United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Why United over several other programs?

I have worked for United so I realize some of the benefits of United, but I was wondering from seasoned vets, why they like United versus other carriers.

In my opinion it really depends on where you are flying out of. Perhaps that is true, but perhaps there are more. Some of the things that attract me to United versus the other carriers is that I think I would value the Star Alliance much more than the One World alliance. Also I have flown first class on US airways, and have heard from people sitting next to on there that they prefer Uniteds first class because of the internet and warm food breakfast.

With my new job I will probably be flying a good amount. Why should I choose United over others? Is being part of the star alliance that much important than dealing with the One World with Delta/American?

They don't and you shouldn't. Where are you based out of and what are your travel patterns? That will elicit a more specific response.

They don't and you shouldn't. Where are you based out of and what are your travel patterns? That will elicit a more specific response.

Phoenix... My company perfers American, but with the destinations I go to US and Delta make the most sense. Should I consider all of the benefits to be roughly the same and base my desicion solely off of my base and where I go? Star Alliance vs One World really make no difference? I really think Star Alliance would be beneficial if I ever would want to go overseas.

I have worked for United so I realize some of the benefits of United, but I was wondering from seasoned vets, why they like United versus other carriers.

In my opinion it really depends on where you are flying out of. Perhaps that is true, but perhaps there are more. Some of the things that attract me to United versus the other carriers is that I think I would value the Star Alliance much more than the One World alliance. Also I have flown first class on US airways, and have heard from people sitting next to on there that they prefer Uniteds first class because of the internet and warm food breakfast.

With my new job I will probably be flying a good amount. Why should I choose United over others? Is being part of the star alliance that much important than dealing with the One World with Delta/American?

Internet? On United? Isn't that, like, one plane?

This post is odd. You start off by pointing out that it really depends where you're flying out of, and then ask us why you should choose UA without telling us where you're flying out of.

Right now AA probably has the best FF program, but I suspect it's only a matter of time before they devalue it to match the others. I don't think Star Alliance is that much better than oneworld overall any more, especially with Air Berlin and Malaysian joining oneworld, though of course each has its geographical strengths and weaknesses. (Both are a lot better than SkyTeam.)

I'd probably switch to AA at this point, were it not for the fact that I'm SFO-based and AA (and oneworld in general) out of SFO is balls.

Phoenix... My company perfers American, but with the destinations I go to US and Delta make the most sense. Should I consider all of the benefits to be roughly the same and base my desicion solely off of my base and where I go? Star Alliance vs One World really make no difference? I really think Star Alliance would be beneficial if I ever would want to go overseas.

Again, it really depends on your travel patterns and you havnt defined those in any detail. If your travel is domestic Star doesn't really mean that much. "Might travel" international, if your looking for reward travel, it's actually pretty easy to score on Oneworld.

Again, it really depends on your travel patterns and you havnt defined those in any detail. If your travel is domestic Star doesn't really mean that much. "Might travel" international, if your looking for reward travel, it's actually pretty easy to score on Oneworld.

Phoenix to Atlanta seems to be my most likely work destinations. When I travel to my hometown for holidays, Delta and United are the only options, unless I am willing to drive 2 hours from Minneapolis.

Internet? On United? Isn't that, like, one plane?

This post is odd. You start off by pointing out that it really depends where you're flying out of, and then ask us why you should choose UA without telling us where you're flying out of.

Right now AA probably has the best FF program, but I suspect it's only a matter of time before they devalue it to match the others. I don't think Star Alliance is that much better than oneworld overall any more, especially with Air Berlin and Malaysian joining oneworld, though of course each has its geographical strengths and weaknesses. (Both are a lot better than SkyTeam.)

I'd probably switch to AA at this point, were it not for the fact that I'm SFO-based and AA (and oneworld in general) out of SFO is balls.

Again, I have never flown first class United. But what was told to me by someone in US Airways first was that there was internet on United and movies on all flights.

Again, I have never flown first class United. But what was told to me by someone in US Airways first was that there was internet on United and movies on all flights.

This get's a bit more crazy by the moment from someone who "used to work" for UA. UA right now on a vast majority of flights does not have wifi internet and it's certainly not true movies on all flights.

Flying primarily to ATL, DL is likely the best choice. Plenty of non stops.

This get's a bit more crazy by the moment from someone who "used to work" for UA. UA right now on a vast majority of flights does not have wifi internet and it's certainly not true movies on all flights.

Flying primarily to ATL, DL is likely the best choice. Plenty of non stops.

Ha I worked at a station with only regional flights so I wasn't sure if that was true or not. Why do you like Delta? Anytime I flew them, I wasn't a fan.

Ha I worked at a station with only regional flights so I wasn't sure if that was true or not. Why do you like Delta? Anytime I flew them, I wasn't a fan.

It all comes down to schedule, not a particular preference for DL for frequent business travel. US offers 3 non stops a day to ATL from PHX, DL offers 6.

Few are a "fan" of an airline when they sit in the back, but with no status that is what you will do initially unless your employer is paying for F ( which is unlikely).

I'm not sure why UA or even AA was even mentioned in the post since neither offer the non stops you need. You will add hours and tons of hassle trying to connect over either IAH or DFW to fly either carrier .

Ha I worked at a station with only regional flights so I wasn't sure if that was true or not. Why do you like Delta? Anytime I flew them, I wasn't a fan.

The point wasn't that it was particularly good, just that it was the best choice to ATL from PHX because it has a whole load of nonstops. According to hipmunk I'm seeing something like six a day, compared to four on US, one on AirTran and none on anybody else. Flying United on that route will turn a 3.5 hour flight into a 5.5 hour flight via Houston... if you're lucky.

Also DL seems to have wifi on all its planes on that route, so it's got that going for it, which is nice.

Few are a "fan" of an airline when they sit in the back, but with no status that is what you will do initially unless your employer is paying for F ( which is unlikely).

AA offers a paid challenge if you do not have status. It's what I did to initially jumpstart myself to Platinum after realizing I would be flying "heavily" (a whopping 15k miles at the time :D) over a 3 month window.

The alliances are mostly only useful if you're traveling internationally, although US and UA are obviously domestic partners within Star Alliance. Additionally, both AA and Delta partner with Alaska. Depending on just how much you're flying PHX-ATL (or really, how little) it might make sense to forgo low-level Delta status and credit your flights to Alaska (especially if your employer occasionally mixes in some travel on AA as well)?

Also DL seems to have wifi on all its planes on that route, so it's got that going for it, which is nice.so no 50 seaters, in other words. I don't need a lack of WiFi to keep me away from the 50 seat crjs...

AA offers a paid challenge if you do not have status. It's what I did to initially jumpstart myself to Platinum after realizing I would be flying "heavily" (a whopping 15k miles at the time :D) over a 3 month window.

The alliances are mostly only useful if you're traveling internationally, although US and UA are obviously domestic partners within Star Alliance. Additionally, both AA and Delta partner with Alaska. Depending on just how much you're flying PHX-ATL (or really, how little) it might make sense to forgo low-level Delta status and credit your flights to Alaska (especially if your employer occasionally mixes in some travel on AA as well)?

No, that really makes no sense at all for either AA or AS. Status on AA does one little good if you have to pick connecting over DFW vs non stop. AS does little good given the limited network.

Phoenix... My company perfers American, but with the destinations I go to US and Delta make the most sense. Should I consider all of the benefits to be roughly the same and base my desicion solely off of my base and where I go? Star Alliance vs One World really make no difference? I really think Star Alliance would be beneficial if I ever would want to go overseas.

If you live in PHX then US is likely your best bet. You will appreciate the non- stops more if you start traveling more. And you can accrue and use miles for travel on UA on your US account. If you are flying International you can choose any Star carrier.

If I were to start out fresh, I would fly AA. AA status is better than UA equivalent at every level, except possibly UA Plat 75k > AA Plat 50k. As the largest US airline, UA can afford to care less about their customers.

OW network is extensive enough to get you into major Asian and European cities. However, once inside Asia or Europe, I find myself flying with *A within that continent.

As for DL, I hear their in-flight experience is the best, but their miles are nearly worthless.

Does your employer have a relationship or contract with a specific airline? You may be limited in your choice by the corporate card.

No, that really makes no sense at all for either AA or AS. Status on AA does one little good if you have to pick connecting over DFW vs non stop. AS does little good given the limited network.

If the OP is flying say ~20k, maybe ~25k miles, a year, consolidating the miles with AS might be worth it, especially if he isn't going to achieve status with either AA or DL alone (due to say, taking AA for travel outside of ATL and taking the DL nonstop to ATL).

If the OP's "company perfers American," I suspect that means they either do connect on the way to ATL and/or they fly their employees to places other than ATL (where there isn't a convenient DL nonstop).

If I were to start out fresh, I would fly AA. AA status is better than UA equivalent at every level, except possibly UA Plat 75k > AA Plat 50k. As the largest US airline, UA can afford to care less about their customers.

AA Plat (let alone EXP) is better than UA 1K even.