Should I switch?
Apr 28, 2016 | 12:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 11
Should I switch?
Hi, I would like to get some expert advice about whether or not I should switch to a different loyalty program. I am a million mile plus UA, 1K for many years but I'm not happy right now. I average 110,000 miles a year. I am dreading starting at the bottom again with another plan. I've heard that some programs recognize your value and start you at a higher level. Is there a thread where this is addressed? The pros and cons and most importantly, the how-to's of switching loyalty programs. Thanks.
Apr 28, 2016 | 3:32 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,913
Hi, I would like to get some expert advice about whether or not I should switch to a different loyalty program. I am a million mile plus UA, 1K for many years but I'm not happy right now. I average 110,000 miles a year. I am dreading starting at the bottom again with another plan. I've heard that some programs recognize your value and start you at a higher level. Is there a thread where this is addressed? The pros and cons and most importantly, the how-to's of switching loyalty programs. Thanks.
With the majority of ffp's benefits are reducing and ff mile costs are going up.
Upgrades are now harder to get.
The halcyon days of frequent flyer programs a decade ago are gone: just accept reality.
AA offers a challenge for faster status.
What are your objectives from a ffp?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Again, in case you missed:- The grass in not always greener on the other side
Apr 28, 2016 | 6:13 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,036
UA had 43 percent of the flights out of DEN in February 2016, the most recent month for which data are available. (Source.) Southwest had 29%, Frontier 13%, and nobody else more than 6%. Unless Southwest's program meets your needs, and you haven't given us enough information about your goals in an FFP for us to weigh in on that yet, you may be pretty much stuck.
Unless there's something specific that UA's program doesn't offer, that another airline's does, and that is really important to you, I'd live with it. If it helps, try repeating "Frequent flyer programs are not the most important things in life." (FT heresy, perhaps, but true.)
Unless there's something specific that UA's program doesn't offer, that another airline's does, and that is really important to you, I'd live with it. If it helps, try repeating "Frequent flyer programs are not the most important things in life." (FT heresy, perhaps, but true.)
Apr 28, 2016 | 7:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,251
With your amount of flying you should consider whether you prefer upgrades or whether you have an SO that you would want to bring with you. If you decided to switch to Southwest, you could probably easily earn A-List Preferred and the Companion Pass, which would you bring someone with you whenever you travel. To me this is worth more than the occasional upgrade, but I'm fortunate enough to have an SO who can travel whenever/wherever. If that's not of interest to you then you're probably better off sticking with UA.
Apr 29, 2016 | 8:22 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PLAT,PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Gld,Hyatt Disc,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 11,021
The grass in not always greener on the other side
With the majority of ffp's benefits are reducing and ff mile costs are going up.
Upgrades are now harder to get.
The halcyon days of frequent flyer programs a decade ago are gone: just accept reality.
AA offers a challenge for faster status.
What are your objectives from a ffp?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Again, in case you missed:- The grass in not always greener on the other side
With the majority of ffp's benefits are reducing and ff mile costs are going up.
Upgrades are now harder to get.
The halcyon days of frequent flyer programs a decade ago are gone: just accept reality.
AA offers a challenge for faster status.
What are your objectives from a ffp?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
Again, in case you missed:- The grass in not always greener on the other side
UA had 43 percent of the flights out of DEN in February 2016, the most recent month for which data are available. (Source.) Southwest had 29%, Frontier 13%, and nobody else more than 6%. Unless Southwest's program meets your needs, and you haven't given us enough information about your goals in an FFP for us to weigh in on that yet, you may be pretty much stuck.
Unless there's something specific that UA's program doesn't offer, that another airline's does, and that is really important to you, I'd live with it. If it helps, try repeating "Frequent flyer programs are not the most important things in life." (FT heresy, perhaps, but true.)
Unless there's something specific that UA's program doesn't offer, that another airline's does, and that is really important to you, I'd live with it. If it helps, try repeating "Frequent flyer programs are not the most important things in life." (FT heresy, perhaps, but true.)
With your amount of flying you should consider whether you prefer upgrades or whether you have an SO that you would want to bring with you. If you decided to switch to Southwest, you could probably easily earn A-List Preferred and the Companion Pass, which would you bring someone with you whenever you travel. To me this is worth more than the occasional upgrade, but I'm fortunate enough to have an SO who can travel whenever/wherever. If that's not of interest to you then you're probably better off sticking with UA.
The alternative would be to simply fly whatever airline makes the most sense route-wise and cost-wise for a given trip, forking out additional $$ now and then for roomier economy seats. But you'd then lose whatever perks remain from UA's FF program and would end up flying UA a good amount of time anyway.
May 3, 2016 | 4:56 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 11
thanks everyone. My SO is going to retire soon, so he can travel with me, but I like the upgrades, although I don't get upgraded very often. I see the point of the grass is always greener.
Thanks.
Thanks.
May 3, 2016 | 6:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
My 1K colleague based in Washington DC is wondering the same thing as the OP. It's not the lack of perks from UA that bothers him but the frequency of major screw ups with late or cancelled flights, missed connections, and as a consequence, missed meetings. It's become an epidemic.
May 3, 2016 | 7:31 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,642
Honestly, I think part of the answer with those missed connections is to get a lounge pass and start padding your connections where you know there's a chance of trouble (e.g. if you're flying out of SFO, don't take an even-remotely-close connection somewhere else because of the fog). Granted, from what I've gathered, United is winning a race to the bottom...