sbm12

That reward is actually 300K, not 200K on UA. It is only 220K on CO.

Those flights are simply not available (in general, though exceptions - likely errors - happen from time to time) for reward travel to *A partners. SQ KrisFlyer members can redeem their points on those routes at a premium price.

channa

This one could be ugly when they align. CO's RTW awards are at a more favorable price.

sbm12

I think that was coming even before the merger. CO's rates for RTW rewards were incredibly low; they are a great value in many cases.

Dan72

I don't mind UA but don't see that they could be objectively described as on par with other world airlines, particularly European and Asian carriers. There's very little hospitality left at UA, it's all been cut back. I have fond memories of travelling transatlantic with them in the mid 90s and was genuinely impressed, but no more.

Since CO joined Star, I have been able to try them and have found them to be better than UA. Planes are cleaner/newer, they offer more than a cup of soda in coach (I know that that will change but wonder if that was linked to the merger). The lounges again are much better at CO, UAs are mostly tatty and offer very little in the way of refreshment.

I'm apprehensive about the merger and fear it will be a downward step to UA standards.

meFIRST

Ditto. CO should set the standard, not UA.

I am a fan of their intl product though, quite nice. Though the catering (compared to CO business first) is not that great.

rjque

This is wrong or at least very misleading. For example, UA will block all LH TATL flights for long periods of time, which essentially makes it impossible to get to many places in Europe using an award. UA also tends to block nearly all travel between Europe and Asia.

And I strongly disagree with those who say it's not enough to switch. I switched from UA to CO because of *Net blocking.

flaii

Oh, right, haha! +/- 100k miles

JimStraz

I recently had an add-on flight on UA from LAS to LAX after a multi-city trip on CO. Seriously the little flight of 45 minutes was the worst experience I've had in airline travel in 20 years. The check-in was horrific and the baggage claim was a mess making us wait an hour for our bags to be delivered. I am currently CO Gold Elite and was not treated well at all by UA. I am sick to my stomach.

Renard

Doing away with the free domestic coach meals on most flights has nothing to do with the merger. It happened before talks with UA began again a few weeks ago.