I received the following e-mail from United today:
My first thought was what redesign? I didn’t even know there was a Mileageplus.com website. Turns out there is, sort of–the web address takes you to the Mileage Plus portion of the United website. So far, so good.
United promises “better organization” and a “fresh new look” on the new website. These are good things. But how about “the ability to search for Star Alliance partner awards online” or “itemized EQMs” instead?
I’m afraid that we are going to get a pretty new website with the same ol’ outmoded back end. A cosmetic update is not acceptable. Here is what I want to see:
- Online searches for partner and Star Alliance awards*
- Itemized EQMs
- Realtime, accurate upgrade availability
- Ability to remain logged in
- Online Star Alliance mileage upgrades
- Realtime upgrade waitlist status after checking in, like Continental’s website
*This is actually a tough one. On the one had, I’d love to do the searching and booking myself. On the other hand, many UA flyers think their miles can only be redeemed for United flights. Making it easier to book Star/partner awards might decrease award availability for moi. 😉
Am I asking too much? Judging from a conversation I had last year with UA’s tech team last year, the answer is undoubtedly yes.
Hopefully the CO/UA merger will eventually lead to a functional MP website for United.
please send me info aboiut the new upgrades ASAP.
Thank you
Brent
@brent: Do you mean the unlimited domestic upgrade program?
http://upgrd.com/matthew/united-offers-unlimited-domestic-upgrades-but-there-is-a-catch.html
So what do you thin now that the new site has launched?
@Bill: It’s all right. UA still hasn’t fixed the “My Itineraries” login issue (error when returning to .bomb requiring a re-login) and I don’t like that the refunds section is missing past trips with unused flight coupons. But I’ll get used to it.
What do you think about it?
“Hopefully the CO/UA merger will eventually lead to a functional MP website for United” quoting from your 06/02/2010 posting- dont we wish!!
PS I today anm asking for a full data purge copy of all my United flights-mostly since DIA opened in 1995. think i will get it?
@Stephan: Don’t we wish is right–though I think the problem is not exactly the website itself, but the backend system that propels it. Let me know if you get the purge. I’m not even sure UA can still do that with SHARES.