Listen, we all know that flying is not what it used to be and that airlines could certainly do a better job managing their FF programs, but I wanted to relay my personal experience and my kudos to US Airways:
I decided to pay to upgrade my status from silver to Gold preferred at the beginning of 2012- being a business owner I justified the expense and paid through my company- effectively using pre-tax dollars!
So far my experience has been great-
1) Gold phone number answered quickly and staff always efficent and helpful
2) Had to fly United because of non-stop flights- received all of my * alliance benefits and bonus miles
3) In the past I would fly SWA a lot but they are no longer a discount airline- instead I used US PHX-SAN and found myself in a first class reclining envoy seat with footrest- lucky I know but what a difference over SWA cattle call !!!
3) Went to Cabo and upgrade available both ways - including two additional upgrades available on return for my companions
4) Award availability looks decent
So anyway I am happy so far, which I know can be a rare things on these boards, one question:
When deciding which level to buy up to I chose Gold because I couldn't notice a big difference between Gold and Platnum on the "benefits" chart. Any thoughts or similar comparisons?
Thanks for reading
I decided to pay to upgrade my status from silver to Gold preferred at the beginning of 2012- being a business owner I justified the expense and paid through my company- effectively using pre-tax dollars!
So far my experience has been great-
1) Gold phone number answered quickly and staff always efficent and helpful
2) Had to fly United because of non-stop flights- received all of my * alliance benefits and bonus miles
3) In the past I would fly SWA a lot but they are no longer a discount airline- instead I used US PHX-SAN and found myself in a first class reclining envoy seat with footrest- lucky I know but what a difference over SWA cattle call !!!
3) Went to Cabo and upgrade available both ways - including two additional upgrades available on return for my companions
4) Award availability looks decent
So anyway I am happy so far, which I know can be a rare things on these boards, one question:
When deciding which level to buy up to I chose Gold because I couldn't notice a big difference between Gold and Platnum on the "benefits" chart. Any thoughts or similar comparisons?
Thanks for reading
#2
I didn't do the same buy-up, but I did a Trial Gold. I decided that Gold was the right level for me: lounge access for some int'l flights during the Trial period, a solid upgrade rate on my domestic flights, and good enough recognition by United when I have to fly them. I too felt that was the bigger jump up than Gold-Plat.
Case in point: I showed up to SFO a few weeks back for a nonstop United flight, my first on UA metal since the merger. Two pax, five bags, I figured my Mileage Plus Silver status was good enough for four of them and I was willing to pay $25 for the fifth. They were award seats, I already had E+ seat assignments, and I wasn't even thinking about my US status.
Much to my surprise, Silvers had their baggage allowance cut in half during the whole merger process. Fortunately, I recalled that *G had a bigger allowance, so I gave the agent my US number. The allowance became 3 bags each, so all 5 were no problem. That Gold Trial saved me about $100 cash on the spot right there! (Figure with my UA Silver they would have hit me for $25 + $35 + 35 ??)
Case in point: I showed up to SFO a few weeks back for a nonstop United flight, my first on UA metal since the merger. Two pax, five bags, I figured my Mileage Plus Silver status was good enough for four of them and I was willing to pay $25 for the fifth. They were award seats, I already had E+ seat assignments, and I wasn't even thinking about my US status.
Much to my surprise, Silvers had their baggage allowance cut in half during the whole merger process. Fortunately, I recalled that *G had a bigger allowance, so I gave the agent my US number. The allowance became 3 bags each, so all 5 were no problem. That Gold Trial saved me about $100 cash on the spot right there! (Figure with my UA Silver they would have hit me for $25 + $35 + 35 ??)
Quote:
Case in point: I showed up to SFO a few weeks back for a nonstop United flight, my first on UA metal since the merger. Two pax, five bags, I figured my Mileage Plus Silver status was good enough for four of them and I was willing to pay $25 for the fifth. They were award seats, I already had E+ seat assignments, and I wasn't even thinking about my US status.
Much to my surprise, Silvers had their baggage allowance cut in half during the whole merger process. Fortunately, I recalled that *G had a bigger allowance, so I gave the agent my US number. The allowance became 3 bags each, so all 5 were no problem. That Gold Trial saved me about $100 cash on the spot right there! (Figure with my UA Silver they would have hit me for $25 + $35 + 35 ??)
Good point- the benefits on United are worth a lot- when you HAVE to fly themOriginally Posted by pinniped
I didn't do the same buy-up, but I did a Trial Gold. I decided that Gold was the right level for me: lounge access for some int'l flights during the Trial period, a solid upgrade rate on my domestic flights, and good enough recognition by United when I have to fly them. I too felt that was the bigger jump up than Gold-Plat.Case in point: I showed up to SFO a few weeks back for a nonstop United flight, my first on UA metal since the merger. Two pax, five bags, I figured my Mileage Plus Silver status was good enough for four of them and I was willing to pay $25 for the fifth. They were award seats, I already had E+ seat assignments, and I wasn't even thinking about my US status.
Much to my surprise, Silvers had their baggage allowance cut in half during the whole merger process. Fortunately, I recalled that *G had a bigger allowance, so I gave the agent my US number. The allowance became 3 bags each, so all 5 were no problem. That Gold Trial saved me about $100 cash on the spot right there! (Figure with my UA Silver they would have hit me for $25 + $35 + 35 ??)
#4
Biggie Fries , Jul 2, 2012 6:07 pm
Quote:
I mean, if you happen (as I do pretty often) to end-up a Platinum, sure, you take it.Originally Posted by off2rome
When deciding which level to buy up to I chose Gold because I couldn't notice a big difference between Gold and Platnum on the "benefits" chart. Any thoughts or similar comparisons?
But the distinction between Gold and Platinum is by far the slimmest of them all. The year I spent bouncing between the two convinced me of that.
BTW, if you do int'l to Europe (and aren't a US club member), Gold (= *A Gold) is a big help for lounges before flights at both ends.
#5
Glad to hear it has been going well. It looks like I am going to make gold after open jaw EU trip in August which will be a new all time high for me. Although I have been really happy with silver this year. I am 17-19 on domestic upgrades and the two that I missed were the first flight out Monday morning from JAX-CLT. I have made some pretty good upgrades too TPA-PHX-TPA, CLT-SJO-CLT etc. I remember some people saying at the beginning of the year that they heard there would be a big drop off in preferreds because of no HSJ promo. Looks to actually be the case...
Go Gators
Go Gators
Quote:
Go Gators
Sorry, what is "HSJ promo"?Originally Posted by GNVGator
Glad to hear it has been going well. It looks like I am going to make gold after open jaw EU trip in August which will be a new all time high for me. Although I have been really happy with silver this year. I am 17-19 on domestic upgrades and the two that I missed were the first flight out Monday morning from JAX-CLT. I have made some pretty good upgrades too TPA-PHX-TPA, CLT-SJO-CLT etc. I remember some people saying at the beginning of the year that they heard there would be a big drop off in preferreds because of no HSJ promo. Looks to actually be the case...Go Gators
Quote:
2010 Hop Skip Jump promoOriginally Posted by off2rome
Sorry, what is "HSJ promo"?
#8
Michael El , Jul 2, 2012 9:01 pm
(whispering) Keep this good news stuff on the j-low. We don't want any unhappy UA and DL flyers coming over and competing for our upgrades.
Unreal!
So had to post a follow up. I am taking the family to Hawaii next Saturday and I have been calling about upgrade with miles availability. Well just managed to get upgrades for ALL 4 of us. Yes I know I had to use a few miles but just finding this kind of award for 4 had always seemed impossible. Once again I am thrilled with US gold so far. Can't see what anyone could complain about! Lol