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United Airlines Launches Business Loyalty Program

Perhaps as an additional method of clawing its way out of bankruptcy, United Airlines has launched a new loyalty program, called Ameniti, targeted to business travelers. Mercury News reports for an annual fee of $295, members can receive unlimited two for one companion tickets, two passes to the airline's Red Carpet Club, a $399 coupon to use on Cunard cruise ships, upgrades at Starwood Hotels, personalized travel services and a free subscription to Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

While the airline went all out on that last one, United Loyalty Services Senior VP Scott Garner hopes to have 300,000 new members in the program by year's end. Well, even if the airline does go under, Conde Naste will be quite happy.

Steve Hall | July 4, 2004 | News | Permanent link
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Comments

OK, ok, I admit it. I got suckered into this rip-off. I'm a consultant, and I travel up to 12,000 miles per month and thought it would be great to bring my wife on a few trips to interesting places.

The above threads describe it pretty well. The marketing is very slick and sounds great until you read the fine print. I'll give you a quick summary of an exchange I just had with them:

1. Trying to purchase a pair of tickets from Denver to San Francisco. Internet prices varied from $278 to $385 per ticket.

2. Called the toll-free number and talked to an agent. Base prices on full-fare, non-refundable tickets of the appropriate class of service were:
a. San Francisco International
1) Coach - $1092.00 plus tax
2) First - $3358.00 plux tax
b. Oakland
1) Coach - $1922.00 plux tax
2) First - $2830.00 plux tax

3. Travel for the primary traveller can only be booked through Ameniti, and my corporate travel policies forbid us from booking our own travel.

4. In the case of a change, the companion still had to pay the taxes on the ticket, plus a $100 change fee.

So, I got irritated and asked to be transferred to Customer Service to cancel my membership. Even though I hadn't used the program, I had passed my 30-day cancellation period. So I wasted money, and my only way to recoup it is by spending even more money.

Now I remember why I stopped flying on United, even though I was a Premier Executive. When they ratcheted the seats six inches closer together for the six months before they announced the Economy Plus program, then charged an extra $50 to give passengers back the room that used to be free, I washed my hands of them. Now, I'll go as far as I need to ensure that I don't give them another dime, even if it means riding a train.

Posted by: Brian at Nov 1, 2004 3:10:24 PM