Mileage Upgrade Changes

[Art at ISP]

I appreciate your optimism, but you must realize they have lost so much ground, it will take a lot more than 6 months to get back the TRUST and loyalty of the customers they have already lost. From what we have seen out in the field, the drop in elite flyers is noticeable--easier upgrades, less full F cabins, etc. It might take a while to show on the bottom line but it will.

Regarding notification there was none--a sneaked in change to the web page. No email to DM members, no announcement, nothing. If they thought it was an "enhancement" there would have been emails, press releases, and other announcements. They know they're charging more for less and they were just trying to bury it.

People are already paying too much for what US is offering Gaucho, they are NOT going to pay even more.

I am staying in this fight...if the operation regains RELIABILITY and VALUE I will give them another chance, but until then, I am gone--and I am NOT alone.

 

[leprechaun]

Are any of you really surprised? Doug and the Tempe boys can screw up a free lunch. Think of the best way to do something, and US Airways will do the exact opposite.

 

[Art at ISP]

Leprechaun,

Unfortunately, I am inclined to agree with you.

 

[SS255]

Here's a brief explanation from the company on their thinking behind the new policy.

FAQs

Q: Why did you discontinue the special discount for upgrading from Y/B fares?

A: In an effort to provide better customer service, we are attempting to streamline Dividend Miles policies where possible. The Y/B upgrade fare discounts were under-utilized, accounting for less than .1% of all award travel. In most cases, Preferred members are not impacted by this change, since Preferred members are automatically eligible for instant upgrade when ticketing a reservation in Y or B class to most destinations US Airways flies.

This is bullcaca. What I have bolded only applies to domestic and Caribbean travel, where Preferred's who buy Y/B fares can "instantly" upgrade into F for free.....IF there is availability.

US is revoking the 10,000 mile transatlantic one-way upgrade for anyone (including elites) who purchase Y/B fares, and the last I heard, Preferred members are NOT "automatically eligible for instant upgrade when ticketing a reservation in Y or B class" to Europe. I guess this is where the word "most" comes into play. This DOES have a tremendous impact, primarily on business flyers. It is a huge slap in the face (not to mention the posterior) to people who frequently buy these fares. Many are CP's who travel transatlantic more than once per year, and use up their set of transatlantic upgrade certs.

 

[SS255]

Q: Why do I need to pay more than $1,200 in order to upgrade a roundtrip transatlantic itinerary?

A: The demand for transatlantic business class is high, and fares typically range between $2,500 and $3,500. By having a minimum fare rule, Dividend Miles can continue to permit members to upgrade to business class for just 30,000 miles each way. The $1,200 fare rule includes all taxes & fees (for example, a ticket is eligible to upgrade if it costs at least $1,000 and there are $200 in international taxes and fees).

Newflash: AA has a MUCH better system for ensuring that people don't whore transatlantic upgrades on el cheapo fares: They charge an extra $300 each way, and the customer is only charged if the upgrade is confirmed. US, on the other hand, teases you with the promise of an upgrade if you pay the higher fare and are willing to shell out the miles, yet they will not confirm the upgrade....and they will keep you money.

I'm not opposed to paying a higher fare in addition to using miles to upgrade to Europe. On the other hand, I am VERY opposed to paying the higher fare and then not being able to use my miles. Had I wanted to fly coach, I would have booked the rock-bottom ticket, and I've never liked playing roulette.

 

[vantheman63]

The group started because they were going to PENALIZE those flying on discount fares, rather than reward those for flying on full fares. There is quite a difference...

Art, from my vantage point, every word you've typed here is exactly right from my vantage point...not just in the quoted post, but your thoughts as they relate to air travel in this thread.

Other airlines got it right (doesn't surprise me that these guys didn't). Even DL changed their program, although it took much longer. CO, DL, AA and others give full credit for most fares, although AA has a bucket of fares which get 50% eqps and CO has fares that give 50% points if not booked on their website. BUT they reward you with 150% credit for those full fare and premium class fares. The idea is to incentivize desired behavior, not punish those who need to save. What the original plan at US failed to conceptualize was it is preferable to keep a customer even if he has to seek out lower fares because overall he spends much more than an occasional customer. And in the end, his AVERAGE spend will prove to be profitable to the company.

Again, exactly right from my vantage point.

I'd like to remind everyone also...

Go price out a Y fare on CO and then do the same on US. The reason that one-bazzillionth of a percent of US' biz is Y fares is because they have radically stupid prices. A Y fare PVD-SFO on CO would be around $700. That same Y fare (instantly upgradeable) on US is $949.

It should also be pointed out that US fares that are at or slightly higher the competition in the F cabin.....ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!!!

Talk about a lack of incentive!!!! Sheesh.

I also agree, 1,000% with "its the Fares, stupid." Just because that's your quote, doesn't mean it's all about "cheap."

As described a few sentences earlier, "The Stupid Fares US posts" are not "business casual," they are business maddening.

The only place where we diverge is WN....I like WN....in fact, I'm so disgusted with US and their silliness with everything about their product, that I opted for WN from PVD-ABQ.....if that doesn't speak volumes, I'm not sure what else I cold say.

And I do remember when I priced it out....WN's Full Coach, refundable fare, was $359 on WN....on US, it was an M fare that was refunable...$499....and the Y fare was $949.

Not hard to see why one-batrillionth of a percent of US business was/is Y fares.

 

[JS]

NEWS FLASH!

Art is now a CO and AA customer. In effect his wallet has rendered it's verdict, his heart however has not. Neither is in in a hub, which makes the decision easier.

Those of us Held Hostage in a hub like PHL have a much tougher decision to make. I have been researching fares and connections for the last 6 months trying to determine which carrier (If Any) would best suit my requirements out of PHL.

That carrier would be CO if not for the code share with NWA. I can not in good conscience give NWA and their scumbag Management Team one thin dime of revenue. The way they treat workers virtually ensures a sh!tty attitude and poor customer service. US Airways still have some folks who are customer oriented so FOR NOW I remain. However the drive to EWR form CO is looking better and better

You can fly CO without giving any money to NW. Just make sure to avoid booking flights operated by NW.

I used to fly NW occasionally until they screwed me over on a trip and then insulted me with a $40 "pro-rata" refund, so I never fly them now. But I still fly Delta 50,000+ miles a year and simply ignore the fact that I could fly NW and earn SkyMiles.

 

[Sally4th]

This is all so sad. Yet another nail in the FF coffin.

I've now started my spreadsheet to compare the other airlines.

The saddest thing to me is the lukewarm FF replies to this change here and in the Flyer Talk forum. This change caused me to see red and truly start planning who I would fly next year. I couldn't be bothered to post my upset. I've given up, I get the message (more than overdue), I'm off. The very vocal group that used to go ballistic if their chocolate cookies were missing on one flight have gone quiet - they've just plain gone. The people who flew so often that a little thing like a cookie was important, something they looked forward to in all their hours of traveling. It took no time at all for Tempe do do away with the cookie and they have been hacking and chopping ever since. Apparently that is cheaper and easier than tightening operations, motivating employees, attracting customers with value and innovation. How very successful they have been, how clever alienating their top tier customers. How very sad.

Many thanks to all US employees who have made my many flights tolerable. I'm sorry to be leaving.

 

[ksb]

I've now started my spreadsheet to compare the other airlines.

Sally, I started doing the same thing and gave up in disgust. If you've made progress -- or want to split the work -- I'd be glad to have a copy of it or help you finish it. --Ken

 

[PHLfa88]

NEWS FLASH!

Art is now a CO and AA customer. In effect his wallet has rendered it's verdict, his heart however has not. Neither is in in a hub, which makes the decision easier.

Those of us Held Hostage in a hub like PHL have a much tougher decision to make. I have been researching fares and connections for the last 6 months trying to determine which carrier (If Any) would best suit my requirements out of PHL.

That carrier would be CO if not for the code share with NWA. I can not in good conscience give NWA and their scumbag Management Team one thin dime of revenue. The way they treat workers virtually ensures a sh!tty attitude and poor customer service. US Airways still have some folks who are customer oriented so FOR NOW I remain. However the drive to EWR form CO is looking better and better

YIPPIE YI YAY!! For ART!

 

[Singleflyer]

They can start by permanently restoring the 50% EQM bonus for Y/B fares - something they took away from us.

Right now the only reward for high yield customers is that they can confirm their upgrade on a Y or B fare at the time of booking....if it is available. Of course, the majority of the high yield customers who buy Y/B fares book at the last minute....when all of the upgrades have already been doled out to elites on the el cheapo fares, so this so-called perk is not all it appears to be on the surface.

This is one of the main reason this high milage, high yield flyer left. My US upgrage % was becoming the worst of all carrier I fly, and I had the status with them. When Booking a full-fare ticket with US they told me F was full. So, I went to CO, had a slightly cheaper price and confirmed in F with better service, and a cleaner plane. Ad I know all of the seats in F on US were not Y fare paying CPs. So with that perk gone, I gave more business to my other carriers. Only one US flight since May. And I probably will not even make gold this year.

 

[PHLfa88]

This is one of the main reason this high milage, high yield flyer left. My US upgrage % was becoming the worst of all carrier I fly, and I had the status with them. When Booking a full-fare ticket with US they told me F was full. So, I went to CO, had a slightly cheaper price and confirmed in F with better service, and a cleaner plane. Ad I know all of the seats in F on US were not Y fare paying CPs. So with that perk gone, I gave more business to my other carriers. Only one US flight since May. And I probably will not even make gold this year.

So I guess we won't have to hear you, like the gazillion other FF's that come on and say" Hi, I'm On The Up Grade List" ok now.. I'll be sure to come look for ya!! 🙄

 

[Bear96]

I am not going to feed the troll, but I will say that I do fly paid F on CO and AA because they are WORTH it and priced competitively.

So what's the problem?

If I buy a Toyota, why would I care if Volkswagen just did something to make their product worse? Shouldn't that just make me happier with my decision not to have purchased the Volkswagen? Why bother to tell everyone how terrible Volkswagen is?

 

[N965VJ]

So I guess we won't have to hear you, like the gazillion other FF's that come on and say" Hi, I'm On The Up Grade List" ok now.. I'll be sure to come look for ya!! 🙄

Yeah, like really!

Those FFs are sooooo needy!

Can I have that issue of Tiger Beat when you're done with it?

 

[N965VJ]

Disregard - double post.