I posted this under a UA thread last week, but wanted to generate a conversation here about this. I am not able to attend the DO and would love to ask the execs some questions like this, but deep down inside I think there answer is still "CO is not the right airline for everyone".

I hit the 80,000 EQM mark as a CO PLAT in June and decided to give UA a try. I figure if I hate it, I've got CO as PLAT for next year (not that I get anything more for going above 80,000 EQMs) and if UA turns out to be better, I am good to go.

I got comped to Prem Ex with the promise of doing 12,500 EQMs in 90 days on UA metal. So far....

(1) Booked a flight BWI-LAX-BWI in Oct (non-stop) and was able to use miles to upgrade from any fare (as an elite) to F/C.
(2) Booked a flight in full coach LAX-NRT-LAX and was able to use miles to upgrade to Business at booking (about three weeks out).
(3) Booked a flight (today) to/from SNA in November. Looked at CO (no upgrade seats available and I'm not playing the EAU lottery anymore and can't book Y-UP (company travel). Booked a $400 ticket on UA and used miles to upgrade.
(4) Flying to VIE Friday and booked the 'C' ticket on UA (after originally buying an UA ticket on OS metal) and used miles to U/G to F/C (nice perk, even though CO doesn't offer it, the point is I could upgrade with miles about two weeks out).
(5) Flew from BWI-DEN-SLC-DEN-BWI a few times and enjoyed the legroom of Economy Plus and was able to use my laptop. I got the movie and, to quote FCTSTY, bought my own "victuals" and didn't need to rely on my free "meal at meal time" on CO. Plus the service was actually great on this 757.

I know every airline has their issues, but the experience on UA has been pretty good and I'm only a Prem Ex. I'm thinking it may be worth it to start on UA next year, hit 1K for the SWUs and ability to nominate someone to elite status and then focus on CO, probably hitting Gold, maybe Plat again. I will miss the BizFirst to Hawaii, but that can't rule my flying patterns for the business.

Has anyone else thought that the profit first approach to the elite program at CO has really eroded the loyalty of some flyers? I will say I get great service as a CO Plat, but I have gotten equally good service as a UA Prem Ex and I'm not even 1k, let alone the chance for UGS!