There is a 50% chance that I will move to Phoenix in June 2007.

I have 200K at United, but only 50K at US.

I fly most overseas to Europe.

Most of my domestic flying is CMH-DCA, CMH-LGA and CMH-ORD. Mostly on 145s, so it doesn't really matter.

I asked this before, but the probability of a move to Phoenix went from 0% to 50%.

Any suggestions on programs? I am a PREMIER at UA, nothing at US but could comp'd to GOLD at US.

I'm not sure if they will comp (depends on adherence to the no poaching *A rule), but if you ask for the elite trial, you get automatic silver and can make gold in no time (14 segs, and I forget what the mileage is but its not a lot, especially if you travel to Europe).

I'm not sure if they will comp (depends on adherence to the no poaching *A rule), but if you ask for the elite trial, you get automatic silver and can make gold in no time (14 segs, and I forget what the mileage is but its not a lot, especially if you travel to Europe).

I am PLAT on AA. Its just that AA doesn't fly to DCA from CMH and UA/US is very strong in Phoenix/

But, does it make more sense to be with UA or US? :confused:

UA flies PHX-CHI and PHX-WAS, but aside from those routes you're going to be spending a lot of time in DEN, SFO, and and awful lot of time on TED if you go with UA.

I'd say go for US. You'll get free upgrades, and non-stops to everywhere you'd like to go.

Also, if traveling TA to Europe, US has plenty of good options (and more coming this summer).

In all honesty, you don't necessarily have to pick an airline. I'd say stick with DM but fly UA as often as you'd like. This is better than sticking with UA and not getting upgrades.

It's not clear what you're trying to accomplish or how many miles you think you will fly in the future.

As was noted, if you fly UA, you're going to have to live with Ted out of PHX. However, much as I personally dislike Ted, it's probably slightly better than US coach.

As many posters on this board have noted, getting upgrades on US are difficult unless you're (a) at a high level in DM and (b) lucky.

If you're interested in upgrades on your European travel, you might be better off with UA.

As a minimum, I'd suggest flying US enough to achieve Silver. You'll apparently remain a Premier on UA next year, assuming you're one now.

Beyond that, I think you need to give a little more information to get any good advice.

BTW, if you get transfered, welcome. It's great to live here, provided you can arrange to travel all the time from July - September.

I am PLAT on AA. Its just that AA doesn't fly to DCA from CMH and UA/US is very strong in Phoenix/

But, does it make more sense to be with UA or US? :confused:

My bad, I had UA on the brain.

As many posters on this board have noted, getting upgrades on US are difficult unless you're (a) at a high level in DM and (b) lucky.
That's not true at all. Comp domestic upgrades on US/HP are very easy to get. Silvers routinely report very high success rates.

Here are my thoughts:
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingBurritoBros
"I fly most overseas to Europe."

I'd stay with UA for that. TED to ORD, DEN, SFO and then mainline direct to your destination. Otherwise you are on US to PHL, or CLT on a 321, and then over. Envoy vs. UA Biz: it has been suggested that UA Biz is better than most. Plus, assuming you are paying for and flying C, upgrades are not really an issue.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingBurritoBros
"Most of my domestic flying is CMH-DCA, CMH-LGA and CMH-ORD. Mostly on 145s, so it doesn't really matter."

US is nice from PHX, because you would have direct flights to those cities. IF you stayed with UA I "Think" you may be able to enjoy supported upgrades on US metal for those trips.(anyone care to comment?)
Those routes, PHX to DCA, LGA, and ORD are heavily traveled by elites, so upgrades could be dodgy still.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tritgr
As many posters on this board have noted, getting upgrades on US are difficult unless you're (a) at a high level in DM and (b) lucky.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FCYTravis:
That's not true at all. Comp domestic upgrades on US/HP are very easy to get. Silvers routinely report very high success rates.

Not sure about this, I really think it depends on the your routes. I'm Plat, and fly SFO-PHL, SFO-LAS, SFO-PHX quite a bit, and it is always a scramble to secure a seat in the front of the bus.

Not sure about this, I really think it depends on the your routes. I'm Plat, and fly SFO-PHL, SFO-LAS, SFO-PHX quite a bit, and it is always a scramble to secure a seat in the front of the bus.
I fly SFO-PHL/CLT/PHX/LAS and OAK-PHX/LAS and I've missed exactly two upgrades on those routes this year, and none since I've hit Plat. Heck, I didn't even gate-dance for any of them. My upgrade record overall as a Silver, Gold and now Plat has been extremely good.

US/HP F is better than Ted, as a gold i have missed mabey 7 upgrades out of 50 segments this year, I personally feel the HP/US FA's are some of the best out of PHX and have never had a unpleasnt flight.

That's not true at all. Comp domestic upgrades on US/HP are very easy to get. Silvers routinely report very high success rates.

I really don't want to get into an argument about this, because a lot depends on where you're flying to and from. However, check these:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=614070

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=604466

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=605085

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=603104

And these were just in the last month. For my part, I almost never get upgraded PHX-SFO and return (not that I care much).

But we're deviating from the issue, which is what is the OP looking for?

Remember that UA still has first class from PHX-IAD. So you can get F class for the domestic section and UA business anywhere.

I'd go US since you still get double miles when you fly UA.
Better upgrades on US out of PHX
I really like the staff in PHX, eventhough I'm a Eastie

You can always buy an E+ pass if it seems to make sense and you need to go on UA flights someplace or to Europe.

TED (RARRRRR!!!!!) out of PHX

I'd go US since you still get double miles when you fly UA.
Better upgrades on US out of PHX
I really like the staff in PHX, eventhough I'm a Eastie

You can always buy an E+ pass if it seems to make sense and you need to go on UA flights someplace or to Europe.

TED (RARRRRR!!!!!) out of PHX

What is the double miles thing?

What is the double miles thing?

Premier Executive on United has a 100% mileage bonus - even when flying US.

What is the double miles thing?

Sorry you get class of service bonus with UA flights, if you credit them to your US account. As a CP, I get double. This does not apply to code-share (e.g. flying LH on a UA flt number)

Sorry you get class of service bonus with UA flights, if you credit them to your US account. As a CP, I get double. This does not apply to code-share (e.g. flying LH on a UA flt number)


It is not a class of service bonus - it is elite bonus. And if he flies as a UA elite he would get them if flying LH

Be advised - the pitch on US can be 20-21. The worst UA pitch is 21 and you can get E+ which is much better.

The America West planes are pretty tight in back (20). So, if you don't get upgraded, oi! :cool:

A saner choice.

Be advised - the pitch on US can be 20-21. The worst UA pitch is 21 and you can get E+ which is much better.

The America West planes are pretty tight in back (20). So, if you don't get upgraded, oi! :cool:
I have never seen a plane UA or US with 20-21" pitch.
Since out of PHX you will most likely be on HP planes the pitch is 32" Y
On UA you will get E+ but you also get a stop over to pretty much every where expcet for IAD, SFO, DEN, LAX.
HP/US you get unlimited upgrades to where UA you are you have to earn upgrade instruments(4 500 Mile Certs for every 10k miles you fly), and then once you get them good luck getting a upgrade on a popular flight out of a UA hub unless your a 1K, and basicaly all mainline flights will be out of a UA Hub/Focus City(LAX-DEN-SFO)

Well, SeatGuru disagrees with you.

But if you are correct, that is great news for US!

Um, 20" pitch would be stand-up seating. HP is generally 31 to 32" in Y.

Um, 20" pitch would be stand-up seating. HP is generally 31 to 32" in Y.

I think that 30" was the intended pitch, not 20". :D

According to SeatGuru:
America West Airbus A319 (319)

pitch width seating details
First Class: 36.0" 20.0" 12 seats
Coach Class: 30-32.0" 17.2" 112 seats

Upgrade success depends on the route you fly (and the plane to an extent). PHX-DCA (either way) is almost impossible to get upgraded on. Many, many people paying for first and the routes are littered with CPs. I put my name on the list one morning after not clearing at the window and I was told that there were over 20 CPs on the list for an upgrade already (not 20 preferreds, 20 CPs!).

Whoever said that they almost never get upgraded on PHX-SFO....I don't know about that. I've been cleared at the window with my companion several times. Unless you are a silver, maybe, but that doesn't seem to make much sense. Overall, the upgrade success is very good for US. As a CP I run in the high 90% for upgrades. If I flew only DCA-PHX, that might be another story, but most people I know are very happy with upgrades.

And I agree about the staff in PHX. I always have very pleasant experiences, and haven't had any complaints about much of anything in a very long time.

US/HP F is better than Ted, as a gold i have missed mabey 7 upgrades out of 50 segments this year, I personally feel the HP/US FA's are some of the best out of PHX and have never had a unpleasnt flight.
I wouldn't say I NEVER had an unpleasant flight, but if you live in Phoenix as I do, and fly enough to be Elite, the non-stops, upgrades and generally good attitude of the America West staff (who have gripes about the merger, but generally don't seem to take it out on the customers) make US a no-brainer.

Whoever said that they almost never get upgraded on PHX-SFO....I don't know about that. I've been cleared at the window with my companion several times. Unless you are a silver, maybe, but that doesn't seem to make much sense. Overall, the upgrade success is very good for US. As a CP I run in the high 90% for upgrades. If I flew only DCA-PHX, that might be another story, but most people I know are very happy with upgrades.

To my surprise and pleasure, I cleared at the window a couple weeks ago for a friday evening SFO-PHX as a lowly SP. I figured I stood no chance as a then SP traveling the direction all those PHX based elites would be travelling on business. It was an HP757 though (14 in F) which I'm sure helped. I can't give much stastical info though, since usually I end up flying out of OAK unless I'm on one of the nonstops to an east hub. (For the record, PIT-SFO and SFO-PIT are basically not possible for an SP, even redeyes.)