This has been my first year of flying on a weekly basis. I've done about 130K miles, about 30 of them on AC or UA with all of my miles going to my US DM account. I've also been rerouted on DL and AA.

This past week I flew on United for the first time in months, and successfully upgraded to first class from ORD->YVR using paid for 500 mile certs. I was quite impressed with the whole process. From the gate agent who had to reroute me on my outbound flight, the phone agents who I spoke to as well as the gate agent who upgraded me in ORD. I was very impressed by UA's first class. We were given a movie, even though it was late at night. There was a lovely cheese and fruit tray. Our FA was wonderful. All around it just seemed "classier".

I've found that the US West flight attendents tend to be some of the best customer service oriented people out there (and have had some great US East ones as well), but my experience with United has me wondering if staying with US is the best.

So my question is, aside from the obvious like convenient routings or price, (and I'm guessing the unlimited free upgrades), what are some of the other reasons you stay with US Air, particularily over United?

This has been my first year of flying on a weekly basis. I've done about 130K miles, about 30 of them on AC or UA with all of my miles going to my US DM account. I've also been rerouted on DL and AA.

This past week I flew on United for the first time in months, and successfully upgraded to first class from ORD->YVR using paid for 500 mile certs. I was quite impressed with the whole process. From the gate agent who had to reroute me on my outbound flight, the phone agents who I spoke to as well as the gate agent who upgraded me in ORD. I was very impressed by UA's first class. We were given a movie, even though it was late at night. There was a lovely cheese and fruit tray. Our FA was wonderful. All around it just seemed "classier".

I've found that the US West flight attendents tend to be some of the best customer service oriented people out there (and have had some great US East ones as well), but my experience with United has me wondering if staying with US is the best.

So my question is, aside from the obvious like convenient routings or price, (and I'm guessing the unlimited free upgrades), what are some of the other reasons you stay with US Air, particularily over United?

UA in most areas wins over US. The only reason I stay with US is I spend 9 months of the year in BNA - a poorly served city by only UX CRJs - 9 flights a day total. The ORD flights are a mess. I rarely fly west. And there are only 3 a day to IAD. And they then connect usually to more RJs. I travel to PHL frequently so even though I often prefer to fly via CLT, US offers me the most comprehensive schedule for most of my travels. If my travel pattersn permitted, I'd switch to UA.

"Why do *you* stay with US Air?"

Yeah that IS a really good question. One that I have been asking myself lately. The things that made me decide to be "loyal" to USAirways were:

1. unlimited upgrades (which are anything but unlimited)

2. the A321s with the large 1st class cabin (which are apparently going away.)

3. convenience of PHL as a hub city, meaning a greater chance of a direct flight (for me)

But really, what is the whole point of loyalty to a carrier and how far is one willing to take it?

I fly about 75,000 miles a year on average. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Up to a few years ago, I wasn't "loyal" to any particular carrier. I would just buy what ever flight was cheapest or had the most convenient routing/schedule. Then, a few years back, I noticed that I was getting pretty close to silver on US, and I thought, what the heck, that might be fun.

So, then I started choosing USAirways flights over the others, in some cases, even if they weren't the cheapest, or the most convenient. Up to a point.

Which poses a question: how far is someone willing to go be be loyal? In other words, how much more would you pay to stick with your airline of choice? or how inconvenient of a routing would you take?

Personally, I am giving serious thought about going back to my old ways of having no particular carrier of choice. Although I will say that my recent flights on United have impressed me somewhat and have me thinking about going that way. The United FAs and GAs somehow seem to be more customer oriented. And with E+ seating, I get the legroom I want, so upgrades are not as important.

We'll have to see what happens next year.

I live in PIT. Even though they have downsized here, they are still the largest operation with the most nonstops. My most frequent run is to NYC, and even though 5 airlines ply the route, US to LGA is the only mainline. With no upgrades possible on DL, AA, CO, or B6, there is no good reason for me to switch.

As to the specific question about UA, as good as the UA in-flight experience may be, from here they only fly to IAD, DEN, and ORD. DEN is fine for connecting, but the other two are nightmares to be avoided at all costs.

1. UA does not service my home airport. (I have to drive over two hours to fly UA).
2. My other two choices are DL (ASA, Comair) and NW (Airlink).
3. US serves my primary destinations most logically of the three airlines.
4. Connecting through CLT. (Miss PIT, though, and the Airmall.)
5. The opportunity for unlimited upgrades based on availability (this is better than UA, where you earn 500-mile E-upgrades based on miles flown or have to purchase in sets of four.)

My hometown airport (FAY) has two servicing airlines:
Delta Connection and US Express

Closest larger airport is RDU, 90 minute drive. I hate long drives, so that is a no-brainer. If RDU and its larger assortment of airlines (UA, NW, AA, CO, LUV) is significantly cheaper, I'll go with them. If not, up until recently, US was always the cheaper option from FAY. And CLT is a nice airport to connect at.

It's as simple as that. Especially since the merger customer service is non-existent and Tempe does not seem to care. I am writing this from ORD while I wait for a US code share with UA. Thinking should I change my miles to be earned towards UA?

I have written since March about CP TA Upgrades. (Another FF pm me the code so I have it--it's become a matter of principal to fly others TA without getting official notice) The first three times I got no response. Then I wrote a mailed letter to DP. I got a message to return a call to Tempe long distance. I also got an email. At end of June inquired as to where my CP card was via CP telephone desk. Promised would resend packet (erroneously sent to wrong address four weeks before) and I would get it in 2-3 weeks. A week ago called CP desk and transferred to non-working number. Wrote DP again since no card and this time got another email (they don't answer their's but okay to send to customers). Now will be 4-6 weeks to get card. Here I am supposedly one of their best customers that will have over 65,000 miles by the end of this trip and no discount fares and they could care less that I have been precluded from using *A lounges internationally for three of the remaining 8 months of the year because of their error. In most businesses including mine, we do a "make good" (give a confirmed TA upgrade or extend status), but this group in Tempe doesn't seem to realize we do have choices.

I may be lazy and not move yet, but after awhile even Mr.abeflyer loses his patience and moves on. Maybe I'll use the three strike rule and if I don't get my card after the third request I'll move elsewhere.

1) Most non-stops to where I fly (BOS-PHL, BOS-DCA, BOS-East Coast, BOS-Carribean) with usually the lowest or matched lowest price
2) Unlimited upgrades and companion upgrades
3) Born and raised in PHL, so there's some sentimental value
4) The grass is always greener on the other side

#4 is the most relevant. I have a 2 friends who are platinum on AA (BOS based) and 1 friend who is UGS on United (SFO based). Both AA plats are batting around 50% on upgrades this year and the SFO based UGS is batting around 70% (he said everyone and their brother seems to be a UGS these days in SFO). All 3 complain about the same problem US has (nasty FAs, dirty planes, delays, problems with website, etc).

If I flew 100k miles/yr I would consider switching for the SWUs/eVIPs, but at my level US just makes the most sense.

1.) Number of Non-Stop flights to the most destinations for PHX, my origin
2.) Super high % upgrades - I need the space: 6'4" and like to work during flights
3.) Elite security lines in most airports. Time = money & less stress

Will say that I have received killer customer service and FA service during the merger. The only problem I have is the lack of automated routing to the right call center based on SHARES/Sabre. I have to ask which location I've been routed to and then ask to be immediately be transferred on which system the ticket was generated. (I have to come clean and state that I am trying to sell US on a nearly immediate fix for this......)

From CHO, flying to the Northeast just isn't an option on DL or NW and UA is simply too unreliable on the IAD route. So either I stay loyal to US or commit to driving 1 1/2 hours to RIC or 2 1/2 hours to IAD for all of my travel.
I tried DL about 18 months ago when US was in the throes of liquidation talk, and the combination of ASA delays and ATL chaos just wasn't appealing.
Unfortunately, even if Tempe were to further gut the DM program, the above isn't going to change. I'm stuck, like it or not.

1. I fly weekly to TRI which is only served by US, DL, and NW

2. I adore the Star Alliance and being *A Gold: the network, the lounges, the priority standby, luggage, and boarding, and the sheer number of airlines/destinations

3. Unlimited upgrades which I snag a good 75% of the time as a Gold. This is much more than a similar level elite on CO or DL and definitely more than on AA or UA. Though F isn't was it used to be, it's still comfortable, and it's got free booze. Plus I enjoy the sense of superiority.

4. Guaranteed E+ on United

5. CLT is a fine, clean, user friendly hub that puts IAD and ATL to shame

6. PIT (or what's left of it) is an amazing airport

Deleted

I fly JAX - PHL - JAX 2 times per month. My only other alternative is Southwest. Tried it. Hated it. I get upgraded (as a lowly Silver) 90% of the time. Works for me...

I fly JAX - PHL - JAX 2 times per month. My only other alternative is Southwest. Tried it. Hated it. I get upgraded (as a lowly Silver) 90% of the time. Works for me...

I don't 'mind' Southwest, but only for short duration flights. It can't see being cooped up on a Southwest flight transcon.

I only fly US on intra-west shorthaul flights like PHX-LAX/SAN because there relly isn't any other choice. I don't fly WN, period. US get's 0% of my long-haul business. That goes to AA.

This year, I'll be going from Plat to Silver for the first time in 8 years.

Growing up on HHH and then moving to SYR for college (now in NYC) I was kinda forced into flying US because of availability and pricing. I was doing a lot of double connects between SYR and HHH and then began dating a girl that lived in London and was flying over there every so often (again, mostly on US because of convenience and cost). Before I knew it, in college, I was a SP and loved that I was treated with respect and was getting benefits. Upgrades here and there (when it wasn't an express flight), preferred boarding, and even snagged a T/A op/up due to status.

And then I started traveling heavily for work. My barely Silver turned into consistent Gold (and would have been Platinum had I not baled to get status on DL end of last year, before I realized Platinum was going to exist). I stuck with US because I felt loyal to them. I'm a living, breathing, case-study for how FF programs create loyalty. And, for some time, for every miserable interaction I'd had with US, I'd had two good.

And then, either I woke up to reality , or just saw a phenomenal decline in everything over the past year.

Now, as of June, I'm officially done with their nonsense. I've been flying UA and DL more and more. Haven't stepped on a US plane in two months and I couldn't be happier. I'm still pushing my EQM's up on US via UA, so when I ask for a match from someone, I'll have a better case.

US has until about October to prove to me they are actually changing. I outlined why I'm no longer flying them in a letter and, a solid 2 months later, still silence.

As it is I can't deal with PHL. I've been avoiding flying through there whenever possible, but as the major hub on the East Coast, it isn't always easy. (they say they are addressing this)

I can't deal with their lack of response from CS. (they say they are addressing this. But cut and pasted wrong FAQ's are doing more harm than good)

I can't deal with their talking heads spewing lies and making me feel like I'm the only one experiencing problems and therefore an idiot. (they'll never address this until they take a PR101 class)

I can't deal with further erosion of what's already a pretty craptacular product. (There's not much difference between a Signature card holder and a Gold Preferred with the excpetion of the upgrade, which can be spotty). Thankfully, however, they addressed the selling first-up's before clearing preferreds. That was a bad one there for the couple of months it was happening.

I gave US more than enough time and stuck through some pretty rough patches. But loyalty only goes so far...

Remember the days when the FA's used to get on the PA after touchdown and say "we understand you have a choice in air travel, and we truly thank you for flying with us today, and we hope to see you on a future flight."? I haven't heard that in a while, and it's painfully obvious, folks at US have forgotten that entire notion. :td:

1. The first class upgrades. I have had good success with upgrades.
2. Star Alliance benefits.

When the first class upgrades dry up or if USAirways leaves Star Alliance, I will probably leave USAir.

1. I fly PHX to NYC once or twice a month. Since I'm based in PHX it makes the most sense to stick with US because of the number of non-stops I can get.
2. I think most airlines suck, why should I switch from US to CO for my NYC trips when the product really isn't much different. Sure, there are differences but the bottom line is that both of them take 4.5 hours to get from Phx to NYC with pretty much the same level of discomfort.
3. The agreement with Virgin gives me a great business class product to Europe with US miles, but I do have to jump to LAS, LAX, or SFO to catch it. Better than flying US through PHL or CLT and usually cheaper than BA non-stop to London.
9. First class upgrades. I only get upgraded about 25% of the time so it's not a big deal for me. That's why I listed it as #9 rather than 4.

Dean

When the first class upgrades dry up or if USAirways leaves Star Alliance, I will probably leave USAir.

Completely 100% whole-heartedly agree. The MOMENT US announces (and sugar coats) that they are leaving the Star Alliance I move all my business over to UA and start building my status with them.

I've pretty much drank the US kool-aid and for some reason now matter how much I get trampled on I can't bring myself to leave US ... but I know for a fact I'll remarkably be able to make a switch if *A goes away.

If it were to happen, you can bet Tempe's press release would read something like "In order to improve service, choice, amenities, and customer satisfaction, US Airways has decided to leave the Star Alliance." :rolleyes:

Living in the Phoenix area, the logical choices for airlines are US Air and Southwest. Here is why I choose US Air:

1) I don't like Southwest because a) no first class upgrades b) they don't fly to international destinations c) "cattle call" boarding
2) First class upgrades. I get upgraded 80-90% of the time and that's better than I can do with other airlines and their 500 mile coupon deals.
3) Star Alliance. I can fly practically anywhere in the world on US Air or one of their partner airlines.
4) Direct flights to almost every major city from Phoenix

Another poster makes a good point regarding United and their economy plus seating. It's a nice way to get around the first class upgrade lottery. The E+ seating is not as wide as first class seating but it has the all important additional leg room. I wish US Air would adopt the E+ standard.

It's just my own opinion, but I do believe it characterizes a substantial number of FFers. One's choice is most usually a matter of convenience and getting from point A to point B at a decent price ( decent being a relative term of course ).

Most travelers choices are constrained by where they live and what their nearest airport has to offer. Unless you're a business traveler whose company dictates with whom you fly, you're looking for easy in and easy out. Price/product are also considerations. A seperate entity is the occassional flyer discount crowd who utilize a different travel calculus.

Our choice of US is a no brainer. We live in the PHL metro area, we fly a minimum of 7 TAs a year & several domestic trips. The convenience of the TA connections, decent fares, and the FF perks as US1s in the DM program combine to create our product loyalty to US.

We're well aware of product/services differences between US / UA, but do not fly many domestic routes in which UA would become an alternative choice. Having committed to the US DM program as part of our strategy, we basically remain within the confines of US ( but *A makes it reassuring to know that UA is out there as an alternative if we so choose ).

Having said all of this, at present, we are reevaluating our attitude towards US as the merger works its way towards tighter integration. Specifically, we are trying to determine if DM and our loyalty to US will continue to allow us the ability to UG on those TAs or if this LCC/quasi legacy TA model US is pursuing will become too muddled & cumbersome. In other words, if US continues to devalue the DM program and the availibility of perks, we would probably abandon US and look elsewhere for a better TA product. We've always been price flexibile, tending to purchase upscale fares so long as we can usually obtain the UGs. Thus far, US is clear as mud about what we can expect in the future with these TA flights. BA has a more compelling TA product out of PHL ( and more expensive ). But if US tinkers too much with DM for the higher elites, it might be worth the switch to secure product value/constancy.

Barry

1. Star Alliance benefits (several trips to Asia in business)

2. Upgrades or ability to get Emergency exits. Fly many props and upgrading about 80% this year on larger planes (alas, never on the 321). 100% on exit rows if there are any (!)

3. Convenience. HVN only has US left, and unfortunately US never resumed flying to DCA after 9/11. When I'm realy sick of PHL (somewhat improved since buying clubmembership and hanging out there) I'll try BDL, 40 minutes drive and fly through CLT or DCA.

Reason for change?

Have pretty much given up on US for TA flights. Disaster for tall people, even exit row, and way overpriced for what Envoy offers, hence not an alternative. Besides, cannot remember an on time departure from PHL to Europe. Fly now from NY or via BDL with other carrier.

If no *alliance, I'm probably out to UA (# alliance) or CO

I fly US b/c

I live in PHL

I like to fly direct, and that's usually possible

I usually fly with my 2 kids and GREATLY prefer to have seats assigned ahead of time (and know I can preboard w/my husband's gold status).

I'm pretty much the same as everyone else. I don't love US, but it's good enough for me. Almost always upgraded, can use my miles on *, etc. Honestly, though, if US were at IAD and UA were at DCA, I'd be on UA. I think, in general, most airlines are about the same. Is there really a big difference between US/CO/DL/NW/AA for domestic flying? I know UA differentiates themselves with E+, but other than that they're all about the same.

All I want is a reasonably large seat and a nonstop out of DCA. The rest is gravy.

I'm pretty much the same as everyone else. I don't love US, but it's good enough for me. Almost always upgraded, can use my miles on *, etc. Honestly, though, if US were at IAD and UA were at DCA, I'd be on UA. I think, in general, most airlines are about the same. Is there really a big difference between US/CO/DL/NW/AA for domestic flying? I know UA differentiates themselves with E+, but other than that they're all about the same.

All I want is a reasonably large seat and a nonstop out of DCA. The rest is gravy.

I actually believe there is a large difference between each of those carriers. They all have their pros/cons.

Really? Forgetting about schedules and price, all other things being equal, you think there's a big difference in the domestic F of one over the other? Not counting ps or flagship, obviously.

...So my question is, aside from the obvious like convenient routings or price, (and I'm guessing the unlimited free upgrades), what are some of the other reasons you stay with US Air, particularily over United?

Well, there's no UA or UAX service out of my hometown airport, and it means a drive to CLT or GSP to fly United. I'd rather keep status on the airlines I fly most.

Besides routing and price, I stay with US primarily because of the Chairman's Preferred Desk - they are my angels in the sky when I fly. Much has been written here on this forum about their wonderful service, especially during irregular operations. They've saved my skin so many times that I'm eternally grateful!

Yes, the quality of the Desk has been diminished somewhat recently - they've been swamped by the sheer number of calls due to the wonderful new website, and newly-hired agents who need time to train. In time, though, I expect the Desk to revert to its excellent old self again.

Really? Forgetting about schedules and price, all other things being equal, you think there's a big difference in the domestic F of one over the other? Not counting ps or flagship, obviously.

Yes I think that AA and CO and especially UA have far classier products than US. Take ORD-PHL. UA serves you a decent sandwich or salad on most flights, a warm fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie. Nuts in ramikins. All drinks in glasses.

US get's plastic cups and the snack basket.

...I can't deal with further erosion of what's already a pretty craptacular product...

Anyone who uses the word "craptacular" in a post has my vote... ;)

Well I didnt stay. I was a CP from before they switched the names on Gold and Silver (they used to be called something else but I cant remember). While not happy with the changes to the FF program I decided before most of those went into effect. It was the poor operations (on time, baggage issues) and poor customer service that did it for me. As well as the deterioration of the product both at the airport and in the air (huge lines even for CPs in many places, first class changes). I found I could get much better in flight and in airport service on AA or UA for the same or less money. As an examples of the customer service issues, on one occassion last year on AA we were delayed a couple hours on a STL-LGA for some weird mechanical. Stuff happens, less on AA, but still. But what surprised me was a week or so afterwards I got a letter of apology from AA, completely unsolicited. Hell, it is a little thing but it let me know they were paying attention. Likewise after an overnight delay in Paris for a mechanical on UA (in which they put me in the CDG Hyatt for free) I got from UA, again unsolicited, a letter of apology and a $500 travel voucher. Does US even respond?

As an examples of the customer service issues, on one occassion last year on AA we were delayed a couple hours on a STL-LGA for some weird mechanical. Stuff happens, less on AA, but still. But what surprised me was a week or so afterwards I got a letter of apology from AA, completely unsolicited.

The same thing happened to one of my co-workers. 5 hour mechanical delay on AA. The next week, he received an unsolicited personalized apology, and 10,000 AAdvantage miles!!

I stay for 3 reasons:
1) US has the best schedules to the airport where I fly the most, and UA does a great job of picking up the slack for everything else.
2) The frontliners.
3) The 10K EQM's for $25K in expenditures.

If US leaves the *A, I would most likely switch to UA for its E+.

Yes I think that AA and CO and especially UA have far classier products than US. Take ORD-PHL. UA serves you a decent sandwich or salad on most flights, a warm fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie. Nuts in ramikins. All drinks in glasses.

US get's plastic cups and the snack basket.
I guess. Most of my flights are very short, and I sleep through half of them, so that sort of thing isn't particularly important to me.

Gadget Freak, Interesting. As a 10 yr+ AA Plat and a former UA 1M, I never once received a letter or even a sympathetic ear from their mgmt.

As a result fo 25+ years of flying around the world, I view all airlines' mgmt as being uncaring about customer retention and choose based on the normal factors. And I toss non-US airlines into the same mix.

Well I didnt stay. I was a CP from before they switched the names on Gold and Silver (they used to be called something else but I cant remember).

Priority Gold and Priority Gold PLUS. I still have my cards somewhere. :D

Just a real quick question,

how does this unlimited upgrades differ from complimentary upgrades on UA?

I know that you can upgrade on UA by either trying to confirm the upgrade before departure by using e-upgrades OR just hope for a free upgrade at the gate.

This unlimited upgrade thing on US, how does it actually work?

Just a real quick question,

how does this unlimited upgrades differ from complimentary upgrades on UA?

I know that you can upgrade on UA by either trying to confirm the upgrade before departure by using e-upgrades OR just hope for a free upgrade at the gate.

This unlimited upgrade thing on US, how does it actually work?

I am a lowly Silver on US and have nabbed UG to F 93% in 2006 on 34 flights. That didn't happen on UA when I was a 1MPM flyer. Of course that was a long time ago, so no recent comparison except with AA. IMHO US has AA beat hands down for UGs. I am going from AA Plat and US Silver to at least Gold, if not Plat US next year.

Just a real quick question,

how does this unlimited upgrades differ from complimentary upgrades on UA?

I know that you can upgrade on UA by either trying to confirm the upgrade before departure by using e-upgrades OR just hope for a free upgrade at the gate.

This unlimited upgrade thing on US, how does it actually work?
We don't have e-upgrades, or any other instrument. They have a fare bucket (E) that is usually about 75% of the first cabin. At 7 days out, top tier elites(Charman's Preferred) are upgraded into first. At 4 its the next tier(Plat), then 3 for gold, then 2 for silver. If they run out of seats in the E bucket before all elites have been upgraded, then we wait until the day of the flight, when they release the rest of the seats, and upgrade in the same order.

It's pretty nice. I'm a CP, and am upgraded just about every flight. NW, DL, and CO have similar systems. I think NW actually guarantees upgrades to their top tiers, and gives them miles if they don't get on.

We don't have e-upgrades, or any other instrument. They have a fare bucket (E) that is usually about 75% of the first cabin. At 7 days out, top tier elites(Charman's Preferred) are upgraded into first. At 4 its the next tier(Plat), then 3 for gold, then 2 for silver. If they run out of seats in the E bucket before all elites have been upgraded, then we wait until the day of the flight, when they release the rest of the seats, and upgrade in the same order.

It's pretty nice. I'm a CP, and am upgraded just about every flight. NW, DL, and CO have similar systems. I think NW actually guarantees upgrades to their top tiers, and gives them miles if they don't get on.

On US the domestic elite upgrades are (fairly) automatic at the window (7, 4, 3, 2 days) for restricted fares, based on availability. You do not have to fly 10000 EQMs to earn four 500-mile upgrades and you do not have to purchase those upgrades at 4@$200 if you do not have the EQMs for the free ones.

75% of my flying is from PHX to LAS, with the other 25% all over the place. I was a loyal HP passenger from the time they started business with 3 planes. My expectations are reasonable and I am rarely disappointed. As a CP, I am upgraded most of the time. Until the merger, you were allowed to standby for an earlier or later plane on the same day with no fare change which gave me some flexibility on retricted tickets. I know, that benefit costs $25 now, but WN makes you upgrade to an unrestricted fare if you get to the airport early and want to get home.


Reading through the different forums, it seems like everybody thinks it is better someplace else. There is not a single flyer talk forum of an airline based in the USA where everybody is praising "their" carrier.

Sometimes the devil that you know is better than the devil that you don't know.

The same thing happened to one of my co-workers. 5 hour mechanical delay on AA. The next week, he received an unsolicited personalized apology, and 10,000 AAdvantage miles!!

I was delayed out of EWR to PHX last fall on HP for 11 hours right before thanksgiving due to a mechanical. I recieved an unsolicited apology letter and a $150 voucher from HP a week later. Two of my collegues on the flight received the same.

Dean

I struggled with this. Frankly, I've had 100% (yes, 100%) upgrade success on US since Gold status 2 years ago. I came close to missing 1 upgrade as a CP on a re-route but wound up getting that one while waiting in line to board.

The program has historically worked for me, but I am highly skeptical of whether or not the new regime is as smart as they seem to think. This year, I've been accruing to UA while 50% of my flights are actually on US. They're mostly short-hops and a lot of RJ's so I'm not really missing the upgrades. I'm simply taking a wait and see attitude. If Tempe turns out to be as smart as they say they are, I'll eat my crow and grovel back. No chance of re-earning CP as I kept some flying on AA, sometimes by necessity, but mostly by choice though work is about to force me to be a 100% Star Alliance guy pretty soon I think.

I've been dabbling on UA for more and more flights - as I find Economy Plus on their Airbus 319/320 aircraft to be eminently livable and comfortable even for transcons. Grab a snackbox and you get almost as much food as you'd get in a redeye US F snackbasket!

I'm beginning to think that being a US elite flying UA is the best of both worlds - as I get elite check-in, preboarding, the gold BP and even the occasional op-up on United. The only UA elite benefit I'm really missing out on is the pay-for 500-mile upgrades (yeah, and 25 percent bonus miles). Then when I fly US, I'm almost guaranteed to get in the F-cabin on those flights.

I've been dabbling on UA for more and more flights - as I find Economy Plus on their Airbus 319/320 aircraft to be eminently livable and comfortable even for transcons. Grab a snackbox and you get almost as much food as you'd get in a redeye US F snackbasket!

I'm beginning to think that being a US elite flying UA is the best of both worlds - as I get elite check-in, preboarding, the gold BP and even the occasional op-up on United. The only UA elite benefit I'm really missing out on is the pay-for 500-mile upgrades (yeah, and 25 percent bonus miles). Then when I fly US, I'm almost guaranteed to get in the F-cabin on those flights.

Good to hear. I have 12 UA segments coming up as a US CP. They even acknowledge that when I call UA!