Who here is happy?
Jan 13, 2001 | 8:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 3,511
Who here is happy?
It seems that there are some many changes and newfound gripes here on FlyerTalk that I wonder if anyone here is happy? There are actually two similar threads in Delta and United discussing this, but this is more central and general.
In the past it seems that things would flare up (complains about an airline) and eventually die down. Just a simple issue. But now there are many issues wish are greatly affecting people's opinions on an airline.
Take Continental. With just a few minor gripes such as their international upgrade policy, CO'ers loved their airline. Now with the new upgrade system, there are MANY upset people (though not all CO'ers).
Take Delta. Sure, they had there gripes. No upgrading on lowest fare domestically and internationally. But now with the loss of int'l upgrades for all but Platinums, who suffer a cut of such upgrades, people are upset. Again, not all.
Take United. Generally a happy camp, with complains all their own. For example, employee class. Etc. But now many complaints. Changes in systemwides? Who wil get them this year? What will the differences between "real" and "reduced" elites be? Loss of towels and clothes in dom first Class.
I don't venture into Northwest, so don't know if they are happy or not?? I'd think that flying Northwest alone would make them unhappy. But maybe that's what I'd been conditioned to think by reading over 10,000 posts here on FlyerTalk.
US Airways is generally very happy. But now the unsettling thing is what will happen when or if they get merged into United. Other than that, this airline seems always happy.
American is another airline that seems generally happy. With the exception of certain issues (can VIP2s be used on lowest fares, "first" class to Hawaii, MD80s, etc.), a very happy group.
What do you think?
In the past it seems that things would flare up (complains about an airline) and eventually die down. Just a simple issue. But now there are many issues wish are greatly affecting people's opinions on an airline.
Take Continental. With just a few minor gripes such as their international upgrade policy, CO'ers loved their airline. Now with the new upgrade system, there are MANY upset people (though not all CO'ers).
Take Delta. Sure, they had there gripes. No upgrading on lowest fare domestically and internationally. But now with the loss of int'l upgrades for all but Platinums, who suffer a cut of such upgrades, people are upset. Again, not all.
Take United. Generally a happy camp, with complains all their own. For example, employee class. Etc. But now many complaints. Changes in systemwides? Who wil get them this year? What will the differences between "real" and "reduced" elites be? Loss of towels and clothes in dom first Class.
I don't venture into Northwest, so don't know if they are happy or not?? I'd think that flying Northwest alone would make them unhappy. But maybe that's what I'd been conditioned to think by reading over 10,000 posts here on FlyerTalk.
US Airways is generally very happy. But now the unsettling thing is what will happen when or if they get merged into United. Other than that, this airline seems always happy.
American is another airline that seems generally happy. With the exception of certain issues (can VIP2s be used on lowest fares, "first" class to Hawaii, MD80s, etc.), a very happy group.
What do you think?
Jan 13, 2001 | 9:16 pm
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I think people are spending way too mcuh time .....ing about things that don't matter. I am more then willing ot give up a hot towel and bring an eighty nine cents box of individually wrapped wet ones with me if the airfare to Europe stays below $300.
I'm flying to get from point a to point b and to earn miles to go lots further down the road. I don't care about most of the things people complain here about, I care about price, and getting a comfortable seat. At least I still have price.
I'm flying to get from point a to point b and to earn miles to go lots further down the road. I don't care about most of the things people complain here about, I care about price, and getting a comfortable seat. At least I still have price.
Jan 13, 2001 | 10:08 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,430
Biz,
In general, I'm happy that you're happy. It looks as if you're spending a little too much time reading the posts here. Alas, you have some company.
I'm unhappy that trading certs at United will soon be a thing of the past. Too bad I got here in September. My trading days are just about over before they ever really began.
Dan
In general, I'm happy that you're happy. It looks as if you're spending a little too much time reading the posts here. Alas, you have some company.
I'm unhappy that trading certs at United will soon be a thing of the past. Too bad I got here in September. My trading days are just about over before they ever really began.
Dan
Jan 14, 2001 | 2:51 am
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/1mm/Admirals,United Silver+Club (life),Marriott Titanium,Hilton & Accor Gold
Posts: 5,064
I am a Continental Platinum and not especially happy with Continental. From a domestic upgrade perspective, even with EUA, I have no complaints. My upgrade still is 100% on CO/NW, with only a couple HP PHX-LAS segments in coach. Of course, I have only flown CO once since EUA started, so I still don't have much experience with the system. For international upgrades, Continental is terrible.
As for inflight service, I think Continental sucks (even in First). I have noticed that Cleveland-based crews seem to be superior to the others. Northwest has been on par with Continental. America West has been the bright spot. I have really had some good HP flights in First.
Am I happy? No. However, I think Continental OnePass is the best program for me. United 1k is tempting, as I would enjoy systemwides. However, based on last year's flying that would require squeezing another 10,000 miles in.
It really amazes me how nonexistant or even bad inflight service can be. In 2000, I flew only two roundtrips on airlines other than OnePass partners CO/NW/HP. The first was a roundtrip on USAirways (PHX-BOS) that was fairly decent in coach. The second was a roundtrip on Delta (PHX-RNO). I was really impressed by my two regional jet flights on Delta Connection/SkyWest. Both flights had really great service. It makes you wonder why the mainline can't match the service provided by its commuter partner...
As for inflight service, I think Continental sucks (even in First). I have noticed that Cleveland-based crews seem to be superior to the others. Northwest has been on par with Continental. America West has been the bright spot. I have really had some good HP flights in First.
Am I happy? No. However, I think Continental OnePass is the best program for me. United 1k is tempting, as I would enjoy systemwides. However, based on last year's flying that would require squeezing another 10,000 miles in.
It really amazes me how nonexistant or even bad inflight service can be. In 2000, I flew only two roundtrips on airlines other than OnePass partners CO/NW/HP. The first was a roundtrip on USAirways (PHX-BOS) that was fairly decent in coach. The second was a roundtrip on Delta (PHX-RNO). I was really impressed by my two regional jet flights on Delta Connection/SkyWest. Both flights had really great service. It makes you wonder why the mainline can't match the service provided by its commuter partner...
Jan 14, 2001 | 4:17 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
Happy? United is treating me like Royalty since making 1K. The finest flyer program I've ever been in, by several light years. (Have been top tier with CO and then NW/KLM for quite some time in the past.)
Interesting post by Bizjet, and I do not read some of the other Forums so can't comment but clearly some like DL seem very hard hit and CO other than Platinums.
Being UA specific - of the obscure eligible SWU fare classes removed, none basically had ever been sold before anyway to those on the boards, and we know the number for 2001 distribution is identical to past years, (6 to all) and that Hawaii IS now eligible this year. To ME six SWU are worth $10,000 alone as I always use them tri-continental. ONE per journey usually of 15,000+ miles each way.
There is no difference whatever between "lite" and "full strength" Elite qualifiers, and the linen in First tablecloths just got re-instated. (After a week or so absence!)
If losing hot towels on flights of under 2.5 hours is the remaining main UA beef, well UA flyers are doing pretty darn well it seems compared to many other airlines.
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~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 01-14-2001).]
Take United. Generally a happy camp, with complains all their own. For example,employee class. Etc. But now many complaints. Changes in systemwides? Who wil get them this year? What will the differences between "real" and "reduced" elites be? Loss of towels and cloths in dom. first Class.
Being UA specific - of the obscure eligible SWU fare classes removed, none basically had ever been sold before anyway to those on the boards, and we know the number for 2001 distribution is identical to past years, (6 to all) and that Hawaii IS now eligible this year. To ME six SWU are worth $10,000 alone as I always use them tri-continental. ONE per journey usually of 15,000+ miles each way.
There is no difference whatever between "lite" and "full strength" Elite qualifiers, and the linen in First tablecloths just got re-instated. (After a week or so absence!)
If losing hot towels on flights of under 2.5 hours is the remaining main UA beef, well UA flyers are doing pretty darn well it seems compared to many other airlines.
------------------
~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 01-14-2001).]
Jan 14, 2001 | 5:46 am
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
I am very happy about my two major frequent-flier programs (UA Mileage Plus and LH miles&more), regarding: [*] miles and status-miles earning abilities: the inclusion of the Austrian Airlines Group (for me, swiss, in the first place, plus British Midland and Mexicana) in spring 2000 helps earning those status miles much easier/faster; plus the 25&/50%/75% eco/bus/first status bonus miles for flight with all Star-carriers that LH introduced per sep-2000 help too.[*] upgrades: the introduction of (6) confirmable systemwides for 1K, good on practically all fares internationally (even'D' upgrades to first), was THE major improvement of UA's ff-program I ever experienced since I am a member.[*] lounge-access-offers: so many lounges now accessible for free for european StarGold-members = better than ever.[*] the elimination of 'W' fares not eligible for upgrades and mileage credit was abandoned by LH in late 98 = a major improvement too.
Jan 14, 2001 | 7:42 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat | TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,969
I am happy being Air Canada Super Elite...as I believe most other AC SE's are. The upgrade situation (time of booking from almost any fare) for SE's is excellent...but will have to see what 2001 brings.
Dorian
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flyers'places - restaurant, bar & hotel recommendations: http://www.flyersplaces.com
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Blondebomber's Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html
Dorian
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flyers'places - restaurant, bar & hotel recommendations: http://www.flyersplaces.com
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Blondebomber's Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html
Jan 14, 2001 | 8:24 am
#13
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,927
Bizjet wrote:
Can you let me know which flights this applies to ... I've missed this completely.
Loss of ... clothes in ... first Class.
Jan 14, 2001 | 8:41 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Manhattan, NY
Programs: USAir AA Hilton
Posts: 3,567
I'm very happy with US - 1k benefits are superb - unlimited upgrades w/ a window that virtually assures 100% - for companions as well, which is terrific when a colleague accompanies me on a biz trip - so much is so good. EXCEPT PRICES OUT OF CLT !!
Like most, I'm holding my breath re the merger - don't see how we won't lose. Yea, we'll get miles in the routes US doesn't serve. But the benefits for those miles will undoubtedly be less than we enjoy now. Since I'm fairly able to work within the available US routes, I'm sticking in till the bitter end.
There is such a difference in US and others that I can't settle on my "second" airline - the trips where I simply cannot take US. All the other FF programs are such a step down, I can't get excited enough about any of them to settle on one. I'll pbly spread enough miles on the non-US carriers to gain at least low level elite if not mid level should I direct those miles to one carrier - but on all other carriers, low or mid level just doesn't mean much. So I'm making those decisions strictly on the basis of fares or schedules.
Enjoying it tremendously while it lasts: US rules!
Like most, I'm holding my breath re the merger - don't see how we won't lose. Yea, we'll get miles in the routes US doesn't serve. But the benefits for those miles will undoubtedly be less than we enjoy now. Since I'm fairly able to work within the available US routes, I'm sticking in till the bitter end.
There is such a difference in US and others that I can't settle on my "second" airline - the trips where I simply cannot take US. All the other FF programs are such a step down, I can't get excited enough about any of them to settle on one. I'll pbly spread enough miles on the non-US carriers to gain at least low level elite if not mid level should I direct those miles to one carrier - but on all other carriers, low or mid level just doesn't mean much. So I'm making those decisions strictly on the basis of fares or schedules.
Enjoying it tremendously while it lasts: US rules!
Jan 14, 2001 | 8:55 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Austin, TX - AA ExPlat (1.4MM); Hyatt Plat; Hilton Dia; SPG Plat; National ExecElite, Hertz 5*
Posts: 183
I just officially joined FlyerTalk, although I have been a regular reader for over a year now. Just thought I'd toss out to the group that overall, I am fairly happy with CO as a Silver and am looking forward to making CO Gold this year. Even with the new auto upgrade policy, I'm batting about .500 getting upgraded. The only real gripe I have about OnePass Elite is that blackout dates are not waived until you are Plat.