US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - UA vs US

I am UA PremEX but will not make it again so will be just Prem nxt year and US SilverPref. I have about the same number of points in both programs, now that US is offering transatlantic upgrades I am considering just switching totally to US - I fly only for me - 2 transcon/2-3transatlantic/2-4 misc-per year. My UA and US status was comped from TWA Elite just this year. So which would you choose and why? Just looking for some opinions esp from others who fly DCA/BWI/IAD.
Thanks - MG

Hands down, I'd take US. But it depends upon last minute travel patterns.

Premieres and Prem Exes in IAD are a dime a dozen. If you do last minute travel you will find that unless you are a 1K you will often not get an upgrade.

I have little trouble getting upgrades on US even last minute. If you are willing to drive to BWI or aren't far from there, you will also save quite a bit of money because often flights from there are much cheaper due I guess to Southwest competition.

I have had a far easier time geting award travel on US also, although for last minute sometimes they forced me to get a first class award http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have found the service on US to be oftentimes good, sometimes great, occasionally bad, but same for UA. UA has more direct flights transcon to the West than US and obviously better partners and the *A.

I was about to take issue with Richard, but then noting that you'll be flying out of Washington, I guess that would tip the balance in favor of US. For me: ticket counter people - US are nicer and more with it. Gate agents - both are fine, edge to UA. FAs - nod to US, but the only really horrible ones have been on US as well. Food - nod to UA. Seating - UA even before Y+. Equipment - UA hands down. Choice of destination - UA by a mile; by 1K miles perhaps. Partners - UA by far. Frequent flyer program - US by far.

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Cheers
Michael *G

markg: what destinations do you fly to??? richard is right about Premiers and Prem Ex's being a dime a dozen out of IAD. United clearly has a much greater choice of destinations and a more global frequent flier program (Star Alliance). Having said that, if US flies to all the destinations you need being a Preferred flier on US is the way to go IMHO. Upgrades are much easier to come by for Silver Preferreds vs. United's Premiers out of the DC area. cheers. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif