U.S. Airways: We Have Discontinued Merger Talks With United

The Wall Street Journal is reporting U.S. Airways has discontinued talks with United Airlines about a possible merger. "After an extensive review and careful consideration, our board of directors has decided to discontinue those discussions," U.S. Airways Chairman and Chief Executive Doug Parker said in a statement. Attention now turns to ongoing speculation that another Star Alliance Member - Continental Airlines, may be in merger talks with United.

United Announces New Award Travel Options

United Airlines has announced two new award travel options for members of its Mileage Plus program. Effectively immediately, you can now book a one-way flight for half the miles of the roundtrip award. This is great for people who don't quite have the 25,000 miles needed for a standard roundtrip. Click here for the official United announcement.

Miles & Money is another award travel option just introduced by United. If you find yourself a bit short of mileage, United will allow you to combine your miles with cash in order to secure the flights you want. Here's the announcement.

United Business/First Upgrades Now Require Co-Pay

Effective today, United rolls out its co-pay system for upgrade requests. Basically, buy a ticket it coach class, then use miles and cash to upgrade to the next level of service. The amount of miles and cash requires depends on the booking class (price) of your original coach ticket and where you are flying to.

One benefit to this change: Previously, if you bought a cheap United ticket you were unable to upgrade international flights. Now you can - for the right amount of money and miles. One drawback to this change: Many higher priced economy tickets which previously could be upgraded with miles alone now require a cash co-pay as well. Here are the specifics.

United, Continental Offer Free Upgrades to Most Loyal Customers

In a relationship that seems to be getting rather close, Continental and United Airlines jointly announced a wonderful reciprocal benefit for elite-level flyers: Complimentary Domestic upgrades. This means United Mileage Plus elite members can enjoy free rides up front on Continental (and United), and Continental One Pass elite members can taste United's first and business class product as well. The complimentary upgrade policy goes into effect next Summer.

Clearing order for complimentary upgrades (as space is available):

Traveling on United: United Global Service, 1K, and Premier Exec clear first, followed by Continental Platinum and Gold Elite.

Traveling on Continental: Continental Platinum Elite, followed by United Global Service and 1K, then Continental Gold and Silver members.

Continental just joined the Star Alliance program a few weeks ago but their relationship with United dates back to June 2008. Recently, for example, United announced Red Carpet Club members can now access the network of Continental President's Club lounges worldwide.

Listening in on United's Channel 9

By Mike Grasso

Among the variety of audio selections available on United Airlines’ aircraft is Channel 9, which is dedicated to air traffic control communications. This programming, unique to United, allows passengers to monitor the airwaves and listen in on discussions ranging from upcoming weather and pilot reports of turbulence. Although most of the communication between air traffic control and pilots is fairly routine such as orders to adjust altitude, occasionally some rather exciting conversations take place.

In one instance, I listened in on a JetBlue flight requesting a reroute due to a depleting fuel supply from unanticipated inclement weather. Conditions continued to deteriorate until the pilot demanded to immediately land the aircraft in a nearby city. In another example, our pilot was within 50 feet of landing on the runway at SFO when he decided to immediately abort landing and quickly ascend back up. The reason as heard on Channel 9: Onboard computer was warning of a spacing issue as another plane was landing on a parallel runway. Definitely some exciting activity and exchanges of words on Channel 9, although most of the time it is pretty tame.

Channel 9 is available on most mainline United Airlines (not United Express) aircraft, and is subject to pilot discretion whether to substitute alternate programming.

United Picks Up San Francisco - St.Louis Route

United Airlines announced Thursday it will pick up operations between San Francisco and St. Louis (STL). The new once-daily flight begins February 11, 2010, operated by an Airbus 319 aircraft.

Last month, American announced huge forthcoming cuts at STL to destinations across the country, including to SFO. The AA timetable no longer shows nonstop service between SFO and STL beyond April 5, 2010.

Earn Double Elite-Qualifying Miles or Segments with New United Promo

Quick to respond to yesterday's American Airlines double-elite qualifying miles offer, United Airlines just released a similar promotion. Register to earn either double elite-qualifying miles or segments for travel on United between September 3rd and December 15, 2009. If you are a general member with United (no status), or you are close to achieving the next tier of status with the airline, definitely register for this promotion, as it makes it much easier to reach various elite level thresholds.

United Offers 500-Mile Booking Bonus to Infrequent Travelers

In an effort to bring in new business and increase bookings on their website, United Airlines is awarding 500 bonus miles to customers who have not purchased tickets from united.com within the past 12 months. According to the terms, the bonus is available for one-way or round-trip tickets purchased at united.com between August 14 and October 31, 2009.

United to Offer Complimentary Cocktails Over the Pacific

From UAflyer06 over on the Flyertalk forums comes word of some exciting food and beverage changes on future United flights. Effective August 1, 2009, United will offer free alcoholic drinks in economy class over the Pacific. Previously free booze and cocktail service was limited to folks in the front of the plane. This change better aligns United with Asia-based airlines, who have historically offered free drinks to all passengers on flights.

Other changes: For short-haul flights, those $6 snack boxes will each have a unique theme (Active, Classic, Luxe, and Organic) with tasty new goodies inside. The fresh food menu, offered on select routes in North America, will soon include a vegetarian option. These menu changes are also expected to begin August 1st.

United Breaks Guitars: Band Takes UA Baggage Complaint to YouTube

Some might call it a taste of sweet revenge, but for musician Dave Carroll, it was a creative way of expressing his disappointment with United Airlines baggage handling, after they smashed his guitar and refused to pick up the $1200 tab to fix it.

Carroll and his band, based in Halifax, NS, were changing planes at Chicago's-O'Hare airport March 31, 2008, when the heard a passenger exclaim, "My God, they're throwing guitars out there," Carroll said. After spending nine months of unsuccessfully reasoning with United Airlines, including with representatives from the United States and India, he finally decided to write a few songs to describe his experience.

Meanwhile, United officials who have seen the video are asking Carroll for permission to use it internally to help change its culture.

United Airlines Adding San Francisco - Kansas City Service

From the airline route updates blog & GDS timetable comes word United Airlines will launch a daily nonstop flight between San Francisco and Kansas City (MCI). The new service is scheduled to begin October 25th, utilizing a CRJ700 regional jet.

The flight departs SFO at 4:07PM arriving Kansas City at 9:31PM. The return flight departs at 8:51AM, arriving back in SFO at 10:45AM. Tickets for the nonstop are now available for purchase at united.com.

Currently, only Midwest Airlines serves the SFO-Kansas City market nonstop, also with one daily flight.

San Francisco to Sydney $601 "All In" on United

HOT FARE: $601 roundtrip, including all taxes and fees - will get you from SFO (or LAX) to Sydney or Melbourne, Australia on United Airlines.  Now that is a heck of a sale. 

Details: Overall, there are few restrictions. Your outbound flight can be any day of the week between July 1 and November 30, 2009*. No advance ticketing requirements apply to economy class tickets. $250 fee + applicable fare difference if you make changes to the reservation before departure. Books into "K" class. 

Have friends in the Big Apple? They can fly down under for just $60 bucks more! Visit the United Airlines website for more details on this sale. 

*Sale t&c states outbound travel by December 16th, but the lowest fare class we found permits outbound travel no later than November 30.

United Set To Launch New Routes from SFO This Week

After making announcements earlier this year, United Airlines says it is ready to launch several new nonstop routes from San Francisco International Airport later this week. Here is a listing of those routes:

• SFO to Spokane, Washington (GEG) 2 flights per day - Regional jet service
  
• SFO to Pasco, Washington (PSC)   2 flights per day - Regional jet service
  
• SFO to Minneapolis, Minnesota (MSP) 1 flight per day - Airbus 319/320 service
  
• SFO to Toronto, Canada (YYZ) 1 flight per day - Airbus 319/320 service. 
  

United also plans to add nonstop service between San Francisco and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in early September. 

Visit United Airlines for more information and to check availability. 

United Drops Complimentary Refares

A long-standing benefit for frequent United Airlines travelers was the ability to, at no cost, refare ticket prices in the event the airfare drops after the initial purchase. With no notice to customers, United ended this benefit on March 20, 2009. The policy previous allowed customers to monitor their existing reservations, and if they find the fare dropped at any point prior to travel, they could call United and ask for a travel credit for the difference in price. There was no charge for this benefit. Now, United slaps on a $150 "administrative fee" for this service. The policy is effective for tickets purchased from March 20th onward; if you have tickets purchased before this date, and not yet flown, you may continue to refare these at no charge.

As a frequent beneficiary of this service, I have mixed feelings of the recent change. From a business perspective, few companies let you purchase a product then return it at any point up to a year later should the price go down, which is effectively what United was allowing customers to do. It was a generous benefit indeed! But I question how many people even knew about this policy - it was certainly never anything United marketed itself on. From a travelers perspective, Southwest Airlines again stands apart from United and many other airlines which charge for refaring, in that they do not charge to reprice an airline ticket if the fare drops. So if you were going to purchase a ticket between San Francisco and Orlando, for example, and the cheapest tickets were $300 on Southwest and $275 on United, you could have confidence in your Southwest ticket purchase that if the airline decided to have a sale, you could reap the benefits of the lower price. On United, you are stuck with that higher fare (unless you pay the new $150 fee), even if they drop their prices at a lower date.

Don't get me wrong, there are many great reasons to fly United Airlines. But based on this recent policy change, there is now one less reason to consider them a preferred carrier.

United’s Cashless-Cabins Begin Later This Month

After a successful trial, and following a general trend in the industry, United Airlines says it will go cashless on all domestic flights starting March 23. According to the airline, passengers who wish to purchase on board food and beverages can do so with a credit or debit card – only. The policy applies to all domestic flights, and flights to/from Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. On international flights the airline will accept either cash or credit/debit for payment.

United to Launch Bay Area Flights to Spokane and Minneapolis

Beginning June 4, 2009, United Airlines will fly nonstop between San Francisco and Minneapolis/St.Paul Airports. According to the UA timetable, The once-daily flight will utilize an Airbus 319 aircraft.

Schedule:
SFO-MSP Departs 12:50 PM Arriving 6:33PM.

Also on June 4th, United Airlines/SkyWest will fly twice daily between SFO and Spokane, Washington, utilizing a Canadair regional jet.

Schedule:
SFO-GEG Departs 12:54 PM Arriving 2:50PM.
SFO-GEG Departs 10:00 PM Arriving 11:57 PM.

United to Cut 300 Jobs at San Francisco International

After shrinking overall company operations, including eliminating nearly 20% of its fleet, United Airlines says it now needs to reduce staff. Earlier this year, the airline said it plans to cut 7,000 jobs, in total. Included in this number are 300 jobs at the San Francisco maintenance base, where some employees will receive layoff notices effective January 11, 2009. 

United Premier Exec Members Receive New Boarding Priority

According to an email from United, effective Wednesday, Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold members will now enjoy an even higher level of boarding privileges when flying United.

Global Service, 1K's and First Class passengers will continue to board first, followed by Business Class, all via the Red-Carpet Lane. Then all Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold members will be invited to board, through the main Economy lane. After all the "most valued" customers have boarded, boarding with resume beginning with Boarding Area 1 - including lower level Premier members.

The change essentially elevates the Premier Exec status to a level one notch up from Boarding Area 1, at least in terms of boarding order. This enables Premier Execs and those with equivalent access from partner airlines, to have more overhead space available, get adjusted to their seat, and simply relax, before the boarding of the masses.

United Announces 2009 Mileage Plus Changes

In a press release Monday, United announced some fairly significant changes to Mileage Plus, its frequent flyer program. Depending on your specific travel habits, you will find the changes either favorable or as yet another example of the devaluation of frequent flyer miles. 

• Restoration of 500-mile minimum accrual for elite members. This past summer United eliminated this benefit for short-distance flyPublish Posters. The policy changes is retroactive for flights dating back to July 1, 2008.


• Mileage Award Adjustments. UA will maintain the 25,000 mile requirement for economy saver tickets for flights within the U.S. But, it will increase the mileage requirement between 5,000 and 25,000 additional miles for flights between the U.S and different regions throughout the world.


• Co-Payment and reduction in miles requirement for upgrades effective July 1, 2009. If you purchase an economy class ticket, United often allows you to upgrade that flight with miles. The airline will lower that mileage requirement, but institute a co-payment of up to $500 for this benefit. Additionally, the airline will allow international upgrades, regardless of the fare class purchased. Previously, only higher cost fares were upgradeable.

United Airlines Makes Bay Area Cutbacks

According to USA Today, United Airlines will be trimming several nonstop flights from the Bay Area this coming Fall. If you have confirmed reservations for any of these nonstop flights, contact United immediately (don't wait for them to call you) to receive priority status in choosing alternate routings.

San Francisco to:
-Atlanta - will be discontinued on 11/2/08
-Toronto - effective 11/2/08

San Jose to:
-Washington, Dulles - eff 9/2/08
-Chicago O'Hare - eff 11/11/08

Oakland to:
-Los Angeles - eff 11/11/08