FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Continental & United Merger supposedly more serious [Merged Threads]
Old Feb 6, 2008, 6:03 pm
  #14  
DawgmanOH
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: UA PM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 1,288
There are four major things wrong with CO Elite system right now (having been Platinum with them for nine years):

* Upgrading to Hawaii or Int'l is a bizarre nightmare that is expensive (if you are lucky) and resembles one of the inner circles of heck.

* Availability of award travel. I am amazed at how easy it is to find saver award flights on UA vs trying to find them on CO.

* 50% EQM for low cost fares. They are the only US based airline not to offer full EQM on all fares. Even DL came back from the dark side.

* No E+. OK, this one doesn't technically have anything to do with the elite system but it really does. Not getting upgrade on UA isn't the end of the world if I can have an E+ aisle or window seat. Not getting upgrade on CO is beyond uncomfortable. If you think riding E+ in UA is slumming it, just wait until your first CO transcon in coach. Miserable.

CO does tend to have friendlier club attendees, better service in FC and an overall better attitude. But they certainly aren't all wine and roses in the air.
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