AA or UA?
Nov 27, 2002 | 4:21 am
#2
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Gaucho100K just did an analysis of this very issue, after reaching top tier on both carriers. I can't recall if he posted on the UA or AA board, but a quick search under his name on those boards should produce a thread.
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Nov 27, 2002 | 8:34 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
AA hands down due to MRTC, lifetime platinum at 2mm, upgrades on any fare, etc. HOWEVER since you live in Denver, and unless you are flying to DFW or ORD you will be connecting on every trip. Probably not worth it. Stick with UA.
Nov 27, 2002 | 8:40 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Bethesda, MD USA
Posts: 2,802
The most important thing for me when I choose an airline is convenience. There's a reason why I like United. It's called a hub at Dulles that will take me to pretty much anywhere I want to go without having to connect.
You've got the same thing in Denver, so I would go with them. If I lived in Dallas, things would be different.
You've got the same thing in Denver, so I would go with them. If I lived in Dallas, things would be different.
Nov 27, 2002 | 11:39 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,858
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tom911:
Gaucho100K just did an analysis of this very issue, after reaching top tier on both carriers. I can't recall if he posted on the UA or AA board, but a quick search under his name on those boards should produce a thread.
Welcome to FlyerTalk.</font>
Gaucho100K just did an analysis of this very issue, after reaching top tier on both carriers. I can't recall if he posted on the UA or AA board, but a quick search under his name on those boards should produce a thread.
Welcome to FlyerTalk.</font>
Tom911, tried to locate it unsuccessfully on both boards. Would you happen to remember the topic/link? Thanks.
Nov 27, 2002 | 3:44 pm
#7
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
It's on the UA board:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/015809.html
The "search" feature on each page comes in handy for finding things like this.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/015809.html
The "search" feature on each page comes in handy for finding things like this.
Nov 27, 2002 | 11:32 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 120
My own experience is that AA plays hardball every chance they get, and charges many fees UA doesn't charge (most recent example: $100 change fee on award tickets). I also find their marketing is much less honest and upfront than UA's.
Nov 28, 2002 | 11:03 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,784
This is a no-brainer. Why would you choose an airline on the eve of bankruptcy? Go with AA and sleep a little sounder at night, at least for a while.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RunsWithScissors:
Presently a 1K with UA, live in DEN, seriously considering jumping ship to AA. Looking for opinions, experiences and/or comparisons on UA vs. AA FF programs. Thank you in advance. Happy Holidays.</font>
Presently a 1K with UA, live in DEN, seriously considering jumping ship to AA. Looking for opinions, experiences and/or comparisons on UA vs. AA FF programs. Thank you in advance. Happy Holidays.</font>
Nov 28, 2002 | 10:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, xTWA Elite 1 and AA PLT, now AA EXP 3MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 283
AA all the way. On UA if I don't receive an upgrade I am stuck with no leg room. On AA there is MRTC (more room throughout coach) so if I am stuck in coach I don't mind it at all.
Nov 28, 2002 | 11:20 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 54
Thanks to everyone who put their two cents in. Yes, being out of DEN makes UA somewhat more of a sensible choice, but there have been just too many cutbacks on 1K 'features.' Gone are the free third bag check-in, 1K rooms, complimentary back-to-back accomodation and free standby priviliges (does any other carrier do the standby charge?). It seems the only thing out there are the 100-hour upgrade and the 1K line, and as part of that 80%, I'm not sure that's enough for me.
Nov 29, 2002 | 12:10 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: SFO, USA - UA PE, *A Gold, AF Gold
Posts: 164
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RunsWithScissors:
Presently a 1K with UA, live in DEN, seriously considering jumping ship to AA. Looking for opinions, experiences and/or comparisons on UA vs. AA FF programs. Thank you in advance. Happy Holidays.</font>
Presently a 1K with UA, live in DEN, seriously considering jumping ship to AA. Looking for opinions, experiences and/or comparisons on UA vs. AA FF programs. Thank you in advance. Happy Holidays.</font>
So I am still with UA. They are not great but reliable.
Nov 29, 2002 | 7:45 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Bethesda, MD USA
Posts: 2,802
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by aceflyer2:
This is a no-brainer. Why would you choose an airline on the eve of bankruptcy? Go with AA and sleep a little sounder at night, at least for a while. </font>
This is a no-brainer. Why would you choose an airline on the eve of bankruptcy? Go with AA and sleep a little sounder at night, at least for a while. </font>
Bankruptcy doesn't affect passengers, so scratch that off your list.
Nov 29, 2002 | 7:52 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: US and Asia
Programs: AA 2MM+; China Southern Gold VIP, Hilton Gold, Marriott/SPG Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 172
[QUOTE Gone are the free third bag check-in, 1K rooms, complimentary back-to-back accomodation and free standby priviliges (does any other carrier do the standby charge?). It seems the only thing out there are the 100-hour upgrade and the 1K line, and as part of that 80%, I'm not sure that's enough for me.[/B][/QUOTE]
AA has also lost the 3rd bag priviledge... even if you are flying first class and/or internationally... cost me 80 USD recently.
AA has also lost the 3rd bag priviledge... even if you are flying first class and/or internationally... cost me 80 USD recently.
Nov 29, 2002 | 10:05 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,784
mdtony, there are examples of airlines who did not make it out of bankruptcy. UA will likely NOT continue flying in the same manner after bankruptcy. As consumers we have to make the best educated decisions we can with the information we have at the time. The original question dealt with trying to decide between AA and UA. With the current information, in my opinion, this is a relatively easy decision, although it does depend to some extent on ones propensity for risk.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mdtony:
This is a silly thing to say. USAirways is in bankruptcy, and guess what? They're still flying. The same thing will happen with UAL.
Bankruptcy doesn't affect passengers, so scratch that off your list.</font>
This is a silly thing to say. USAirways is in bankruptcy, and guess what? They're still flying. The same thing will happen with UAL.
Bankruptcy doesn't affect passengers, so scratch that off your list.</font>