By the way, I think if you choose to fly UA alot and get status on UA, the chance of getting op-up is much higher than that of OZ or KE from what I saw on flyertalk. (just my observation - could be wrong but what I know is KE usually never do op-up)
I am a UA 1K (have been for past four years) and I've had several op-ups (including double upgrades) on UA flights over the past two years or so, albeit, I was on higher fare class (Y,B).
What's good with UA (if you are 1P, op-ups are quite rare because there are so many 1Ks in front of you) is that when you fly 100K miles you get SWUs that can be used to upgrade on cheap(er) fares (W class or higher). I know I am just one data point, but I have not failed SWU upgrade clear (many times on the day of departure). So, I haven't seen the back of the "bus" for a long time on long haul flights.
Fortunately, UA C seats aren't that luxurious so if I had to travel in Y, I wouldn't be so upset or notice a significant difference (yes for the seat but no for the service level ). Ah, also note, if you are at least a 3P (Premier Associate, a gifted status), you get economy plus access on all of your UA flights... so that could be of an advantage if you are switching to UA MP program.
Nonetheless, the rule of thumb is that if you didn't pay for it, don't expect it (op-ups). Op-ups are rare in all cases. The reason we hear more of these stories is that FT is a community of frequent fliers (sometimes I think they are mostly UA fliers... ) that flies more than 50-100K miles per year; therefore, you are likely to hear more irregular operations stories and op-ups.
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota, Next: Isla Mujeres, Mx... Next: Los Angeles Next.. er hopefully somewhere in transit ;)
Programs: Korean Air Morning Calm (ST+), Lufthansa M&M, SPG , Guest Luxuries(Graves 601), United Mileage Plus
Posts: 742
OZ over KE? ...
In my own opinion, KE's Freq. Flier schema blows, but in actuality, KE is a far better run airline and offers a far better service as well as flying to far more places than OZ.
Thanks so much for all of you guys' reply. It certainly helped a lot, although I'm still choosing which program to follow/keep.
Just FYI, I decided against F-class award trip and instead booked on C-class one. It certainly saves whole lot of miles, especially considering how my current miles will be permanent. I might as well take advantage of award trip/upgrade more than once.
So, I guess it's really either AC, OZ or UA for *A programs. DL could've been good if KE wasn't so picky about credible booking class. (Most of booking classes I take are ineligible for mileage redemption.)
Again, thanks for the advices, and please feel free to continue posting for additional informations.
In my own opinion, KE's Freq. Flier schema blows, but in actuality, KE is a far better run airline and offers a far better service as well as flying to far more places than OZ.
(Fyi, second non-korean in the thread)
I strongly agree, but they're too expensive and Skypass isn't so generous about premium levels.
I'm also considering the partner airlines, not just KE and OZ themselves. Therefore, since UA often offers the cheapest fare for IND-ICN and OZ/UA's programs allow for easier qualification of premium membership/less award ticket mileage needed, I'm now deciding to stick with *A.
Also an additional question: Now that I'm on ATL-ICN-ATL on C, I've been browsing for IND-ATL-IND. Delta was over $400, while AirTran was almost half the DL's; bit over $200. Of course FLT schedule and connection to KE with DL is no problem, but AirTran's FLT schedule is that I get to ATL around 7:30AM, and return is not much of an problem. I know low-cost carriers don't offer baggage connection, so that worries me. Also, do you get access to DL's lounge if you're traveling on C (ICN-ATL-IND wise)?
Also an additional question: Now that I'm on ATL-ICN-ATL on C, I've been browsing for IND-ATL-IND. Delta was over $400, while AirTran was almost half the DL's; bit over $200. Of course FLT schedule and connection to KE with DL is no problem, but AirTran's FLT schedule is that I get to ATL around 7:30AM, and return is not much of an problem. I know low-cost carriers don't offer baggage connection, so that worries me. Also, do you get access to DL's lounge if you're traveling on C (ICN-ATL-IND wise)?
Can you not add the ATL-IND legs to your ICN-ATL ticket to take advantage of through-pricing for ICN-IND? That's often cheaper than two separate tickets, though certainly not always. Don't know if KE has any codeshares that operate ATL-IND. Even so, you should be able to add DL-coded legs on an interline-ticket basis all issued by KE. That's the safest, of course, since if you misconnect on separate tickets, it's your problem, not the airlines'.
Don't know if AirTran will interline bags for you. It won't matter much on arrival to ATL, since you have to claim and re-check your bag anyway after customs. Going to Korea, it might be a hassle to exit security to collect your bag then re-check it. Worst of all, you might have a problem with the timing of KE's check-in desk opening: no more than 4 hours prior to scheduled departure. Don't know if the DL desks would process your check-in: I've never been there too early.
I can almost answer your lounge question, but not definitively. The issue is that I'm DL Platinum, and as SkyTeam Elite Plus the rules may be different for me as compared to ticketed Business Class pax. I have a similar situation coming up next week. Paid Prestige Class tix LAX-ICN-BKK on DL codeshares/KE metal, with separate Economy Class tix for ATL-LAX. (As compared to just going ATL-ICN-BKK, it was MUCH cheaper to buy tix out of LAX, earned more miles, and I have a decent shot at a complimentary upgrade on the domestic leg.) I have verified under SkyTeam rules and DL Platinum rules that having a same-day international ticket gets me at all airports throughout my journey regardless of the class of service I'm departing on. So in my case, I can use the Crown Room at ATL upon departure and at LAX when coming back. I'll just need to show them my same-day international SkyTeam boarding pass and maybe a copy of the rules, if someone needs a refresher (as can be the case).
For the OP, I don't think there is a SkyTeam lounge at IND, so that won't matter. You'll definitely be entitled to use the Crown Room at ATL based on your outbound Prestige Class BP. The only question seems to be using the ATL Crown Room when traveling ICN-ATL-IND. I just don't know if your arriving Boarding Pass will cut it. I have seen reports in the DL forum that showing an arriving TransAtlantic Business Class BP has been enough to get Crown Room access prior to an onward flight like, say ATL-SFO or whatever. I really don't know if you'll need to show a SkyTeam BP for your departing flight (an AirTran BP might make the lounge dragons restive).
Programs: UA, AA, KE, OZ Hyatt Platinum, Int Ambassador,
Posts: 203
I used to do that as well. Buying whatever was cheapest without thinking about royalty or building up status with one airline. But I want to change and refocus on achiving lifetime membership. And to do this, I need to narrow it down to which one I want. Since I travel ALOT between Asia and US and some additional traveling within US, there are three things I am looking for. 1. Annual and lifetime Lounge access 2. Mileage burn rate 3. ticket price.
This is what I pretty much narrowed down to:
KE Highlight:
It requires only 500,000 for lifetime lounge access.
The lowdown:
HIGH mileage burn rate and expensive ticket price between asia/us
OZ Highlight:
Reasonable ticket price between asia - US & reasonable lifetime requirement of 1,000,000 miles from all ALL staralliance flights, not only from oz.
The lowdow:
High mileage burn rate.
UA Highlight:
Low mileage burn rate and bonus miles for their elites.
The Lowdown: Requires 1,000,000 miles ONLY from UA.
You can only fly UA pretty much. This will be hard because their transpac service is absolutely horrendeous. I would not fly them if I had choice in the matter. And I do!
All have pros and cons and it comes down to just picking one I think. Please feel free to add if I am missing anything.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SJLee77
I strongly agree, but they're too expensive and Skypass isn't so generous about premium levels.
I'm also considering the partner airlines, not just KE and OZ themselves. Therefore, since UA often offers the cheapest fare for IND-ICN and OZ/UA's programs allow for easier qualification of premium membership/less award ticket mileage needed, I'm now deciding to stick with *A.
Also an additional question: Now that I'm on ATL-ICN-ATL on C, I've been browsing for IND-ATL-IND. Delta was over $400, while AirTran was almost half the DL's; bit over $200. Of course FLT schedule and connection to KE with DL is no problem, but AirTran's FLT schedule is that I get to ATL around 7:30AM, and return is not much of an problem. I know low-cost carriers don't offer baggage connection, so that worries me. Also, do you get access to DL's lounge if you're traveling on C (ICN-ATL-IND wise)?
Can you not add the ATL-IND legs to your ICN-ATL ticket to take advantage of through-pricing for ICN-IND? That's often cheaper than two separate tickets, though certainly not always. Don't know if KE has any codeshares that operate ATL-IND. Even so, you should be able to add DL-coded legs on an interline-ticket basis all issued by KE. That's the safest, of course, since if you misconnect on separate tickets, it's your problem, not the airlines'.
Don't know if AirTran will interline bags for you. It won't matter much on arrival to ATL, since you have to claim and re-check your bag anyway after customs. Going to Korea, it might be a hassle to exit security to collect your bag then re-check it. Worst of all, you might have a problem with the timing of KE's check-in desk opening: no more than 4 hours prior to scheduled departure. Don't know if the DL desks would process your check-in: I've never been there too early.
Oh, I forgot to mention that it was an award ticket. :P I did try to make it Skyteam award trip and include IND-ATL, but then it was bit pricey and IND-ATL leg was never avaliable everytime I check with KE. (I was told once that the flight operated on that leg wasn't eligible for use as award trip?)
I really wish I could just take DL and not worry about much trouble, but considering I also have to pay tax for ATL-ICN trip, it would make me pay about $500~600 for DL and tax and then probably another $50~100 for the transportation between IND and Purdue. :/
In my own opinion, KE's Freq. Flier schema blows, but in actuality, KE is a far better run airline and offers a far better service as well as flying to far more places than OZ.
(Fyi, second non-korean in the thread)
Actually both OZ and KE FF program is not suited for real frequent fliers like "us"; higher mileage redemption rates, no bonus miles for elites, and higher qualification levels for elites (sans OZ). However, I disagree with your statement on KE being "far better" run and offering "far better" service as compared to OZ. Again, I am not in favor of OZ here, but making an unbiased statement based on my personal experience with both airlines in numerous flights over the past ten years or so (business, first, and economy). I am sure many here on FT will agree that service level on both of these airlines are on par with one another, not one being "far better".
The issue with OZ having less routes and smaller capacity is that 1) OZ is a relatively younger airline compared to KE, 2) because of 1), KE has significant political and market power over OZ where exemplified in OZ's access into CDG (search articles regarding OZ's new service into CDG - it will reveal how KE has been lobbying against OZ's entry into CDG and few other destinations). Nonetheless because these are the only legacy carriers in Korea whatever one carrier does, the other will most likely mimic the trend (ex. bibim bap service).
Quote:
Originally Posted by MegatopLover
Can you not add the ATL-IND legs to your ICN-ATL ticket to take advantage of through-pricing for ICN-IND? That's often cheaper than two separate tickets, though certainly not always. Don't know if KE has any codeshares that operate ATL-IND. Even so, you should be able to add DL-coded legs on an interline-ticket basis all issued by KE. That's the safest, of course, since if you misconnect on separate tickets, it's your problem, not the airlines'.
I think OP is redeeming for KE award, not Skyteam award. Usually KE award levels are lower than Skyteam award (same for OZ vs. *A award). KE award only allows one to fly between KE destinations (KE metal only). So, you cannot add DL segments. This is another "negative" to both OZ and KE's pseudo "FF" program.
I think OP is redeeming for KE award, not Skyteam award. Usually KE award levels are lower than Skyteam award (same for OZ vs. *A award). KE award only allows one to fly between KE destinations (KE metal only). So, you cannot add DL segments. This is another "negative" to both OZ and KE's pseudo "FF" program.
Ah, I see. TG does that too. DL usually doesn't-- I think all basic-level DL flight awards are available across SkyTeam (upgrade awards are much more limited). It's only the SkyChoice and SkyGouger flight awards that have limitations to which metal you can fly.
It will be IAD-ICN-ATL on 5/5~8/22. I'm also waiting on IAD-ICN on 5/3 and ATL-ICN on 5/4. (IND-IAD/ATL-IND was much cheaper than IND-ATL roundtrip, except on 5/4)
Since I never seem to run out of question, here comes another one:
So far, I've chosen to sit on 17A on all legs, obviously except for the waiting ones. I'm wondering if the window view is good, since it seemed a bit misaligned on. Also, would 18A be better? (They are all upper deck, BTW).
I'll let you know in about a week. I haven't flown in transpac Business on the new configurations yet. But I'm on LAX-ICN a week from today, booked into 17A as it happens. I've got 3 hours at Incheon, so I might try to post from the lounge-- if they have computers available. (On a recent visit: no computers.)
Now the connection time is the issue. For IND-IAD, UA serves nonstop 4X/day, and I can either arrive at 7:35AM or 11:40AM. Meahwhile, KE starts check-in at 10:15AM and departs at 1:35PM.
For ATL-IND, KE arrives at 10:50AM, and I can depart ATL either at 12:55PM or 2:50PM.
For both segments, I'm highly looking forward to the lounges. (Yeah, I don't do premium traveling so often. :P) Therefore, I wanted to have enough to chill there, but then I'm little afraid of having TOO much connection time, especially at IAD.
So, which connecting flight would satisfy both lounge use and satisfactory connection time?
For IND-IAD, UA serves nonstop 4X/day, and I can either arrive at 7:35AM or 11:40AM. Meahwhile, KE starts check-in at 10:15AM and departs at 1:35PM.
For ATL-IND, KE arrives at 10:50AM, and I can depart ATL either at 12:55PM or 2:50PM.
2 hours is way too risky especially you're having separate tickets. But 7:35AM arriving UA flight will be too early departure from IND, and especially if you're departing from west Lafayette (purdue), will be a nightmare. I would choose the next one, and even if delay happens, which is less than 5%, you can still change your award flight. (Although you have to pay staying in the D.C. two nights.) Then your short or almost impossible lounge experience will be another problem. Maybe earlier one is the better idea. Sorry that I'm not helpful on this.
But on the way coming back, you should choose 4hr layover in ATL, not the 2hr one, no question about it (at least for me). ICN-ATL delays quite frequently, due to various reason. Sorry you won't have lounge access in ATL for that long hours. Hope your KE flight won't delay more than that.
This is kind of un-official stuff, but if you ask about baggage through check-in in ICN airport, even though your tickets are separated, they usually arrange to another flight if KE's one is severely delayed even due to the weather. Well, they did this 3 years ago for my sister, who is also in Purdue now. Her IAD flight was delayed 3 hrs due to sudden snow in ICN airport, they arranged to the next flight without any charge. That ticket was only $80 from orbitz.com, and the only way KE knew she had another flight was the baggage through check-in. And her ICN-IAD was mileage award ticket.
But on the way coming back, you should choose 4hr layover in ATL, not the 2hr one, no question about it (at least for me). ICN-ATL delays quite frequently, due to various reason. Sorry you won't have lounge access in ATL for that long hours. Hope your KE flight won't delay more than that.
He should have lounge access at ATL for that connection. Under SkyTeam rules, any same-day international C ticket (award or paid) will get lounge access to participating lounges in your travel cities. That holds true even if arriving in C and departing in Y. That said, believe me, the Crown Rooms in Atlanta are nothing to write home about. I wouldn't make a point of having four hours in one of them. But with separate tickets, it's probably the safest way to go. You can always do $25 same-day-confirmed (a/k/a standby) for the earlier flight if you're eager to get back to IND.
Guess I didn't say which one to take. I'd take the longer connections just to be sure I'd make them. It's highly advisable with separate tickets. Since you'll have lounge access, there's no reason not to.
). Ah, also note, if you are at least a 3P (Premier Associate, a gifted status), you get economy plus access on all of your UA flights... so that could be of an advantage if you are switching to UA MP program. 
OZ over KE? ...
run and offering "far better" 
