AA New Website So Much Better than UA
Jan 19, 2013, 6:28 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: CMH
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 745
Jan 19, 2013, 12:54 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 257
I think you'll agree that the DL and New AA websites are much fancier than UA.com. But I would prefer .bomb any day when I spent 30 minutes navigating the DL website just for the eligibility for skyteam elite plus to access the DL SkyClub.
Jan 19, 2013, 1:57 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
I tried to check out AA's website and my computer crashed ... so going to say no, UA is better. For starters it doesn't make my computer crash, it's more functional/user friendly. And on a side not, I really don't like AA's new look.
Jan 19, 2013, 2:18 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,955
Coming from PMUA, I am very pleased with the new UA nee old CO website. It is very functional and does way more things like multi-city itineraries, award searches and bookings, and especially flight changes and viewing seat maps, upgrade lists, and "where is my aircraft coming from?". I could not care less how fugly it is or whether the backend is powered by SHARES. PMUA's website was quite elegant on appearance, but it was crap in terms of functionality.
When the new UA website rolls out later this year, I hope style won't come at the expense of substance.
When the new UA website rolls out later this year, I hope style won't come at the expense of substance.
Jan 19, 2013, 3:59 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,600
They fix what is not broken (reminds me of craz tagline - If it aint Broken, I'll Fix it)
and
never fix what is broken!
Jan 19, 2013, 6:31 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Now MFE... formerly SEA and DCA
Programs: Now UA free!, AA Ex Plat, AS MVP, Marriott Titanium for life
Posts: 664
Seems like you guys are the only ones that see it that way. I just searched 3 different itins and it listed lowest... to highest in order. I do not fly AA, so won't be using it, but I wish the CO site did that. The CO/ua site BLOCKS the cheapest options. Check it out...
Jan 19, 2013, 8:12 pm
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 91
I think the philosophical debate here is really between simplicity vs complexity.
When Google first came out, it looks very empty compared to the market leader such as Yahoo, Alta Visa, Lycos (anyone still remember the latters?). However Google became the dominant because it gave people what they wanted.
Similarly with iPad, people with netbooks basically said iPads are junk. However iPad is now even replacing PCs despite PCs being 10 times more functional.
There's enormous data especially on a website where company can trace exactly what people are trying to do. It becomes a mathematical statistics on making the right prioritization in terms of navigation and looks.
Clearing up some of the unnecessary clutter will help drive usability. I would argue the major functions that most people want can be performed both on AA and UA, except AA is much cleaner and appealing.
It does matter how a website looks but the key is also being able to make it both simple and functional for majority of the people.
When Google first came out, it looks very empty compared to the market leader such as Yahoo, Alta Visa, Lycos (anyone still remember the latters?). However Google became the dominant because it gave people what they wanted.
Similarly with iPad, people with netbooks basically said iPads are junk. However iPad is now even replacing PCs despite PCs being 10 times more functional.
There's enormous data especially on a website where company can trace exactly what people are trying to do. It becomes a mathematical statistics on making the right prioritization in terms of navigation and looks.
Clearing up some of the unnecessary clutter will help drive usability. I would argue the major functions that most people want can be performed both on AA and UA, except AA is much cleaner and appealing.
It does matter how a website looks but the key is also being able to make it both simple and functional for majority of the people.
Jan 19, 2013, 8:31 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
Posts: 2,284
Next time you see that, post a snapshot or the time/date/route so we can replicate it. In the AA forum thread, not a single person has a sort by price feature. You must be the lucky one!
Jan 19, 2013, 8:55 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hertz Prez; Former UA GS
Posts: 313
The old UA website was better
The current United website is perfectly reflective of what's happened to United Airlines-- it's been taken over by Continental, which had awful branding and a late 90s style website.
American actually has a new logo that was professionally designed. It actually looks like someone put some thought into their rebranding.
You haven't seen progress with regards to service, boarding procedures, benefits-- so why get your hopes up that they'll unveil a beautiful new website that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy?
American actually has a new logo that was professionally designed. It actually looks like someone put some thought into their rebranding.
You haven't seen progress with regards to service, boarding procedures, benefits-- so why get your hopes up that they'll unveil a beautiful new website that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Not quite sure why it's taken a long time for United to roll out a sleek, modern website. The current website is just awful and uninspiring. I would venture to say it's probably the worst compared to the other large legacy airlines in the USA.
AA was able to get theirs done very quickly. This is probably their second redo in the span of three years. This new look is very good.
Does United have a timeframe on when they are rolling out a website that can out do all the other guys?
AA was able to get theirs done very quickly. This is probably their second redo in the span of three years. This new look is very good.
Does United have a timeframe on when they are rolling out a website that can out do all the other guys?
Jan 19, 2013, 8:59 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 599
I believe that UA is supposed to overhaul the website in the next year or two; I think this was mentioned in an interview somewhere. Anyways I think the United Hub website (where they house all their information and news and stuff) gives a general indication of how a future united.com redesign would look like.
https://hub.united.com/en-us/Pages/default.aspx
https://hub.united.com/en-us/Pages/default.aspx
Jan 19, 2013, 10:29 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,955
... American actually has a new logo that was professionally designed. It actually looks like someone put some thought into their rebranding.
You haven't seen progress with regards to service, boarding procedures, benefits-- so why get your hopes up that they'll unveil a beautiful new website that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy?
You haven't seen progress with regards to service, boarding procedures, benefits-- so why get your hopes up that they'll unveil a beautiful new website that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Change flights and reissue ticket (including different routing) - Old UA website: NO/New UA website: YES
Mobile BP on the smartphone - Old UA: NO/New UA: YES
Booking and ticketing partner awards - Old UA: NO/New UA: YES
Viewing upgrade list - Old UA: NO/New UA: YES
Viewing seat map at anytime - Old UA: NO/New UA: YES
Knowing where the flight's aircraft is coming from and its current position - Old UA: NO/New UA: YES
Rebranding with a new logo is nice and all, and perhaps you don't find the above things important or useful. However, it's 2013, and many of us appreciate the ability to have those information virtually at our fingertips.
Jan 20, 2013, 8:16 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 91
BTW, UA website is far from functional. This is one of the latest posts on this site that shows UA website is no better than others.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ch-engine.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ch-engine.html
Jan 20, 2013, 9:03 am
#44
Join Date: May 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1K/MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 246
Not bad, the design of the AA site is much better than United.com, but functionality is a problem...can't sort by price, you've got to be kidding.
Of course, I'd take the pmUA .bomb, if it only worked all the time.
OT, I like the new AA logo, the livery on the other hand
.
Of course, I'd take the pmUA .bomb, if it only worked all the time.
OT, I like the new AA logo, the livery on the other hand
.did you bother trying the web site? You are just flat out wrong re "can't sort by price" it gives you a nice grid, shows the prices for each flight and the restriction options and an easy toggle.
I've not explored rewards, but the booking engine is 500x better than CO.com
I've not explored rewards, but the booking engine is 500x better than CO.com
Jan 20, 2013, 9:18 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,350
Any website that can't take a two-digit entry for the year is crap IMO. The new AA and the new Delta both can't take them. In fact, Delta doesn't clear the field but throws an error. AA.com just clears the field.
At least United.com still allows this
I'll keep the current UA.com.
-RM
At least United.com still allows this
I'll keep the current UA.com.-RM