How many are REALLY leaving UA? [2014 edition]
Jan 14, 2014, 3:05 pm
#166
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
I think you are right about Chase not wanting/allowed to step on UA's toes. But if you think there's a net outflow of United-Chase credit cards, I think you're way wrong.
Jan 14, 2014, 6:59 pm
#167
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
But this is all hypothetical. The poster never said he was flying UA because his employer required him to.
I certainly avoid RJs when I can, but I do so by making other [better] choices.
I think you're missing the point still. OP is not flying just to SFO, he's going onward to Australia. Yes, he could fly AUS-IAH-SFO-SYD or AUS-DEN-SFO-SYD to avoid a RJ on the long flight but when you're adding even more hours to an international trip it becomes frustrating. We also don't know OP's travel policy, maybe it's "cheapest routing" or something like that. So for you or I or anyone to say "you weren't forced" without the facts is a waste of time and possibly erroneous.
Jan 15, 2014, 8:27 am
#168
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,611
. But unless there are no choices, my travel dollars are headed almost exclusively AA/DL or their alliance partners from now on. I already have booked over $5K+ in tix in the last two weeks on the other two carriers, and I plan to keep it that way until further notice.
It feels great - and liberating - to be finally winding down business with this airline!
It feels great - and liberating - to be finally winding down business with this airline!
I currently have 5 business class tickets booked, 3 domestic and 2 international at about $7.5k.
AA, US, DL, QR, CX. None on UA. 2 years ago they would have all been UA or UA partner/codeshare.
Being airline agnostic ROCKS! It's a change that 'I think you are going to like.' ^
Jan 15, 2014, 4:54 pm
#170
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
I was first advised by the Chase rep (she was very nice) that they could not change the account (which I have done in the past with other cards including other UA accounts) into another Chase product. After my reply of "huh?"...she then said that she had to be "very, very careful in her language now", and not only could not change the account into another Chase product, she also could offer no advice nor recommendations on what to do with the account. She stated that since it was a 'partner card' it would be a conflict of interest for her to advice any course of action in what to do with the account.
Jan 15, 2014, 5:21 pm
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,721
Interesting looking at my prior comments dating back 2 years and how things change in light of the continued deterioration of UA.
While I don't have any present plans to ditch Mileage Plus (the programs benefits - though degraded - are still better than the alternatives) I do plan explore *A alternatives for TPAC flights assuming the cost differential is not excessive. I will also be ditching UA for TATL flights once LH has completed overhaul of its C seats (est. 12/2014) and maybe explore other options like TK from LAX. Since I can't reach the GS level, I see no reason to fly UA metal beyond the $10k annual spend required for 1K.
At some point I will have to give LH a look, if my travel ramps up enough to reach SEN or HON. But I don't see any other *A programs that are better.
While I don't have any present plans to ditch Mileage Plus (the programs benefits - though degraded - are still better than the alternatives) I do plan explore *A alternatives for TPAC flights assuming the cost differential is not excessive. I will also be ditching UA for TATL flights once LH has completed overhaul of its C seats (est. 12/2014) and maybe explore other options like TK from LAX. Since I can't reach the GS level, I see no reason to fly UA metal beyond the $10k annual spend required for 1K.
At some point I will have to give LH a look, if my travel ramps up enough to reach SEN or HON. But I don't see any other *A programs that are better.
Jan 16, 2014, 10:28 am
#172
Formerly known as UATexasFlyer
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: AUS
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Natl. Car Exec Elite, UA 1MM, *G
Posts: 451
I think you're missing the point still. OP is not flying just to SFO, he's going onward to Australia. Yes, he could fly AUS-IAH-SFO-SYD or AUS-DEN-SFO-SYD to avoid a RJ on the long flight but when you're adding even more hours to an international trip it becomes frustrating. We also don't know OP's travel policy, maybe it's "cheapest routing" or something like that. So for you or I or anyone to say "you weren't forced" without the facts is a waste of time and possibly erroneous.
Still, AUS-SFO in an RJ is ridiculous, even in F since F on an RJ only means a few free drinks and some Rondele cheese spread for your breakfast, lunch or dinner during your up to 4 hour flight.
Jan 16, 2014, 11:04 am
#174
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,611
So it happened to work best for me.
Just like QR, CX, AA, US and DL work better on my other trips (that, in the past, I would have bent over backward to do on as much UA metal as possible).
I don't hold a grudge. To the contrary, the Houston boys freed me! By eliminating the value in being a 1k, mm or 2mm, they caused me to make far more rational travel purchase decisions. @:-)^
Jan 16, 2014, 11:05 am
#175
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Yep, I'm "forced" from a GPU perspective. This route gets me to SYD in J for $2,100. Any other way would be waitlisted or much more expensive.
Still, AUS-SFO in an RJ is ridiculous, even in F since F on an RJ only means a few free drinks and some Rondele cheese spread for your breakfast, lunch or dinner during your up to 4 hour flight.
Still, AUS-SFO in an RJ is ridiculous, even in F since F on an RJ only means a few free drinks and some Rondele cheese spread for your breakfast, lunch or dinner during your up to 4 hour flight.
Agree with you regarding the RJ on this route, which 'forces' me to choose different routings or airlines.
A perfect flyertalker, what is his handle?
I wish he had just followed the format in the wiki!
He did not even tell us what airline he is moving to.
Last edited by LarkSFO; Jan 16, 2014 at 11:23 am
Jan 16, 2014, 11:46 am
#176
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
I still fly UA when they are the cheapest/best option in business. In fact just this morning I bought IAD-SAL in P in UA. Taca and AA were in the same price range, but the Taca flight leaves at like 4am and AA was through MIA both ways while UA was nonstop down. Plus its on UA737s with directtv.
So it happened to work best for me.
Just like QR, CX, AA, US and DL work better on my other trips (that, in the past, I would have bent over backward to do on as much UA metal as possible).
I don't hold a grudge. To the contrary, the Houston boys freed me! By eliminating the value in being a 1k, mm or 2mm, they caused me to make far more rational travel purchase decisions. @:-)^
So it happened to work best for me.
Just like QR, CX, AA, US and DL work better on my other trips (that, in the past, I would have bent over backward to do on as much UA metal as possible).
I don't hold a grudge. To the contrary, the Houston boys freed me! By eliminating the value in being a 1k, mm or 2mm, they caused me to make far more rational travel purchase decisions. @:-)^
Jan 16, 2014, 11:56 am
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,170
I figured you'd appreciate it...his rationale was very factual, and despite horrific treatment from UA, he tried to separate that out from the decision.
Seems like AA if he wants the best FFP but DL if he wants the network.
Jan 16, 2014, 12:03 pm
#178
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
Now and again on a paid ticket, I'll buy UA, but often it is AA. And then there are all the options available to me now that AS has made a mini hub in SAN. I'm unwilling to play the upgrade game with all its uncertainties. I search out good C fares, confirm with an upgrade at time of purchase, or redeem an award ticket. It's been freeing to not start Jan 1 staring at a goose egg, booking 40K of international travel in 1st quarter to get the year rolling, and sweating out upgrades.
Jan 16, 2014, 2:00 pm
#179
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
We all know the answer...AA or AS or a combo. The bloggers are truly getting old. Once PQD was introduced, it effectively killed blogger interest in flying DL and UA since they now cannot get to top status any longer.
That said, AA will likely introduce PQD at some point, too, but until then, the bloggers will all run to AA and AS.
That or AS.
That said, AA will likely introduce PQD at some point, too, but until then, the bloggers will all run to AA and AS.
That or AS.
Last edited by AAExPlat; Jan 16, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Jan 16, 2014, 3:47 pm
#180
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Read a few of his posts, he's very analytical, probably one of the smartest bloggers out there.
I figured you'd appreciate it...his rationale was very factual, and despite horrific treatment from UA, he tried to separate that out from the decision.
Seems like AA if he wants the best FFP but DL if he wants the network.
I figured you'd appreciate it...his rationale was very factual, and despite horrific treatment from UA, he tried to separate that out from the decision.
Seems like AA if he wants the best FFP but DL if he wants the network.
Did you make it through all 3,400 words without nodding off? That is the first and last time I am reading that blog.
Last edited by LarkSFO; Jan 16, 2014 at 4:08 pm Reason: remove the drama.