Life Without CO
May 9, 2002 | 3:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 212
Life Without CO
If you are interested, the following thread has some general observations on my experiences with flying UA instead of CO.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006900.html
My greatest disappointment thus far is that I waited this long and endured so much sticking it on CO before making the jump which has proven itself to be worthwhile in every respect.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006900.html
My greatest disappointment thus far is that I waited this long and endured so much sticking it on CO before making the jump which has proven itself to be worthwhile in every respect.
May 9, 2002 | 5:06 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 3MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,339
Question--you mentioned in your post that you were comped 1K status on United. How did you manage that feat? It's my understanding that the best you can hope for is Premier Exec.
May 9, 2002 | 5:39 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 212
I didn't do anything particularly special other than ask at the outset to be granted the Premier tier that would be commensurate to my demonstrated flight activity and revenue potential as an employee-owner and travel-policy decision-maker of my firm. I did send in my award-winning Continental Airlines(R) OnePass(R) youngest-fleet-jet-flying-in-the-industry fast-facts statement along with this year's 1st quarter air travel budget excerpt. I won't complain about the way UA played the ball when I put it in their court.
One of the sentiments echoed very loudly about CO is that CO does not walk-the-walk when it comes to responding to the needs of the golden-egg layer frequent flyers, whereas it's said that airlines like UA do. I feel that. In fact, I feel my back, knees, neck, and ... (plus teeth - no HOKEY to gnash over) feeling much better from being in J right behind the nosecone bulkhead of a UA747 rather than the coach partition looking at empty seats in BusinessFirst. Come to think of it, who is the genius at CO who approved putting in EmPower laptop power ports on coach rows 16-22 when you can't open the laptop lid when the seat in front of you is reclined? Like the way OnePass Elite has become, who needs the bells-and-whistles if you can't get any part of them?
Fly the Friendly Skies. Try it. Sick of 737's transcon? 9C on UA 757's is a veritable patio - and I'm already in 9C on UA on the itineraries I've got booked through the end of this year (neener, neener, neener!). To boot, 9B gets blocked off by virtue of a Premier butt going into it (it's convention in E+ to have the seat blocked off next to yours - ask a CO agent to block the seat next to yours, and they'll look at you like you've got a third eye on your forehead).
Internationally, you can either get "B-F'ed" trying to get into BF on CO, or you can burn a SWU (SYSTEM-wide upgrade - that means "international") that is comped 6 at a time when you're 1K on UA. At the very worst you can have 34"/35" inches of pitch in Economy+, in a more spacious 747 (yes, even on domestic routes) which affords at the least the glint of a possibility of getting kicked upstairs in an op upgrade scenario, whereas CO is trying to sell their 747's on eBay or something.
I've been very conscious about not speaking up about this here until I got a decent number of flights in on UA that would validate my impressions beyond halo effect or grass-is-greener. I think there is really something to not only UA being a much better choice for international flying, but potentially a better choice (with Economy+) even for domestic flying in light of the joke that EUA has become and cramped conditions in domestic first on CO nowadays. Who the hell isn't elite on CO anymore?
Like I said, my biggest regret is not having made the move sooner. The grief saved in travelling more comfortably might as well be your own. May I humbly suggest to the wackjobs at CO's marketing department who approve those blue ads with those catchphrases to include, "We've changed to keep up with your needs. So should you."
[This message has been edited by Beef or Chicken? (edited 05-09-2002).]
One of the sentiments echoed very loudly about CO is that CO does not walk-the-walk when it comes to responding to the needs of the golden-egg layer frequent flyers, whereas it's said that airlines like UA do. I feel that. In fact, I feel my back, knees, neck, and ... (plus teeth - no HOKEY to gnash over) feeling much better from being in J right behind the nosecone bulkhead of a UA747 rather than the coach partition looking at empty seats in BusinessFirst. Come to think of it, who is the genius at CO who approved putting in EmPower laptop power ports on coach rows 16-22 when you can't open the laptop lid when the seat in front of you is reclined? Like the way OnePass Elite has become, who needs the bells-and-whistles if you can't get any part of them?
Fly the Friendly Skies. Try it. Sick of 737's transcon? 9C on UA 757's is a veritable patio - and I'm already in 9C on UA on the itineraries I've got booked through the end of this year (neener, neener, neener!). To boot, 9B gets blocked off by virtue of a Premier butt going into it (it's convention in E+ to have the seat blocked off next to yours - ask a CO agent to block the seat next to yours, and they'll look at you like you've got a third eye on your forehead).
Internationally, you can either get "B-F'ed" trying to get into BF on CO, or you can burn a SWU (SYSTEM-wide upgrade - that means "international") that is comped 6 at a time when you're 1K on UA. At the very worst you can have 34"/35" inches of pitch in Economy+, in a more spacious 747 (yes, even on domestic routes) which affords at the least the glint of a possibility of getting kicked upstairs in an op upgrade scenario, whereas CO is trying to sell their 747's on eBay or something.
I've been very conscious about not speaking up about this here until I got a decent number of flights in on UA that would validate my impressions beyond halo effect or grass-is-greener. I think there is really something to not only UA being a much better choice for international flying, but potentially a better choice (with Economy+) even for domestic flying in light of the joke that EUA has become and cramped conditions in domestic first on CO nowadays. Who the hell isn't elite on CO anymore?
Like I said, my biggest regret is not having made the move sooner. The grief saved in travelling more comfortably might as well be your own. May I humbly suggest to the wackjobs at CO's marketing department who approve those blue ads with those catchphrases to include, "We've changed to keep up with your needs. So should you."
[This message has been edited by Beef or Chicken? (edited 05-09-2002).]
May 9, 2002 | 6:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Spring Lake,NJ
Posts: 1,219
yeah..yeah..yeah....we know..we know. 
May 10, 2002 | 9:12 am
#5
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
Beef or Chicken,
Your detailed and intelligent comments are appreciated. I haven't flown as an elite on United, but, the way you have been treated seems to address just about every concern I have with Onepass Elite. It was wise of you to reserve judgment until you'd logged some miles. I applaud you for making the switch and wish you the best.
IM4Travel,
I think I am finally understanding you. I now honestly believe that you have a good time with your CO elite status. I no longer think you're an employee always pumping up CO or anything like that. What I have discerned from following your posts is that you likely have a home base and travel habits that make CO elite valuable for you. This is versus some of us who (i) live in transcon business hubs with limited service on narrowbodies, (ii) fly at peak business times and/or (iii) give substantial employer-paid full fare domestic business to Continental but desire to do some leisure international traveling using our earned miles.
Yes, there will be a class of people who are cool with Onepass elite. There is a niche within the layering of market segments for everyone. Simply put, some people are fine with eating at Denny's. But for people like Beef or Chicken (a "travel decision-maker" and "a company owner"), someone who spends more and needs more from his dedicated carrier, Continental is not servicing those people well.
Your detailed and intelligent comments are appreciated. I haven't flown as an elite on United, but, the way you have been treated seems to address just about every concern I have with Onepass Elite. It was wise of you to reserve judgment until you'd logged some miles. I applaud you for making the switch and wish you the best.
IM4Travel,
I think I am finally understanding you. I now honestly believe that you have a good time with your CO elite status. I no longer think you're an employee always pumping up CO or anything like that. What I have discerned from following your posts is that you likely have a home base and travel habits that make CO elite valuable for you. This is versus some of us who (i) live in transcon business hubs with limited service on narrowbodies, (ii) fly at peak business times and/or (iii) give substantial employer-paid full fare domestic business to Continental but desire to do some leisure international traveling using our earned miles.
Yes, there will be a class of people who are cool with Onepass elite. There is a niche within the layering of market segments for everyone. Simply put, some people are fine with eating at Denny's. But for people like Beef or Chicken (a "travel decision-maker" and "a company owner"), someone who spends more and needs more from his dedicated carrier, Continental is not servicing those people well.
May 10, 2002 | 9:14 am
#6
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
Beef or Chicken,
Would it be possible for you to email me so I may ask you a private question? Your email is not posted. Thanks if you have time.
Would it be possible for you to email me so I may ask you a private question? Your email is not posted. Thanks if you have time.
May 11, 2002 | 1:14 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Spring Lake,NJ
Posts: 1,219
Thesilb...c'mon...an employee?? I couldn't possibly be this articulate if I were a CO employee You are correct in some aspects of your statement. I've said this many times and I'll say it again. I fly out of a CO hub (EWR) every week to domestic locations...my main destinations are TPA,IAH,LAS,SEA,SFO,SJC,PHX,DTW,DFW,RDU,MEM,ATL and CLE...I have a few others that I don't frequent very often...I fly Sunday nights/Monday morns(business times)with a return of Thursday night...or Friday night (again...business times)...and I usually do 1-2 Caribbean trips...and maybe 2-3 European trips per year. CO works for me. I do approximately 140K miles per annum and my *ss sits in first 99% of the time...some flights are RJ's (No F)I haven't had much problems with EUA and frankly, I could care less WHEN it happens..as long as it happens. I don't stress (like some in this forum) life is too short. I'm extremely flexible on my vacations (no wife/children...just girlfriend) and that helps when booking award seats...in fact I have 2 trips to Europe this summer that I booked in April on award tix. FT is just a miniscule part of OnePass...and I'll give you my honest opinion here....I think some of the folks here stress and worry entirely too much. I'm not saying that the Freddies mean a whole helluva lot...but SOMEONE had to vote for CO if they won "Best Elite Americas" award...there has to be SOME happy folks out there....maybe they're just like me....stress free.....
You are correct in some aspects of your statement. I've said this many times and I'll say it again. I fly out of a CO hub (EWR) every week to domestic locations...my main destinations are TPA,IAH,LAS,SEA,SFO,SJC,PHX,DTW,DFW,RDU,MEM,ATL and CLE...I have a few others that I don't frequent very often...I fly Sunday nights/Monday morns(business times)with a return of Thursday night...or Friday night (again...business times)...and I usually do 1-2 Caribbean trips...and maybe 2-3 European trips per year. CO works for me. I do approximately 140K miles per annum and my *ss sits in first 99% of the time...some flights are RJ's (No F)I haven't had much problems with EUA and frankly, I could care less WHEN it happens..as long as it happens. I don't stress (like some in this forum) life is too short. I'm extremely flexible on my vacations (no wife/children...just girlfriend) and that helps when booking award seats...in fact I have 2 trips to Europe this summer that I booked in April on award tix. FT is just a miniscule part of OnePass...and I'll give you my honest opinion here....I think some of the folks here stress and worry entirely too much. I'm not saying that the Freddies mean a whole helluva lot...but SOMEONE had to vote for CO if they won "Best Elite Americas" award...there has to be SOME happy folks out there....maybe they're just like me....stress free.....
May 11, 2002 | 9:02 am
#8
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
Regarding stress and the Freddies and so forth...I totally agree. I guess my personal stress level is somewhat amplfied since I have lifetime elite, and so the changes they make effect me not only in this year but potentially for many years. And for me, switching to another carrier holds a different burden than for most, because it places me out of the don't-worry-about-requalifying mode, a mode which is perhaps the most stress free way to retain elite status of all. In any event, I agree life is too short.
May 11, 2002 | 1:25 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 190
IM4TRAVEL -- just curious -- what type of reward ticket to Europe did you book --
Did you use a HoKeY fare or all miles?
If not a HoKeY I am interested in what you think of the HoKeY gamble -- the 30 day rule and your thoughts on the 72hr rule ---
background -- I fly CO basically West Coast - Hawaii and Europe --- CO Platinum ---
but I do find the International rules have really put a damper on flying CO --- especially when BF seats are not released - they fly empty or with non-revs (and yet a HoKeY fare was paid)---and in one of my
cases -- purchased a HoKeY and then was informed that the "waitlist" was full and could not be listed --
Did you use a HoKeY fare or all miles?
If not a HoKeY I am interested in what you think of the HoKeY gamble -- the 30 day rule and your thoughts on the 72hr rule ---
background -- I fly CO basically West Coast - Hawaii and Europe --- CO Platinum ---
but I do find the International rules have really put a damper on flying CO --- especially when BF seats are not released - they fly empty or with non-revs (and yet a HoKeY fare was paid)---and in one of my
cases -- purchased a HoKeY and then was informed that the "waitlist" was full and could not be listed --
May 12, 2002 | 6:41 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Spring Lake,NJ
Posts: 1,219
Since I have a plethera of miles in my CO account...I used all miles...booked them in April for travel in July and August respectively.
There is technically..no more Hokey....one can upgrade on any fare now...just be willing to cough up extra $$ to do it. Because I have no problem earning CO miles...I've always gone the completely free ticket route...I don't believe in paying for vacation.(unless it's ridiculously cheap and makes sense to pay). At my mileage/hotel point earning rates..(250 nights last year and 140K miles flown) I don't need to.
[This message has been edited by IM4Travel (edited 05-12-2002).]
There is technically..no more Hokey....one can upgrade on any fare now...just be willing to cough up extra $$ to do it. Because I have no problem earning CO miles...I've always gone the completely free ticket route...I don't believe in paying for vacation.(unless it's ridiculously cheap and makes sense to pay). At my mileage/hotel point earning rates..(250 nights last year and 140K miles flown) I don't need to.
[This message has been edited by IM4Travel (edited 05-12-2002).]