Mileage Running to meet the United 1K Challenge
Jun 22, 2016, 4:21 pm
#16
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
We arrived at Newark early, at around 6:15a.
First stop was the United Club Terminal C across from Gate 74. Pretty quiet and empty this morning.
With my EWR-NAS flight departing from C127, I headed to the closer United Club in Terminal C3 near Gate 120. Much more crowded here.
At around T-35, I headed over to Gate C127.
EWR-NAS
UA 1458
737-800
8:52a-12:08p (sked)
8:45a-11:25a (actual)
June 22, 2016
Another great EWR-based crew headed by our F FA Carlos. Proper UA meal selection as Carlos introduced himself, thanked me for being 1K and took my meal order first. ^
Choice of quiche or French Toast soufflé. Since I just and the soufflé, I went with the quiche. Wow, this was excellent, much better than AA's quiche. The asparagus was perfectly al dente.
And today's Cavaliers fix with pics of ESPN's coverage of today's parade.
In Nassau, the long walk to customs and immigration.
And the usual friendly musical welcome to the Bahamas.
Entering the country was a lot easier that leaving.
About 60 seconds to the left of arrivals is US departures.
Unfortunately, I picked the wrong time to leave as security was packed. It took 30 minutes to clear and then I won the secondary search lottery.
Even got the secondary at PreClearance, although it was kind of funny as the CBP Global Entry agent wanted to hear more about cheap NAS-HNL fares confiding that he had a quota of 10 secondaries a day.
First stop was the United Club Terminal C across from Gate 74. Pretty quiet and empty this morning.
With my EWR-NAS flight departing from C127, I headed to the closer United Club in Terminal C3 near Gate 120. Much more crowded here.
At around T-35, I headed over to Gate C127.
EWR-NAS
UA 1458
737-800
8:52a-12:08p (sked)
8:45a-11:25a (actual)
June 22, 2016
Another great EWR-based crew headed by our F FA Carlos. Proper UA meal selection as Carlos introduced himself, thanked me for being 1K and took my meal order first. ^
Choice of quiche or French Toast soufflé. Since I just and the soufflé, I went with the quiche. Wow, this was excellent, much better than AA's quiche. The asparagus was perfectly al dente.
And today's Cavaliers fix with pics of ESPN's coverage of today's parade.
In Nassau, the long walk to customs and immigration.
And the usual friendly musical welcome to the Bahamas.
Entering the country was a lot easier that leaving.
About 60 seconds to the left of arrivals is US departures.
Unfortunately, I picked the wrong time to leave as security was packed. It took 30 minutes to clear and then I won the secondary search lottery.
Even got the secondary at PreClearance, although it was kind of funny as the CBP Global Entry agent wanted to hear more about cheap NAS-HNL fares confiding that he had a quota of 10 secondaries a day.
Last edited by SFO777; Jun 22, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Jun 22, 2016, 4:26 pm
#17
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Do you just happen to know what airlines and their planes fly these type of products due to years of flying? Is there a site you could direct me to that could help a rookie like me out in finding domestic routes / airlines that offer these types of first class products?
Thank you aidy.
Nice TR with good photos, as usual. I'm looking forward to more of your input as you fly as both a 1K and an EXP. It's nice to see that some airlines think it's important to fly something better than an old HP 757 to the Islands and that Mai Tais are still a nice touch.
As a 1K / EXP since January it's been no good news from the AA camp for me. Frequent delays, terrible meals, lots of surly staff. On the other side post-merger miserable UA seems to be more and more of a distant memory and Oscar really seems to trying to improve things. Right now, at least for me it's DL > UA > AA as a top tier elite.
From a non-status paid F/J perspective this is exactly how I would rank them as well. AA has really been coming unwound lately. Least reliable year I've ever had with them (with the possible exception of the later years of the A300 operation).
That DL definitely looks like the only decent West Coast-Hawaii option out there SFO777. My next choice would likely be the VX flight from SFO or LAX. Looking forward to seeing the upcoming parts of your report. ^
That DL definitely looks like the only decent West Coast-Hawaii option out there SFO777. My next choice would likely be the VX flight from SFO or LAX. Looking forward to seeing the upcoming parts of your report. ^
Jun 22, 2016, 11:09 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
My gosh - there could not be more of a difference in decor between the United Clubs in HNL and EWR. Ratan vs luxurious pleather (laughing). ^
Jun 23, 2016, 4:05 pm
#20
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
A short escalator up from Nassau US PreClearance is a modern and pleasant departures area.
To the left is the Graycliff Lounge, a Priority Pass partner.
Members get a $20 F&B credit during their stay. Small but basic lounge with pleasant staff.
At T-35, I headed out for the short walk to Gate 42.
Nassau-Houston
UA 1455
737-800
2:10p-4:36p (sked)
2:05p-3:55p (actual)
June 22, 2016
Snack
Priority Group 1 boarding had already started so I was able to proceed on board. Strange that no one asked to see my passport though. Oh well. I was in an aisle seat 3E but when I got there, my DYKWIA Canadian "seat mate" had moved right in and was unloading and rearranging her junk oblivious to the fact that she was in the wrong seat and that someone else might be in her row. I decided to see how long this comedy show would play out. I didn't say anything but simply stepping in from the aisle on the opposite row Seat 3B and watched.
It was a good 90 seconds before she seemed satisfied with her packing, saw me waiting and asked "oh, are you in the window seat?" LOL. Not exactly.
SFO777: No, you are in 3F the window seat because I have 3E.
DYKWIA: Really? Oh sorry, I'm always in an aisle seat. I don't know what happened today.
Uh huh. This woman was a real piece of work, ay! Our FA came around to ask if she wanted a PDB.
DYKWIA: What do you have?
FA: What would you like?
DYKWIA: Oh, I'm not sure. Let me think. Maybe a beer. Do you have a light type beer?
FA: Yes, we have light beer. I believe that we have Heineken Light or Bud Light.
DYKWAI: Oh dear, umm, I'll try the Light Bud.
Oy, I need a real drink.
The next entertaining moment was the menu option. Our challenged FA announced that today's choices were "sliced beef or pasta." Well that is certainly very descriptive, thank you very much. I rolled the dice and went with the "sliced beef". DYKWIA then asked "Can I eat later?" Seriously? This is United and it's a 2 hour flight.
FA: No, it's a really short flight and we do it all at once.
DYKWIA: Well, I'm not really hungry. Do you have like a cheese plate?
FA: No, we have beef or pasta. But there is some cheese on the side.
DYKWIA: OK, I'll have the beef and I guess I'll just pick it at.
The sliced beef was indeed beef and sliced, but perhaps barbecue beef or short ribs might be a little more descriptive. Not the best cut but the sauce made it very tasty.
We arrived in the C concourse nearly 40 minutes early and I headed for the nearby United Club.
And my first shower in the last 36 hours. My cabin mates will appreciate this on my next flight.
Seems appropriate for Texas.
Houston-LAX
UA 1547
A320
6:18p-7:49p (sked)
6:35p-7:40p (actual
June 22, 2016
Dinner
The good news is that the monitor still shows on time.
Although at T-30, lack of a plane is problematic. The plane finally arrived about 10 minutes later. Deplaning and a new crew and were ready to board at the scheduled departure time.
And the usual gate lice, United style.
Yet another open bar PDB. That 5 for 5 in the last 36. Obviously, I'm not flying AA.
An A320 mean one given, the galley in a featured part of the F cabin. Yo, there is a curtain that is probably meant to be pulled so pax don't need to see
Dinner choices today were Chicken Katsu Curry or Shrimp Paella. Despite the single lonely shrimp, the chorizo and chicken made this a very flavorful dish.
Since the salad bowl is a little too small for the salad, I transferred to the main plate after I had finished the paella.
At around T-45, delicious baked on board chocolate cookie. AA used to do this but went HP/US cheap and now just warm Chips Ahoy.
36 hours after I left, beginning our descent back to LAX.
OK, traffic on the southbound 405 doesn't look too bad.
Using P6 turned out to be a blessing since LAX is in the dark ages with parking lots. Nothing automatic here. All manual cashiers but at least there were 4 of them manning 5 booths at P6. Compared to only 2 cashier booths at the much large P7 garage and the line for each was at least 10 cars long and back into the garage. Light traffic on the 405 and I made the 57 mile drive back home in 61 minutes. ^
Thanks for coming along for the ride on this report. I do it again in a month to complete the challenge.
To the left is the Graycliff Lounge, a Priority Pass partner.
Members get a $20 F&B credit during their stay. Small but basic lounge with pleasant staff.
At T-35, I headed out for the short walk to Gate 42.
Nassau-Houston
UA 1455
737-800
2:10p-4:36p (sked)
2:05p-3:55p (actual)
June 22, 2016
Snack
Priority Group 1 boarding had already started so I was able to proceed on board. Strange that no one asked to see my passport though. Oh well. I was in an aisle seat 3E but when I got there, my DYKWIA Canadian "seat mate" had moved right in and was unloading and rearranging her junk oblivious to the fact that she was in the wrong seat and that someone else might be in her row. I decided to see how long this comedy show would play out. I didn't say anything but simply stepping in from the aisle on the opposite row Seat 3B and watched.
It was a good 90 seconds before she seemed satisfied with her packing, saw me waiting and asked "oh, are you in the window seat?" LOL. Not exactly.
SFO777: No, you are in 3F the window seat because I have 3E.
DYKWIA: Really? Oh sorry, I'm always in an aisle seat. I don't know what happened today.
Uh huh. This woman was a real piece of work, ay! Our FA came around to ask if she wanted a PDB.
DYKWIA: What do you have?
FA: What would you like?
DYKWIA: Oh, I'm not sure. Let me think. Maybe a beer. Do you have a light type beer?
FA: Yes, we have light beer. I believe that we have Heineken Light or Bud Light.
DYKWAI: Oh dear, umm, I'll try the Light Bud.
Oy, I need a real drink.
The next entertaining moment was the menu option. Our challenged FA announced that today's choices were "sliced beef or pasta." Well that is certainly very descriptive, thank you very much. I rolled the dice and went with the "sliced beef". DYKWIA then asked "Can I eat later?" Seriously? This is United and it's a 2 hour flight.
FA: No, it's a really short flight and we do it all at once.
DYKWIA: Well, I'm not really hungry. Do you have like a cheese plate?
FA: No, we have beef or pasta. But there is some cheese on the side.
DYKWIA: OK, I'll have the beef and I guess I'll just pick it at.
The sliced beef was indeed beef and sliced, but perhaps barbecue beef or short ribs might be a little more descriptive. Not the best cut but the sauce made it very tasty.
We arrived in the C concourse nearly 40 minutes early and I headed for the nearby United Club.
And my first shower in the last 36 hours. My cabin mates will appreciate this on my next flight.
Seems appropriate for Texas.
Houston-LAX
UA 1547
A320
6:18p-7:49p (sked)
6:35p-7:40p (actual
June 22, 2016
Dinner
The good news is that the monitor still shows on time.
Although at T-30, lack of a plane is problematic. The plane finally arrived about 10 minutes later. Deplaning and a new crew and were ready to board at the scheduled departure time.
And the usual gate lice, United style.
Yet another open bar PDB. That 5 for 5 in the last 36. Obviously, I'm not flying AA.
An A320 mean one given, the galley in a featured part of the F cabin. Yo, there is a curtain that is probably meant to be pulled so pax don't need to see
Dinner choices today were Chicken Katsu Curry or Shrimp Paella. Despite the single lonely shrimp, the chorizo and chicken made this a very flavorful dish.
Since the salad bowl is a little too small for the salad, I transferred to the main plate after I had finished the paella.
At around T-45, delicious baked on board chocolate cookie. AA used to do this but went HP/US cheap and now just warm Chips Ahoy.
36 hours after I left, beginning our descent back to LAX.
OK, traffic on the southbound 405 doesn't look too bad.
Using P6 turned out to be a blessing since LAX is in the dark ages with parking lots. Nothing automatic here. All manual cashiers but at least there were 4 of them manning 5 booths at P6. Compared to only 2 cashier booths at the much large P7 garage and the line for each was at least 10 cars long and back into the garage. Light traffic on the 405 and I made the 57 mile drive back home in 61 minutes. ^
Thanks for coming along for the ride on this report. I do it again in a month to complete the challenge.
Last edited by SFO777; Jun 24, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Jun 23, 2016, 4:10 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
It's amazing that I have yet to get a PDB all year on United. AA is a joke with PDB running well under 50%.
At least it's not as bad as the tired and worn out Denver West club.
Jun 24, 2016, 4:12 am
#22
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,521
.
Jun 24, 2016, 2:43 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
That's mileage running in style! Your new celebrity evidently hasn't slowed you down any.
There's no way AA would serve anything as good as that paella. I'm jealous already.
But, on the other hand, you really wouldn't like the UA club here at DFW, which looks as though it was furnished from a thrift shop. You're better off at the Centurion Club or one of the Admirals Clubs -- as you probably already know.
There's no way AA would serve anything as good as that paella. I'm jealous already.
But, on the other hand, you really wouldn't like the UA club here at DFW, which looks as though it was furnished from a thrift shop. You're better off at the Centurion Club or one of the Admirals Clubs -- as you probably already know.
Jun 24, 2016, 3:11 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
That's mileage running in style! Your new celebrity evidently hasn't slowed you down any.
There's no way AA would serve anything as good as that paella. I'm jealous already. But, on the other hand, you really wouldn't like the UA club here at DFW, which looks as though it was furnished from a thrift shop. You're better off at the Centurion Club or one of the Admirals Clubs -- as you probably already know.
There's no way AA would serve anything as good as that paella. I'm jealous already. But, on the other hand, you really wouldn't like the UA club here at DFW, which looks as though it was furnished from a thrift shop. You're better off at the Centurion Club or one of the Admirals Clubs -- as you probably already know.
Jun 26, 2016, 4:20 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,521
Jun 26, 2016, 5:39 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Thanks for sharing another great TR SFO777. I very much enjoyed it. Looking forward to the second installment. Also love seeing The Bahamas showing news about Trump! I saw him on the news in Norway. He really is making everyone around the world take notice!
Jun 27, 2016, 7:47 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Thanks for sharing, SFO777. I'm not flying as much this year, but I have to say that I have had two wonderful experiences each way on UA's PS EWR to SFO late last month and earlier this month. Another booked for August. I thought J service would take a hit after leaving JFK, but it's really nice. Since you're in LAX now, I would recommend it if you're heading in this direction. And with the Polaris debut, I can't say that I'll be mileage running to save my EXP status. Thanks again!
Jun 30, 2016, 10:47 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,609
Great TR as always. I only have one question - why do you want UAL status? With Jetsmarter and premium MR deals, I can't comprehend what ual serves, or why you can't just buy paid F if ual is the only option. On my most recent ual flight in 2015, I just torched 100,000 miles (F per pax) for a 2-day ord/PDX wedding trip. I almost was going to do a similar award this year but cancelled instead.
Isn't the best status to just not fly ual? With VX and b6 and everyone else flying out of Southern California airports, I can't understand where United uniquely serves for nonstops.
I travel very little but I think I could go anywhere from SFO that didn't require ual. I'm planning to use my ual miles for partner airlines at some point in the future.
And I still love love love the Cavs TR. can't get enough of it!!! Those pictures...
Isn't the best status to just not fly ual? With VX and b6 and everyone else flying out of Southern California airports, I can't understand where United uniquely serves for nonstops.
I travel very little but I think I could go anywhere from SFO that didn't require ual. I'm planning to use my ual miles for partner airlines at some point in the future.
And I still love love love the Cavs TR. can't get enough of it!!! Those pictures...
Last edited by gaobest; Jul 1, 2016 at 6:02 am Reason: United's unique nonstops from SoCal
