How many are thinking of jumping ship?
Jun 18, 2011, 1:07 am
#136
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
It is a race to the bottom for the airlines. I will wait till the merger works itself out. I went from CO after 20 years to US for 4 years to Delta for 4 years and back to CO this year.
Delta was somewhat better except for the frequent flyer program. Delta's first class now is better. But United's Economy Plus is great, although I almost always managed to get the exit row on Delta.
Delta was somewhat better except for the frequent flyer program. Delta's first class now is better. But United's Economy Plus is great, although I almost always managed to get the exit row on Delta.
Jun 18, 2011, 7:59 am
#137
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Oxford, UK
Programs: AA/UA no status!
Posts: 30
so am i correct from reading this thread that on intl flights purchasing reg to discount econ class tickets, AA EXP and even AA Plat have a way higher % of getting free/low cost upgrades versus UA 1Ks?
and if so, this would mean UA EXPrem are having even less success (post merger)?
and if so, this would mean UA EXPrem are having even less success (post merger)?
Jun 18, 2011, 8:15 am
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
AA EXPs, yes, via SWUs good on any published fare. AA Plats (<100K mile/point flyers) don't get SWUs and can only upgrade with miles and a co-pay.
Jun 18, 2011, 8:28 am
#139
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Oxford, UK
Programs: AA/UA no status!
Posts: 30
ah, but even when using mi+co-pay AA plats are still getting upgrades at a much higher % than UA 1K/Gold? i wonder why this is?
For instance, from AAExPlat's signature and prior posts in this thread:
AA '11 UPG = 84/84 (100%) / UA '11 EUA = 5/9 (56%)
For instance, from AAExPlat's signature and prior posts in this thread:
AA '11 UPG = 84/84 (100%) / UA '11 EUA = 5/9 (56%)
Jun 18, 2011, 9:40 am
#140
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: CO Plat, HH Diamond, UA 1P
Posts: 39
This is my predicament as well. At the end of June I'll be at 60 segments. No way I can keep that up. This is the only reason I'd look at AA or DL. Otherwise I've been happy with CO and UA.
Jun 21, 2011, 5:24 am
#141
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
If I had a chance to jump ship, I would but to SIN AA partners with that terrible CX and a much nicer but also much more remote JL.
The partners on the *A are simply superior from here. Not by much but somewhat.
Jun 21, 2011, 9:42 am
#142
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Always on the move
Programs: Something lifetime here and there
Posts: 1,867
On most full fares, AA is now exactly twice as good though as UA: 15K miles vs. 30K rip offs UA offers to Asia.
If I had a chance to jump ship, I would but to SIN AA partners with that terrible CX and a much nicer but also much more remote JL.
The partners on the *A are simply superior from here. Not by much but somewhat.
If I had a chance to jump ship, I would but to SIN AA partners with that terrible CX and a much nicer but also much more remote JL.
The partners on the *A are simply superior from here. Not by much but somewhat.
Jun 21, 2011, 10:48 am
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
I'm working hard on jumping ship to AA, but since they no longer offer the 25K in 3 months Q-point challenge for EXP, I think I need to finish out the year on UA unfortunately.
Next year I'm on AA.
I absolutely hate flying on UA these days; a lot of it is because of the CO influence, but even PMUA decisions/execution are just a nightmare.
I refuse to put up with 25+ minute "Premium Passenger" security lines at ORD and SFO.
Next year I'm on AA.
I absolutely hate flying on UA these days; a lot of it is because of the CO influence, but even PMUA decisions/execution are just a nightmare.
I refuse to put up with 25+ minute "Premium Passenger" security lines at ORD and SFO.
Jun 21, 2011, 11:00 am
#144
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
That's the right strategy. Next year, you can make your move to AA, and if your transition period is like mine, you can do the Plat challenge and complete that in no time, which will give you decent upgrade rates if you don't mind paying for stickers, and within a few months, you'll make EXP and never look back. Welcome to the daark side.
Jun 21, 2011, 12:16 pm
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
That's the right strategy. Next year, you can make your move to AA, and if your transition period is like mine, you can do the Plat challenge and complete that in no time, which will give you decent upgrade rates if you don't mind paying for stickers, and within a few months, you'll make EXP and never look back. Welcome to the daark side.
Jun 21, 2011, 12:39 pm
#146
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Always on the move
Programs: Something lifetime here and there
Posts: 1,867
Jun 21, 2011, 1:01 pm
#147
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,214
Really depends what market you're in and what type of traveler you are. AA has canceled SFO-BOS and SFO-HNL is permanently gone come September. They only run SFO-LAX 6 times a day to get to their closest hub at LAX. They don't offer nonstops to SNA or SAN. If those were routes I regularly flew for business I'd he hard pressed to say I'd be better with AA.
I have qualified CO 100k PLT/UA 1K and AA EXP this year. I have to admit that Jeff's penny picking approach to CO really pushes me to limits. I do notice, however, that for domestic EAU, UA and 1K give you almost 95% or above, AA has close to 100%; UA gives very uncertain SWU UG rates, while AA has the best eVIP UG rate for international. Even if the routes are not non-stop(I go to HKG all the time), I would rather get to PVG/PEK/NRT to ensure I will have the longest leg upgraded first before playing SWU lottery in CO/UA. I noticed UA's SWU is notoriously bad for especially SFO/ORD-HKG routes, so I picked CO as source for SWU and CR1 deposit, but I don't appreciate the EAU in CO at all. However, I am not even sure CO SWUs would be as good as before(probably not). Also, the transcon CO40 I took last Thursday was a new 739 with no bulkhead all the way through. I couldn't believe they squeeze in 173 seats in that aircraft! I regret for not taking the exit rows.
It's all dilemma for next year, but I would ensure I will get EXP every single year. 1P *G and EXP seem to be my plan next year, with maybe a couple of mega-MR to push me to 1K without much investment.
Last edited by PaulInTheSky; Jul 9, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Jun 21, 2011, 2:01 pm
#148
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Even if SFO has cut services to HNL and BOS, I think they are one of the best places for AA. The Admiral's club agents are exceptionally friendly from the old baby club emerging to the new larger one. The asian lady(Forgot to ask her name) always went extra step to help me. I didn't expect her to remember my last name but she seemed to recall it every time I walked out of the club.
If you actually want to fly somewhere from SFO (without a stop), then AA is not a great option and seemingly getting worse...
This is coming from someone who looked hard at AA when they offered the EXP challenge. With my travel patterns though, UACO is just far superior ex-SFO...
Since you are one of the few with high level status on both airlines, I really value your opinion and look forward to hearing more about your experiences.
Jun 21, 2011, 2:07 pm
#149
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
Jun 21, 2011, 5:35 pm
#150
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Living the dream in Antigua and the nightmare in Florida
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, *A Gold, WN detractor
Posts: 49,925
My other beef with AA is the MD-80 breakdowns, which have become very troublesome. I have had far fewer mechanical delays on UA/CO than on AA.