America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - HP looks as good as any other

I lurk in the HP forum but am active in the DL. I have to admit, that I like what I hear about HP overall. Best routes out of Phx, FC, some kind of food, fairly easy upgrades; its not all that rosey over at DL. So, you might be seeing me jump ship by year's end. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Can you give details on the type of travel you do?

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"Rows 50 and above are business seats for those with infants" - gfowler-ord-1k
SkyTeam - "The whatever's leftover Alliance"

Business wise, I never know until a couple of months out, but is mostly to major US cities. From my past travel patterns, HP would have got me there N/S whereas on DL I had to connect in SLC, ATL, CVG, ie; IAD, BOS, YYZ, SEA, PDX, DFW (now all DL RJ)

Leisure wise, SLC, YYZ as well, and all California/Nevada hot spots.

Since you don't travel intl, then HP can be a good fit for you. Just remember, the miles on HP are worth less than some others.

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"Rows 50 and above are business seats for those with infants" - gfowler-ord-1k
SkyTeam - "The whatever's leftover Alliance"

America West looks as good as any other? How so?

With their FlightFund frequent flyer program, you earn fewer miles than you would with other programs. Furthermore, the ability to redeem is far more limited than with other programs.

Inflight, the meal service is just a notch better than nonexistant. In fact, I would prefer that they not offer anything rather than serve Hot Pockets.

Flying out of Phoenix, America West has higher fares than the competition. While they do offer a great number of nonstops, they don't have the schedule frequency of other carriers.

Hey TransWorldOne and others

Just wondering since you are so anti HP and your negative comments are like clock work, Why do you still spend time in the HP forum? Just a question...You sure seem to care a lot about pointing out the negatives of HP.

Just as a general observation I don't see this type of ridicule in the other airline forums.

So whats the deal, just wondering because I am tired of reading the same comments just with a different spin week after week. If the grass is greener elsewhere then way are you still here?

I'd also note that if you're PHX-based, nobody comes close to the scope of AWA's domestic route network. I know some of you "mileage junkies" can accumulate more mileage by taking connecting flights, but if the objective is to get where you want to go quickly (nonstops) comfortably (FC, seat assignments, club rooms, entertainment, food), at a reasonable price (good walkup fare structure) and with a good ff program (they did win the elite Freddie!), AWA can't be beat out of PHX.

Hey iahphx, I here you and so do the 60K people that fly HP everyday. However I know there are a few regulars in here that are watering at the mouth ready to to disagree with most of the things you said. Oh and as an added bonus, even though you did not ask for it, you will get a comparison of things that other airlines (by name) are better at then HP. (This is only available from the HP forum) Oh and rest assured it will not be a subjective comparison as it will only point out the areas where other airlines are better. Thanks for playing in the rip on HP forum come back again soon!

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Why do you still spend time in the HP forum?
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Why do I continue to spend time in the HP forum? I still have an vested interest(800k miles) in HP. I also continue to fly with them, albeit only on short haul flights.

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Hey TransWorldOne and others
Just wondering since you are so anti HP and your negative comments are like clock work,

Just a question...You sure seem to care a lot about pointing out the negatives of HP.
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The negatives were always there. It's just that the bonuses we used to earn negated any bad things about HP. Now that the candy coating has been removed, we're now tasting the sour center. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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Just as a general observation I don't see this type of ridicule in the other airline forums.
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Surely, you must be kidding. Hint...CO/DL.

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I'd also note that if you're PHX-based, nobody comes close to the scope of AWA's domestic route network.
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Being PHX based doesn't guarantee that HP will fit your travel needs. What about when I need to fly to ORD then BOS then IAD. I'd have to fly all the way back to PHX. Ain't gonna happen!!

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AWA can't be beat out of PHX.
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Again, it really comes down to what type of flying you're doing. Yes, HP can get me to LAX, ORD, or JFK non-stop in J, but they can't get me beyond that. While they're great for PHX/LAS based domestic flyers, they do have limits.

Now I still use HP for my smaller PHX-LAS/LAX/OAK flights, but FlightFund simply can't take the place of being a OW or *A member.

It's funny how my flying needs changed just before HP screwed FF members. Divine intervention?

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"Rows 50 and above are business seats for those with infants" - gfowler-ord-1k
SkyTeam - "The whatever's leftover Alliance"

I've been flying this airline regularly, as well as posting in this forum, since 1999. I live less than a mile from corporate headquarters and have a good deal of knowledge about the airline. At various times, I have been a stockholder of America West Holdings. Additionally, I am presently a FlightFund Gold Elite.

If that doesn't give me the right to offer my opinion (which is based in fact, by the way), I don't know who should be permitted to post here. If you can't handle the opinions of other people, I suggest you stop visiting public forums.

Pretty much what I expected a broken record.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SanDiegoShaun:
[B]Hey iahphx, I here you and so do the 60K people that fly HP everyday. However I know there are a few regulars in here that are watering at the mouth ready to to disagree with most of the things you said. Oh and as an added bonus, even though you did not ask for it, you will get a comparison of things that other airlines (by name) are better at then HP.</font>

Perhaps you should consider proof reading your posts before you submit them. Appropriate use of here/hear, then/than, etc. might serve to bolster your argument.

Come on now... let's all play nice!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


ByrdluvsAWACO, I would like to ask you a question via private email. I do not see an email address listed for you. Would you please email me at the address listed in my profile? Thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TransWorldOne:
Perhaps you should consider proof reading your posts before you submit them. Appropriate use of here/hear, then/than, etc. might serve to bolster your argument.

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Thanks for the English lesson, I wish I had the time to carefully proof read for grammar. At any rate that was a pathetic attempt at a jab, which means I must have hit a sour note. How about you help me proof read grammar and in turn I will help you by pointing out each time you repeat the same thing just in different threads. No need to bolster any argument, your like a broken record.

sorry to start the sting here...I do enjoy everyone's comments, good or bad. I've been exclusively DL for the past 5 years, however, seeing that my only Intl travel is to Toronto and HP has a non-stop, it just hit me, why I've been connecting thru CVG and ATL all these years, at gawd-awful fares and now at 50% MQM on DL at the lowest fare level?

Byrd has it right, flying patterns dictate the choice. I don't fly that much to require 2 or 3 airlines; only 1; but enough to always make a Gold Elite...on someone.

HP won the Freddie? Did not know that. Doesn't that really say volumes?

Altho, I doubt HP would comp me to Gold as they did a couple years back, but I ended up not being able to use them at the time as thought.

No need to say sorry, as I agree. However it would just be nice if when someone like you asked a question, the response was well balanced. Overall this forum is subjective however you do have some people that are bitter about some changes in the FF program and meal service. What happens is people tend to point out what HP does not have while pointing out what other airlines have. I might not have an issue if it was a one on one comparison versus combining all the best things about the other airlines and comparing them to HP. The problem is you will get something like; "well there are other airlines with better frequency out of PHX and there are airlines with better FF programs and there are airlines with better meals." I remember a TV commercial that a car company, I think Volvo ran finding categories it beat. They used like 5 different manufacturers. It was something like better acceleration then the BMW 325 and better breaking then the Honda Accord and things like that. Bottom line is there is no perfect airline all in one. If this were the case we would not be discussing this. HP has it's downsides as all do but overall it's a great airline. Great Safety record, nice age of fleet, great on-time performance, good overall product, reasonable fares, no Sat night stay requirements, good routes and growing, nice FA's, etc, etc.
If you normally pick your airline for its food over these reasons and would still like to try HP, might I suggest you buy your meal on board or pick up California Pizza Kitchen in PHX airport.

JenniferNAz,

YGM.


AIRcop,

Based on what you posted, even I would have to ask why you're staying with DL. HP is a good fit for you.

If you do decide to go with HP, I would recommend a some MR's to get to Plat as soon as possible. Silver is pathetic and Gold is a crying shame.

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HP won the Freddie? Did not know that. Doesn't that really say volumes?
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Yes, it says volumes about the program as it was last year. I seriously doubt they'll win again this year.

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"Rows 50 and above are business seats for those with infants" - gfowler-ord-1k
SkyTeam - "The whatever's leftover Alliance"

I know I am guilty of sounding like a broken record and hopefully it doesn't annoy everyone too much. I do however make sure I post compliments where and when due accordingly.

I find it somewhat humorous HP still markets the Freddy award--now they are two entirely different products, almost unrecognizable.

I wish HP had a strong international agreement as I fly to the UK three times a year. I refuse to cough up thousands just to get a particular coded fare to either get miles, elite miles, or both as what we currently have with the HP/BA "agreement". I didn't fly HP when they had a codeshare with Continental, so I have no idea what that was like.

Aircop-

I am a million mile flyer with United who switched to HP one year ago. I was comped HP Platinum last year and earned it for 2004.

I have no complaints about HP. I have received upgrades on 77 of 78 flights with no hassles. Living in PHX, I am able to fly directly to destinations giving me an extra half day at home and I arrive back in PHX at earlier times meaning more family time. I have come to love the fact that there are no connecting flights in Denver, Chicago, or SFO, and no associated weather delays.

I understand everyone has different costs associated with travel, but after filling out my taxes, I spent 15% less with HP for the year than a normal year with UA. HP has no Saturday night stay requirement. It has been my experience as well that the staff I have met with HP has far exceeded the attitude I dealt with at UA.

I also like the fact that there are no Saturday night stays required for the lowest fare. It is true that there are limits in award travel, but I am heading to Africa this summer on an award ticket with BA.

I wish I had switched 5 years ago when I moved to PHX.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SanDiegoShaun:
No need to bolster any argument, your like a broken record.</font>

your/you're

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SkyHarbor:
I have no complaints about HP. I have received upgrades on 77 of 78 flights with no hassles. Living in PHX, I am able to fly directly to destinations giving me an extra half day at home and I arrive back in PHX at earlier times meaning more family time. I have come to love the fact that there are no connecting flights in Denver, Chicago, or SFO, and no associated weather delays. . . . . I wish I had switched 5 years ago when I moved to PHX.</font>


Bingo! A voice of reason. There is more to life than maximizing every last ff mile. Getting to spend more time at home (with your family?) has to top the list.

Unless you're a real globehopper, or have very unusual travel patterns, I find it hard to believe that anyone in PHX would choose to be loyal to anyone except Southwest or AWA. Those are two good airlines with good prices, good ff programs, and plenty of nonstop flights. I think MOST frequent flyers would be happier with AWA, but I could see some folks prefering Southwest. It's hard for me to believe many would be better off anywhere else if they looked at it rationally.

Iahphx and Skyharbor you both are the voices of the majority, trust me. Maybe not on this board but you are in the real world. This is way HP is doing very well while many airlines are struggling.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by iahphx:

Unless you're a real globehopper, or have very unusual travel patterns,...</font>

Hellloooo! That's me. LHR for three days then on to CDG, and AMS.

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"Rows 50 and above are business seats for those with infants" - gfowler-ord-1k
SkyTeam - "The whatever's leftover Alliance"

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by iahphx:
Bingo! A voice of reason. There is more to life than maximizing every last ff mile...</font>

There is a reason why FlyerTalk Miles exists. It is all about frequent flyer programs and maximizing the benefits received. This isn't Yahoo! Finance, CrewStart, Plane Business...

TransWorldOne and SanDiegoShaun,

Understand that the two of you need to "agree to disagree" on your opinions of HP. If you want to continue your nitpicking at each other, start an email dialogue.


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-Steve
FlyerTalk Forum Moderator - Alaska Airlines / America West Airlines

[This message has been edited by smantl01 (edited Feb 17, 2004).]