CO vs US?
 

I'm having to book a trip xSFO an due to the UA hub 'tax' (ticketing on UA is 2x more expensive than on anyone else), I need to pick another airline.

I get miles both on CO and US, and as 1k I get EQM/EQS credit and 100% bonus RDM miles. So it seems that they offer the same benefits.

Looking at the UDU threads it does not appear like CO offers UDU to UA flyers yet, so does my choice boil down only to routing/aircraft preference?? How about SFO-CLT on an A320 vs. SFO-IAX on CO 737 'shuttle'?? Does the CO shuttle have AC power on their seats as written but not shown on Seatguru??

Thanks in advance

I'll move this to the Continental Forum as your questions can be best answered by the members there.

FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
United Mileage Plus Forum

Where is IAX? I also don't get the thing about the 737 'shuttle'...why is it a "shuttle"...also, you must be new to FT because anyone with a choice between CO vs. US (unless you are maybe a US elite) is going to pick CO...hands down....the "can't stand US" sentiment is talked about A LOT on FT and not just the US forum.

CO has power nose-to-tail on the 739s and from the rear exit row forward on the 738s which have LiveTV. There's no such thing as a "shuttle" on CO so I'm not sure what you're talking about there.

I wouldn't go that far. While the US bashing is a common theme on the board (much as the CO Rah! Rah! is a theme here), there's not much difference between the two carriers on such a short flight.

As a non-Elite on CO, you have to pay for exit row/ELR seats, which US will give for free on request, so you can actually get more legroom for your money on US. @:-)

CO still has free food (for a bit longer), and power on some flights.

Shame on you. As an experienced contributor to FT you knew your statement was incorrect. The correct statement is:

you must be new to FT because anyone (except channa) with a choice between CO vs. US (unless you are maybe a US elite) is going to pick CO

I love FT :) Also, the OP was referring to CLT-SFO on US which I don't think is a very short flight...I'd MUCH rather take CO via IAH or CLE or EWR or all three if I could rather than CLT-SFO on US....I still think it's lame that they have zero video/audio entertainment on planes are that are normally equipped with it...NW tried that but at least it came back when DL bought them...sorta.

ANDDDD.......FOLKS......Don't forget...US is more likely to follow the *Alliance Policy on IRROPS Rebookings over CO lately....

CLT-SFO is a mainline aircraft. CLT-EWR is possibly an RJ and CLT-IAH is an RJ, no? How much are you willing to put yourself through for a free turkey dog?

if you're flying in coach, then there's not really a big difference. i am still not 100% on your destination? CLT???

in Y, I actually prefer US. i could give two sh!ts about the over head monitors, and you cannot gaurantee power or liveTV on all CO aircraft yet. bring a lap top and a book or some magazines. Some US A321 aircraft have wireless internet, but no power. I believe its still free to all for a while longer.

CO has free food but its paltry in comparison to what you can purchase on US. US has better alcoholic beverages, but they are more expensive.

you also have the possibility of purchasing a FC upgrade at OL check-in with US. no deal on CO.

you also have to consider NS or one stop. what is your preference? unless its in FC, i actually prefer a one stop. you can stretch, grab a drink and get some real food. you can do either with US (PHX) but must connect with CO (IAH). again, assuming you're headed to CLT.

with out giving us your exact trip plan and options each airline is offering (price, times, layover legnth and location and aircraft type) its hard to compare apple with apples.

But don't you just get 1 EQS for CLT-SFO vs. at least 2 EQS going through a CO hub? Also, don't you get in flight entertainment from IAH or CLE or EWR to SFO?? And then there's that turkey dog on top of that :)

Hi all,

thanks for your quick replies. Here are some answers:

First of all, my apologies, the CO routing goes through IAH (not IAX - bad place to make a typo!).

My end destination is HSV. Leaving from SFO there is no option but to connect at some carrier's hub. Sorry I should have been more clear. In any case I'm stuck on a CRJ for the second leg of the trip. The choice, besides overpriced UA, among *A is between CO and US (thus SFO-IAH or SFO-CLT).

I learned by the UA forum moderator's decision, that US is NOT the airline of choice on FT - since I was trying to decide between the two carriers (see the title of my thread) and was redirected on CO. :)

WiFi on US is quite appealing (but a gamble), although with no AC power in Y it would not last very long.

Reading the UA board I learn that *A elites no longer get much in terms of seating with CO (new program $$ for exit rows).

Can't wait for the turkey dog... :)

with the new info..... CO for sure unless you want the extra miles. if you on an ERJ to HSV, choose the A or aircraft left side of the plane.

Why CO for sure? It's only 400 miles longer via CLT, and going through CLT minimizes the RJ segment, though a 600-mile RJ segment IAH-HSV is not too bad.

I would still give US the edge because the OP is less likely to score premium seating on CO since it's disallowed on CO per policy.

Do you want your bags arriving with you? In that case pick CO. CO DOES have a buy up to F depending on the fare as well. The ELR premium is only for seats with 8+" of leg room, others are available at checkin. Finally depending on when your trip is CO may have instituted the upgrades for UA elites.