CO vs. AW first class to yvr
Mar 26, 2000 | 4:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 47
CO vs. AW first class to yvr
I need a little advice from those who fly more. I need 2 tickets ewr to yvr for late august 2000. I would like to use miles for first claass or buy coach and upgrade to first. I have miles on both AW and CO that will work.
The problem is that AW will give me the upgrades now - but I will be changeing in Pheonix.
CO has a new nonstop coming on the schedule in May or June but they won't upgrade me now - maybe never.
Is there a big difference between AW and CO upper class on this type of a flight? Would you take the AW connections and the first class now or would you buy the CO and hope for the upgrades?
I am not elite now - but - based on last 90 days - I will be CO silver (or better) by end of 2000. 2001 this should be a lot easier to do (maybe)
The problem is that AW will give me the upgrades now - but I will be changeing in Pheonix.
CO has a new nonstop coming on the schedule in May or June but they won't upgrade me now - maybe never.
Is there a big difference between AW and CO upper class on this type of a flight? Would you take the AW connections and the first class now or would you buy the CO and hope for the upgrades?
I am not elite now - but - based on last 90 days - I will be CO silver (or better) by end of 2000. 2001 this should be a lot easier to do (maybe)
Mar 26, 2000 | 4:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco (Marin County), CA
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K, LH Senator, SQ PPS Solitaire, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 3,031
I have posted similar in other threads and I know others disagree with me, but here's what I think.
I would take CO first far and above HP first, any day, any route. Here are the primary reasons why:
1. HP first class meal service is terrible. They offer meals on a fewer percentage of their flights than CO, and when you do get a meal, it is often meager in my experience. For example, I often fly LASTPA or LASMCO, both pretty darn long flights, and usually get a sandwich or a small tray of food.
Continental, contra, has really improved their meal service. I am especially impressed with the first class meal service on the new 737 series aircraft, and I'm thinking of the EWRPDX and EWRSEA routes specifically, so I'm inclined to think EWRYVR service will be similar. There is abundant food, and what is great is that they now prepare by heating "all the meat" in one container, "all the veggies" in another (versus traditional method of heating up a sort of TV dinner / everything in one meal tray deal). This ensures two things. First, assuming they do it right, you aren't stuck with some items being overcooked versus others (everything can be heated "just right" this way). Second, because they portion out into "one big tray of veggies" for all the first class meals, and it isn't "here's seat 1A's portion" there is often extra of something if you desire and inquire.
2. CO seat pitch is bigger. Also, I think the actual seats are more comfortable, especially the wings on the headrest that you can pull out to lean up against. These allow me to sleep even in an aisle seat. I like to lean my head against something - usually the window.
I will give HP this - nice going on the Heineken. CO has better wine, though.
Just my opinions.
I would take CO first far and above HP first, any day, any route. Here are the primary reasons why:
1. HP first class meal service is terrible. They offer meals on a fewer percentage of their flights than CO, and when you do get a meal, it is often meager in my experience. For example, I often fly LASTPA or LASMCO, both pretty darn long flights, and usually get a sandwich or a small tray of food.
Continental, contra, has really improved their meal service. I am especially impressed with the first class meal service on the new 737 series aircraft, and I'm thinking of the EWRPDX and EWRSEA routes specifically, so I'm inclined to think EWRYVR service will be similar. There is abundant food, and what is great is that they now prepare by heating "all the meat" in one container, "all the veggies" in another (versus traditional method of heating up a sort of TV dinner / everything in one meal tray deal). This ensures two things. First, assuming they do it right, you aren't stuck with some items being overcooked versus others (everything can be heated "just right" this way). Second, because they portion out into "one big tray of veggies" for all the first class meals, and it isn't "here's seat 1A's portion" there is often extra of something if you desire and inquire.
2. CO seat pitch is bigger. Also, I think the actual seats are more comfortable, especially the wings on the headrest that you can pull out to lean up against. These allow me to sleep even in an aisle seat. I like to lean my head against something - usually the window.
I will give HP this - nice going on the Heineken. CO has better wine, though.
Just my opinions.
Mar 26, 2000 | 8:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,709
Having flown both, I concur with thesilb's opinions.
My BEST experience with HP FC service is on-par with my WORST FC service on CO.
On HP, food is terrible. FA's were indifferent at best, downright snotty at worst.
I try to avoid HP whenever possible, and now that they are making it harder to upgrade as a CO elite, it just increases the incentive.
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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."
My BEST experience with HP FC service is on-par with my WORST FC service on CO.
On HP, food is terrible. FA's were indifferent at best, downright snotty at worst.
I try to avoid HP whenever possible, and now that they are making it harder to upgrade as a CO elite, it just increases the incentive.
------------------
"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."
Mar 26, 2000 | 9:33 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,293
Over the last 4 years I have flown about an equal number of HP and CO flights, and I have to agree with the posts responding on this topic. If I were to chose between the two my choice would be Continental, even without the changes in the upgrade policy for elites. (if you check out the HP forum you will learn that there is only one HP Platinum in cyberspace!)
My recent experiences on America West on routes not served by Continental makes Southwest Airlines look more and more attractive!
I would suspect that on the new EWR-YVR that F/C should become available closer to the flight date, revenue management probably wants to get some idea of demand before they start releasing seats. You know how they always want to save some for one of those full fare customers!
My recent experiences on America West on routes not served by Continental makes Southwest Airlines look more and more attractive!
I would suspect that on the new EWR-YVR that F/C should become available closer to the flight date, revenue management probably wants to get some idea of demand before they start releasing seats. You know how they always want to save some for one of those full fare customers!