It’s easy to think airlines never listen to their customers. But, sometimes they do. Apparently, United’s customers weren’t crazy about the new Mileage Plus changes scheduled to be effective July 1.
The new changes to the proposed changes probably got an assist from the economy. However, customer feedback certainly made a big difference as United announced this morning on their site.
Over the past several months our valued members have provided us feedback about the introduction of a co-pay for United Mileage Upgrade Awards. We took those views into consideration and have adjusted our policy to give our members greater flexibility.
The first change is simply a delay in the new program’s effective date, which will now not be until January 12, 2010. (So they say, and Brett Favre says he is still retired.)
There are two other changes important to corporate passengers. One of them could be huge for business and first-class travelers. First, United will not charge travelers a co-pay if they are booked in B class. This is a very slightly discounted economy fare usually used for corporate and last minute travel. Presumably, those high-yield customers balked at having to pay more for an upgrade on top of the fare.
The biggest change is that starting as well in January, United travelers booked in deeply-discounted business Z class will now be able to upgrade to first with a co-pay.
The co-pay will range from $100 to $500 one-way, but still it is potential cause for celebration, especially for international travelers.
Here’s an example: Say a traveler wants to cash in miles for either a business trip or a dream trip to upgrade from business to first class. Currently from San Francisco to London, there is a fare with 21 days advance notice and a minimum stay of seven days, that sells for $2,700 round-trip plus tax. That fare is considered Z class and is not currently upgradable. The least expensive business fare that can be upgraded with frequent flier miles to first class for the same itinerary costs significantly more — $8,230.00 round-trip.
Even with a $1,000 co-pay, this would mean a huge savings for Mileage Plus members. And it probably means more people will splurge, with miles and money, to get those first class seats.
This also may indicate that United hasn’t been filling the front of their planes. So who knows if they will follow the lead of some other carriers and go to a two-class system of simply coach and business on many international flights? (That would make this celebration a bit premature.)
I could also imagine that based on customer response, United might consider accelerating the Z-class-to-first-class upgrade package of changes; at least on a short-term “promotional” basis.
In any case, for now, it looks like good news for discounted business class travelers with plenty of frequent flier miles who dream of dreaming on a flat bed seat.
