NYC Flyer

Aside from the 3-8 minutes it takes to get from the curb through Clear to the SkyClub and the few (if any) minutes waiting for boarding after leaving the club, I've found it pretty tolerable. Not that there are other stations that are much more preferable!

T5 was never the same once the "rotunda" was removed, IMHO. Was in the T5 AC the day before Thanksgiving and feeling very nostalgic.

FrankMorris

As the OP, I've intentionally held back responses as I've been simply taken up in everyone's answers. Thank you all so much - what thoughtful and comprehensive responses. I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised - I posted this in part in response to seeming disdain by many for American on this forum. When I go (less frequently) to the UA section, it seems I read less. I was expecting for things to tip more towards UA, but am surprised to see things somewhat neutral, but leaning towards AA. Perhaps that's because this was posted on the AA side of the forum?

In any case, I certainly agree with those who have challenged the premise of my question, as separating individual circumstances from "general experience" is pretty tough.

Thanks for everyone's specific comments as well, such as the comments related to my specific city. AA and UA are both viable options, though AA has a few more routes, particularly if you factor in AS. So, as someone who has nothing invested on either side and some freedom to choose, after I've done all the math with elite programs etc., I've simply been looking for those overall conclusions you folks have drawn with so much more experience than me. So, thank you all for sharing. I really appreciate it.

GW McLintock

You should post the exact same question in the UA forum and see what they say.

As I've mentioned, the biggest reason I don't fly UA is because of geography. It is very closely followed by OneWorld/mileage partners, though next year (hopefully) that will become less of a factor as I let my AS status lapse for 2023.

-J.

FrankMorris

Great idea. I had thought about this, but given that it would be essentially the same post, and moderators seem to want things to be placed in the correct place, I'm not sure there would be a justification to create a duplicate thread just to test out response variation, though it would be festinating. Moderators, feel free to correct me on this and I'll start a new one...

TravelingZoomer

As a SAN based 100% leisure flyer doing mostly transcons, the answer for me is emphatically stay loyal to Alaska. If the route network works for you, it’s hard for me to not recommend alaska in most cases unless you are a hardcore last minute full J fare business traveler. But even then, the AA/AS partnership and the incredible RDM rates on AS might make crediting your AA flights to AS still worth it.

Oneworld has been icing on the cake. The addition of QR mitigates the loss of EK, and you get a variety of other partners that the big 3 don’t have the opportunity to have a wide access to, notably SQ, KE, and LA plus a bunch of independent airlines like Iceland Air and Condor.

The cherry on top, is that the extended partnership with AA means as a soon to be 100k I’m a de facto super PlatPro on AA (being ahead of them but behind CK for upgrades on AA), and I get 2 SWU. Not to mention my companion won’t need to use stickers or whatever you guys call it.

This is a personal thing but as also a BAECG having FL access out of JFK is such a luxury.

Add in incredible redemption rates, and AS Mileageplan is having my cake and eating it too. I’ve done the math, this year I’ve spent 2.6k out of pocket to reach 100k eqm. That would barely net me AA Gold if I’m not mistaken.

YMMV

Spanish

I was unaware of the Sky Club at PBI, but if they can have one, CMH and PBI and FLL should all have AA clubs! PBI has similar enplanements to CMH, and AA is the legacy carrier with the most seats out of CMH (dwarfed by WN, but still).

I've had flights moved around to very short connections that are "legal," but in my opinion unreasonable. I've had to "hang up call again" several times. Platinum now, PPRO + Platinum in the past - so no EXP line but should still provide the service. I've been lectured multiple times about how the connections are "legal." Interesting data points, for sure.

Bummer for the ORD connections, I definitely have felt that.

NW.BTR.Than.The.Rest

I can forgive just about anything so long as the transoceanic lie-flat seat is comfortable - as is the case with AA's 777s and 787s.

NW.BTR.Than.The.Rest

It is appalling how many nasty RJ145s are still in the UA network.

GW McLintock

I just read something the other day that they are going to be refurbished... somehow.

-J.

jagoffee

I almost always find AA paid first less expensive than UA’s first from ORD. I will fly UA to Maui in first, when they have a direct flight available.

chavala

Good idea.
As someone who moved to the DFW area 12 years ago and was immediately given a status match to ExPlat -- NO THANK YOU!
No transparency in the upgrade list. No "expert mode". No 24 hour Same-Day-Change. Don't even get me started on the horrible App.
And now the announcement of reduced schedules to many Intl destinations?
Moving here made me even more loyal to UA.

nineworldseries

aaaaaand that is the only piece of information I need to know about UA. Never flown them, and now will not start anytime soon. Anything smaller than an Embraer 175 is a NO-GO for me.

nineworldseries

What what what whaaaat? How did I never know about this?

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/united-expert-mode/

chavala

It's been around for years. It's fantastic.

nrr

I generaly fly JFK to LAS or ZRH. I was happy flying AA--I'm 2 MM (nearly all from flying) and was EXP for several years; the FL lounge was nice. AA removed the daily n/s from JFK to ZRH and ran 1/2 the number of JFK to LAS (than DL). [Jet Blue has taken up some of the missing JFK-LAS flights.]
I'm flying DL exclusively, but I do miss the FL lounge at JFK.
Affiliated cc's could be a "clincher" for some--not me though.