Originally Posted by
UA-NYC
While I know you've given up UA internationally for greener pastures (smart move) - what's kept you on UA domestically? Nonstop routes that the likes of AA/AS don't offer? Specific times you need?
There are three reasons...when the fare is substantially less than the competition...nonstops where the competition connection is difficult...and if the client (usually the Feds) provides the ticket (the primary reason). Our organization used UA as a preferred carrier for nearly 35 years until the CS and discounts all but disappeared (it did not help UA that they made our Governor General do two Gander stops on the CDG-IAD route in 2011) AA stepped up and gave us excellent CS and good discounts and continue to do so!
So I continue to fly UA on occasion...April was the most I have flown them in 18 months, mostly LAX-IAD!...I prefer to fly AA when I can...the flights I made on them in April were LAX-JFK and two LAX-DCA, both routes we used to fly UA exclusively! All I can say is that customer service difference between UA and AA is like night and day and while this may change in the future, right now UA is always the second or third choice (or worse!)
Originally Posted by
aacharya
You're a 1K now. And that close to GS. Do you not think GS status will get you far better CPUs?
You would think so, however most of the flights I took on UA last month were with my GS boss (he has been a GS since GS started!) and in only one instance was he upgraded out of the seven flights he took with me...not much incentive to hurry to 4MM and GS (this and the nearly 100% upgrade experience on AA this year)...this will probably happen in the next couple of years especially since I no longer fly UA (or any domestic carrier) int'l any more!