It’s not often that we see US airlines advertising during the Super Bowl. United Airlines will be the exception this year, and the airline has just unveiled the ad that it will screen. I’m not sure what exactly to make of it.
Continue reading: United Airlines Super Bowl Ad: “Believing Changes Everything”
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
My read is they’re trying to get ahead of Biden’s talk about “junk fees.” The question is… does anyone really care?
These really are horrible ads… it just leaves the door wide open for Southwest to bring up United’s use of basic economy where you can’t even change anything and just lose all your money. Something that doesn’t happen on Southwest at any fare class (at least you get a credit)
As deceptive as the ad is, it's worth pointing out since people seem to not realize that United is the only major carrier that lets Basic Economy passengers buy up to normal Economy at any time, even after booking. So someone on Basic Economy can still change their ticket; they'd just need to first buy up to Economy and then they'd be able to use the full value of their ticket (including the Economy buy up) as travel credit to change onto whatever they want. That's considerably more generous than any other airline selling Basic Economy, although imo advertising it as "no fees ever" is still deceptive.
I get your point but I think most would consider “buying up” to economy a change fee since it’s the only way you can change your ticket.
It’s a clever way of making it look like it isn’t one, but it’s a pretty blatant change fee if you can’t change a flight unless you purchase the ability to change it
The ad would have been more compelling if United hadn't tried to charge me a $99 "basic economy cancellation fee" after they cancelled my flight due to the 737 MAX 9 issues.
As I read this article, the UA ad is flanked by WN banner ads on your page, and within the breaks between text blocks. Haha.
And who is Kyle Chandler? I honestly do not know. Is he related to football or something which is why he's in a Super Bowl ad?
Bring back the voice of Gene Hackman. Those were friendly skies.
That is valid, and I have done that twice actually. I only would ever buy a Basic ticket on UA for a single segment under $100. Last time I paid like $40 for the buyup and took the credit (which I then put toward a UA First ticket that was only $200).
1. Get an ad blocker.
2. Kyle Chandler starred in a show in the late 90s called "Early Edition." It was a fun show. I understand that he starred in a popular football drama show after "Early Edition" so that's probably the connection.
Hmmm…United ad hated by a bunch of avgeeks into points and miles who suddenly think they’re ad execs (some of whom already would never fly United to begin with for other specific reasons).
I don’t think we are their target audience.
The buy up fee doesn’t convert into a flight credit. It may have before but no longer does.
UA is just catching on to the fact that you can go on any media outlet and say whatever you want, truth or not, there's no accountability.
It's about recall. The average Joe outside this hobby does not understand that none of the major airlines have change fees anymore, and does not care to go thru T&C's for each carrier. If all that person can remember from this ad is "United does not have change fees" and are planning an upcoming trip which they are not 100% sure of taking, then they may have UA at the top of their mind. That is all UA cares about.
These days it is all about options. The very cheap fares will have all kinds of fees but if you pay for a higher fare it will not. This is one way how legacy carriers are dealing with ultra discount options.
Best Super Bowl..of ALL time. So riveting. Had to watch it another 6724 times just to absorb the sheer awesomeness of it all. Thank you United.
While a commercial during the "Super Bowl" may raise expectations, it may also be perfectly targeted to the audience who LOVES football. MANY teams have MANY fans who fly across the country to support their team, week after week. These fans book their travel the moment the schedule is released. No matter the reputation of the fan base in the home team's stadium.
United is trying to reach a group of people who do not read this publication. People who travel six to ten times a year, as a "family". No different than Jimmy Buffet's Parrot Heads (Fins Up!) RIP. Not the points and miles crowd, but the points and touchdown crowd.........
The critics are right .....This commercial has no flash ................ It is simple, direct, and low key ............ I like it.
Can't believe in 2024 we still have 1960's false advertising. I guess United continues to think people are dumb.
A little white line on the bottom one can hardly read.
Its like those old commercials where the man reads all the small print at the bottom at SuperSonic speed.
United ought to look around, times are changing, don't try to fool your customers to make a buck.
I am quite disappointed in them.
I don't really get American Football (as I'm a Brit) but I loved Friday Night Lights
I bought tix and had to cancel. I paid cash, not miles. I got travel credit and travel certificate. Apparently cant use both together..WTF?
Also if you upgrade and cancel, they refund original price and you have to call for upgrade refund. Really BS. The sad part is I like flying United but the ad is wrong