So United seems to have started using a couple of H gates at MIA. I was lucky to have my flight to SFO depart from there last night. The terminal is much, much nicer than the F gates and (although a bit of a walk) allows access to the Avianca lounge. I thought I'd need my Priority Pass but they said no problem getting in as a Star Gold.

Lounge had had pretty good offerings, food was tasty, several warm options, good little sandwiches, beer you could grab from Fridge, several different wines you could self-pour and also liquour selections for self-pour. Over all quite good, very busy but no problem finding a seat. And it was nice to have that option as my flight was delayed by an hour.

Flight itself elf reiterated that I have no real need to renew 1K. I had purchased ticket for about $93 one way and took the $339 UFC offer as I was not willing to risk RPU/CPU (it was over 6 hours with winds). Huge group 1 boarding line as usual and did not get first choice of food, second choice of as awful so ended up getting wrap from BOB. Buying First (regardless of how) and my lifetime Platinum gets me everything I need on UA now a days.

I must say that flying F on AS (particularly the boarding and FA attitude) is generally way better and AS has now moved to my #1 choice is available in market versus UA. Still deciding if AA will beat out UA in order to credit to AS, guess I'll leave that up to price and mileage earring on a flight by flight basis, although I do like that AA let's you pre-order your F meal.