US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Is NOW the time to switch from US?

Hi everyone. I know this has been discussed to some extent awhile ago, but I thought I would ask for your opinions again in light of recent news that might make the US/UA merger more likely. For those of us who would rather NOT fly UA, is now the time to switch? Since it's the beginning of the year, should we start trying to rack up miles and elite status on another airline (working under the assumption that our US miles and status would be severely devalued in UA's programme)? And, if you're one of those who is planning on switching to another airline, which one are you switching to? When? and Why?

Barring news that would make it worth it to me to stick with UA, should the merger be approved, I will probably switch to CO. Since I fly to ERI quite often, my only choices are US, NW, and CO. I don't like NW here in BOS (especially in Terminal E), and I like CO service overall. However, NW seems to be improving from what I hear, and their new DTW promises to be in the same league as PIT. So I think the CO/NW route will be best. As to when...I'll probably wait to see what happens and stick with US until then. The wake of a merger will give me a good argument to have CO or NW match my elite status then. Too bad the miles won't transfer.

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Already sent some of my business to AA. Even more excited I can connect in STL rather than ORD. Got comped (challenge) to AA platinum till 02/02 and if the merger goes through expect to earn AA plat just in time for next year to watch myself go from 1K to Premier http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Having considered this a bit, I've decided to do the following:

1. Quickly re-up silver on US. This looks like it'll be pretty easy thru business travel from PIT (I'm already at 7k miles and 7 segs). I'll then plan on using US/UA for leisure travel only (why let 150k miles and a couple of hopefully forthcoming SWUs go to waste?).

2. Start pushing Q3 and Q4 biz travel to AA, probably partaking in a challange to get quick status.

3. If #1 turns out to be worthless with regards to UA (which I tend to suspect) and/or #2 does not work out, I'll have CO comp me to silver and see how it goes.

I'm actually a bit bitter about the US/UA thing, as my recently minted silver on US has actually worked out well already, and I can see many more connections in my future, living at PIT. I've grown to like lots of easy non-stops (yeah, I know, I probably could have gotten gold on US had I taken a few cx, or followed Pitflyer down the "Drive to Columbus, Canton, or Youngstown and cx thru PIT" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif routine.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

CBF: It's definitely not worth it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Gold is great and Chairman's is even better but unless you really NEED to go somewhere driving a couple of hours to save a couple hundred bucks gets annoying real quick.

If/when the merger pans out, I'll decide then. I believe that US members will be transferred to UA's Mileage Plus program with equivalent standing and miles from both accounts (if you have one on each airline) will be combined.

My company books us exclusively on UA, US, and DL(we get 35% off all fares) so from PHL, my sole option is usually US for most flights.

Good question!

Being based in Myrtle Beach, it's easy to make Chariman's, since I MUST connect through Charlotte regardless of where we go. Our (There are about 30 of us based here) ONLY other option is Delta's ....... stepchildren ASA & COMAIR, which have dismal records here of cancellations.

Now, I think that United's top tier does NOT have uunlimited upgrades, which means I'll be burning points/coupons like a maniac for that 45-minute Charlotte flight, or sit in the back sandwiched between stone drunk New York & Philly based Golfers.

Maybe if the upgrades are miles based and not points, this won't happen, but I have yet to receive one single communication from USAirways advising me of what might happen to my perks under a United-commanded program.

I'm new to this, so I'll be scanning posts for info on this subject. Glad to be aboard and hello, all!

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"You can never have too much Reverb."

Surfrider-the US program will be converted to the UA program and all us CPs will end up with less than we have. My friends who are west coast and Denver bound say that they often suspend early boarding since everyone is elite and upgrades are limited on UA.

You can check the UA perks but they are limited in comparison to the CP level.

Can anybody answer me the following:

- doesn't UA have to honor existing customer loyalty programs (for 2 years) like the Dividend Miles for 2 years according to their contracts.

- keep fares and routes the same as they are now.

All feedback is greatly appreciated.