If UA had ties to overseas travel and a FF program similar to UA, I'd be hanging around a different forum. The times I've flown UA I've been very pleased. On-time departures (what, no mechanicals 50% of the time, which has been my average over the past two years?). Much more comfortable seats (comparing Y product, of course) that helps to offset the E+ (and besides, WN runs about 33", not the 31" found on many carriers in Y, including E- on UA).

Sure, assigned seating (which you can change on-line) is nice, early boarding is nice. But I could get past those things in a hurry if it meant more-reliable transportation from point-A to point-B (which is why I fly).

Right. I admit this has gone way off-topic now. Except that it's still about UA, what they do, and what they don't do, vs WN.