US Airways Dividend Miles - Current 1k Considering US Airways

Hey all -- I'm a 1K on UA (~100k miles) and I'm kind of wondering if I can get better stats elsewhere. My most common route (by a huge margin) is SFO - PIT. US has some decent routes connecting through CLT and the WiFi would be a big plus for me.

Currently, I'm upgraded 50-60% on UA.

How happy are current FF's on US? Do you get upgraded a lot? Is it worth it?

If I was to move: Since the two airlines are partners, I'm not 100% sure what the best move is. Should I get the status challenge and then get a US FF#? If so, would I be able to use my US FF# and accumulate the miles on UA? (I ask because I like United's intnl routing better.)

Thanks for the insights in advance!

*A members don't give status matches to other members of the same alliance. You have to start from scratch w US.

*A members don't give status matches to other members of the same alliance. You have to start from scratch w US.

This isn't true. My company's travel department works with the airlines to this. There's a simple form to fill out, and you send a copy of your last statement and/or most recent card. I could feasibly match to UA, AA, and DL, if I so chose.

This can usually only be done once per airline per lifetime, and the match is only done to the Gold level.

*A members don't give status matches to other members of the same alliance. You have to start from scratch w US.

He could do a paid trial to PLT for $600 (Gold for $400) and probably reach CP within the 90 days if he's at 100kmi on UA already.

Re: how I like US? Well, as a silver, i've got a 95% upgrade rate, but I fly non-business routes alot. Only had 1 negative CS experience (but on a Mesa flight, so that doesn't count) and many many positive experiences.

My opinion: stay away from US and leave more upgrades for the rest of us ;)

This isn't true. My company's travel department works with the airlines to this. There's a simple form to fill out, and you send a copy of your last statement and/or most recent card. I could feasibly match to UA, AA, and DL, if I so chose.

This can usually only be done once per airline per lifetime, and the match is only done to the Gold level.

Of course you can match to AA and DL, they are not the same alliance. But members if the SAME alliance (US to UA or UA to LH) are not supposed to offer matches to each other (it's considered poaching customers from your partner). Its psbl your corp travel dept has something worked out and I'm sure the rule (just like most rules) can be broken. But the "official" Star Alliance policy is one member airline is not supposed to offer a status match to a customer of another member airline. (I don't think a challenge is the same thing as a match though). If you call and ask for a match, they should say no. But if you call and ask for a challenge I would assume that's o.k.

LH has been after my corp business out of Dubai for years. I would have gladly Given them some of the business if they would match me to Senetor w a challenge to HHONORS. They were glad to say yes when they thought they were taking the business from Emirates but I made the stupid mistake of telling them I would never move business away from Emirates but I had lots of UA business itching to move. They changed the deal. No match and challenge to Senetor only (not HHonors). They did throw in a bunch of system wides but still, it would have been a great opportunity to switch from UA and lose nothing. If I had only kept my mouth shut :mad:

LH has been after my corp business out of Dubai for years. I would have gladly Given them some of the business if they would match me to Senetor w a challenge to HHONORS. They were glad to say yes when they thought they were taking the business from Emirates but I made the stupid mistake of telling them I would never move business away from Emirates but I had lots of UA business itching to move. They changed the deal. No match and challenge to Senetor only (not HHonors). They did throw in a bunch of system wides but still, it would have been a great opportunity to switch from UA and lose nothing. If I had only kept my mouth shut :mad:

Makes sense. They don't stand to make as much money off you. Anything going TATL out of FRA or MUC they get money anyway whether you fly them or not. And they're already getting it with your folks flying UA.

I'm sure that they wouldn't poach from UA, but it's not like they stood to make that much out of the deal.

To the OP, I've been a 1K. I'm happy on US. They've been pretty responsive to me and will actually respond to your emails. Even had a call within 24 hours as a gold when I emailed them and asked them to call me.

Phone CS has been great too. Occasionally you get a dippy agent, but at least they all speak English and can resolve things quickly in a few minutes - even with using SHARES. ;)

I moved over after UA gave 2Ps the boot and I haven't looked back. Even flying UA occasionally in C or F internationally hasn't made me want to go back.

One caveat to be aware of: if you fly on Y or B fares, you will NOT get a 50% PQM bonus like you do on UA. US treats all economy fares the same. :td: The good news is that domestically, F is often priced pretty well and can often be less than flexible coach. I've even seen flexible F priced below flexible Y. :rolleyes:

A couple points.

I am a 5 year CP, doing 150+ segments per year. Most of my travel is eastern and central time zones.

Status Match,
4 years ago I status matched to CO Platinum, screwed on a few upgrades, hated EWR and cam back quick. You may or may not get it now.

You could have someone gift you status, either trial or full. I already used my trial silver, I think I get a full gift in the next 3 weeks when I hit 105 segments.

Upgrades
If I curse myself, I will hunt you down and spread pieces in every state (KIDDING :p ) but every plane with FC for the last 22 months, I have been there, only using miles twice to guarantee it. You will find the transcons to be hard. I used miles PHL to LAX and PHL to POrtland, OR just to be sure.

You may or may not get the upgrade. If you are studious, you will learn the routes and which upgrades you can and cannot get

Look at SFO to PHL, more miles and if there are cancellations, there is always Amtrak.

Now, not sure here, but you may have to book with the US FF# and change after the flight to ensure the upgrade

I really appreciate all of this insight.

etsmyers or PaceLaw2012: Do you guys have any experience flying from either from CLT to either SFO or PIT? I'm just curious how those routes might be.

CLT would be the core hub for me, and I'd have to redeye into it from SFO. I'm wondering if that flight would be too buinessey for me to upgraded even as a CP.

From my time looking at flightstats.com, it seems that getting upgraded on SFO-CLT/CLT-SFO is more likely than PHL-SFO/SFO-PHL. Can anyone confirm?

Heck, I just flew a *A award in F and I needed to get to SFO from PHL -- and US routed me PHL-CLT-SFO in F rather than simply PHL-SFO in F because US felt that there were more open seats in F on CLT-SFO. The booking was done a month in advance, too.

He could do a paid trial to PLT for $600 (Gold for $400) and probably reach CP within the 90 days if he's at 100kmi on UA already.

Re: how I like US? Well, as a silver, i've got a 95% upgrade rate, but I fly non-business routes alot. Only had 1 negative CS experience (but on a Mesa flight, so that doesn't count) and many many positive experiences.

My opinion: stay away from US and leave more upgrades for the rest of us ;)

+1

I mean, good grief -- isn't anyone moderating these forums anymore? Between this thread and ones like this
(http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles/1365648-pleasantly-surprised-fc-dfw-phl.html), we risk ruining a good thing. I'm all for free speech, but not at the expense of my exit aisles and upgrades.

Can we please get back to complaining about lack of glassware in F, and the moronic boarding system?

As someone else posted earlier, nothing to see here, folks. Nothing. Let's just move along, please.

I really appreciate all of this insight.

etsmyers or PaceLaw2012: Do you guys have any experience flying from either from CLT to either SFO or PIT? I'm just curious how those routes might be.

CLT would be the core hub for me, and I'd have to redeye into it from SFO. I'm wondering if that flight would be too buinessey for me to upgraded even as a CP.

I fly frequently from BOS to SFO; either through PHL or CLT. All of the outbound flights are in "business prime time", most of the returns are on Wednesday or Thursday. I am 100% on upgrades as a CP.

I really appreciate all of this insight.

etsmyers or PaceLaw2012: Do you guys have any experience flying from either from CLT to either SFO or PIT? I'm just curious how those routes might be.

CLT would be the core hub for me, and I'd have to redeye into it from SFO. I'm wondering if that flight would be too buinessey for me to upgraded even as a CP.

Being in PA, PIT is a drive, and I have not flown to SFO in ages. I think the SFO upgrade will be hit or miss. Would love to see the FA sheet to see who does miles and who on status

I'm surprised that no one mentioned that even CP has to pay for Choice Seats. If you make your reservations close in and only Choice Seats are left or middle seats in the back, then you may be stuck. In this case, I like E+.

I was US CP for many years and got a status challenge to UA 1P after I hit 1MM and got nothing from US. I like my 6 SWU as 1K, whereas US gives CP 2 upgrade certs.

I hate the changes since 3/3 on UA, especially the check in at hubs like IAD. But I'll hang in there and wait and see if things get better. If US and AA merge and US moves over to One World, then my 1MM status may be worth something.

I moved from Chicago to Charlotte. I was 1K (and Million Miler) on United.
Took me awhile to switch to US, but being in Charlotte I knew eventually I had to take the plunge.

UA booking on US as Star Gold partner you get Zone 1 boarding, but you will never get upgraded.

I did the Trial Preferred program to get Gold status, and am working my way up the ladder to Platinum (maybe Chairman) by year end. As Gold I rarely get upgraded on CLT-ORD and CLT-PHL flights, hoping once I get Platinum that changes.

I find that US is on time a lot more than UA was, but the service on UA seemed better than US (I'll take on time over service).

bh9197: Thanks! That's super helpful. I figured as much about the booking on UA part, but it's good to be sure now!

Being in PA, PIT is a drive, and I have not flown to SFO in ages. I think the SFO upgrade will be hit or miss. Would love to see the FA sheet to see who does miles and who on status

OT, but I just noticed you're from York, PA. I grew up there, lived there till last year when I moved a couple hours east....:D

OP, I'm Gold and was Chairman's for a few years. Most of my flights are to or through CLT. I get upgraded maybe 75% of the time during the week and all the time on weekends (unless it's a last-minute ticket or something abnormal).

I am happier and happier with US. The only downsides to me, compared to what I've seen on UA, are:

(1) no Economy Plus (I've gotten an exit row when not upgraded, every time in the past few years, but I had a few business trips that were in regular coach a few years ago- I'm tall and so that was rough), and

(2) there is no standby or "Move Up" or the like for LATER flights (only for earlier ones).