Am I just ignorantly blissful? I'm happy with UA.
Dec 23, 2014, 10:14 am
#302
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Happy fliers are the type of elites UA wants.
Unsubstantiated rumors from Chicago are "elites are good", but only the "right" elites. At least some of what UA is doing is turning millennial kettles into new elites that don't have the entitlement from the bygone era.
It's a LCC world. Those moving to the legacies are happy for any elite benefits. It's time to create a new generation of elites based on the new industry dynamics.
One day elite will mean you get to lean against the wall instead of stand in the middle. And that will be a big deal.
Unsubstantiated rumors from Chicago are "elites are good", but only the "right" elites. At least some of what UA is doing is turning millennial kettles into new elites that don't have the entitlement from the bygone era.
It's a LCC world. Those moving to the legacies are happy for any elite benefits. It's time to create a new generation of elites based on the new industry dynamics.
One day elite will mean you get to lean against the wall instead of stand in the middle. And that will be a big deal.
Exactly, there are plenty of customers in various market sspaces who have varied expectations.
Millions of people shop at Walmart, do so regularly, and are content doing so. Personally, I can't stand them, and avoid them as much as possible.
Walmart would have to change their business quite a bit to make me a happy customer. Same with United.
Dec 23, 2014, 10:45 am
#303
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Yes, they do exist on DL. And they exist on AA as well. In fact, you get 8 of them a year and they are good on any fare.
Six months ago, I was flying SFO to SAN. Mainline flight was cancelled. UA protected me . . . two days later. I cancelled the ticket and flew Virgin American. United only protects you when it is convenient for them to do so.
What about American?
-1k desk when things go wrong - they always get me home
-Award Redemption - way better than DL, more choice of carrier, better search options even with the mileage increases this year.
Dec 23, 2014, 12:00 pm
#304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
This would raise my satisfaction and probably do wonders for most people. No doubt you have better CPU success at LAX than the hordes of 1Ks here at SFO, not to mention IAD, IAH and ORD.
Quite simply an F seat is often the difference between a tolerable 4-5 hour journey and a cramped unpleasant one with elbows jammed.
However I would generally concur with you about the FAs, GAs and 1K line - UA customer service is certainly no worse than what I received at DL, and I would not count on AA remaining better as the US team integrates.
This is the other critical factor that most of the DL and AA fanboys conveniently ignore. This year alone I have burned 400k+ miles on UA saver award tix (mostly C/F international and to OGG). Checked DL, AA, AS but zero availability on or near the dates I need. WN is sometimes an option, depending on pricing, but of course there is no F. 
If using miles for saver fares is something you value, it is impossible to justify DL, and AA is getting harder.
Quite simply an F seat is often the difference between a tolerable 4-5 hour journey and a cramped unpleasant one with elbows jammed.
However I would generally concur with you about the FAs, GAs and 1K line - UA customer service is certainly no worse than what I received at DL, and I would not count on AA remaining better as the US team integrates.
If using miles for saver fares is something you value, it is impossible to justify DL, and AA is getting harder.
Last edited by Boraxo; Dec 23, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Dec 23, 2014, 3:16 pm
#305
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Au, IHG Au
Posts: 71
Still gappy with UA
I fly 8-10 TPACs per year on my own dime. My only USA flights this year were 1 hour or less, all on mainline. I find E+ Seats on TPAC flights to be decent, the flight attendants are excellent and the flights largely on time. From LAX to Asia UA has a good network of routes, so this airline works just fine for me.
Dec 23, 2014, 9:25 pm
#306
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: united
Posts: 7
Hmmm, so on that trip:
- You had too many carry-ons and an F/A called you out on it (which personally I like, so it leaves room for the carry-ons of others who have followed the carry-on rules, and it is not like F/As LIKE to "nag" people about carry-ons; usually it has to be pretty bad before they will actively intervene);
- A F/A tried to seat a mother with her children (not sure what you mean by
"made" you move; you can decline such a request and keep your originally-assigned seat); and
- There was a screaming baby on the plane, which can and does happen on every airline around the world daily.
There may be legitimate complaints to be made about UA, but I am not seeing them here.
- You had too many carry-ons and an F/A called you out on it (which personally I like, so it leaves room for the carry-ons of others who have followed the carry-on rules, and it is not like F/As LIKE to "nag" people about carry-ons; usually it has to be pretty bad before they will actively intervene);
- A F/A tried to seat a mother with her children (not sure what you mean by
"made" you move; you can decline such a request and keep your originally-assigned seat); and
- There was a screaming baby on the plane, which can and does happen on every airline around the world daily.
There may be legitimate complaints to be made about UA, but I am not seeing them here.
The FA did not MAKE us move, he tried to embarrass us. We did not have a problem with anything but the FA attitude. The FA was flippant and rude. I prefer a welcome aboard, thanks for flying with us instead of a running commentary berating passengers, the baggage and gate crew. As a long time customer, with a spend over 60k this year, I believe my complaint is valid.
As for the children, I agree, it could be any flight on any airline. I have flown with my three teenagers since they were six months old. I understand there is not much to do but hope for the best when traveling with children. I have never experienced three solid hours of two toddlers' non stop screaming at the top of the lungs. I guess I have been just plain lucky.
Hmm, so I guess our opinions of good service when spending money may differ a bit.
Last edited by Stella23; Dec 23, 2014 at 9:28 pm Reason: addition
Dec 24, 2014, 1:30 am
#307
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Dec 24, 2014, 7:39 am
#308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: TPA for now. Hopefully LIS for retirement
Posts: 13,708
Dec 24, 2014, 7:57 am
#309
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, BA, CX, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 2,002
And your LH comparison is absolutely pointless because it's an added benefit on top of 100% flat bed on UA, so it's a bonus. You have zero chance whatsoever of redeeming that SWU on BA, no matter how much of their highway robbery YQ and UK APD you're willing to cough up.
On top of that, one can use UA GPU on flat bed all the way to far flung destinations like Sydney Dubai Singapore Lagos and Mumbai.
Last edited by 787fan; Dec 24, 2014 at 8:03 am
Dec 24, 2014, 8:54 am
#310
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
It's only a material benefit if one can use it. And keep in mind on UA, one has to buy W+ for the lottery ticket. If you fail the GPU upgrade, you may have overpaid for economy.
Dec 24, 2014, 9:03 am
#311
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA GS, UA 1.6MM, AA LT PLT, AA 2.6MM, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador
Posts: 838
Because you only visit LHR GRU and HKG ? Do you ever see Tokyo ? or Seoul ? or Helsinki ?
And your LH comparison is absolutely pointless because it's an added benefit on top of 100% flat bed on UA, so it's a bonus. You have zero chance whatsoever of redeeming that SWU on BA, no matter how much of their highway robbery YQ and UK APD you're willing to cough up.
On top of that, one can use UA GPU on flat bed all the way to far flung destinations like Sydney Dubai Singapore Lagos and Mumbai.
And your LH comparison is absolutely pointless because it's an added benefit on top of 100% flat bed on UA, so it's a bonus. You have zero chance whatsoever of redeeming that SWU on BA, no matter how much of their highway robbery YQ and UK APD you're willing to cough up.
On top of that, one can use UA GPU on flat bed all the way to far flung destinations like Sydney Dubai Singapore Lagos and Mumbai.
My family has enjoyed eight upgrades in the past couple of years on ultra long haul routes including flights to BOM, SYD, and DXB. This is a huge benefit to me/us and is unrivaled when compared to AA or DAL.
Dec 24, 2014, 9:09 am
#312
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, BA, CX, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 2,002
Another benefit of the RPUs/GPUs is that you can upgrade to a flat bed to Hawaii, something that no AA flight offers IIRC. It makes that 10 hour journey from EWR to HNL that much more bearable.
Dec 24, 2014, 9:13 am
#313
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
But you, of all people, already know that.
Dec 24, 2014, 9:28 am
#315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
It's not a lottery, but it's a gamble.
At least on AA and DL, you can buy the lowest fare, request an upgrade, and if it doesn't clear, you're not out any extra cash.
On UA, you can pay hundreds of dollars more to be put on a waitlist that doesn't always work right, let alone clear. So you are potentially out extra money for the gamble.