MilesBuzz! - Chicago - Which airlines should I pick?

It looks like I will after 18 years have a chance to move back to my hometown!!!!!

Recently I was in Atlanta where I used the combo of AirTran and Delta. It worked out great. Airtran was an efficient low cost carrier with a great FF system. Delta had the AMEX Skymiles card and flew everywhere AirTran didn't (mostly non-stop).

Now I'm looking to do the same in Chicago. What low cost carrier is best? ATA? Southwest? Someone else?

Which big carrier is best, United or American? I am basically starting from scratch with each of these. I will live about equal distance from Midway and O'Hare.

It seems like American has a better FF plan and more legroom in coach, but UA has more flights out of Chicago. Any suggestions?


mac

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¡Viaja con Dios!

Where do you intend to fly the most? Any international routes?

I occasionally fly internationally, but most of my flights are domestic. Typically FL, GA, NYC, DC, TX, Las Vegas, but I'm liable to go anywhere.

Most of the trips will be personal/pleasure, but I may pick up some business flights later. I may try to make a couple of trips to South America for the first time

As a matter of fact, I make it a habit of flying to wherever is on sale. United seems to have more Web and weekend specials out of CHI, but the people on Flyertalk seems to like AA and HATE UA.

mac

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¡Viaja con Dios!

Looking at where you like to go, I'd say you've got two choices, and guess which ones they are. Let's just put it like this -- if you want to go non-stop from Chicago to the places you need to go, the two biggest airlines are your best choices. American will get you from hub to hub if you're flying to Dallas, United will do that for you if you're going to DC.

You'll be well served, no matter which one you go with .

Out of Midway it's definitely Southwest. They are adding lots of nonstops from MDW, including the west coast. Their ff program is simple but great for what it is - book online and you get double credits. That means - 1 free ticket for every 4 roundtrips.

And if you get 100 credits in any 12 month period, you get a free companion pass for a year. The credits can come from anywhere, including car rentals and credit card points ($1000 = 1 credit). You can even use the companion pass when traveling on a free ticket yourself.

[This message has been edited by JerryFF (edited 08-14-2002).]

Looks like you are a good candidate for American. Main reason I'd take AA over UA is that you said most of your travel is personal/leisure. That typically means restricted-Y, which on AA is always MRTC. On UA it can be E+ if you are elite, but even if you reach Premier status, E+ is sometimes tough to get. You will earn miles roughly in the same manner on either carrier, but you will be more comfortable doing it on AA.

Also, general consensus is that AA treats its nonelites and low-elites better than UA. I have flown as both Prem Exec and Platinum, and I would say this is definitely true. I feel AA employees treat the Gold/Plat levels with courtesy, whereas I don't get the same feel from UA.

LUV is obviously wonderful if you fly the right routes (i.e., if you were a weekly commuter to MCI or STL or something).

Yet another different opinion...

If someone else is paying for the fare and you want upgrades, then people often chose AA or UA. UA flies to more cities, but, as one post said, some like AA (some hate AA, too).

If you barely meet or miss elite levels, you may consider Alaska Airlines plan. You can get credit for American, Continental, Northwest, Alaska, KLM, British Airways, and others.

Southwest is not so awful as I used to think. Other airlines are also developing the cattle car approach and not serving even a muffin in the am.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped:
That typically means restricted-Y, which on AA is always MRTC. On UA it can be E+ if you are elite, but even if you reach Premier status, E+ is sometimes tough to get.

LUV is obviously wonderful if you fly the right routes (i.e., if you were a weekly commuter to MCI or STL or something).</font>

Can someone please define MRTC, E+, and LUV? Thanks!


mac

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¡Viaja con Dios!

Don't forget ATA out of Midway. They have non-stop service to major cities on both coasts, as well as to Florida/Carribean. They don't appear to have much of a frequent flier program, but if you need a low-fare non-stop, they are a good option.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by macbravery:
Can someone please define MRTC, E+, and LUV? Thanks!


mac

</font>

MRTC = More Room Throughout Coach (American Airlines)
E+ = Economy Plus (United)
LUV = Southwest's ticker symbol

If you think you will get at least 25,000 miles of flying in then go for UA or AA so you can reap the benefits of their status programs (ATA has no FF program, and Southwest has no premium cabins)Also O'hare is much nicer than Midway IMHO. I personally prefer UA because I fly mostly west coast and midwest and can fly just about anywhere for under $200 if I plan ahead. UA also has some bigger planes on their domestic routes (777, 747)if you care about upgrading. You can argue UA vs AA until you're blue in the face on FT. I would start looking up some sample fares on each and see what fits you better. Welcome Home!!!!!!!

UA does not fly out of Midway, while AA flies out of both O'Hare and Midway. I took a quick look at fares from Midway, and it sure looks like AA is competitive out of there ($168RT to SEA, LAS, LAX for the fall). If you're looking for "Southwest effect" fares, AA might be the better option in a AA-UA comparison, as they will have to compete with them out of Midway for similar routes.

Question for AA flyers: what nonstops does AA fly out of Midway other than DFW? Wasn't LGA recently added? Any others?

Go with AA

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tom911:
UA does not fly out of Midway, while AA flies out of both O'Hare and Midway. I took a quick look at fares from Midway, and it sure looks like AA is competitive out of there ($168RT to SEA, LAS, LAX for the fall). If you're looking for "Southwest effect" fares, AA might be the better option in a AA-UA comparison, as they will have to compete with them out of Midway for similar routes.

Question for AA flyers: what nonstops does AA fly out of Midway other than DFW? Wasn't LGA recently added? Any others?</font>


AA starts LGA-MDW service on September 4th with 3 daily flights.

UA vs. AA is a simple problem... pick the airline that is not going to go bankrupt anytime soon.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RobertS975:
UA vs. AA is a simple problem... pick the airline that is not going to go bankrupt anytime soon.</font>

Bankruptcy doesn't mean that the airline shuts down and closes its doors and ceases operations. USAirways is still flying its full schedule, and my friend who works there is still getting her paycheck.

If UAL files for bankruptcy, they'll still be operating. It will take years before they go away -- if they do.

I wouldn't let bankruptcy considerations affect my travel plans. Investing plans, yes, travel plans, no.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mdtony:
I wouldn't let bankruptcy considerations affect my travel plans. Investing plans, yes, travel plans, no.</font>

Well then isn't getting miles into a frequent flyer account a type of "investing"???

Bankrupt airlines rarely survive in anything close to their current form... just CO comes to mind. And FF miles often survive, ala EA, PA and TW. But if I had to start fresh in Chicago, there is no choice IMO, and that would be AA.

IIRC the only airline to ever go BK and still exist is CO. All others that come to mind have faded out of existence. Their FF programs may have transferred over, but the ariline as a separate entity does not.



[This message has been edited by zipual (edited 08-15-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nerd:
MRTC = More Room Throughout Coach (American Airlines)
E+ = Economy Plus (United)
LUV = Southwest's ticker symbol

</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Sorry 'bout the overuse of acronyms!! I think I've been reading this message board too long!

It is not necssary to use MDW in order to benefit from the "Southwest effect." AA and UA (and just about everybody else) match Southwest MDW fares on flights into ORD. I fly RDU-ORD with some frequency, always get those WN-equivalent fares (advance purchase; the walk-up fares may differ significantly).

One note of distinction between UA and AA:

AA: much better coverage of the south.
UA: much better coverage of the west.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sgopal2:
Well then isn't getting miles into a frequent flyer account a type of "investing"???</font>

I wouldn't sweat it. Like I said, if UAL files for bankruptcy, they won't shut down and cease operations. That means they won't kill the Mileage Plus program.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mdtony:
I wouldn't sweat it. Like I said, if UAL files for bankruptcy, they won't shut down and cease operations. That means they won't kill the Mileage Plus program.</font>

If UA kills MP, then it would be end of UA. Remember both CO and TW didn't kill their FF program when they were in chaper 11...

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ValueConsumer.com (http://www.valueconsumer.com) Home of Tripple Dipping Online Shopping

Give Midway a try either AA or WN. New terminal is easier than Ohare, quick downtown on Orange El and better food (local restaurants) than Ohare and no waiting for a gate to open up.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by zipual:
IIRC the only airline to ever go BK and still exist is CO. </font>

HP filed for Chapter 11 about 10 years ago. Whether they have survived, though, is another debate. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Mike

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tom911:
UA does not fly out of Midway, while AA flies out of both O'Hare and Midway. I took a quick look at fares from Midway, and it sure looks like AA is competitive out of there ($168RT to SEA, LAS, LAX for the fall). If you're looking for "Southwest effect" fares, AA might be the better option in a AA-UA comparison, as they will have to compete with them out of Midway for similar routes.

Question for AA flyers: what nonstops does AA fly out of Midway other than DFW? Wasn't LGA recently added? Any others?</font>

AA flies to Dallas (I think DFW although in the past it may have been Love Field) and will start service to LGA in the fall.

I wouldn't play to much into the AA Midway thing - the fares may be a little cheaper from there but everything requires connection through Dallas.

Thanks guys! I think I'm leaning a little toward AA for the MRTC extra legroom. They should be rewarded for their efforts in that arena. Also they fly some thru MDW although that means DFW and that almost negates this advantage.

It seems that AA's FF program is a little more innovative and easier to earn non-flight points in than UA's.

One advantage UA DOES HAVE is that their weekend special offerings are consistenly better than AA's.

Since ATA has no FF program, I guess my discount airline will be WN. I mean, after all, you can't expect a FlyerTalker to fly an airline with no FF program! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

mac

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¡Viaja con Dios!

I'm guessing out of ORD, except for TX, UA is likely to have a better schedule to the places you want to go. Plus, it you travel just weekends, you are right on the UA weekend specials. If you get to some sort of exalted status, UA will treat you well out of ORD.

HOWEVER - MDW with SW is likely to have the lowest fares on average - due to SW and ATA. If price is paramount, consider basing out of MDW.

And, despite UA advantages, AA tends to better overall on treatment (except for meals). I would also be leery of dealing with any airline while they go through bankruptcy - it tends to distract the staff and make everyone grumpy, especially those who are losing equity and facing layoffs.

I use UA and AA about 75%/25% (which means no elite status on AA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif). Maybe I'll put my mind to that and get to AA elite if I can't find anything better to do this fall.

Anyway, with the combo I am assured of getting anywhere I need to for business at essentially any time of the day. Business fares (defined for this purpose as no w/e stay) tend to be exactly the same.

I use WN ONLY when I can't plan ahead for leisure travel. Typically I'll use it for short hops to CLE and CMH to visit friends and family. You can't beat $60 r/t.

My suggestion is to pick either UA or AA as your primary program, but to do your best to get the other when you're not able to fly your primary.

The above is common sense, but you should also consider getting an affinity CC and otherwise funneling partnership miles into the OTHER program. This gives you a fighting chance to get to award-ticket-generating levels in both programs more quickly, even with modest flying on your primary carrier, and reduces the chance that your infrequent trips on the non-primary carrier will result in orphaned miles.

Diversify. Where do you have miles banked now? If it's DL, a UA partner, go AA.

Bottom line: airlines may go out of business, consolidate, or whatnot. Last thing you want is all your eggs (miles) in one basket (account).