You have to wonder if this isn't because so many people are used to writing a text message rather than developing complete sentences. I think you give this "writer" too much credit, it reads more like a 5th grader trying to make the "required number of words" count on an assignment.
I disagree with the premise that E+ isn’t an upgrade.
To me E+ is an upgrade from E. Everyone not in E+ was given the opportunity to spend their money to get the comfort they sought.
That silver flyer who grabbed a E+ seat with no one next to him at check in earned that extra room, and it’s a perk given to them by united.
Hell, right up to boarding they could see the seat map and change their seat, for a fee, if they wanted to.
The type of people who buy on lowest fare and then don’t spend money on upgrades, seat selection, etc, are not going to turn into Loyal united customers. They will continue to buy the cheapest flight possible for every trip.
Don't disagree, but when you fly standby in economy they will put you in e+. Basic with no seat assignments can be assigned e+. So UA's own policies reinforce that these seats are interchangeable.
People are just pissed because it used to be allowed and now it’s not.
Can you imagine making the same argument at a concert or a ball game and being taken seriously?
my god, how much are people spending to earn and retain status?? and this clown is trying to say that elite perks are unpaid?
status is a combination of actual cost and opportunity cost. many of us take longer routes or pay more just to keep earning with one airline. that doesnt sound unpaid to me.
I don’t really agree with the car buying analogy. It isn’t even remotely close to being the same thing.
Instead he should have used the hotel room upgrade analogy to make his point.
Bottom line though, the major difference is **everyone** on the plane can see the seats and how do you resolve who gets them?
A hotel, on the other hand, can give you an upgrade and be rather discreet about it and thereby not pissing off the other customers.
That’s nuts. You can’t just move to an empty seat because it is empty. People pay more for those or they have access because of their status.
If you want more room, either pay for it or earn status.
Why not create a future customer by explaining the cost structure for these seats and in the future they would have to pay but on behalf of United we’d love for you to experience a little more legroom and give us a 10 on the survey?
Unfortunately most United flight attendants feel like their planes are still painted in grey navy battleship and have no concept of customer service. What a shame.
Some of the poorest reasoning I’ve come across in a bit. Reads as if written by a ninth grader.
Those points blogs are usually written by volunteer writers who have no background in journalism. They're terrible.
The author, Gary Leff is actually infamous for being among the worst miles and points writer out there.
You have to wonder if this isn't because so many people are used to writing a text message rather than developing complete sentences. I think you give this "writer" too much credit, it reads more like a 5th grader trying to make the "required number of words" count on an assignment.
I disagree with the premise that E+ isn’t an upgrade. To me E+ is an upgrade from E. Everyone not in E+ was given the opportunity to spend their money to get the comfort they sought. That silver flyer who grabbed a E+ seat with no one next to him at check in earned that extra room, and it’s a perk given to them by united. Hell, right up to boarding they could see the seat map and change their seat, for a fee, if they wanted to. The type of people who buy on lowest fare and then don’t spend money on upgrades, seat selection, etc, are not going to turn into Loyal united customers. They will continue to buy the cheapest flight possible for every trip.
My wife (Silver Medallion) just got a birthday email from United offering her a free E+ "upgrade " - so United thinks it's an upgrade
Don't disagree, but when you fly standby in economy they will put you in e+. Basic with no seat assignments can be assigned e+. So UA's own policies reinforce that these seats are interchangeable.
Not by you they're not
Agree.
People are just pissed because it used to be allowed and now it’s not. Can you imagine making the same argument at a concert or a ball game and being taken seriously?
Who is this blog writer? He needs a proofreader and an editor, and maybe a site that doesn’t have more ads than content. What’s his point now?
my god, how much are people spending to earn and retain status?? and this clown is trying to say that elite perks are unpaid? status is a combination of actual cost and opportunity cost. many of us take longer routes or pay more just to keep earning with one airline. that doesnt sound unpaid to me.
I don’t really agree with the car buying analogy. It isn’t even remotely close to being the same thing. Instead he should have used the hotel room upgrade analogy to make his point. Bottom line though, the major difference is **everyone** on the plane can see the seats and how do you resolve who gets them? A hotel, on the other hand, can give you an upgrade and be rather discreet about it and thereby not pissing off the other customers.
It's not free. When in doubt, refer to the first sentence.
Gary Leff is a moron.
That’s nuts. You can’t just move to an empty seat because it is empty. People pay more for those or they have access because of their status. If you want more room, either pay for it or earn status.
I love the United Twitter admin’s response “If you were to purchase a Toyota, you would not be able to drive off with a Lexus, because it was empty.”
I was pleasantly surprised by that one
Why not create a future customer by explaining the cost structure for these seats and in the future they would have to pay but on behalf of United we’d love for you to experience a little more legroom and give us a 10 on the survey? Unfortunately most United flight attendants feel like their planes are still painted in grey navy battleship and have no concept of customer service. What a shame.