Originally Posted by
jsloan
At the risk of repeating myself, rather than get angry about the things that UA isn't, I think you'll do yourself a huge favor if you accept them for what they are -- which seems like an airline that doesn't meet your needs. Fly DL, or EK, or QR, or CX, or SQ, or whomever treats you the way that you want to be treated.
Air travel is largely a commodity these days, and the airlines differentiate themselves by the approaches they take to service. If one airline offers an innovative new product/service/perk, I don't shrug my shoulders and say "oh well"... I encourage the carrier I'm most vested with due to the loyalty program (UA) to adopt similar.
Loyalty programs are working exactly as intended. Rather than taking all of my business to Delta, my MM status, companion benefits and GS benefits keep me with United. If they suddenly drop me to Platinum or 1K (or whatever I end up with this year) ... then I will certainly be more open to any matching offers Delta or American offer.
I for one hope United Matches Delta... and honestly can't imagine they won't do so. Giving us loyal elites who are unable to fly now a "do-over" would go a long way with winning goodwill from me.