United Airlines News

If American and Delta follow United in raising requirements to earn elite status, it could drive a whole new class of budget travelers away from airline loyalty programs.

United Airlines has been around a long time and has a huge globe-spanning presence. How did it get to where it is today? We try to wrap our heads around the company's somewhat complicated history.

Fun fact: What airlines refer to as costs is not an absolute measure of how much a carrier spends. A massive global airline like United can spend a lot more money from quarter to quarter and still keep its costs in check so long as it grows capacity during the quarter.

United's MileagePlus program is changing dramatically in 2020 to focus more on high-spend rather than high-mileage travelers. Translation: It's getting harder for frugal flyers to be elite.

Airlines spend so much time massaging their public images every time they face a crisis. It's important to remember that for all the woke posturing from these brands, their leaders still often back the leaders more likely to give them tax breaks than support liberal social causes.

United's Scott Kirby has pledged to remain as president of the airline despite rumors to the contrary. But that won't quell talk about whether American Airlines' CEO Doug Parker will last through the year.

United's new points-based system for upgrading MileagePlus members should be more flexible and straightforward for elite travelers. Emphasis on "should be."

The majority of U.S. travelers don't have to worry about how they'll upgrade on United Airlines. But United's most loyal customers, who contribute more than their share of revenue, care deeply about the process. United can't make things too difficult for them, or they will defect.

Mark Okerstrom, the chief of Expedia Group, has high hopes for his recently rebranded homesharing unit Vrbo. But as competition intensifies in the segment, we're wondering if we'll be describing Vrbo (pronounced "VER-boh") using active verbs or passive ones.

It's getting even harder to not be loyal to United Airlines if you are a frequent traveler in Denver.