UA or EK from SIN to ORD (could also be phrased, what is UA thinking?)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K MM, SQ PPS, CX Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Silver
Posts: 679
UA or EK from SIN to ORD (could also be phrased, what is UA thinking?)
Comparing business seats from SIN to ORD in October, UA is pricing at a minimum of $6200 on a P fare (delusional in its own right), but Emirates is coming in at $4360, if you're willing to spend 20 hours (1:45PM to 9:45 AM, so a proper evening and night) in DXB, or about $5550 with a normal layover.
I've never been to DXB, so it seems like a great opportunity for the wife and I to explore.
Anyone well versed in both airlines? This seems like a no brainer to me, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me a good reason why I should fly UA on this one?!?
I've never been to DXB, so it seems like a great opportunity for the wife and I to explore.
Anyone well versed in both airlines? This seems like a no brainer to me, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me a good reason why I should fly UA on this one?!?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 774
EK 777 is angled in business (some of the SIN-DXB and every DXB-ORD in October). Other than that, EK should be a better experience.
So decide whether you prefer UA 777 8-across business with lie-flat, or angled-flat but with better service/food/etc.
So decide whether you prefer UA 777 8-across business with lie-flat, or angled-flat but with better service/food/etc.
Last edited by okrogius; Sep 2, 2014 at 3:13 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
The question is what are the priorities of the OP? Cost, soft product, hard product, duration of trip?
If you don't mind the angled seats for 14 or so hours, Emirates will give you a better soft product experience at a much more reasonable price.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,340
And this will come in at $1900 to cover the spread??
OP, in case you were unaware, EK business earns miles on Alaska at 125%
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil.../emirates.aspx
OP, in case you were unaware, EK business earns miles on Alaska at 125%
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil.../emirates.aspx
#6
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
And this will come in at $1900 to cover the spread??
OP, in case you were unaware, EK business earns miles on Alaska at 125%
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil.../emirates.aspx
OP, in case you were unaware, EK business earns miles on Alaska at 125%
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil.../emirates.aspx
The OP was laying out prices and pro and cons and as others have stated you will your a more "premium" soft product on EK but better seats on UA.
And judging from their info it seems that it is *G programs so a J fare credited to UA is 14400 PQMs & 24,000 award miles each way.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott-Gold
Posts: 621
Comparing business seats from SIN to ORD in October, UA is pricing at a minimum of $6200 on a P fare (delusional in its own right), but Emirates is coming in at $4360, if you're willing to spend 20 hours (1:45PM to 9:45 AM, so a proper evening and night) in DXB, or about $5550 with a normal layover.
I've never been to DXB, so it seems like a great opportunity for the wife and I to explore.
Anyone well versed in both airlines? This seems like a no brainer to me, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me a good reason why I should fly UA on this one?!?
I've never been to DXB, so it seems like a great opportunity for the wife and I to explore.
Anyone well versed in both airlines? This seems like a no brainer to me, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me a good reason why I should fly UA on this one?!?
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,534
I faced a similar dilemma recently on DOH-JFK, with a comparable fare difference. On the other hand, I was able to take A380s both ways on EK.
The only consideration that made me even think for a second about UA was, of course, MileagePlus. It will be a struggle to re-qualify for 1K, and I am sitting at about 930K lifetime, so I have a strong incentive to obtain PQMs this year.
I ended up taking Emirates.
This is a good example of how, in the past, I would have paid a bit more to take an inferior product because I was loyal to UA. But that is becoming less and less the case all the time. . .
The only consideration that made me even think for a second about UA was, of course, MileagePlus. It will be a struggle to re-qualify for 1K, and I am sitting at about 930K lifetime, so I have a strong incentive to obtain PQMs this year.
I ended up taking Emirates.
This is a good example of how, in the past, I would have paid a bit more to take an inferior product because I was loyal to UA. But that is becoming less and less the case all the time. . .
#9
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hoosier in Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, UA Platinum, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 576
Comparing business seats from SIN to ORD in October, UA is pricing at a minimum of $6200 on a P fare (delusional in its own right), but Emirates is coming in at $4360, if you're willing to spend 20 hours (1:45PM to 9:45 AM, so a proper evening and night) in DXB, or about $5550 with a normal layover.
I've never been to DXB, so it seems like a great opportunity for the wife and I to explore.
Anyone well versed in both airlines? This seems like a no brainer to me, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me a good reason why I should fly UA on this one?!?
I've never been to DXB, so it seems like a great opportunity for the wife and I to explore.
Anyone well versed in both airlines? This seems like a no brainer to me, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me a good reason why I should fly UA on this one?!?
Plus side EK, dinner was good, down side breakfast was not good. Service was very good, no dragons that could possibly need CPR or heart paddles to remain on their feet during the flight. No one looking at me with disapproval because I drank too much champagne. I had the aisle seat in the first row behind the toilets and galley (8B) and the window seat had easy access to the aisle, on UA you need to climb over. Same entertainment really. Upside if ORD is your final destination there is no layover in IAD, I have a home halfway between ORD and IND so a good option for me.
I'm glad I went EK, it was about $2000 cheaper than UA at the time but what it meant was me not making 1K this year and remaining Gold. With flying paid business anyway most of the time I just didn't see it being worth the extra money it would take.
DXB is a great stopover, lots to do and see, October the weather should be reasonable.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K MM, SQ PPS, CX Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Silver
Posts: 679
As for the trip, booked the 20hour layover. The chance to see DXB makes it more than worth the costs associated with the long layover (plus is still less expensive overall).
I'll be sure to write up a pros and cons follow up after the trip.
Thanks for the insights!
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
Interesting. I'll look into that, but not sure it applies. Any link with more info?
As for the trip, booked the 20hour layover. The chance to see DXB makes it more than worth the costs associated with the long layover (plus is still less expensive overall).
I'll be sure to write up a pros and cons follow up after the trip.
Thanks for the insights!
As for the trip, booked the 20hour layover. The chance to see DXB makes it more than worth the costs associated with the long layover (plus is still less expensive overall).
I'll be sure to write up a pros and cons follow up after the trip.
Thanks for the insights!