UA frequent flyers: Avoid CO to/from Hawaii
Apr 2, 2011, 9:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: United 1K, Delta 1M, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34
UA frequent flyers: Avoid CO to/from Hawaii
I'm a United 1K and have been very disappointed at the progress made on the UA/CO "merger" thus far. Lots of finger pointing and some underlying bitterness.
I am based in Hawaii and recently chose a CO trip based on the assumptions that I would be able to get status upgrades on the CO segments. Apparently that is not the case on the Hawaii flights. After 4 phone calls to the 1K desk and 2 phone calls to CO, someone finally remember that CO does not do status updates to Hawaii and they don't allow United FF's to use points to upgrade to/from Hawaii.
Hopefully they will get this ironed out soon or CO will get completely integrated in to the UA system. Until that time, I'll avoid CO.
I am based in Hawaii and recently chose a CO trip based on the assumptions that I would be able to get status upgrades on the CO segments. Apparently that is not the case on the Hawaii flights. After 4 phone calls to the 1K desk and 2 phone calls to CO, someone finally remember that CO does not do status updates to Hawaii and they don't allow United FF's to use points to upgrade to/from Hawaii.
Hopefully they will get this ironed out soon or CO will get completely integrated in to the UA system. Until that time, I'll avoid CO.
Apr 2, 2011, 9:53 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
I'm a United 1K and have been very disappointed at the progress made on the UA/CO "merger" thus far. Lots of finger pointing and some underlying bitterness.
I am based in Hawaii and recently chose a CO trip based on the assumptions that I would be able to get status upgrades on the CO segments. Apparently that is not the case on the Hawaii flights. After 4 phone calls to the 1K desk and 2 phone calls to CO, someone finally remember that CO does not do status updates to Hawaii and they don't allow United FF's to use points to upgrade to/from Hawaii.
Hopefully they will get this ironed out soon or CO will get completely integrated in to the UA system. Until that time, I'll avoid CO.
I am based in Hawaii and recently chose a CO trip based on the assumptions that I would be able to get status upgrades on the CO segments. Apparently that is not the case on the Hawaii flights. After 4 phone calls to the 1K desk and 2 phone calls to CO, someone finally remember that CO does not do status updates to Hawaii and they don't allow United FF's to use points to upgrade to/from Hawaii.
Hopefully they will get this ironed out soon or CO will get completely integrated in to the UA system. Until that time, I'll avoid CO.
Yes, BIG thumbs down to CO for not allowing those upgrades and for not explaining this well.
aloha
Apr 2, 2011, 10:29 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
I'm a United 1K and have been very disappointed at the progress made on the UA/CO "merger" thus far. Lots of finger pointing and some underlying bitterness.
I am based in Hawaii and recently chose a CO trip based on the assumptions that I would be able to get status upgrades on the CO segments. Apparently that is not the case on the Hawaii flights. After 4 phone calls to the 1K desk and 2 phone calls to CO, someone finally remember that CO does not do status updates to Hawaii and they don't allow United FF's to use points to upgrade to/from Hawaii.
Hopefully they will get this ironed out soon or CO will get completely integrated in to the UA system. Until that time, I'll avoid CO.
I am based in Hawaii and recently chose a CO trip based on the assumptions that I would be able to get status upgrades on the CO segments. Apparently that is not the case on the Hawaii flights. After 4 phone calls to the 1K desk and 2 phone calls to CO, someone finally remember that CO does not do status updates to Hawaii and they don't allow United FF's to use points to upgrade to/from Hawaii.
Hopefully they will get this ironed out soon or CO will get completely integrated in to the UA system. Until that time, I'll avoid CO.
Apr 2, 2011, 10:38 am
#4
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Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx
OnePass Elite members are eligible for unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades on flights operated by Continental, United and Copa Airlines* flights in the following markets:
* Mainland U.S.
* Alaska
* Canada
* Hawaii (select flights)**
* Mexico
* Caribbean
* Central America
* Northern South America (select flights)***
* Southern South America (Copa Airlines flights only)
* Asia/Oceania (select flights)+
OnePass Elite members are now eligible for Unlimited Domestic Upgrades on United. See our frequently asked questions.
* Not eligible for United Mileage Plus Elite members
** Applies to Continental flights to/from California and all intra-Pacific flights except nonstops to/from Guam
* Mainland U.S.
* Alaska
* Canada
* Hawaii (select flights)**
* Mexico
* Caribbean
* Central America
* Northern South America (select flights)***
* Southern South America (Copa Airlines flights only)
* Asia/Oceania (select flights)+
OnePass Elite members are now eligible for Unlimited Domestic Upgrades on United. See our frequently asked questions.
* Not eligible for United Mileage Plus Elite members
** Applies to Continental flights to/from California and all intra-Pacific flights except nonstops to/from Guam
And I do expect the rule to change just as soon as the configuration of the planes flying the route changes. When the domestic config 77s and 76s start the EWR/IAH-HNL routes it'll be complimentary.
Apr 2, 2011, 11:58 am
#5
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What part is not explained well?
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx
It seems that they actually explicitly define the routes that are eligible for the upgrades.
And I do expect the rule to change just as soon as the configuration of the planes flying the route changes. When the domestic config 77s and 76s start the EWR/IAH-HNL routes it'll be complimentary.
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx
It seems that they actually explicitly define the routes that are eligible for the upgrades.
And I do expect the rule to change just as soon as the configuration of the planes flying the route changes. When the domestic config 77s and 76s start the EWR/IAH-HNL routes it'll be complimentary.
Agreed. I think the OP made an assumption based on bad data or past experience flying UA.
I'm sure a CO flyer in a similar situation has booked a UA PS flight and expected to upgrade just to find out that UA has this flight as an exception, much like CO has HNL-EWR/IAH as exceptions.
Apr 2, 2011, 12:27 pm
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I not sure that it happens but it is a reasonable mistake to make. Reading the rules certainly helps.
Apr 2, 2011, 1:33 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
What part is not explained well?
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx
It seems that they actually explicitly define the routes that are eligible for the upgrades.
And I do expect the rule to change just as soon as the configuration of the planes flying the route changes. When the domestic config 77s and 76s start the EWR/IAH-HNL routes it'll be complimentary.
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx
It seems that they actually explicitly define the routes that are eligible for the upgrades.
And I do expect the rule to change just as soon as the configuration of the planes flying the route changes. When the domestic config 77s and 76s start the EWR/IAH-HNL routes it'll be complimentary.
Employees should be able to explain this, without necessitating my rummaging through the web site. Hence, thumbs down.
aloha
Apr 2, 2011, 2:03 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TUS and any place close to a lav
Programs: UA 1.6MM
Posts: 5,423
Correct. CO/UA does not provide the complimentary upgrades on IAH-HNL-IAH and EWR-HNL-EWR because these are the BusinessFirst configured aircraft (vice the standard domestic First Class aircraft).
The ORD-HNL-ORD flights are operated with the domestic First Class configured 777's. Those are eligible for complimentary upgrades.
I would suspect that sooner or later (with cross-fleeting), the new CO/UA entity will start flying EWR-HNL-EWR and IAH-HNL-IAH with the domestic First Class configured aircraft (from the UA side).
The BusinessFirst aircraft for the GUM and HNL runs would being to rotate via NRT. Similar to how UA rotates its 3-class 777's on the NRT-HNL run.
The ORD-HNL-ORD flights are operated with the domestic First Class configured 777's. Those are eligible for complimentary upgrades.
I would suspect that sooner or later (with cross-fleeting), the new CO/UA entity will start flying EWR-HNL-EWR and IAH-HNL-IAH with the domestic First Class configured aircraft (from the UA side).
The BusinessFirst aircraft for the GUM and HNL runs would being to rotate via NRT. Similar to how UA rotates its 3-class 777's on the NRT-HNL run.
Apr 2, 2011, 3:14 pm
#9
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Apr 2, 2011, 3:20 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
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Posts: 6,177
If it happens on the IAH-HNL and HNL-IAH routes, then it will be AA from DFW for me for travel to OGG unless I want multiple stops (other than HNL).
Apr 2, 2011, 3:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: Amex Platinum; Southwest A-list; BW Diamond; Hilton Gold; CO Silver; Hertz President's circle
Posts: 405
Funnily enough, I'm in no rush to fly CO to HNL after I did so at the end of last year. The return flight was COs mediocre F product, but the outbound (SNA-HNL) leg was in coach.
Lengthy flight as this is, I was amazed by the service- the FAs did one drinks/snacks for purchase service, then retreated to the rear galley and put up a curtain to ensure that no PAX would disturb them. 4 hours later, the curtain came down, they did one more drinks service and we landed.
I was working and had to drive, so the lack of extra drinks didn't affect me, but I was pretty underwhelmed by the customer service ethic displayed.
Cheers,
Paul.
Lengthy flight as this is, I was amazed by the service- the FAs did one drinks/snacks for purchase service, then retreated to the rear galley and put up a curtain to ensure that no PAX would disturb them. 4 hours later, the curtain came down, they did one more drinks service and we landed.
I was working and had to drive, so the lack of extra drinks didn't affect me, but I was pretty underwhelmed by the customer service ethic displayed.
Cheers,
Paul.
Apr 2, 2011, 3:38 pm
#12
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Last time flew IAH-HNL, it was in the front cabin of a CO 764. I thought the modified BF service was just fine. And the seat was much better than the domestic F seats UA offers on their 763 and 777 services between the mainland and the islands.
I'll be sad to see the end of the 764 service if this indeed comes to pass. However, I will not be all that surprised to see the UA equipment take over the IAH-HNL and EWR-HNL routes.
Apr 2, 2011, 4:04 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
So they all told you that you wouldn't get an upgrade and you were still surprised when you didn't??? Oh, and asking UA employees to explain CO rules (or vv) is definitely a recipe for uncertain results.
Apr 2, 2011, 4:10 pm
#14
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I was wondering what I was going to do with all those BA miles....perhaps I'll now have a use for them.
Apr 2, 2011, 5:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
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Yep, as I've got over 750,000 AAdvantage miles. That route will be a good use for them!