cpx

I've been happy with CO domestic.. I think its one of the best within the
country.. but I agree with you on your coments.

Also CO has cut the lounge benefits for platinums and PC members.
If you fly CO metal, you cannot bring a companion in many lounges.
I think this was a bad move..

tbogart

I have PC access through my Amex Plat and I've never had problems bringing in a guest!

I'm a CO fan and think their FC is among the best in the league. However, a few weeks ago I flew EWR-MSP on NWA, got upgraded to FC both ways on a cheap Y class ticket and I have to admit I was very impressed with the quality of service and meals.

cpx

Lounge access was an issue I ran into for the first time in AMS as a CO plat.
AMEX may have a better deal, but I dont think AMEX will provide access
to most Sky Team lounges in other countries.

I like NW first service too.. as a CO elite, I enjoyed more upgrades on NW and
op-ups on KLM. no op-ups on CO intl.

tbogart

They won't, but as a CO Plat (SkyTeam Elite Plus) you will have access to any ST lounge when flying internationally.

carpboy

I am in the midst of a 'round-the-world itin and had to opportunity for my first angled-flat, a NW A330. It was wonderful. Yeah, parallel to the deck is perfect but this was damn fine too.

cpx

For example if you fly to/via AMS on KL or NW, you are fine..
but not if you fly CO metal.

entropy

you should be fine flying CO, any international itin.
the KL lounge agents are notorious for rejecting people theey should not.

CO 1E

Amen, amen, and amen. Something tells me that LK is quite content with domestic load factors these days (although they could always be better).

CO 1E

You raised many valid points about advantages of AA over CO, including better award availability, lifetime status, international F, and reduced copays. But I'm going to have to step up and strongly disagree with your characterization of CLE as a "hellhole," especially when compared with DFW and ORD. CLE has no delays other than those caused by the occasional snowstorm in winter, or from late-arriving equipment from cities like ORD. During the 9:00 am or early evening banks, you might be number 6 for departure, but it doesn't matter, as it only takes three to five minutes to taxi to the runway. Sure, the terminal is not the most modern in the country, nor is it the largest, but it's never bursting at the seems like AA's hubs, the gates are fairly close together, and in any event, there is a great President's Club in which to hide if you don't want to spend time in the terminal. ORD is a complete disaster and is the number one reason I avoid AA - delays year-round and heaven forbid if you get stuck there due to weather. DFW is a close second - overcrowdedness, having to wait for gates after landing, and "folks, we're number 28 for departure," all come to mind.

CO definitely has some disadvantages, many of which you pointed out, but CLE is not even on the list. CLE, the underappreciated jewel of the CO hub system, is on the benefits list, IMO.

ijgordon

I just thought of one other nice benefit of AA: domestic upgrade award availability is excellent. For those times you don't want to sweat out the elite "sticker" upgrade, AA offers tons of availability for redeeming upgrade awards (15K miles o/w). The reason is that the upgrade (on 2-class equip) comes from "A" inventory, which is the same used for their "YUP" discounted first class fares (paid First is "F" on AA), similar to CO's "Z" fares. Actually they now use both A and P for YUPs, with A being the more expensive, and less restricted, option.

ContinentalFan

Well, I went ahead yesterday and signed up with the AA challenge, though the guy gave it a different name. I booked a ticket from LAX to EWR that gets me 150% of Q-Points (one great thing is I am learning a brand new airline language and airline math!). I am dreading having to line up to get to the plane. The EWR checkin was a mess at LAX today; I hope AA isn't as bad. Granted, it appeared to be a particularly bad day for CAL as the 7 a.m. EWR flight was delayed until 10:30. Nevertheless, Continental has lost control over who gets to line up in the Elite/BusinessFirst line--it seems to be run on the honor system--word to the wise there.

I decided against UA, even though when I read some earlier posts, I think it was BenjaminNYC, UAUA made way more sense. However, they only count lifetime miles for lifetime elite status; the status match is also a once-in-a-lifetime deal. So my risk averse gene kicked in: maybe I'll need it later.

For the past fourteen or so years, I just never considered another airline rather than Continental. I heard about other airline's products, but it didn't really sink it. However, having gone through the websites for both United and American last night, I am impressed. I hope it's as good in reality as it looks "on paper." Continental is better at turning its assets into profits; however, I have to say that AA doesn't do a bad job. AA needs a "planectomy." It has a lot of MD equipment that looks terrible. I suspect they're all fully depreciated, so from a GAAP perspective they're not that expensive to run--when fuel prices are low!

So, thanks for all the feedback; I will let you know how things go.

cigarman

I'm EXECUTIVE PLATINUM on AA. I re earn it, by trying to NOT fly AA but the oneworld alliance. AA is just aweful. But, I guess we all need to find out sometimes for ourselves. I did...

rapopoda

You're correct. I'm learning that UA is giving me FAAAAR more value for my $$$ than CO

TWA Fan 1

ContinentalFan,

I look forward to reading your impressions from your big switch. From the tone of your posts I know you will be fair and balanced.

One quick note regarding switching airlines. I've done this a few times in my life (I flew 850,000 miles on AA, then over a million miles on TWA, then CO, now B6).

As you've written, you'll be starting out at the bottom of the totem pole, so you might be a little taken aback by the experience of being just another peon among the masses (at least until you get your elite status).

Also, as a major customer of TWA, I can tell you that I flew a tremendous amount of time on MD-80's. Yes, these birds are getting a little long in the tooth nowadays, but they have a number of major pluses.

If you're flying coach (which I'msure you will have to, at least occasionally) keep in mind that the MD-80's are 2-3 in coach, thus eliminating one middle seat per row.

And, because the engines are in the rear of the fuselage, you will be amazed at how quiet the plane seems if you're seated in FC or the first few rows of Y (of course, the flip side, is that the last couple of rows of Y are brutally loud, but I'm sure you'll be able to avoid those seats pretty easily).

Finally, Y seats on AA MD-80's are slightly wider than Y seats on CO.

Good luck!

wanaflyforless

AA or UA?

If your needs are served well by both carriers, here is what I would recomend. If you can only made midtier, (50K level), then go with UA. Similar upgrade oppurtunities and product quality, but UA has economy plus for when your upgrades don't clear.

If you can make top tier (100K), go with AA. 8 systemwide upgrades instead of 6 on UA. Unlimitted domestic upgrades, something UA never gives. Better CS with the AA EXP desk. Powerports in economy on AA.