Weekend Saver Awards are possibly one of the best things for United, and one of the worst things for consumers. These are special awards that function almost exactly like e-fares, except that instead of paying with cash, you are using miles. The selection is much more limited than e-fares, and the redemption is a marginally better rate than a regular domestic saver coach award. With the flights from 15k-19k miles on a domestic round-trip, it makes me wonder how many people are duped into accepting these "deals."
The only reason I do not call these a complete waste is because of how airlines have to account for miles. In all financial reports, unredeemed miles must be listed as a liability and can only be booked as revenue when the miles are redeemed. Thus, any flyers using these miles are removing the liability, and also not taking up our premium cabin space on the flights we want. Honestly, while I don't think anybody should redeem their miles for these special awards, people doing so only make United stronger.
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Why is paying less for an award a better deal for United and a worse deal for the consumer?
Wouldn't you like the consumer to buy a domestic saver coach award at 25-50k miles and remove even more liability from United (do you own stock?) and reduce the possibility even more that those consumers would be eating into the premium cabin space inventory?
Well any way thank god we all lived through it! :) ('Offer' ended 10/29/2010)
@Michael D: It's all in how slight of a discount it is, in relation to the restrictions that are placed on it. The full saver awards can be flown any time inventory is available, and personally, I view the fly sat return mon or tues (and usually on the late flights on monday)with work, it makes it possibly expensive for people to take advantage of it, with using vacation (or pay depending on how the person works/is paid.) I do not own stock, but I want United to be healthy, as if there are any major schedule cuts at RDU, I'm pretty much forced to change airlines to ones that I really don't want to.
This is actually the second time I've seen this offer, so it appears they are playing around with it. Last time the rates were more at half the round trip price, which is quite reasonable for the restrictions.
Somebody must be nibbling.
Weekend Saver Awards
Book online through Friday, November 5
Depart on Saturday November 6
Return on Monday November 8 or Tuesday, November 9
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