[jerseyfinn]

Flying @ 10 TAs a year, half of them B fares, and the rest H,M, or Q's I would like to think that US would give a US1 a leg up in this Go First UG queue just because of the loyalty demonstrated and the fair amount of $$ spent to become a CP.

It would be disconcerting as a US1 holding an H or Q fare and get bumped by a Go First W fare stand-in for a measly $300. I can understand the revenue issue, and might be inclined to pay a little extra myself if the price or miles are right.

I hope that they handle this issue wisely as there does come a point at which goodwill and common sense is worth more than extra couple of hundred of bucks from an occassional flyer.

As to elite behavior issues. I believe that most CPs are experienced and patient folks. Sure, there has to be a bad apple here or there, but as a group, US1s are good people.

I myself am not a business flyer, but I suspect that some of the UG angst occassionally expressed on those TC flights is in part a result of the cabin reconfigs which have pared down some of the F seats. Sure, I understand the revenue issue, but thus far, US has done an uneven job of establishing a standard F seating config. Those folks who fly a great deal get beat up by the travel process and I can understand their disappointment. And remember, the airline touts its industry-leading DM program. It ain't much of a program when there's only 8 F seats on a TC packed with businessmen heading home.

Life ain't perfect, but we don't have to screw it up more than it already is.

Barry

 

[hp_fa]

As long as Envoy seats are available AND all elites requesting upgrades are accommodated, why not sell them? BUT if sales are made at the expense of your most frequent customers, I have to question the logic behind that..right or wrong, it is perceived as just another FU at your best customers.

Just my opinion.....

Huh? If it was your business wouldn't you try to maximize revenue before giving the amenity away?

 

[Art at ISP]

HP FA,

Yes and no. I would rather have a happy customer who spends $30-$70K a year with me than risk losing him over $300 spent by Ma or Pa Kettle.

The general concept should be to reward loyalty. Is the $300 worth the risk that steady weekly income might go away? And don't kid yourself...MANY CP's I have talked to both online and off feel this is would be the straw to break the camel's back and would make them look elsewhere.

Sorry to disagree with you, but it amounts to an FU at your most loyal customers if it is done at the expense of your elite passengers.

 

[ONT_CP]

HP FA,

Yes and no. I would rather have a happy customer who spends $30-$70K a year with me than risk losing him over $300 spent by Ma or Pa Kettle.

The general concept should be to reward loyalty. Is the $300 worth the risk that steady weekly income might go away? And don't kid yourself...MANY CP's I have talked to both online and off feel this is would be the straw to break the camel's back and would make them look elsewhere.

Sorry to disagree with you, but it amounts to an FU at your most loyal customers if it is done at the expense of your elite passengers.

I would like a compromise instead of trying to totally Kill a benefit. Many other carriers do this. UG to Envoy are not complimentary, but if you are doing something for the general public for say $300, you can give it to a CP for say $175 or $150. Again if $500, a CP for $300 or $250. WHY? Because they travel the most and can do two things, 1) consistently buy the product and 2) see they are getting a tangible benefit for their loyalty. You might even give them a free cert each year 1)1 UG to Sleeper Seat and 2) 1 Free Pass to the US Airways Club.

Anyway... I think if they do away with any elite freebies, at least offer us a discount. We make it up on volume.

 

[Art at ISP]

I respectfully disagree with you. While there are some circumstances where it is okay to charge elites for what was once free, this isn't one of them. It's just a seat after all. I don't think anyone is going to pay $300 for a sleeper seat, while the product itself (service, food, etc.) is exactly the same. There is somewhat flawed logic thinking that anyone who's knowledgeable is going to pay that.

Then again Ma and Pa Kettle might..and that's probably the strategy.

In any case, this is just another example of taking benefits or perks away from the elite flyer and giving nothing in return. I have to think at some point many elites will just say "enough" and move on.

 

[tadjr]

The $300 for the sleeper seat upgrade is IN ADDITION to the $500 to even get up into the front cabin. That would mean it costs $800 to get the upgrade from coach into row 1 on the A330. For anyone already booked in Envoy (rows 2-7), it is an additional $300 to just get up into row 1. Its not $300 to go from coach to row 1.
I've riden row 1 one time and wasnt comfortable in the seat. I couldnt sleep in it and prefer the regular Envoy section. JMO though.

PS- Have to check it out. Are we doing Envoy or is it just Business Class? I cant keep up with the memos!

 

[hp_fa]

Sorry to disagree with you, but it amounts to an FU at your most loyal customers if it is done at the expense of your elite passengers.

I am going to be as respectfully frank in rebuttal.

IMO the bottom line, when all is said and done, is that if sufficient numbers of CP's left that there probably would not be enough of the amenties you seek on the other airlines. If you folks really number as much as you lead me to believe, then there aren't enough upgradeable seats elsewhere for you to occupy.

You folks are playing the same game of chicken with the airline that the employees are playing with the airline. The real tragedy, from your perspective, would be if you left, found that all-in-all the grass wasn't greener on the other side and US still continued in business.

I did mean for that to be respectful.

 

[Sally4th]

As the GoEnvoy becomes available at 30 hours, how does that impact the rare but still given TA Space Available certs which clear at the gate? Another bennie given to FFs (albeit via corps or TAs) cut?

 

[tadjr]

As the GoEnvoy becomes available at 30 hours, how does that impact the rare but still given TA Space Available certs which clear at the gate? Another bennie given to FFs (albeit via corps or TAs) cut?

If it is available at the window for the class of service they are booked in, it should clear them if they have been waitlisted (and it wasnt available when they booked). If not, the FFs can call and get it upgraded just like they can now. I really dont think they are going to be tons of ma and pas upgrading to the front on TA flights. There might be a few on special occasions or a businessman who finds himself stuck in a middle seat that might do it, but many people dont have $500 per person to spend on a whim for this. Right now the planes are pretty much already booked full on the TA flights, so it will be a while to see just how many people jump at this offer.
One thing I've noticed recently on Sabre is they have made the waitlist for upgraded automatic for Preferreds. We used to have to go in and request upgrade waitlist with a special code, but its been doing it automatically the past few days. Also if we've been booking a B or Y fare and P is available, it comes back HK in P right away.

 

[PHLfa88]

Pax's That Only Pay $500 or so For Their Ticket Are NOT Going to Pay $500 To Sit in The Front Of the Plane Anyway!

 

[jerseyfinn]

. . . If you folks really number as much as you lead me to believe, then there aren't enough upgradeable seats elsewhere for you to occupy . . .

HP_FA


US is in the business to make money. Nothing wrong with that. So these GoEnvoy and GoSleeper fares are not really a surprise, nor is there anything inherently wrong with the idea.

I do not see myself as "king of the hill" just because I'm a US1. However I do believe that being a US1 demonstrates some sort of committment to US ( through thick and thin I might add ). Do we have a "special" relationship? No, we're customers like everyone else. But it would be nice to think that US would view their elites with a little gratitude.

Fair enough, US wants to increase their revenues. They rebalance by paring down Envoy seats, adding some more coach seats, and create GoEnvoy and GoSleeper -- (BTW I thought plans were to eliminate row one. Is GoSleeper a temporary placeholder until this can be done, or is it a rethink of the original idea?).

The concern by many US1s here and on Flyer Talk is that US is going to do a procedural end around run on the elites in hope of catching an infrequent flyer W fare pax who antes up ahead of them. Many of us are willing to consider paying a premium of some sort -- after all, as frequent flyers we do understand this airline pricing circus. Are we asking for special treatment or do CPs rule Envoy? NO, but we are asking for some recognition because we've played by the DM rules that the airline sets and purchase our fares accordingly. For that we don't have to apologize. And I do feel that many of us have demonstrated willingness to play the game when we purchase upscale B fares etc. If US is changing the model, fine. Just hear out your elites and if you're passing the hat for UGs, give us a chance to see if we can drop coins in the hat first. What's more important, profit at any cost, or goodwill and some extra cash?

I know that in a perfect world, US would sell all of its C inventory ( :censored: <_< ) But the web site is as clear as mud as to how these UG queues will really stack up. All I ask is that US give US1s some respect. If you want more money, tell us how much, and we'll tell you yes or no. Many elites want to play ball if US would stop throwing curves. I would welcome a chance to accept or pass on an UG for more money -- just give me an asking price and the promise to queue up for it towards the front of the queue. Your elites are beginning to wonder what the benefit of flying US will be in the future.

Barry

PS

I lied. My :censored:

**Edited By Moderator**