Sorry guys. Didn't mean to get all UA-fanboy on you!

@IMOA: Perhaps the exchange rate is part of the shock? Another example, i was just in Jerusalem drinking $7US beers! Tourist (and non-happy hour) prices admittedly, but the exchange rate does make the rest of the world seem a hell of a lot more expensive nowadays.

@NM: Is this true for OW Sapphire as well?

@Enigma & Dave: It does seem a bit like residuals from the old monopoly mentality i remember so well from particular Australian companies (e.g. getting screwed by Telecom aka Telstra).

@DownUnderFlyer: To be honest i don't know UA's current financial status. I lived in Munich before moving to the US 3 years ago. Before arriving i had a lot of criticism for the US carriers (e.g. compare UA to LH. "No back seat TV! What are they living in the stone-age?!?"). But UA has really inspired a sense of loyalty in me, from what some here are calling generous, but i've just come to expect. Moving countries means i'm considering moving loyalties, for my own convenience of course. But hopefully not at the expense of going back to getting screwed every time i turn around!

Or perhaps i'll just need to reset my expectations.