Moving over from UA... But a bit of sticker shock.
Jun 5, 2012, 3:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Orleans on a sabattical. My roots are in Los Angeles.
Programs: Chase Palladium, AMEX Plat, UA Plat, AA EXP, HH/SPG G, PC plat
Posts: 340
Moving over from UA... But a bit of sticker shock.
Hi!
I get monthly access to AA 10% coupons and I can hit a Costco for AA cards; but I'm still suffering a bit of sticker shock at the cost of AA over UA, especially ex-MSY.
Is this just the way it is? (tm) Are there some other tricks I've missed in scanning the AA forum this past few weeks?
Thanks!
I get monthly access to AA 10% coupons and I can hit a Costco for AA cards; but I'm still suffering a bit of sticker shock at the cost of AA over UA, especially ex-MSY.
Is this just the way it is? (tm) Are there some other tricks I've missed in scanning the AA forum this past few weeks?
Thanks!
Jun 5, 2012, 3:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
Really depends on where and when you are traveling. Some places AA wins, some UA. I personally pay a pretty big premium to go AA over UA for several routes, and to me it's worth every penny. I also get better fares for certain places as well.
Jun 5, 2012, 4:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 161
Hi!
I get monthly access to AA 10% coupons and I can hit a Costco for AA cards; but I'm still suffering a bit of sticker shock at the cost of AA over UA, especially ex-MSY.
Is this just the way it is? (tm) Are there some other tricks I've missed in scanning the AA forum this past few weeks?
Thanks!
I get monthly access to AA 10% coupons and I can hit a Costco for AA cards; but I'm still suffering a bit of sticker shock at the cost of AA over UA, especially ex-MSY.
Is this just the way it is? (tm) Are there some other tricks I've missed in scanning the AA forum this past few weeks?
Thanks!
Jun 5, 2012, 4:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MSY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Plat, VS Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,531
Unfortunately AA does tend to have a price premium ex-MSY. I think it's because UA has more lift, so you have more discount seats available.. (UA used to have hourly IAH flights from 5 AM to 11 PM) .
Jun 5, 2012, 7:17 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: United Mileage Plus 1K, American Advantage
Posts: 63
Out of DEN, LAX, and SFO AA is always cheaper for me then UA which is nice as AA now is a nicer airline, especially once they get E+. I guess out West they are small so they have to compete more.
Jun 6, 2012, 11:48 am
#6
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I've had bad luck myself. I was thrilled to get a status match to AA from UA but it seems that they're at a serious premium on everything I search ex-RDU/GSO. No flights booked with them yet because of it 
Jun 6, 2012, 12:06 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: UA
Posts: 239
TPAC Fares
TPAC fares out of New York is rediculous too and have to code share once I get to NRT. I'm really debating whether switching makes sense for me. Though, I am sooo over UA.
Jun 6, 2012, 12:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,635
Fares vary among airlines from time to time. I am somewhat surprised at all of the threads expressing dismay when fares differ. I presume that if fares never differed between airlines, some on this board would be making allegations of collusion and price fixing.
Jun 6, 2012, 2:00 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Excellent comment. And you bet, if fare were identical we would most likely allege collusion and price fixing.
Jun 6, 2012, 3:39 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
From Tulsa, it's a wash. Some flights they are higher, some they are lower. Most flights it's a tie or within $50.
Being a city that relies on a hub to fly to and no nonstops, I'm pretty stuck with the hub method.
Being a city that relies on a hub to fly to and no nonstops, I'm pretty stuck with the hub method.