Chosing an airline, based out of Phoenix
Nov 4, 2005 | 8:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 44
Chosing an airline, based out of Phoenix
Right now I'm with NWA and am just a SE. I've now been living in the Phoenix area for nearly 2 years now and I'm starting to find that flying NWA out of here is more hassle than it's worth (no direct trips at all to California or Texas (unless routed through MSP, DTW, MEM, etc...)
Flying out of Phoenix, my primary trips are to the Bay Area (SFO, SJC, OAK), Texas (IAH, SAT, DFW), and Rochester, New York (ROC). I also take several trips to the Southeast each year, be it Atlanta, New Orleans, Orlando, etc...
My only concern is I'm batting a pretty good percentage on getting upgraded, even though only a Silver, on NW and CO flights. Right now, primarily due to shopping around and checking seats, I'm at almost getting 80% upgrades...
Would I be better off on another airline, or is NWA still the way to go?
Flying out of Phoenix, my primary trips are to the Bay Area (SFO, SJC, OAK), Texas (IAH, SAT, DFW), and Rochester, New York (ROC). I also take several trips to the Southeast each year, be it Atlanta, New Orleans, Orlando, etc...
My only concern is I'm batting a pretty good percentage on getting upgraded, even though only a Silver, on NW and CO flights. Right now, primarily due to shopping around and checking seats, I'm at almost getting 80% upgrades...
Would I be better off on another airline, or is NWA still the way to go?
Nov 5, 2005 | 12:43 am
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego
Programs: Fly UA MM 1K, Sleep Hyatt & IHG, Hertzer. 2022 Flyertalk Fantasy Football Champion
Posts: 11,203
For PHX as the base, it would seem like WN or US/HP would be the best choice. I do know a few people that use AA out of PHX, but that's a lot of connections.
Nov 5, 2005 | 8:21 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: MI
Posts: 187
Depends on how much you like those upgrades. If you change to US/HP, you'll have a lot more competition. WN, of course, doesn't have F period. Both would give you more non-stop flights, at least to the Bay area, TX. Flying NW you're putting up with less desirable connections, but better chances of getting your upgrades. What are you willing to trade off?
Nov 5, 2005 | 10:22 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: Alaska Airlines, CO Emeritus, United kettle, Ural Airlines Wings, Hilton, National
Posts: 979
Originally Posted by TravelManKen
For PHX as the base, it would seem like WN or US/HP would be the best choice. I do know a few people that use AA out of PHX, but that's a lot of connections.
Personally I would not choose WN even if the only other airline in the world made me connect through YQX
Nov 5, 2005 | 10:59 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: US, UA
Posts: 476
my 2c would be: connections are bad, unless you're mile/status running. go with the airline that gives you an abundance of options.
http://www.americawest.com/awa/conte.../routemap.aspx
perhaps go for a status comp and see how it goes? when i was silver out of a US hub, i just paid more attention to loads/aircraft to increase my upgrade chances, and i fared well.
http://www.americawest.com/awa/conte.../routemap.aspx
perhaps go for a status comp and see how it goes? when i was silver out of a US hub, i just paid more attention to loads/aircraft to increase my upgrade chances, and i fared well.
Nov 6, 2005 | 2:56 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,933
If you fly enough to make elite on HP, or US nowadays, America West can be a very decent airline for upgrades and generally cheerful service.