How many are REALLY leaving UA? [2014 edition]
Dec 23, 2014, 12:49 pm
#1606
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Back in 2012, AA did offer the systemwides up front with a 1K status match (not a challenge), but in the two years since, the offer of systemwides with a status match/challenge has not always been the case. If they're consistently offering them now after completion of a challenge, that's good news. That's why I'm curious if Yanks08802 was also offered systemwides just from his activity from the 1K challenge. I'd also note that one 1K flyer said he was given EXP status up front before starting his challenge, so there might be a couple variations. He also got systemwides after completion. Did they give you EXP status before your first flight?
I was impressed with how AA worked with me on getting me set up for my EXP Challenge. Originally, I had a ton of questions - particularly how long will my EXP status be good for - and the agent who took care of my case was fantastic. She answered every single question I had and shared the full details of the challenge to ensure I can properly prepare myself for the challenge. I was not quite ready to hit the gas at the time, but she simply said when you are ready to start just let us know - via reply - and when I was ready, they took care of everything in less than 24 hours.
I also found out that my status would have only been good through Feb 2015 and after pleading my case at the time, they apparently agreed to let my EXP be valid through Feb 2016 as my account and credentials reflected 2/2016.
Dec 23, 2014, 12:59 pm
#1607
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
http://flyerguide.com/Challenge_(AA)
Dec 23, 2014, 1:33 pm
#1608
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
I have learned, I think, from this thread and last years version.
There is a certain vintage of UA flyer, who for a period of time, were treated extremely well by UA in the areas that matter most to these flyers. It appears to me from reading their current complaints that UA really focused more effort and attention on these elite flyers, to make their experience better.
With the merger, changes, cost cutting, etc., this perception (or reality) of elite differentiation has been reduced or disappeared.
As a more recent vintage UA elite flyer, I do not have any memory of being treated better than I am now at some time in the past. I've tried AA, as an elite. I've flown DL, a little, difficult to do ex-SFO. I am Gold on VX, now for two years.
My opinion is that they are more the same than they are different, today.
VX would get more of my business, if they flew more places.
But, UA adequately (not perfectly) serves my needs as a primarily domestic, SFO based traveler.
There is a certain vintage of UA flyer, who for a period of time, were treated extremely well by UA in the areas that matter most to these flyers. It appears to me from reading their current complaints that UA really focused more effort and attention on these elite flyers, to make their experience better.
With the merger, changes, cost cutting, etc., this perception (or reality) of elite differentiation has been reduced or disappeared.
As a more recent vintage UA elite flyer, I do not have any memory of being treated better than I am now at some time in the past. I've tried AA, as an elite. I've flown DL, a little, difficult to do ex-SFO. I am Gold on VX, now for two years.
My opinion is that they are more the same than they are different, today.
VX would get more of my business, if they flew more places.
But, UA adequately (not perfectly) serves my needs as a primarily domestic, SFO based traveler.
But the issue then becomes, why go with UA for the rest? I'm also SFO based, once I dropped out of GS (by shifting traffic to Delta, VX, and other carriers to avoid connecting or RJs on UA) then what is UA's draw? Not much....
e.g. I have trips to PHL and Green Bay coming up. PHL on UA is Y in a slimmed/dark A320/A319, even as a 1K (which I still am till 2/1) I'm not getting upgraded. No way I ride on that plane for that long. So I'll either buy a cheap F fare on AA direct, or buy a connecting F fare on DL.
Green Bay? UA is likely to misconnect me with its poor 79-80% OT, plus its a ERJ-145 for the last flight, and the 'good' connection is a A320 to ORD (see comment on going to PHL on that slimmed/dark plane). I just did the A320 in the exit row ORD-SFO (change of equipment), not again. Delta? Well its the same price, but the second flight is on a CRJ-900 or 700, and Delta is not likely to misconnect me with its 86-87% OT and better IRROPS. So who do I take? Who would you take on these flights?
And the bottom line is that after a year of choices like this, UA got $4800 in spending from me, and I'll be my MM status (gold) next year, creating even less incentive to fly UA. And as this thread (and the yield and PRASM figures) shows, I'm not the only one.
Actually, they have slightly added capacity, but they did so by adding more seats to the Airbus/CRJ700 fleets with "slimming". The number of frames is down.
Dec 23, 2014, 2:20 pm
#1609
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
But, as I said, I don't think any airline in the US today is great. Even VX.
But the issue then becomes, why go with UA for the rest? I'm also SFO based, once I dropped out of GS (by shifting traffic to Delta, VX, and other carriers to avoid connecting or RJs on UA) then what is UA's draw? Not much....
e.g. I have trips to PHL and Green Bay coming up. PHL on UA is Y in a slimmed/dark A320/A319, even as a 1K (which I still am till 2/1) I'm not getting upgraded. No way I ride on that plane for that long. So I'll either buy a cheap F fare on AA direct, or buy a connecting F fare on DL.
Green Bay? UA is likely to misconnect me with its poor 79-80% OT, plus its a ERJ-145 for the last flight, and the 'good' connection is a A320 to ORD (see comment on going to PHL on that slimmed/dark plane). I just did the A320 in the exit row ORD-SFO (change of equipment), not again. Delta? Well its the same price, but the second flight is on a CRJ-900 or 700, and Delta is not likely to misconnect me with its 86-87% OT and better IRROPS. So who do I take? Who would you take on these flights?
And the bottom line is that after a year of choices like this, UA got $4800 in spending from me, and I'll be my MM status (gold) next year, creating even less incentive to fly UA. And as this thread (and the yield and PRASM figures) shows, I'm not the only one.
e.g. I have trips to PHL and Green Bay coming up. PHL on UA is Y in a slimmed/dark A320/A319, even as a 1K (which I still am till 2/1) I'm not getting upgraded. No way I ride on that plane for that long. So I'll either buy a cheap F fare on AA direct, or buy a connecting F fare on DL.
Green Bay? UA is likely to misconnect me with its poor 79-80% OT, plus its a ERJ-145 for the last flight, and the 'good' connection is a A320 to ORD (see comment on going to PHL on that slimmed/dark plane). I just did the A320 in the exit row ORD-SFO (change of equipment), not again. Delta? Well its the same price, but the second flight is on a CRJ-900 or 700, and Delta is not likely to misconnect me with its 86-87% OT and better IRROPS. So who do I take? Who would you take on these flights?
And the bottom line is that after a year of choices like this, UA got $4800 in spending from me, and I'll be my MM status (gold) next year, creating even less incentive to fly UA. And as this thread (and the yield and PRASM figures) shows, I'm not the only one.
In my case, I then said "Why should I fly another airline when, if I give most of 'the rest' of my flying to UA, I will achieve 1K again."
I am glad you are happy with the move you made spin.
I am happy with my choice as well.
Dec 27, 2014, 12:30 pm
#1610
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
Looks like I'm not completely "leaving" yet. I need to do a RT DFW-SMF-DFW in January.
AA - $696 in Y
UA - $322 in Y or $698 in F
Yes, AA has non-stops, but the timing of departures actually work better for me on UA. Plus, although I'm enjoying the move to AA, it certainly isn't enough to be worth an additional 116%.
This is likely going to be an ongoing problem for me for flights originating at DFW. Although I live in Latin America, I'm frequently in Dallas for family reasons during my U.S. trips, so this is going to take some additional strategy that I had not planned.
AA - $696 in Y
UA - $322 in Y or $698 in F
Yes, AA has non-stops, but the timing of departures actually work better for me on UA. Plus, although I'm enjoying the move to AA, it certainly isn't enough to be worth an additional 116%.
This is likely going to be an ongoing problem for me for flights originating at DFW. Although I live in Latin America, I'm frequently in Dallas for family reasons during my U.S. trips, so this is going to take some additional strategy that I had not planned.
Dec 27, 2014, 3:23 pm
#1611
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
e.g. I have trips to PHL and Green Bay coming up. PHL on UA is Y in a slimmed/dark A320/A319, even as a 1K (which I still am till 2/1) I'm not getting upgraded. No way I ride on that plane for that long. So I'll either buy a cheap F fare on AA direct, or buy a connecting F fare on DL.
And if you do end up taking US Air to PHL, they have "choice" seats which, as far as I can tell, have no extra legroom, they just sit you closer to the front. They don't seem to have E+.
If you are planning a little farther out, there seems to be lots of R space for Feb flights on UA, SFO->PHL..
Last edited by StingWest; Dec 27, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Dec 27, 2014, 3:59 pm
#1612
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
We'll, UA made a kind Christmas Gesture after a few major issues, I will NOT be leaving UA in 2015. I'll continue to fly WN on UA Express flights, but UA will win most of the other mainline flights.
Kudos to UA for making it right and going above and beyond.
Kudos to UA for making it right and going above and beyond.
Dec 27, 2014, 4:08 pm
#1613
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
@KenInEscazu, Southwest is advertising "free live TV on your own device". But it is Southwest.
Dec 27, 2014, 4:13 pm
#1614
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Looks like I'm not completely "leaving" yet. I need to do a RT DFW-SMF-DFW in January.
AA - $696 in Y
UA - $322 in Y or $698 in F
Yes, AA has non-stops, but the timing of departures actually work better for me on UA. Plus, although I'm enjoying the move to AA, it certainly isn't enough to be worth an additional 116%.
This is likely going to be an ongoing problem for me for flights originating at DFW. Although I live in Latin America, I'm frequently in Dallas for family reasons during my U.S. trips, so this is going to take some additional strategy that I had not planned.
AA - $696 in Y
UA - $322 in Y or $698 in F
Yes, AA has non-stops, but the timing of departures actually work better for me on UA. Plus, although I'm enjoying the move to AA, it certainly isn't enough to be worth an additional 116%.
This is likely going to be an ongoing problem for me for flights originating at DFW. Although I live in Latin America, I'm frequently in Dallas for family reasons during my U.S. trips, so this is going to take some additional strategy that I had not planned.
Dec 29, 2014, 2:54 pm
#1615
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
Back in 2012, AA did offer the systemwides up front with a 1K status match (not a challenge), but in the two years since, the offer of systemwides with a status match/challenge has not always been the case. If they're consistently offering them now after completion of a challenge, that's good news. That's why I'm curious if Yanks08802 was also offered systemwides just from his activity from the 1K challenge. I'd also note that one 1K flyer said he was given EXP status up front before starting his challenge, so there might be a couple variations. He also got systemwides after completion. Did they give you EXP status before your first flight?
AA is pretty tough on rules, and I'm not willing to try any tricks that might put my rather costly status at risk. I like AA on the routes I have been flying, and the last thing I want is to end up on a blacklist with them after all of this. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Dec 29, 2014, 8:40 pm
#1616
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: HKG
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, National Ex Elite
Posts: 43
So I've made the choice to "try" out AA for 2015. I've been UA Platinum for the last few years and have the Presidential Plus card where I spent over $40k for at least the last 5 years. I haven't asked for a challenge or status match yet, I'm trying to book some travel in hopes of getting the status up front (I won't have an issue completing the challenge in Q1, only wish they counted CX flights).
Even with this, I figure I should be able to get AA Platinum and keep UA Platinum for 2016 and make a decision at the end of next year which one to move forward with. We don't know if AA will change to a revenue based system and I'm waiting to see if the change with UA actually reduced the number of elites.
Even with this, I figure I should be able to get AA Platinum and keep UA Platinum for 2016 and make a decision at the end of next year which one to move forward with. We don't know if AA will change to a revenue based system and I'm waiting to see if the change with UA actually reduced the number of elites.
Dec 30, 2014, 6:49 am
#1617
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
RNE, taking the OP's doubt to an extreme: we don't know the sun will rise tomorrow; let's assume it won't and proceed accordingly.
Dec 30, 2014, 12:41 pm
#1618
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
No such thing is known. The content of your post is pure unsupported speculation and appears to be an effort to justify a foolhardy decision to remain with an awful airline that lies to its passengers and treats them with utter disdain.
Dec 30, 2014, 1:14 pm
#1619
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
Why do people want to suffer a whole one year with UA instead of enjoying one year with other airlines?
Dec 30, 2014, 1:44 pm
#1620
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
Is this the same "Most of us know" that AA will get rid of certs and go to the Unlimited complimentary upgrade system ?