Originally Posted by
kingtut
However, I posted this as a first impression of United and their near-top status. I really wanted to dislike United, but they did so many things that impressed me throughout my whole travel experience that it’s hard not to be impressed. I’ll certainly give United a little more business as a result of this experience, particularly if not chasing a particular BA status, but if anything I hope it highlights some of the things we should want/request from BA.
I can give you my perspective, being a BA Gold and UA 1K at the same time. Yes, I like the UA app - it works, flights credit instantly, etc. However, UA's plane are old, dirty, crews are unfriendly, there's no lounge access on domestic, food is appalling, etc. My long-haul upgrades never clear - even as a 1K, I always have dozens of Global Services members (this is the only status that matters) or simply 1Ks on higher Y fares or PE fares. Same with transcon on premium routes (EWR-SFO) or just flights between UA hubs. (Just had 300 Plus Points expire). Yes, I get a lot of upgrades on random short-haul flights, but if it's a 1-hour flight and I already have an exit row seat I don't really care that much. Now, to be fair, this isn't very different to DL or AA - flying US airlines is generally not very exciting. Flying TATL - I hate UA's old tatty 767s so I stick to BA's Club Suites.