UA versus AA...Observations and things to consider before leaving/joining
Aug 13, 2012, 6:26 pm
#496
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Aug 14, 2012, 9:52 am
#497
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
Don't forget you can also qualify on segments. 100 segments will get you EXP. Didn't UA recently raise their segments for 1K qualification to 120?
DL/US introduces the same policy (not as an one-time thing)
Aug 16, 2012, 5:41 pm
#498
Used to be MJ-bos
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: San Diego, California USA
Programs: AA ExecPlat, COdbaUA 1P & 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, IHG Gold, Avis 1st
Posts: 228
I'm at my 3-month AAniversary... and I couldn't be happier with my new AAirline.
I burned some UA points a few weeks ago, 2 FC tickets, and my partner even remarked "this isn't like it used to be ..." -- the FA overheard and chimed it "you got that right." From boarding scrum to dingy/dirty birds (757s with dark black marks all over the walls & ceiling and yellow-to-brown lights).
Today's AA experience ...
Storms in ORD caused havoc, AAngel in ATL was rebooking PAX on DL, US, even UA to get them where they were going - no drama, no thousands of keystrokes - efficient and with a smile. Bartender refused to let me wait for the quiche I ordered ... "oh no, darlin', I'm bringing that to you when it's done." This is pretty much emblematic of my AA encounters since leaving.
Later, on my flight, the wonderfully friendly FA was gently admonishing PAX to take their backpacks off to avoid banging people in the head ... drinks were served before takeoff ... meals were actually quite nice ...and the wines (red and white) weren't the Canyon Road $4/bottle variety.
It really has been three months of no drAAma, my expectations consistently being exceeded (maybe that's partly due to how much lower they have become over the last year), and my telling everyone I know and work with how AA is "flying like it used to be."
Seriously, no regrets here... I'm a UA MM so will keep UA as a backup, but with every wonderful AA experience, the possibility that I would come back to UA decreases.
-mj
I burned some UA points a few weeks ago, 2 FC tickets, and my partner even remarked "this isn't like it used to be ..." -- the FA overheard and chimed it "you got that right." From boarding scrum to dingy/dirty birds (757s with dark black marks all over the walls & ceiling and yellow-to-brown lights).
Today's AA experience ...
Storms in ORD caused havoc, AAngel in ATL was rebooking PAX on DL, US, even UA to get them where they were going - no drama, no thousands of keystrokes - efficient and with a smile. Bartender refused to let me wait for the quiche I ordered ... "oh no, darlin', I'm bringing that to you when it's done." This is pretty much emblematic of my AA encounters since leaving.
Later, on my flight, the wonderfully friendly FA was gently admonishing PAX to take their backpacks off to avoid banging people in the head ... drinks were served before takeoff ... meals were actually quite nice ...and the wines (red and white) weren't the Canyon Road $4/bottle variety.
It really has been three months of no drAAma, my expectations consistently being exceeded (maybe that's partly due to how much lower they have become over the last year), and my telling everyone I know and work with how AA is "flying like it used to be."
Seriously, no regrets here... I'm a UA MM so will keep UA as a backup, but with every wonderful AA experience, the possibility that I would come back to UA decreases.
-mj
Aug 17, 2012, 2:43 am
#499
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K/2MM, Marriott Platinum Premier Lifetime
Posts: 357
Just flew AA for the first time as an EXP as they gave me the status last weekend and all I can is WOW!!!!!
I am amazed and questioned myself for the whole flight, "Why did I wait so long?"
I recognize not every airline is perfect. In fact, the GA at AA was a schmuck and ignored me like I was invisible but the on aircraft product was simply amazing....power at every seat...so I could work from ORD - LAX with no issues and WIFI to boot....I am not looking back....I am a 2MM at UA and looking forward to being done with my existing reservations.
I am amazed and questioned myself for the whole flight, "Why did I wait so long?"
I recognize not every airline is perfect. In fact, the GA at AA was a schmuck and ignored me like I was invisible but the on aircraft product was simply amazing....power at every seat...so I could work from ORD - LAX with no issues and WIFI to boot....I am not looking back....I am a 2MM at UA and looking forward to being done with my existing reservations.
I'm at my 3-month AAniversary... and I couldn't be happier with my new AAirline.
I burned some UA points a few weeks ago, 2 FC tickets, and my partner even remarked "this isn't like it used to be ..." -- the FA overheard and chimed it "you got that right." From boarding scrum to dingy/dirty birds (757s with dark black marks all over the walls & ceiling and yellow-to-brown lights).
Today's AA experience ...
Storms in ORD caused havoc, AAngel in ATL was rebooking PAX on DL, US, even UA to get them where they were going - no drama, no thousands of keystrokes - efficient and with a smile. Bartender refused to let me wait for the quiche I ordered ... "oh no, darlin', I'm bringing that to you when it's done." This is pretty much emblematic of my AA encounters since leaving.
Later, on my flight, the wonderfully friendly FA was gently admonishing PAX to take their backpacks off to avoid banging people in the head ... drinks were served before takeoff ... meals were actually quite nice ...and the wines (red and white) weren't the Canyon Road $4/bottle variety.
It really has been three months of no drAAma, my expectations consistently being exceeded (maybe that's partly due to how much lower they have become over the last year), and my telling everyone I know and work with how AA is "flying like it used to be."
Seriously, no regrets here... I'm a UA MM so will keep UA as a backup, but with every wonderful AA experience, the possibility that I would come back to UA decreases.
-mj
I burned some UA points a few weeks ago, 2 FC tickets, and my partner even remarked "this isn't like it used to be ..." -- the FA overheard and chimed it "you got that right." From boarding scrum to dingy/dirty birds (757s with dark black marks all over the walls & ceiling and yellow-to-brown lights).
Today's AA experience ...
Storms in ORD caused havoc, AAngel in ATL was rebooking PAX on DL, US, even UA to get them where they were going - no drama, no thousands of keystrokes - efficient and with a smile. Bartender refused to let me wait for the quiche I ordered ... "oh no, darlin', I'm bringing that to you when it's done." This is pretty much emblematic of my AA encounters since leaving.
Later, on my flight, the wonderfully friendly FA was gently admonishing PAX to take their backpacks off to avoid banging people in the head ... drinks were served before takeoff ... meals were actually quite nice ...and the wines (red and white) weren't the Canyon Road $4/bottle variety.
It really has been three months of no drAAma, my expectations consistently being exceeded (maybe that's partly due to how much lower they have become over the last year), and my telling everyone I know and work with how AA is "flying like it used to be."
Seriously, no regrets here... I'm a UA MM so will keep UA as a backup, but with every wonderful AA experience, the possibility that I would come back to UA decreases.
-mj
Aug 17, 2012, 2:53 am
#500
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,305
Welcome to the dAArk side, shortkidd!
Somebody should create FT accounts for the senior executives at UA and subscribe them to this thread. Watching the haemorrhaging of top FFers in real time is gripping and should be required reading for them all. Here's hoping it will contribute significantly towards saving AA as an independent carrier!
Somebody should create FT accounts for the senior executives at UA and subscribe them to this thread. Watching the haemorrhaging of top FFers in real time is gripping and should be required reading for them all. Here's hoping it will contribute significantly towards saving AA as an independent carrier!
Aug 17, 2012, 4:07 am
#501
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: UA 1K 1MM / AA PP, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 949
Welcome to the dAArk side, shortkidd!
Somebody should create FT accounts for the senior executives at UA and subscribe them to this thread. Watching the haemorrhaging of top FFers in real time is gripping and should be required reading for them all. Here's hoping it will contribute significantly towards saving AA as an independent carrier!
Somebody should create FT accounts for the senior executives at UA and subscribe them to this thread. Watching the haemorrhaging of top FFers in real time is gripping and should be required reading for them all. Here's hoping it will contribute significantly towards saving AA as an independent carrier!
Aug 17, 2012, 4:52 am
#502
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
One difference in award tickets is that United allows an international layover where AA only allows domestic layover on international award.
Aug 17, 2012, 6:39 am
#503
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Know what I love? AA is still in such shambles (from labor contracts to a US merger) that once the UA merger issues are resolved everyone who jumped ship will be crying about how bad AA is. I'm going to drop by the AA board next year and see how it's working out for everyone.
Aug 17, 2012, 6:42 am
#504
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,305
Know what I love? AA is still in such shambles (from labor contracts to a US merger) that once the UA merger issues are resolved everyone who jumped ship will be crying about how bad AA is. I'm going to drop by the AA board next year and see how it's working out for everyone.
Aug 17, 2012, 6:43 am
#505
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Know what I love? AA is still in such shambles (from labor contracts to a US merger) that once the UA merger issues are resolved everyone who jumped ship will be crying about how bad AA is. I'm going to drop by the AA board next year and see how it's working out for everyone.
Aug 17, 2012, 6:47 am
#506
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,596
Know what I love? AA is still in such shambles (from labor contracts to a US merger) that once the UA merger issues are resolved everyone who jumped ship will be crying about how bad AA is. I'm going to drop by the AA board next year and see how it's working out for everyone.
Aug 17, 2012, 6:47 am
#507
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Sort of like UA? I don't think anyone can argue that UA treated 1Ks remarkably well (especially compared to GMs and other elites). If anyone had asked you 18 months ago, would you have predicted we would be where we are today?
Aug 17, 2012, 6:52 am
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Aug 17, 2012, 6:55 am
#509
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
That being said, you can argue US is more elite friendly than PMCO, and if Doug P takes the helm, you'd think has the wisdom to see what happens when the smaller company tries to force its values and policies on the larger company, and as well what happens when you alienate your best customers. Read: say goodbye to PRASM growth.
Aug 17, 2012, 6:56 am
#510
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
For now. I'm glad people who left are getting "superior" service. I personally have been for the most part satisfied since 3/3. I enjoy my direct flights to 99% of the places I fly, great on board service and even above and beyond service from the legacy PC in FLL. I have seen the horror stories here and understand completely why some people have left. But just as each person's experiences are different and each person has to make the decision for themselves about staying or going, each person is entitled for their own rationale.