Comparisons to United
Mar 11, 2014, 10:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: UA,WN,AA,DL, B6
Posts: 4,168
Comparisons to United
I have flown WN at times but mostly a CO/UA flyer the last 25 years having the large CLE operation. I have almost 800,000 lifetime miles. I flew several WN flights the past 3 weeks here are some thoughts/comparisons on what I feel are better at WN.
(1) No change fee. UA charges $200.00 to make a change plus if it is a last minunte change fares could be very high so you also could pay a substancial fare difference. On Saturday I was booked on WN CLE-FLL RT and changed to CLE-PHX RT not only there is no change fee I got a lower fare CLE-MDW-PHX-BWI-CLE at the last minunte.
(2) WN serves light snacks in Y, UA you get nothing.
(3) Great aircraft turnaround times, on my flights once the pasengers get off the inbound only a few minuntes latter your flight is boarding plus when the door is shut it seems on WN aircraft push back within a few minuntes where on UA it is longer.
(4) Airports I have used on WN to change planes are much less congested and not very far distances to get your next flight. These airports are BNA, MDW, BWI, and STL.
(5) WI-FI on new 737's, free flight tracking and some TV. UA is getting this now.
(1) No change fee. UA charges $200.00 to make a change plus if it is a last minunte change fares could be very high so you also could pay a substancial fare difference. On Saturday I was booked on WN CLE-FLL RT and changed to CLE-PHX RT not only there is no change fee I got a lower fare CLE-MDW-PHX-BWI-CLE at the last minunte.
(2) WN serves light snacks in Y, UA you get nothing.
(3) Great aircraft turnaround times, on my flights once the pasengers get off the inbound only a few minuntes latter your flight is boarding plus when the door is shut it seems on WN aircraft push back within a few minuntes where on UA it is longer.
(4) Airports I have used on WN to change planes are much less congested and not very far distances to get your next flight. These airports are BNA, MDW, BWI, and STL.
(5) WI-FI on new 737's, free flight tracking and some TV. UA is getting this now.
Last edited by buckeyefanflyer; Mar 12, 2014 at 5:35 pm
Mar 11, 2014, 11:38 am
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
I'm sure it won't be long before someone comes in and starts complaining about: WN serving peanuts 
, how WN doesn't have biz/F class, how WN doesn't have assigned seats, how they don't have BOB, how they purchased a biz select ticket and couldn't board their 737-800 with A1 and instead boarded at A60 , how their FAs actually enjoy their jobs and that WN had the gall to purchase AirTran and get rid of the brand all together.
, how WN doesn't have biz/F class, how WN doesn't have assigned seats, how they don't have BOB, how they purchased a biz select ticket and couldn't board their 737-800 with A1 and instead boarded at A60 , how their FAs actually enjoy their jobs and that WN had the gall to purchase AirTran and get rid of the brand all together.
Mar 11, 2014, 11:59 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
As a UA 1k for several years who shifted to WN about 18 months ago I agree with the OP's findings.
Especially important to me personally are 1) the schedule convenience of having lots of flights per day on short-haul routes, and not just to/from major hubs; and 2) No change fees.
Though the OP at 800k lifetime UA miles should consider the value of finishing out the trek to 1MM for lifetime Gold status.
Especially important to me personally are 1) the schedule convenience of having lots of flights per day on short-haul routes, and not just to/from major hubs; and 2) No change fees.
Though the OP at 800k lifetime UA miles should consider the value of finishing out the trek to 1MM for lifetime Gold status.
Mar 11, 2014, 12:43 pm
#7
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
Post-Evolve, Southwest's seating is at or below UA's Economy Minus. In fact if there had been a Freddie Award for seating discomfort I would have voted for Southwest.
Mar 11, 2014, 12:57 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,486
That is true.... but there is a NEW UA Economy Minus being installed (on the Airbus fleet) which may be even worse than Devolve!
Mar 11, 2014, 1:39 pm
#9
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
Mar 11, 2014, 1:47 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,730
The change fees is a trade off.
Unless you are purchasing Anytime or higher fares you cant move your flight on the same day. There is no same day change process.
If you need to change flights at the last minute it may be more expensive on Southwest than United. It may be cheapr to book a new flight on united and then cancel southwest and bank it as future credit
Unless you are purchasing Anytime or higher fares you cant move your flight on the same day. There is no same day change process.
If you need to change flights at the last minute it may be more expensive on Southwest than United. It may be cheapr to book a new flight on united and then cancel southwest and bank it as future credit
Mar 11, 2014, 2:06 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
But please give us all a heads-up beforehand so that we can put on our asbestos gloves 
On second thought, the nice folks over that way seem to be kinda busy at the moment........
There is this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ts-united.html
And then there is this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ly-planes.html
And of course this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...4-edition.html
On second thought, the nice folks over that way seem to be kinda busy at the moment........
There is this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ts-united.html
And then there is this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ly-planes.html
And of course this: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...4-edition.html
Mar 11, 2014, 2:10 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 429
The change fees is a trade off.
Unless you are purchasing Anytime or higher fares you cant move your flight on the same day. There is no same day change process.
If you need to change flights at the last minute it may be more expensive on Southwest than United. It may be cheapr to book a new flight on united and then cancel southwest and bank it as future credit
Unless you are purchasing Anytime or higher fares you cant move your flight on the same day. There is no same day change process.
If you need to change flights at the last minute it may be more expensive on Southwest than United. It may be cheapr to book a new flight on united and then cancel southwest and bank it as future credit
No, this is not excuse for the delays, but was a nice surprise for me.
Last edited by pirossalma; Mar 11, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Mar 11, 2014, 3:24 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Runway 22 @ KROC
Posts: 706
Having flown UA almost exclusively since 2000,I flew WN last week . Wow,what a difference. The airport employees are much more upbeat,no paying $25 one way to check a bag . The flight attendants actually smiled. And I didn't have to go to god-forsaken EWR for a 5 hour layover. I am seriously considering cancelling my UA Chase Visa and being done with UA . I still have enough miles for a free-ish r/t,though.
Mar 11, 2014, 3:31 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Alki. Seattle, WA
Programs: WN~A List Pref, CP, Hyatt-Diamond, Hilton Diamond, ANT~a Dave Matthews Addiction thing
Posts: 723
No fees to cancel/change flight AND at A+ (100 percent bonus on points) it's a no brainer for me, all routes less than 800 miles.....and west coast. Few thrus.....I've had a non exit row seat 2 times in last 100+ flights......I was grumpy both times