United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - AA or Delta--which one to switch to from UA?

I have been pretty loyal to Continental--partly because I like to dive in Micronesia where they had a monopoly (but don't really anymore) and partly because I lived in Jersey and recently moved to San Fran. I fly mostly to London, Singapore, and India for business and tropical dive locations for fun.

I need to change from UA to something more reasonable--but I am moving to Charlotte next year. So AA or DL? It would have been nice to stay with UA given then are partners with USAir, but I can't deal with it anymore.

As we are all aware, the service has become garbage. Today's cancellation of UA997 at the last minute is the last straw (my 14yo flying alone from Grandma's was re-routed from F to Economy through IAD at midnight)--which only tops the SFO gate agent harrassing her when boarding to go to grandma's for having an extra carry on bag--which was a passport holder strung around her neck (who the hell count's the 6in x 4in x .25in passport thing as a carry on???)

Anyway I will finish my flights off this year with UA, cancel my president's club etc., and book a nice big Global First vacation for me and the spouse with all my miles (before they get rid of it).

If you were moving to CLT and needed to dump UA--where would you go?

If you were moving to CLT and needed to dump UA--where would you go?

Why not US? It doesn't mean you need to use UA again, and your 1K would get you the *G benefits (until you made status on US).

Plus (on the longshot side), if the US/AA tie-up ever did happen, you would be ahead of the curve.

Unreal. Sorry to hear your child was subjected to what we seasoned UA travelers have come to understand is the new norm.

Other than the fact that US sucks, flying US out of their hub in CLT would seem logical. Not to mention they practically give away their top tier status.

I agree, I'd seriously consider US. I've had fine experiences with the few US flights I've taken this year and I've heard great things about their updated TATL service. For Singapore and India you've got all of *A. US/LH for India, US connecting to SQ/NH/OZ/TG for Singapore.

Thanks.

US may make sense especially if they are going American. Looking at my corporate travel options it seems that StarAlliance and OneWorld flights are available, so Delta would be out of contention. Bit scared, though, as living this merger can show where something sensible can become something scary.

I guess I have to change credit cards too--the Presidential Plus used to be really good--although now I think I can get a cheaper card and just buy a club membership--or go AMEX.

Amazing that these loyalty programs really keep you loyal--lots to think about when jumping ship.

if you pick US, you don't get *G status while you get your US status. If your US number is on your ITIN .... you will look like no body. They don't poach inside the alliance so you cant status match.

Personally I think Delta is way better these days. I would give them a shot.

Thinking more--*G on UA this year for next year & start flying US & AA next year sounds like the way to go. AA really doesn't go to GUM, though... I assume that US will leave star alliance for oneworld if combined with AA.

Really sorry but frankly not surprised to hear about your kid's lousy experience. If it makes you feel any better (which it won't), this is par for the course on UA these days.

I'm pretty high on AA right now for all sorts of reasons t- name a few, 8 SWUs per year if you're an Executive Platinum (the vague equivalent of 1K, but better because there's no real GS equivalent a tier higher), you can use those upgrades on just about any economy fare (unlike UA), a great Asia partner in CX (though not as many Asian partners as UA) on which you can get F award redemptions, better customer service (especially if you're EXP), F lounge access if you're an EXP, the list goes on - but like the others here I wonder if US might be your best option out of Charlotte. If you do consider AA, as you may know it has had a status match option available for UA customers. Not sure if that's still available these days.

FWIW, from the little I've read I think it's doubtful that AA and US will merge, but stranger things have happened.

I would agree just based on flight choices, US is the best for you from CLT.

I would say I had equivalent so-so service with US and UA.

I am glad you are putting your money where your mouth is. ^

The GA bullied your daughter because she could. It's one thing when it is you that is taking it, but bullying family like that . . . I salute your decision.

I would agree just based on flight choices, US is the best for you from CLT.

I would say I had equivalent so-so service with US and UA.

I am glad you are putting your money where your mouth is. ^

The GA bullied your daughter because she could. It's one thing when it is you that is taking it, but bullying family like that . . . I salute your decision.

I really don't understand the GA. The kid was in F--so there is overhead room. She had a teddy bear,a roll on and a passport holder. I got a gate pass to get her aboard & honestly had a great ticket counter lady and ever TSA was wonderful. I had walked over to the window by the door so I could say the final goodby to my daughter--so by the time I got back she had already harrassed her about the passport holder. I was pretty annoyed and actually started documenting the rest of the people she allowed on with their piles of crap...but I decided to just walk away.

I guess today I have decided to really walk away. Just sucks that I have all these damn flexible elite miles that I have to use and a SFO-MAN/LHR-SFO trip at the end of the month or I would be totally done with these clowns.

As far was not being treated as *G on US--what the hell difference does it make? If this level of crap service is what you get on UA...I could suffer the indignity of being a nobody, do a few business trips to the UK and Asia and get to Gold before I have to worry about upgrades. What if I book all code shares as UA tickets on alliance flights and route all my ff miles to US Air? Does the status come through?

I would agree just based on flight choices, US is the best for you from CLT.

I would say I had equivalent so-so service with US and UA.

I am glad you are putting your money where your mouth is. ^

The GA bullied your daughter because she could. It's one thing when it is you that is taking it, but bullying family like that . . . I salute your decision.

I really don't understand the GA. The kid was in F--so there is overhead room. She had a teddy bear,a roll on and a passport holder. I got a gate pass to get her aboard & honestly had a great ticket counter lady and ever TSA was wonderful. I had walked over to the window by the door so I could say the final goodby to my daughter--so by the time I got back she had already harrassed her about the passport holder. I was pretty annoyed and actually started documenting the rest of the people she allowed on with their piles of crap...but I decided to just walk away.

I guess today I have decided to really walk away. Just sucks that I have all these damn flexible elite miles that I have to use and a SFO-MAN/LHR-SFO trip at the end of the month or I would be totally done with these clowns.

As far was not being treated as *G on US--what the hell difference does it make? If this level of crap service is what you get on UA...I could suffer the indignity of being a nobody, do a few business trips to the UK and Asia and get to Gold before I have to worry about upgrades. What if I book all code shares as UA tickets on alliance flights and route all my ff miles to US Air? Does the status come through?

...which only tops the SFO gate agent harrassing her when boarding to go to grandma's for having an extra carry on bag--which was a passport holder strung around her neck (who the hell count's the 6in x 4in x .25in passport thing as a carry on???)...

Realize this is off-topic but I once had a gate agent at ORD stop me from boarding because he wanted to count my hot dog as a piece of luggage. I was first to board and told him I wasn't going to check my hot dog or my compliant carry-on and if he wanted to fight with me, I'd whip out UA's baggage policy (which I always carry with me) and force him to read all of it, including the part that says "food brought on the plane that will be consumed on the plane does not count as a piece of luggage" - he could tell that fighting me would be more trouble than it was worth, and so I was able to negotiate my way on to the aircraft with a hot dog, which I consumed in 5 minutes, and hence, the "extra" luggage disappeared.

It happens. Sometimes, hard to believe. But, it does.

Everyone has their priorities, but after years of travel, nonstop flights are #1 for me. So that would make the choice a no-brainer - add me to the list of those recommending US.

This is not a simple decision.

Personally I would not fly USeless Air but..

If you value Non Stops the most, then US Air is your only solution. Also, if you value the Star Alliance (personally I think the OW airlines are better as a whole but YMMV).

If you value a better frequent flier program and don't mind connecting to either DFW, MIA or ORD, AA is the choice. Their SWU policy is far superior and they treat their EXP's like valued customers not overentitled people. Flights to Singapore might be an issue unless you can fly JL or Cathay. London and India aren't an issue here as both are well served with BA. The Tropical dive locations are served by Cathay fairly well unless you are talking Rhoatan or something like that and AA will take care of you.

Delta is an option or alternative to AA. You'll connect to ATL, MEM, DTW & MSP. The bigger negative is they are called Sky Pesos for a reason. They aren't easy to redeem and upgrading is not an easy task either. AA is far superior in both of those realms.

As it appears you do a lot of international travel, I would avoid DL. Their SWUs are worthless (M fare or higher, can buy discount C on a foreign carrier for that price) and international mileage redemption is quite poor.

Do you care about international upgrades or you are already booked in paid C anyway ?

Believe me, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Stay with *A.

Have flown US several TATL in economy since Oct. last year - in many ways pleasant flights, food not great but not as bad as I remembered it.

US might do a status match (UA did a status match for me from US years ago, and the reverse might happen - no harm in asking.)

US does do challenges

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/dividendmiles/promotions/trialpreferred.html

Preferred status / cost Silver - $200 Gold - $400 Platinum - $600

There's surely threads on this on the US forum, but signing up for Silver would give you some status and if you did a TATL you could use United status for lounge access. Think if you sign up for Silver, but fly more than needed you get whatever status you've earned, roughly based on 4X what's flown in the challenge period).

Sorry about your daughter's experience - would probably leave UA just for that (well, am leaving for AA, but out of greed and a need to be appreciated). For the sake of others trapped w/ UA hope you'll write UA in the (probably vain) hope that the GA will get training (charm school? anger management?).

I guess I have to change credit cards too--the Presidential Plus used to be really good--although now I think I can get a cheaper card and just buy a club membership--or go AMEX.

Amazing that these loyalty programs really keep you loyal--lots to think about when jumping ship.

Amex plat includes US Airways Club access- even if you're not flying US Airways.

Judging from the complaints here, I am not sure UA is really any better than US now. On my last few trips on US metals, the check-in agents, GAs, & FAs were all very pleasant to deal with, including the ones at "notorious" PHL. All of my flights have been on time & the seats were more comfortable than the pmCO ones.

If OP wants to stay with *A for the time being (until the merger with AA), US isn't a bad alternative, IMHO.

LAX

I dis like US , recently flew on a 2:45 flight from phx-iah and was served no meal ( they start at 3 and a half hours or longer ) and plastic cups throughout. A very stingy airline ,
IMO UA has the most bang for your buck when it comes to miles. Especially for F awards , but If I had to go , AA would be my pick . Good service , nice F product and good mileage availability.

if you pick US, you don't get *G status while you get your US status. If your US number is on your ITIN .... you will look like no body. They don't poach inside the alliance so you cant status match.

Personally I think Delta is way better these days. I would give them a shot.

OP would look like a nobody to US, but would still get *G benefits - priority check in, extra luggage allowance, lounge access on international tickets, priority boarding etc, just no upgrade potential. OP would just need to show his UA *G card.

After flying a transcon last weekend on US. I have an aversion to US. No IFE at all on a 5.5 hour flight. None that I saw in First on their A320s. I was very disappointed. Y is pretty good and F is on par with UA, but still without any IFE and mediocre UA service, not worth a switch IMO. I'd go with AA if I were you. Just to try it out and see how it is.

I left Delta because their SWUs are basically worthless. AA would be much better for international upgrades.
But I fly thru CLT a lot on US. Decent hub.
If intl UGs were the priority I'd go with AA.
If direct domestic were the priority, I'd go with US and ask for a sillver status...or challenge to silver. *G is basically Just lower than US silver status anyway.
You cannot reserve good seats or get any UGs with *G when flying US air.

I'm even thinking of crediting 25K of UA miles to US so I can get silver status and get some decent seat selection.

After flying a transcon last weekend on US. I have an aversion to US. No IFE at all on a 5.5 hour flight. None that I saw in First on their A320s. I was very disappointed. Y is pretty good and F is on par with UA, but still without any IFE and mediocre UA service, not worth a switch IMO. I'd go with AA if I were you. Just to try it out and see how it is.

Just got an earful from the daughter (who is flying today instead of when she was supposed to yesterday) because her EWR-SFO F seat doesn't have a "TV like Jet Blue in Coach"

re the OP questions - Two issues for me speak strongly against DL:

1) 3-tier award levels make for (much) higher miles to be spent on awards, as lowest level often is not available,

2) double miles required for 1-way awards, as 1-ways price out the same as roundtrip awards

Go AA or US!

Believe me, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Stay with *A.

I don't know about that, I don't see too many people who took the AA status match unhappy with their decision

I have also has so many issues when flying Ua this year. Broken entertainment system in F to HNL/ broken entertainment HKG to SFO, witnessed a gate agent not process the Upgrade list until FA pressed her twice, #1 on the list declined and the gate agent wasnt going to try and upgrade anyone else (even thought 12 on the list) until the FA said what about the nonrev in seat XXC. and thats who they upgraded.
I voiced my concerns to UA about the seats and the nonref and havent received a reply in over a month. So i will also be leaving UA at the end of the year.
My choice will be AA. not because I have 500K life time miles already but because of the SWU-on any fare, partners CX and QF and soon MH, reward availability is always very good, 100% bonus miles at Gold status . Also if you have the AAdvantage mastercard when you redeem miles you get a refund of 10% of your miles back to your account ( max 10K per year)

It saddens me because I have been a loyal CO flier since 1991

I left Delta because their SWUs are basically worthless. AA would be much You cannot reserve good seats or get any UGs with *G when flying US air.

In my experience as *G on US, I can book the good seats, and checked-bag fees are waived.

Correct: no upgrades. But that's true of any *A carrier.

IF US & AA merge, and IF the AAdvantage program continues as-is without being gutted by the PHX crew, I'd consider it. But I would imagine that the US program would prevail and AA would become USdbaAA kinda like what we got now.

After flying a transcon last weekend on US. I have an aversion to US. No IFE at all on a 5.5 hour flight. None that I saw in First on their A320s. I was very disappointed. Y is pretty good and F is on par with UA, but still without any IFE and mediocre UA service, not worth a switch IMO. I'd go with AA if I were you. Just to try it out and see how it is.

Perhaps different strokes for different folks, I flew mostly in Y when I was flying UA, so it was either overhead monitors or no IFE on domestic flights as I don't shell out for DirecTV. However, I have yet run into some of the nightmares that are becoming more common here (based on what's being reported here) over on US. Besides, I don't feel like budgeting for at least 30 minutes on the phone whenever I need to call UA, even for simple things.

LAX

FWIW, DL miles are worthless. I would go with US since AA's hub locations don't serve CLT well IMO.

I left UA in May with just one flight in *A since. Otherwise, my miles have been on AA (through the status match) and it has been fantastic. I don't live in a hub city, so I am used to having connecting flights. My domestic and international upgrades clear with ease. As an exec plat you'll get the 8 SWUs, help during IRROPs (that seems to be missing for me on UA), decent international product (I find the C seats wide enough for my shoulders and there is storage for personal effects right at your seat!), good international partners and an unbelievably fantastic attitude. That's the difference-maker for me. I have yet to encounter a surly, unhelpful AA person. In contrast, most of my UA trips this year were marred by tension and strife.

Believe me, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Stay with *A.

I moved to AA. There is definitely greener grass with AA since March. Run away from the UA/CO yard of poop.

SkyCentavos is a total piece of cr&p. I would avoid DL at all costs.