Programs: AA EXP, UA Premier Exec 1K, HHonors Silver, Choice Hotels Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 356
UA1K AA EXP--have both--choose 1
OK folks, the status match timing is winding down. This question is for those of you who have qualified both UA1K and AA EXP for 2013. Which will you choose now that decision time is at hand (assuming, like me, that I cannot qualify both)?
Last edited by tryathlete; Nov 19, 12 at 6:22 pm..
Reason: Spelling correction "wining to winding" second try
Programs: AA EXP(4mm), UA 1K(1mm), SPG Lifetime Plt, HH Diamond
Posts: 567
I have ample experience with both. I would say EXP beats 1K hands down. Better upgrade probabilities domestically, the EXP line which beats the non-existent 1K line by a long shot, and a sense that AA really care about their EXPs. Two caveats however:
1. If you do heavy Asia travel, UA and *A might be better for you.
2. There is still some risk AA will not exit bk and have to liquidate. I feel that likelihood has dropped from say 3-4 months ago, but it's still a possibility.
I have ample experience with both. I would say EXP beats 1K hands down. Better upgrade probabilities domestically, the EXP line which beats the non-existent 1K line by a long shot, and a sense that AA really care about their EXPs. Two caveats however:
1. If you do heavy Asia travel, UA and *A might be better for you.
2. There is still some risk AA will not exit bk and have to liquidate. I feel that likelihood has dropped from say 3-4 months ago, but it's still a possibility.
I pretty much agree with this. AA is difficult to South Asia but there are enough partner options. If I am forced to choosed one for qualification next year I will choose EXP, it means more.
Programs: AA PLT, COdbaUA 1K, Hertz Gold, National Executive, PriClb/SPG Gold, Accor PLT, Marriott/HHonors SLV
Posts: 1,688
No question EXP. I can always sign up for a credit card w/ UA and be guaranteed virtually as many benefits on UA now as 1K gives me, since upgrades are hard to come by and SWU's are virtually worthless on many routes, and all elites are equal on the COdbaUA.
Programs: AA EXP(4mm), UA 1K(1mm), SPG Lifetime Plt, HH Diamond
Posts: 567
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sulley
You also have to consider the probability of a (forgive me for using FlyerTalk-ese) USdbaAA.
As far as a possible AA/US merger goes, I'm not bothered about it one way or another. I guess I would prefer that AA stayed stand-alone, but If they do end up merging with US, that's fine as well.
As far as a possible AA/US merger goes, I'm not bothered about it one way or another. I guess I would prefer that AA stayed stand-alone, but If they do end up merging with US, that's fine as well.
That's what most of us w UA said about the CO merger 2 years ago & look how that turned out
As far as upgrades & SWU's. I don't buy that AA is any better w domestic upgrades then UA. I have not missed 1 dom upgrade yet & every 1K I know has over an 90% success rate. The W min fare makes UA's SWU's not as good as AA's but I can use them to more places & they are very easy to clear at booking with the exception of a few destinations like India/DXB/TLV (places I wouldn't fly UA to anyway).
I have 1K & EXP & for next year, plan to switch my EXP for BA. But that's just because UA & BA works better for me then UA & AA. Both programs are very similar. I don't consider FT a good indication of much since most people on FT are not normal customers but 6 months ago, judging by the titles if the threads, UA had way more unhappy Elites. That does not seem to be the case now. Looking at AA's threads it seems people are fed up with both just about equally
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Frontier Summit, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 382
Quote:
Originally Posted by chinatraderjmr
I have not missed 1 dom upgrade yet & every 1K I know has over an 90% success rate.
Maybe you are buying YBM fares and getting upgraded but I can assure you I am nowhere near 90%. I buy mid-priced domestic fares (e.b. V/W) and my success rate is probably 40%. I am 0 for my last 10 flights (unless I used a regional or SWU on a domestic). Yesterday flying San Jose to Denver I was #8 on the upgrade list with an H fare.
Programs: UA 1K 3.9MM (3.7MM BIS), AA EXP MM (BIS) , HH Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 969
Obviously it depends on where you need to fly. All things being equal, if the airline situation is as today... then UAGS = AAEXP > UA1K and so on. There is just too much drama going on at UA right now (and this takes AA's bk into account!!)
As far as upgrades & SWU's. I don't buy that AA is any better w domestic upgrades then UA. I have not missed 1 dom upgrade yet & every 1K I know has over an 90% success rate.
I'd be careful generalizing 1K upgrade rates. It all depends on your specific flight patterns. For example, I'm out of SFO and fly a lot hub to hub. My upgrade rate is around 50%.
Programs: AA EXP 3.2MM, over entitled UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 24,862
Quote:
Originally Posted by chinatraderjmr
I have not missed 1 dom upgrade yet & every 1K I know has over an 90% success rate.
Out of how many domestic flights? The number really doesn't mean much without that level of detail. Do you have at least 30-40 domestic segments or just a handful? Do the 1Ks that you know also have at least that many domestic segments? Are you factoring systemwides into your domestic upgrade success?
