US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - Where have you gone?

Where have you taken your business and will you come back?

Any one who has been active in this forum over the past two to three years has noticed a substantial decrease in posting here. If the others are like me, they have taken their business to another carrier and as a result have less to contribute here. The reasons for this move are not the purpose of this thread. Mine are well documented if you want to do a search.

I’m interested in knowing where you took your business to and will you come back? Now that you have left US, what will it take to get you back?

Personally I’m at a cross roads. I’ve taken all but 18 segments this year to other carriers, primarily DL. In order to re-qualify for CP, I need thirty more segments. As I’ve state before, if I’m not going to be a CP, I’m not going to fly US. If I wait to see the impact of Doug and crew, I may wait too long and miss CP. I now must decide whether it is worth the effort to protect my status?

Any one else trying to make this decision?

Every-other-week BOS-LAX runs got me to 1K on UA midway through the year. Their nonstops make more sense than a connection, especially on redeyes. With 50K US miles, mostly from the rollover, I'm facing my first non-CP year in 7-8 years. I could knock out another 50K to get there, but why not just put the miles toward UA, and gather a couple extra UA systemwide upgrades and call it a year? It's just that after 10+ years at some preferred status on US, I feel like I'm cheating on my wife ... and if they'd just freaking acknowledge million mile status with some elite for life scenario like AA and others do, this would be an easier decision....

I switched to United. No plans to come back to US. I'd return only if United treats me as badly as US did one time or if United shuts down; I don't expect either event to happen in the near future.

Have not flown US since 5/27/05 since they no longer fly where I have needed to go this summer. Now have status on AA and Airtran (big whoop) and may qualify for a companion pass on WN. Oh yeah, and a friends' Canadair 604. ^

I will return to the big blue bird this weekend and have a bunch of trips scheduled on US during the next two months. There are about 20K miles planned for this period on US and some 2 hour non-stops on WN.

It will be interesting to see and hear the changes that have occurred over the summer.

US hasn't been flying where I've been going. I could do alternate airports but they add 1 to 2 hours drive time and, at this point, I don't think that it's worth it.

I've been mostly flying NW. Initially that was very, very good. They've cut back on in-flight service substantially of late which is bad. The US snack basket is definitely better than a bag of spinzels and snack mix. But drinks are still in glass which is good. And the coffee is usually decent -- especially compared to US'. NW's clubs are excellent! The F cabins in the Airbuses are all F16 and snagging an upgrade as a gold has been very reliable. And the 757s are F24. Upgrading across the pond, OTOH, seems to be a problem :(

NW's use of technology is light-years beyond anything US has done.

Would I come back? Perhaps, I've certainly got a soft spot for US, but US would need to 1) be flying where I need to go, 2) have reasonably competitive service, 3) do a lot to improve their e-commerce capabilities.

Hadn't flown US for 12-18 months on the theory that things looked bleak. Took my US business over to CO where I had been doing half of my business anyway. (Made Plat there)
Since the AW news I took a second look at them and then the Preferred challenge promos came along and I should be CP by the end of the month but then I am back to qualifying for my CO status.
I still have bad feelings about what happened at PIT and the fact that PIT is now less appealing because of the lack of direct service. (I live between CLE and PIT)
In summary, because I'll have status again, I'll fly them when they're cheaper. No more, no less. When CO and US tie in price, it'll be CO. US deserve no more than that and they probably deserve less.
Just my story.

I've also gone to NW. I'm about 3 segments away from Gold on NW. Short of Silver on US for re-qualify but will probably book my next few weekend trips (LAX/BOS/ORD/PHL/MCO) on US just to re-qualify Silver on US for 2006.

Left USAirways as my preferred carrier about 2.5 years ago. Flew American (earned Plat, and got used to connections) several times, then had a stint down in Atlanta where I flew Delta. Now that my business travel is down to nearly zero I fly Southwest most of the time (no change fees are what still seals the deal) but otherwise it's cheapest carrier goes... the airlines have decided to only compete on price, so they set the table that way.

although I don't fly that often (about twice a year) I fly either NW or Southwest. I used to fly strictly US. Now I do everything I can to avoid them. Southwest to Florida and Chicago and Northwest to Detroit and Minneapolis.

...and if they'd just freaking acknowledge million mile status with some elite for life scenario like AA and others do...

HP does this! Once you are a million miler, you remain Gold Elite for lifetime.

HP does this! Once you are a million miler, you remain Gold Elite for lifetime.

How about for those of us who have almost 2 million earned?

HP does this! Once you are a million miler, you remain Gold Elite for lifetime.

I wonder how this will affect the program of the newly merged carrier that will operate solely with Dividend Miles. With programs like AA and DL where they give you status for "life", it is not for YOUR life, it's the life of the program. Hence, if the HP FlightFund program is defunct after the merger, what happens to all those "lifetime" golds? The program's life is over, will the status that goes with it be? Hmmmmmmmm.....

If those members are grandfathered, then what about all the US million+ milers (and there are a *LOT* of them)??

[B]...I’ve taken all but 18 segments this year to other carriers, primarily DL. In order to re-qualify for CP, I need thirty more segments. As I’ve state before, if I’m not going to be a CP, I’m not going to fly US... About a year ago, we decided that the top tier Medallion status that we were nearing on DL had become virtually meaningless because almost all of our regular routes were changing over to Song and RJs.

Since I believed that the US guys at the RoachFest were sincere in talking about focusing on FLL (I learned better about them after a bit), we shifted all of our business to US, where as GPs, we were upgraded domestically every time and still had the choice of a few nonstops everywhere we needed to go. When we are going somewhere, we want to get there and changing at either ATL or CLT has no attraction for us (US on the other hand, has changes available for our routes at DCA if the nonstops are not available, and DCA is just about the easiest place to change flights that one can imagine).

This year, we will both hit CP about mid-September and will have a good chance to evaluate the HP impact over the next year.

As far as a comparison between the service on US and that on DL, there is none. The US people have bucked up mightily since the merger was announced, the planes are generally clean and comfortable with good supplies of pillows and blankets (items that DL has decided are not necessary for the passengers' comfort), and on our two or three hour fllights, we don't want any airline food, preferring the US snack basket to anything DL puts out in F (we await the seasonal return of the xoxos, some of which turned up unexpectedly on a PBI-DCA flight last week).

We have not taken DL mainline since early this year and do not know how the personnel are holding up under the doom and gloom scenarios that are going around right now, but an FA on a DL coded Chautauqua flight last week implied that it was "not so good."

So, we're not going anywhere and maybe L4P has a different mix of DL flights than we would have so that PM is important to him, but that status would be useless to us and the US Preferred treatment is very satisfactory. We are staying.

I have my feet firmly planted with US Airways. I guess that is no shocker to anyone.

If anything I have doubled my business with US and have no reason to switch to another carrier. I look forward to the bright future of the marriage and will be at the wedding and honeymoon. :)

If anything I have doubled my business with US and have no reason to switch to another carrier. I look forward to the bright future of the marriage and will be at the wedding and honeymoon. :)

I'm with ya on this. I have substantially increased my US flying this year, 100+ segments thus far, and decreased my flying on NW and UA. Still anxiously waiting to see how the FF program shakes out.

I'm with all of you guys.

Believe it or not, I've never flown on any airline other than US Airways. Don't know why really, other than I just like US Airways. I know things got a little bit bad there for a while, and there were nicer FC cabin experiences flying around, but I just stuck with them.

Things are looking up now and I am thouroughly enjoying myself flying around this year as GP. This is my first year as GP and my goal is to make CP next year.

I love flying with US Airways and as long as they are around, I won't be going anywhere. ;)

Travel changed to mostly transcon flights. So far all Jetblue, but that's partly because in the summer I don't risk connections anywhere. I think its funny that Jetblue has a $25 change fee while US has a $25 standby fee.

Take a shuttle in a few weeks, first flight on U.S. this year. Have had a few international on United/LH as well, but all award tickets.

I took my business to (in approximately descending order) Delta, United, Southwest, AA, and my car.

I never left. Flirted with DL for half a second, but realized that in fortress CLT, I was with US until the bitter end if that ever came to pass.

I've actually arrived at US. AA is my first choice, but US is my solid second for places that AA can't take me. I have no complaints other than some customer interfacing IT stuff that I think they could do better. Their frontline folks have been very nice to me. Perhaps my expectations were low, but it's gone far better than I'd expected.

I'd been crediting my US flying to UA, but made the break around the 1st of June. The comp upgrades on US won me over. I know, First on US isn't that much, but frankly, I don't need much more than a big seat, a cocktail and a pack of cashews between DCA and CLT/LGA/BOS/FLL....and a few other small towns in North and South Carolina.

realized that in fortress CLT, I was with US until the bitter end if that ever came to pass.

I'm in the fortress of PHL and came to the same realization. Last year I thought about bailing...but until/unless someone else picks up all the PHL routes, it didn't make sense. I'm hangin' in there. I also just joined the club.....only for the 5K preferred miles. So glad to read about the LAX club reopening.

Given project/client changes, I switched most of my travel to my car. Hard to justify the PIT-CMH fares when it's 3 hours door-to-door and I'm getting $0.42/mile on a car with 130k+ miles.

I've done a few hops to EWR, BWI, LGA, and others, usually on what's timely and cheapest - sometimes US, sometimes not. And a vacation to Hawaii was on UA - $550 vs. $1500 US codeshares on the same flight.

How about for those of us who have almost 2 million earned?

Or 3?

It will be interesting what happens to "lifetime" status from HP - I recall the TWA folks weren't treated too kindly by AA in that regard. I would certainly support a new benefit in the combined DM program.

I just received my 2005-2006 CP card in the mail today, so I probably will continue to fly them as gratitude for the 18k miles, 18 segment promo they sent me in July.

I'm also flying AA and on occasionally, WN. I've got Plat Medallion on DL for next year, so am done with them for now.

US seems more stable than DL. And the flights I've been on with AA recently have alot more empty seats than US or DL. DFW sucks for connections too.. :td:

I never left. Flirted with DL for half a second, but realized that in fortress CLT, I was with US until the bitter end if that ever came to pass.

I am in CLT too but will not take US; I take UA instead. It makes life kind of difficult, but there is a world out there, just via IAD, ORD or DEN, and all in E+, with no upgrade hassles (and more Preferred miles due to having to connect).

I'm not planning on going anywhere...
Out of RIC I actually prefer connecting flights so I can keep and mantain status... That probably sounds nuts, but hey, I like the perks! That being said, US services just about everywhere I need to go out of CLT or PHL, both of which are a quick 40 minute hop.
DL means a trip to ATL or Cincy...
I'm in MSP right now and NW has a direct, but I made my CLT connection in FC the whole way and it was great....

I've noticed general attitudes are getting much better! GAs and FAs seem happier, pilots have been more vocal on flights. I'm thinking that is a sign that the staff is feeling better and the merger is good news. I guess I also became a GP (CP after today's flight!!!) too late to know about these 'real' glasses you people speak of. I suspect they are like what I drink scotch out of at home... I'll just have to imagine.

Stayed with US primarily, but have been using Southwest occasionally and even ATA and AirTran (ouch) all of these other carriers for last minute travel or other circumstances, usually fare related. One or two United flights too. I like CO, but have not really had occasion to use them. I am just about to requlify for Gold and won't make CP, but will probably do at least another 25K this year so am wondering if I should go with another airline to get status (United?)

Last year i spread travel between ATA,WN, JetBlue, AirTran, United, Delta, depending on fares and schedules but still mostly US.

I will not make CP this year, although with the defections that have obviously occured, AWA would be crazy not to requalify anyone who had it last year, on a one time basis. I have shifted much of my travel to CO, where I have always held lifetime Platinum. Personally, I think the merger may collapse. The latest operating numbers show a massive loss, and without explanation, it could knock over the operating plan upon which equity investments have been predicated.

flying UA because of my move to Chicago; still crediting miles to US as I want E+ and don't have enough travel (yet) to justify asking for comp Premier.

I'm still "here" but posting less.

Most of my travel these days is on UA, but have been crediting most of the miles to US. I'm at 43K this year, and once I hit 50K I'll move over the rest of my earning to UA where I managed to get a comp to Premier. I'm optimistic for what lies ahead for US/HP which is why I want to keep that US GP status around for next year, but since my company preferred carrier is UA, I'm also going to open that door and at least then I'll have a shot at an upgrade on UA which I currently lack given my US status.

I miss the upgrades, the nice US staff, and the way I know PHL and CLT like the back of my hand. However, the transcons from SFO to BOS and JFK just make the connection (and chance of flying US in Y.. rather than UA in E+) and trip on US not worth it.

Janeway,

How long after completing your qualifying flight did you get your CP confirmation? Did you also get your transAtlantic UP certs?

We'll hit the qualifying mark in mid-October. We've got a flight to LGW booked in Dec and it would be nice to be able to use one of the UG certs if they arrive in time.

Barry

Undoubtedly, lots of folks have had to make decisions about who to fly with and some US folks have migrated elsewhere. But I haven't noticed a decrease in postings in this forum. Nor have I have noticed a decrease in flight capacity on the routes that we normally fly.

Living in the PHL market, US continues to meet our travel needs and expectations. I actually look forward to the HP acquisition. On the other hand, the current cost of oil has to worry anyone, regardless of with whom they fly. There's tough times ahead for all of the airlines.

What kind of a hybrid discounter/full service/trans-Atlantic/Hawaii carrier might the new US become? Only time will tell. But it's an exciting prospect at the moment.

We're sticking with US and wishing them the best of luck. I don't want to think of the PHL meltdown that a failure of US would create for us if we had to scramble for new alternatives as other carriers pick through the pieces.

Barry

Janeway,

How long after completing your qualifying flight did you get your CP confirmation? Did you also get your transAtlantic UP certs?

We'll hit the qualifying mark in mid-October. We've got a flight to LGW booked in Dec and it would be nice to be able to use one of the UG certs if they arrive in time.

Barry

Hi Barry,

It took a week or so longer after my qualifying flights to get CP than for most people, because I had to call about getting credit for some flights that hadn't been credited to my account. I'm not sure of the exact number of days, but at least a week or so after CP status was granted I received the UG certs with the card.

I hope US makes it too. I like them much better than DL.

Thanks to those who replied and managed to stay on topic.....

While I haven't made a final decision, in my heart of heart I know. I booked a trip to DFW in which US was less money than the other choices and I booked away from US. Not a good sign.....

If they want me back, some one some where is going to have to make an effort or I'm afraid a long and rocky relationship has finally come to an end. However in my case I've made CCY mad enough that I don't expect any phone calls.

Still undecided. US gains one point by re-opening the LAX club. UA gains one point by consistently having cheaper fares than US, and by flying to more places I'm going than US does. Hopefully that will change with the "new US."

Ive switched, or rather shifted to UA, AA, Amtrak and not flying as much (heresy I know). I am at Silver on US an will end up there at years end. I have been a CP since the year they instituted the Silver/Gold designations. I was whatever Gold was called before that. I may not have any other US flights. Like you I was debating what to do. When the CP fasttrack promo came out, I wasnt targetted but tried to register. I had a few segments coming up that would be on US and if I had been able to register I would have done the remainder to requalify.

Bottom line is they wouldnt let me register. I actually felt relieved. I tried to give up on US last year but the double miles promo lured me in. The promos are like crack, and them refusing to let me register was a blessing in disguise.

I will probably hit Select Plus on Amtrak. Im at 87,000 miles on UA this year. Im only at about 12K on AA but I have at least one transcon, a handful of mid con/short hops, a London trip, a trip to MNL and a RTW in business planned for the remainder fo the year so 1K an Plat are pretty much in the bag. There is even a remote possibility of 1K and Exec Plat but I had a family illness that took lots of time on short hops and will likely prevent the Exec Plat this year.

Like you, I cant see flying US if Im not a CP so I suspect I will credit all my miles on them, if there are any, to UA. Next years goal is probably going to be 1K and Exec Plat although we will see how all the carriers are doing. Ive about shaken my jones for flying US.