UA alternative in SMF (Sacramento)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: UA 2.6 MM, 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 115
UA alternative in SMF (Sacramento)
Hello fellow Flyertalkers,
I have been flying UAL for 20 years out of SMF as it has been the best airline option for me with direct flights to DEN, LAX, SFO, ORD, IAD and IAH and plenty of ongoing connections to Asia, Europe and South America. With the ongoing devaluation of flyers' perks value, I've tried to see what other alternatives might be available. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything satisfying
- DAL and AA have limited options out of SMF
- I have flown Southwest for some short haul to LAS, PHX and various LA airports. However I wouldn't fly them for flights longer than 2 hours
Has anyone been successful at finding an alternative from this specific airport (SMF) for both domestic and overseas travel? I wouldn't consider flying out of SFO, OAK or SJC on a regular basis due to the commute involved (I am just 20' away from SMF). I'll take a few more UA flights this year to reach 2MM. After that I'll be ready for a switch.
Thank you in advance for any insights you might be able to share.
Cheers!
Szbenny
I have been flying UAL for 20 years out of SMF as it has been the best airline option for me with direct flights to DEN, LAX, SFO, ORD, IAD and IAH and plenty of ongoing connections to Asia, Europe and South America. With the ongoing devaluation of flyers' perks value, I've tried to see what other alternatives might be available. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything satisfying
- DAL and AA have limited options out of SMF
- I have flown Southwest for some short haul to LAS, PHX and various LA airports. However I wouldn't fly them for flights longer than 2 hours
Has anyone been successful at finding an alternative from this specific airport (SMF) for both domestic and overseas travel? I wouldn't consider flying out of SFO, OAK or SJC on a regular basis due to the commute involved (I am just 20' away from SMF). I'll take a few more UA flights this year to reach 2MM. After that I'll be ready for a switch.
Thank you in advance for any insights you might be able to share.
Cheers!
Szbenny
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
According to statistics published by the Sacramento County Air System for June 2014, http://www.sacramento.aero/scas/about/reports , the heaviest service out of SMF is on Southwest. Looking at total passenger enplanements reported in 2014 (from http://www.sacramento.aero/download....planements.pdf ):
WN logged 2.3 million passengers at SMF year-to-date.
In second, third, fourth, and fifth place for 2014 year-to-date comes US+AA (481k passengers together // 239k+242k separate), UA (369k passengers), DL (284k passengers), and AS (233k passengers).
If you want to fly a legacy carrier (by which is meant "not Southwest") and you want more service than UA, your current best option looks like US+AA. However, I don't know to what extent their merger will bring consolidation or service reductions.
WN logged 2.3 million passengers at SMF year-to-date.
In second, third, fourth, and fifth place for 2014 year-to-date comes US+AA (481k passengers together // 239k+242k separate), UA (369k passengers), DL (284k passengers), and AS (233k passengers).
If you want to fly a legacy carrier (by which is meant "not Southwest") and you want more service than UA, your current best option looks like US+AA. However, I don't know to what extent their merger will bring consolidation or service reductions.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,652
What about splitting your travel with SWA for domestic and a legacy for international?
I'm mostly domestic, but I now split my hotel stays between SPG and HH, and my car rentals between National and Hertz. I'm top status in all four, and enjoy all the perks and much greater freedom in the process.
I wish I could do this with air travel, but I'm a segment guy.
I'm mostly domestic, but I now split my hotel stays between SPG and HH, and my car rentals between National and Hertz. I'm top status in all four, and enjoy all the perks and much greater freedom in the process.
I wish I could do this with air travel, but I'm a segment guy.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: 1K 2MM
Posts: 605
You pose a very good question. I fly out of SEA, and travel to SMF on UA 10-15 times a year for business, and that's likely going to continue for 5 years. Right now I'm in Sac, and just rec'd a message that due to ATC my flight to SFO tomorrow evening is cancelled, and I'm re-routed thru LAX, getting to SEA at 2346, which makes it damned hard to get a ferry home. So why do I keep putting up w this, when I could be on AS or WN, non-stop? Psychological counseling is welcome :
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
#7
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
When you find that help let the rest of us know.
You pose a very good question. I fly out of SEA, and travel to SMF on UA 10-15 times a year for business, and that's likely going to continue for 5 years. Right now I'm in Sac, and just rec'd a message that due to ATC my flight to SFO tomorrow evening is cancelled, and I'm re-routed thru LAX, getting to SEA at 2346, which makes it damned hard to get a ferry home. So why do I keep putting up w this, when I could be on AS or WN, non-stop? Psychological counseling is welcome :
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,635
I've switched to AS and DL and I'm very happy. With AS I can bank my occasional AA travel and get decent seating with my MVPG status. This year while testing the waters I also banked all my DL travel there but soon starting a plat challenge with them. Delta has plenty of options with flights to SLC, ATL, and MSP and great connections from all 3. They also have higher frequency to LAX than UA, and you can use AS to connect to the new network developing in SEA.
So, this AS and DL thing is working for me so far. Next year I'll be heavier invested in DL than AS, but expect to maintain status in both.
US has good lift but both eastbound transcons are seasonal and redeye which is awful.
So, this AS and DL thing is working for me so far. Next year I'll be heavier invested in DL than AS, but expect to maintain status in both.
US has good lift but both eastbound transcons are seasonal and redeye which is awful.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
You pose a very good question. I fly out of SEA, and travel to SMF on UA 10-15 times a year for business, and that's likely going to continue for 5 years. Right now I'm in Sac, and just rec'd a message that due to ATC my flight to SFO tomorrow evening is cancelled, and I'm re-routed thru LAX, getting to SEA at 2346, which makes it damned hard to get a ferry home. So why do I keep putting up w this, when I could be on AS or WN, non-stop? Psychological counseling is welcome :
#10
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
As this thread involves SMF (Sacramento) and flying airlines other than United, I'm moving this thread to the California forum. Please continue the discussion there.
Thanks
goalie
UA Moderator
Thanks
goalie
UA Moderator
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,172
To the OP I would stick with *A for INtL for the Gold benefits of 2MM (and I think Plat on UA?).
The main reason to combine all on one is if you need the miles for status. Lifetime status renders that moot
The other would be for domestic upgrades. I decided free WiFi and no penalties on WN trumped the chance to get an upgrade now and then.
The last remaining benefit of UA at SMF is being in a ghost town Terminal A and closest to the garage...
#12
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHX
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Posts: 929