How many are thinking of jumping ship?
Jun 9, 2011, 10:50 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
How many are thinking of jumping ship?
I guess I finally got my head out of AA for a while, I started reading this new forum. I'm not liking what the MP program is doing for next year. After flying AA for the last 5 months, I have been very impressed with AA (granted its been only non stop flights.) The service I get on AA is far better then UA, the meals are better and it doesn't appear that AA is making the drastic cuts that UA is.
So I was just wonder if anyone else has been thinking of jumping ship from UA to another airline?
So I was just wonder if anyone else has been thinking of jumping ship from UA to another airline?
Jun 9, 2011, 11:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Austin TX USA
Programs: UA life 1K, 2MM; AA Life Pt 3mm; DL nada now!; AS nada now; BA, FD, CX, LH, DD, Amex Pt, Diners
Posts: 950
American
I have not flown AA in ages - and I used to live on them. So the other day when I flew AA was a little nostalgic. AA is a little stuffy but it sure is as professional as ever. And their clubs stay open till late unlike the wretched Red Carpet Club in DEN that despite it being at a huge UA hub kicks you out at 9:30 even if your flight is delayed till 1am. Not like that at the Admirals Club in DFW for sure. And they have such great showers at the Admirals Club too. Thank goodness I am Platinum for life. Oh but I do miss the 8 system wide upgrades from AA!!
Jun 9, 2011, 11:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
I like Delta. I live in NYC and there are some serious benefits. Skypesos is a huge issue for me, but I like the creativity in the program. The website is also slick.
That being said, AA is my backup carrier. It reminds me of legacy UA and I understand how to work the system. Flying AA is like dating a cousin, there are similarities but overall its a bit off.
I will give UACO more time and I remain open to being impressed.
That being said, AA is my backup carrier. It reminds me of legacy UA and I understand how to work the system. Flying AA is like dating a cousin, there are similarities but overall its a bit off.
I will give UACO more time and I remain open to being impressed.
Jun 10, 2011, 1:28 am
#5
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
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.
Jun 10, 2011, 2:34 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,222
I also have been tempted by AA, especially now that it has linked so closely with BA and OneWorld is gaining some traction. However, financially it is performing very poorly, so I suspect that the drastic cuts will be coming. That's principally why I have not jumped ship - the grass may be greener but for how long. On balance I think I'll stick with UA, although the 8 usable systemwides would be very nice indeed.
Jun 10, 2011, 2:49 am
#7
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 529
I did a challenge to PLT on AA this January and other than the non-stop UA SNA-SFO, I haven't looked back. I think the catering in FC is generally better for the routes I take (mainly CA to ORD).
Jun 10, 2011, 2:53 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Central New Jersey (EWR)
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, DL SkyMiles, HHonors (Gold)
Posts: 292
I like Delta. I live in NYC and there are some serious benefits. Skypesos is a huge issue for me, but I like the creativity in the program. The website is also slick.
That being said, AA is my backup carrier. It reminds me of legacy UA and I understand how to work the system. Flying AA is like dating a cousin, there are similarities but overall its a bit off.
That being said, AA is my backup carrier. It reminds me of legacy UA and I understand how to work the system. Flying AA is like dating a cousin, there are similarities but overall its a bit off.
And even though it is a hub for DL, AA and B6, just the thought of travelling to JFK is enough to give my nightmares (as I am sure just most of the New Jersey members can attest to).
Maybe if I was at ORD or LAX, I might think about switching from UA/CO to AA, but I am in New Jersey, so I'll be sticking with EWR and UA/CO for the forseeable future.
Jun 10, 2011, 3:12 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sydney & London
Programs: UA Lifetime Exec Plat (2MM)
Posts: 744
I've jumped and am swimming quite happily elsewhere.
Won't be 1K next year (or ever again, probably), but the penny piching attitude of Mr Smisek has turned me off CO for ever (let's face it, UA is dead).
However, I am 2MM and will try and make the most of it elsewhere, unless Mr Smisek takes it away.
Won't be 1K next year (or ever again, probably), but the penny piching attitude of Mr Smisek has turned me off CO for ever (let's face it, UA is dead).
However, I am 2MM and will try and make the most of it elsewhere, unless Mr Smisek takes it away.
Jun 10, 2011, 5:39 am
#11
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
Living in Central New Jersey, I use EWR because it is so close to my home, I have made CO my main airline because that is a fortress hub and I like the ability to go just about anywhere with one airline from one location.
And even though it is a hub for DL, AA and B6, just the thought of travelling to JFK is enough to give my nightmares (as I am sure just most of the New Jersey members can attest to).
Maybe if I was at ORD or LAX, I might think about switching from UA/CO to AA, but I am in New Jersey, so I'll be sticking with EWR and UA/CO for the forseeable future.
And even though it is a hub for DL, AA and B6, just the thought of travelling to JFK is enough to give my nightmares (as I am sure just most of the New Jersey members can attest to).
Maybe if I was at ORD or LAX, I might think about switching from UA/CO to AA, but I am in New Jersey, so I'll be sticking with EWR and UA/CO for the forseeable future.
Jun 10, 2011, 5:51 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Manhattan
Programs: CO Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,468
I guess I finally got my head out of AA for a while, I started reading this new forum. I'm not liking what the MP program is doing for next year. After flying AA for the last 5 months, I have been very impressed with AA (granted its been only non stop flights.) The service I get on AA is far better then UA, the meals are better and it doesn't appear that AA is making the drastic cuts that UA is.
So I was just wonder if anyone else has been thinking of jumping ship from UA to another airline?
So I was just wonder if anyone else has been thinking of jumping ship from UA to another airline?
Jun 10, 2011, 6:11 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
I bolted in mid-2009. By the end of 2009, I had flown 150k EQMS on CO and 110k on AA, in 2010, I flew 125k EQM on AA and 76k EQM on CO, and this year, I will end with 165k EQM on AA and 51k EQM on CO/UA.
I will always keep Star Gold, but for me, flying CO/US is a non-starter until upgrades are being reported at 75%+ levels for 1ks, or until E+ is in all planes. Until then, I will fly the minimum possible to retain Star Gold. And hopefully, most of that will be flying on partners like SQ, TG, LH, LX etc or by earning FLEX EQMs.
I will always keep Star Gold, but for me, flying CO/US is a non-starter until upgrades are being reported at 75%+ levels for 1ks, or until E+ is in all planes. Until then, I will fly the minimum possible to retain Star Gold. And hopefully, most of that will be flying on partners like SQ, TG, LH, LX etc or by earning FLEX EQMs.
Jun 10, 2011, 6:20 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
penny piching attitude of Mr Smisek has turned me off CO for ever (let's face it, UA is dead).
Jun 10, 2011, 6:46 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,508
I've been 1K for a few years and am waiting to see what the "new" FF program will be like (wish they would announce it sooner rather than later). But have made AA my backup, opening a BankDirect account, getting an AA Citicard, all of that. AA does largely work for my travel patterns.