Shatter, I feel for you but here's the view from a 6 year United 1K or Platinum with 780,000 lifetime who just made the jump.
Originally Posted by
shatterpdx
Alaska has been making questionable moves making me decide that I likely am going to switch to an alternative, which I have never ultimately wanted to do..:
1. The new "upgrade" path
2. Lack of partner network upgrades (u never get them on delta)
3. Turboprops are slower/louder/more turbulent than CRJ's (longer flights)
4. Common routes to SFO/SJC/Calgary/Vancouver use more CRJ's than 737
5. Food in first class is attempting to get "too fancy", in which everyone opts for the "safe" meal, leaving anyone beyond row 3 with no choice.
6. While some mileage redemption rates can be low, they're pretty much never accessible. You must use 2x to 3x the miles that you would on a United or former Continental.
7. Lack of destinations going anywhere eastbound, forcing partner connections only on Delta (and Delta sucks for the record.)
8. Getting shut out of terminals .. (Anyone else have to experience that some flights out of SFO from Alaska are now going out of International terminals?)
9. My in ability of a long time elite to get on the TSA list
10. Very poor/limited functional technology. (From iphone App to website)
11. No TV's in seats. Digi-players are OK, but if you're flying to DCA - it should have different content for different directions.
12. Never have I once been invited to the MVP Gold or other meetings.
13. If a travel department handles your travels and makes a minor change to "bundled" travel like a hotel (even though it doesn't touch your reservation or confirmation codes, it will reset your upgrade if you've been upgraded.)
14. Million-Miler requirements with Alaska are difficult. Connections requirements should be added or a lower tier of million-miler. If your preferred airlines (outside of DCA/ANC/ORD) are maximum 1000 mile opportunities, it would take you 1000 flights to achieve (and partner flights aren't included!).
15. I hate getting the "Credit Card" pitch on every single flight that is taken, usually at the highest possible audible level on the intercom.
16. The bait/switch with the BOA Alaska Airlines Card
17. Static fares for first class... ALMOST always...
18. Lack of an "economy plus" type functionality being adopted by other airlines.
1-2. I do like the easy upgrade path on UA and the website is MUCH clearer about what fare class I have booked and where I stand. That being said, upgrades on United do not include power in the seats, include the same very tired food options, and became much less frequent once I dropped below 1K status.
3,4. United uses CRJs all over the nation, including relatively long flights (e.g. DEN to Toronto; Houston to Nashville). I don't like turbo props either.
5. I'd kill for "too fancy"! Try the same dry overcooked turkey sandwich swimming in cheese or the fruit and cheese plate.
6. I may live and learn on this one. 25k RT became much less available after the merger. If you book 3-4 months out, maybe,but generally it 50k standard for award tickets now.
7. Very different for me. 75% of my travel is to DCA, Bos, ORD and AS direct flights to the first two saves me 2 or more hours and potential missed connections. The DCA flight esp. was a game changer.
8. Another interesting perspective. I have no love for the crowds and bad foods in the domestic terminals at ORD. I sort of like the international terminal in SFO compared to domestic (it's a hike but they are connected behind security). Generally i find I like the int'l terminals for food and quiet (Dulles the best example).
9. That sucks. I was just moved to the fast lane in United before I jumped BUT to use the lane, I had to board in the A-B lane at PDX anyway. But I'll miss that benefit.
10-11. Ha ha ha! Try no power EVER in F or Coach, crummy drop down televisions on 757 or flip screens in A320s and old worn out planes flying every darn PDX route. WiFi, another game changer for me, been promised for years on UA and only available when you are lucky enough to get on an old Continental plane flying the IAH route.
15,16, yep, those are tacky, and UA/Chase have more generous credit card options. I'm not sure this is really good for the airline, since I am on my fifth Chase card, I cancel every 11 months, but hey if they want to toss the free miles at me, no problem!
18. Honestly I don't miss E+. Maybe I am small framed--ok I AM small framed but AS's normal economy just don't feel much different to me than E+.
I like all the things you list. Competent and friendly phone service, gate agents, attendants. Generally friendlier passengers on the plane. Flights that actually leave on time and often arrive early. The delays on UA in the last year were just too much. Arrivals back in PDX too many times after 11:30 pm.
I've jumped. We'll see how the year goes but so far so good.