United GlobalFirst/Business vs Swiss (LX) Business
Jun 20, 2012, 1:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 33
United GlobalFirst/Business vs Swiss (LX) Business
Hi All,
I have the following choice - SFO-FRA in United GlobalFirst (via GPU) or to fly SFO-ZRH in Swiss Air Business.
I usually fly United BusinessFirst SFO-FRA and have never flown in United GlobalFirst or on Swiss Air. I can either use a United GPU to GlobalFirst or try a new airline; I hear Swiss has a nice business class (LX39/38).
What would you all recommend? How does GlobalFirst compare to BusinessFirst vs Swiss Business? I've been quite frustrated w/United as a 1Ker so I'm looking at changing things up a bit.
Any experience/advice would be great!
I have the following choice - SFO-FRA in United GlobalFirst (via GPU) or to fly SFO-ZRH in Swiss Air Business.
I usually fly United BusinessFirst SFO-FRA and have never flown in United GlobalFirst or on Swiss Air. I can either use a United GPU to GlobalFirst or try a new airline; I hear Swiss has a nice business class (LX39/38).
What would you all recommend? How does GlobalFirst compare to BusinessFirst vs Swiss Business? I've been quite frustrated w/United as a 1Ker so I'm looking at changing things up a bit.
Any experience/advice would be great!
Jun 20, 2012, 2:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
A few follow up questions:
- Are the lifetime miles any consideration?
- Is pricing close?
- Do you have other uses for the GPU?
- Will you need to take any intra EU flights (or is one or the other your untimate destination)?
Jun 20, 2012, 2:27 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Jun 20, 2012, 2:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
UA has the better seat, and for me that is the number one thing.
Jun 20, 2012, 2:36 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 33
-Are the lifetime miles any consideration?*Not anymore, I have ~800k award miles
-Is pricing close?*Not really an issue as my employer pays for it
-Do you have other uses for the GPU?*No other real uses, other than sponsoring
-Will you need to take any intra EU flights*Just a short leg from FRA-BSL. Not much a concern for me.
Jun 20, 2012, 2:40 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Soft product will be much better on LX.
Depending on the type of fare you purchase, you might be able to utilize the Star Alliance Mileage Upgrade process and sit in LX F.
Depending on the type of fare you purchase, you might be able to utilize the Star Alliance Mileage Upgrade process and sit in LX F.
Jun 20, 2012, 2:49 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 33
Thanks for the idea! I'll have to look into it. Too bad I can't use my United GPU on Swiss...
Jun 20, 2012, 2:58 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 33
Jun 20, 2012, 2:58 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Jun 20, 2012, 3:02 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
I can't speak for LX C or F.
However, given my experience in BF and GF in the last couple weeks, I can say:
Service was better in BF than GF
Seat was better in GF than BF
Food was about the same in both, but it was served better in BF
Both were better than PMUA C, except I think the PMUA C seat is a bit more comfortable for sleeping than PMCO BF seat
I wouldn't pay for GF, and I also wouldn't use miles to upgrade into it again.
I wouldn't say any of the 3 on UA is so great as to deter me from trying LX C or F. If you can get a fare and schedule that work on LX, I'd give that a try as my first choice.
However, given my experience in BF and GF in the last couple weeks, I can say:
Service was better in BF than GF
Seat was better in GF than BF
Food was about the same in both, but it was served better in BF
Both were better than PMUA C, except I think the PMUA C seat is a bit more comfortable for sleeping than PMCO BF seat
I wouldn't pay for GF, and I also wouldn't use miles to upgrade into it again.
I wouldn't say any of the 3 on UA is so great as to deter me from trying LX C or F. If you can get a fare and schedule that work on LX, I'd give that a try as my first choice.
Jun 20, 2012, 3:05 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 1
Swiss business also gets you access to the new Swiss arrivals lounge and then direct train connection from Zurich airport to the main station in Basel.
