Languish.org

General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM

Title: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM
A friend of mine happened to be online yesterday, buying tickets for a class reunion in Colorado. While she was there, she noticed that ticket prices were at no cost, so she bought her tickets to the class reunion, and then also booked a flight to Las Vegas from Chicago, and another to Hawaii.

Total cost: $30 for her and her boyfriend to fly to all three cities. :cool:

QuoteUnited Airlines to honour tickets issued for $0 in glitch

Travellers purchased the cheap tickets to popular destinations such as Hawaii and Las Vegas
United Airlines has pledged to honour airline tickets sold for as little as $0 because of a computer error.

The airline, one of the largest in the US, said it was unsure how many steeply discounted tickets it had issued.

It temporarily shut down its website and ceased taking telephone orders after discovering the error.

The tickets were sold on Thursday through its online booking system. Passengers must still pay US security fees of about $5 (£3.15) - $10.

"We've reviewed the error that occurred yesterday and based on these specific circumstances, we will honor the tickets," the airline wrote in a tweet.

US travellers snatched up tickets for destinations as far afield as Hawaii.

Bob Stokas of Oak Lawn, a suburb of Chicago, told a local NBC affiliate he had been shopping for a return fare to Los Angeles, expecting to pay as much as $800.

"When I scrolled down past the non-stop fares, when I got to the connecting flights, the flights to and from Los Angeles per person was $10," he told the broadcaster.

"That was a shock and a surprise, and I was like, 'I've got to book this flight right now before they rescind their offer of $10 for this flight.'"
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: crazy canuck on September 14, 2013, 12:45:27 AM
Not surprised they have to sell tickets for 0 dollars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: The Brain on September 14, 2013, 02:41:32 AM
You'd have to pay me to fly domestic in the US.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: jimmy olsen on September 14, 2013, 05:29:06 AM
Lucky bastards! :o
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: Phillip V on September 14, 2013, 06:52:17 AM
That's goodwill. Net profit.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: mongers on September 14, 2013, 07:01:25 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM
A friend of mine happened to be online yesterday, buying tickets for a class reunion in Colorado. While she was there, she noticed that ticket prices were at no cost, so she bought her tickets to the class reunion, and then also booked a flight to Las Vegas from Chicago, and another to Hawaii.

Total cost: $30 for her and her boyfriend to fly to all three cities. :cool:


This doesn't represent the true 'cost' of these flights.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: merithyn on September 14, 2013, 09:55:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on September 14, 2013, 07:01:25 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM
A friend of mine happened to be online yesterday, buying tickets for a class reunion in Colorado. While she was there, she noticed that ticket prices were at no cost, so she bought her tickets to the class reunion, and then also booked a flight to Las Vegas from Chicago, and another to Hawaii.

Total cost: $30 for her and her boyfriend to fly to all three cities. :cool:


This doesn't represent the true 'cost' of these flights.

I'd take a crappy flight with rude airline pilots and servers to Hawaii for $15.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: crazy canuck on September 14, 2013, 10:03:40 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 14, 2013, 09:55:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on September 14, 2013, 07:01:25 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM
A friend of mine happened to be online yesterday, buying tickets for a class reunion in Colorado. While she was there, she noticed that ticket prices were at no cost, so she bought her tickets to the class reunion, and then also booked a flight to Las Vegas from Chicago, and another to Hawaii.

Total cost: $30 for her and her boyfriend to fly to all three cities. :cool:


This doesn't represent the true 'cost' of these flights.

I'd take a crappy flight with rude airline pilots and servers to Hawaii for $15.

What other kinds of degrading activity would you do for 15 buck?  :hmm:


Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: merithyn on September 14, 2013, 10:10:51 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 14, 2013, 10:03:40 AM


What other kinds of degrading activity would you do for 15 buck?  :hmm:

Kick a Canadian giant in the gonads. :D
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: Tonitrus on September 14, 2013, 10:37:47 AM
Will no one think of the United shareholders?  :(
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 14, 2013, 10:49:33 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on September 14, 2013, 10:37:47 AM
Will no one think of the United shareholders?  :(

We will, when they need the federal bailout.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: mongers on September 14, 2013, 11:42:57 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 14, 2013, 09:55:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on September 14, 2013, 07:01:25 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM
A friend of mine happened to be online yesterday, buying tickets for a class reunion in Colorado. While she was there, she noticed that ticket prices were at no cost, so she bought her tickets to the class reunion, and then also booked a flight to Las Vegas from Chicago, and another to Hawaii.

Total cost: $30 for her and her boyfriend to fly to all three cities. :cool:


This doesn't represent the true 'cost' of these flights.

I'd take a crappy flight with rude airline pilots and servers to Hawaii for $15.

Think external rather than internal costs.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: crazy canuck on September 14, 2013, 12:49:07 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 14, 2013, 10:10:51 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on September 14, 2013, 10:03:40 AM


What other kinds of degrading activity would you do for 15 buck?  :hmm:

Kick a Canadian giant in the gonads. :D

:lol:

Well played
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 14, 2013, 05:21:13 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on September 14, 2013, 10:37:47 AM
Will no one think of the United shareholders?  :(

They decided to honor the tickets in the furtherance of shareholder value.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: Ideologue on September 14, 2013, 05:22:19 PM
Quote from: mongers on September 14, 2013, 11:42:57 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 14, 2013, 09:55:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on September 14, 2013, 07:01:25 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM
A friend of mine happened to be online yesterday, buying tickets for a class reunion in Colorado. While she was there, she noticed that ticket prices were at no cost, so she bought her tickets to the class reunion, and then also booked a flight to Las Vegas from Chicago, and another to Hawaii.

Total cost: $30 for her and her boyfriend to fly to all three cities. :cool:


This doesn't represent the true 'cost' of these flights.

I'd take a crappy flight with rude airline pilots and servers to Hawaii for $15.

Think external rather than internal costs.

No price includes externalities.  That's why they're called "externalities."
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: MadImmortalMan on September 14, 2013, 05:35:01 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 14, 2013, 05:21:13 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on September 14, 2013, 10:37:47 AM
Will no one think of the United shareholders?  :(

They decided to honor the tickets in the furtherance of shareholder value.
'

They can add to their BS "goodwill" number in their book valuation.  :P
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 14, 2013, 06:03:09 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 14, 2013, 05:35:01 PM
They can add to their BS "goodwill" number in their book valuation.  :P

That's just an accounting entry that doesn't put money in anyone's pocket.
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: mongers on September 14, 2013, 07:07:47 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 14, 2013, 05:22:19 PM
Quote from: mongers on September 14, 2013, 11:42:57 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 14, 2013, 09:55:40 AM
Quote from: mongers on September 14, 2013, 07:01:25 AM
Quote from: merithyn on September 13, 2013, 11:52:47 PM
A friend of mine happened to be online yesterday, buying tickets for a class reunion in Colorado. While she was there, she noticed that ticket prices were at no cost, so she bought her tickets to the class reunion, and then also booked a flight to Las Vegas from Chicago, and another to Hawaii.

Total cost: $30 for her and her boyfriend to fly to all three cities. :cool:


This doesn't represent the true 'cost' of these flights.

I'd take a crappy flight with rude airline pilots and servers to Hawaii for $15.

Think external rather than internal costs.

No price includes externalities.  That's why they're called "externalities."

Who said anything about price ?

I rephrase it for you, "what are some of the external costs of flying from Chicago to Hawaii?"
Title: Re: United Airlines sell tickets for as low as $0
Post by: MadImmortalMan on September 14, 2013, 07:09:10 PM
Well you get a free four hours...