Originally Posted by LarkSFO

My speculation is that since most of the shorter segments are UX (and therefore operated by companies that UA subcontracts to), that the profit margins for UA are much smaller on these flights.

Again, I speculate, but from UA's perspective - Somebody who flies a lot of segments, mostly on UX, does not add much to the bottom line of UA. And UA is then obligated to give them all the benefits of 1K for very little revenue / profit. So in order to balance the equation, they increase EQS to 120 to achieve 1K.


I wonder whether many / most segment runners wouldn't be better off on WN? My coworker, based in SAN, flies more miles and segments than I do. 100% domestically, to many locations large and small around the country. He swears by WN - he's always A and boards first, rewards are easy to earn and the system is straightforward, but most importantly to him the rewards are EASY to redeem for any flights he wants to take in the US! His international travel for pleasure is almost nonexistent, so he just buys tickets when he actually does fly international.


As of May 23, 2010, Southwest Airlines operates scheduled service to 69 destinations in 35 states. And I don't think this includes new destinations previously served by AirTrans. AirTran Airways serves more than 70 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean

United Airlines flies to 73 domestic destinations