Venting
Jul 10, 2014, 11:18 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,239
He can just fly 20,000 miles on a much superior airline like SQ and credit to A3 and get the same thing assuming he/she flies *A at least once every 3 years.
Jul 10, 2014, 12:26 pm
#32
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD & BKK
Programs: UA 1K/MM; *A Gold Life; CX Gold; Marriott Platinum LT; SPG Plat; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 343
Looking at Options
This is sort in reply to all the flamers who say "that if you are so unhappy with UA why don't you fly someone else". Well, I am one that is probably going to do just that.
I am a long time 1K @ 1.6 mm--and was really intent on getting 2mm until just recently--but at least I am *A gold. I fly almost exclusively to BKK (and a little to other SE Asia destinations), and understand that my case is a little unique. With UA dropping BKK; the stupid JV with ANA (where you can't even get a seat assignment until check-in in their sardine can NRT--BKK) and all the other devals; downgrades; down gauges; soft product meltdown, I am soon to give both QR and EK a shot from ORD. If either works OK for me, I am totally done with UA--and at 100,000 + miles per year status should come pretty quickly.
If I go with QR I will have the OneWorld alliance--not as good a *A, but decent enough. Domestic does not matter so much to me and I'll go with whoever when I need those trips. Four hours domestic is nothing compared to 20-24 hours to SE Asia. I'll probably continue to fly UA until March to build miles at the current 1K bonus rate, and then burn them up as quickly as possible afterwards.
I have never flown any other airline for the past 10 years, except for short inter-Asia hops. I never ever thought that I would consider abandoning "My Hometown Airline". A sad day.
I am a long time 1K @ 1.6 mm--and was really intent on getting 2mm until just recently--but at least I am *A gold. I fly almost exclusively to BKK (and a little to other SE Asia destinations), and understand that my case is a little unique. With UA dropping BKK; the stupid JV with ANA (where you can't even get a seat assignment until check-in in their sardine can NRT--BKK) and all the other devals; downgrades; down gauges; soft product meltdown, I am soon to give both QR and EK a shot from ORD. If either works OK for me, I am totally done with UA--and at 100,000 + miles per year status should come pretty quickly.
If I go with QR I will have the OneWorld alliance--not as good a *A, but decent enough. Domestic does not matter so much to me and I'll go with whoever when I need those trips. Four hours domestic is nothing compared to 20-24 hours to SE Asia. I'll probably continue to fly UA until March to build miles at the current 1K bonus rate, and then burn them up as quickly as possible afterwards.
I have never flown any other airline for the past 10 years, except for short inter-Asia hops. I never ever thought that I would consider abandoning "My Hometown Airline". A sad day.
Jul 10, 2014, 1:15 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
This is sort in reply to all the flamers who say "that if you are so unhappy with UA why don't you fly someone else". Well, I am one that is probably going to do just that.
I am a long time 1K @ 1.6 mm--and was really intent on getting 2mm until just recently--but at least I am *A gold. I fly almost exclusively to BKK (and a little to other SE Asia destinations), and understand that my case is a little unique. With UA dropping BKK; the stupid JV with ANA (where you can't even get a seat assignment until check-in in their sardine can NRT--BKK) and all the other devals; downgrades; down gauges; soft product meltdown, I am soon to give both QR and EK a shot from ORD. If either works OK for me, I am totally done with UA--and at 100,000 + miles per year status should come pretty quickly.
If I go with QR I will have the OneWorld alliance--not as good a *A, but decent enough. Domestic does not matter so much to me and I'll go with whoever when I need those trips. Four hours domestic is nothing compared to 20-24 hours to SE Asia. I'll probably continue to fly UA until March to build miles at the current 1K bonus rate, and then burn them up as quickly as possible afterwards.
I have never flown any other airline for the past 10 years, except for short inter-Asia hops. I never ever thought that I would consider abandoning "My Hometown Airline". A sad day.
I am a long time 1K @ 1.6 mm--and was really intent on getting 2mm until just recently--but at least I am *A gold. I fly almost exclusively to BKK (and a little to other SE Asia destinations), and understand that my case is a little unique. With UA dropping BKK; the stupid JV with ANA (where you can't even get a seat assignment until check-in in their sardine can NRT--BKK) and all the other devals; downgrades; down gauges; soft product meltdown, I am soon to give both QR and EK a shot from ORD. If either works OK for me, I am totally done with UA--and at 100,000 + miles per year status should come pretty quickly.
If I go with QR I will have the OneWorld alliance--not as good a *A, but decent enough. Domestic does not matter so much to me and I'll go with whoever when I need those trips. Four hours domestic is nothing compared to 20-24 hours to SE Asia. I'll probably continue to fly UA until March to build miles at the current 1K bonus rate, and then burn them up as quickly as possible afterwards.
I have never flown any other airline for the past 10 years, except for short inter-Asia hops. I never ever thought that I would consider abandoning "My Hometown Airline". A sad day.
Seriously though, do the 6 GPU's from UA factor in to your decision? I don't believe that the Middle Eastern carriers have an equivalent, although I could be wrong.
Do you fly primarily in Economy? Or Business / First? I would look hard at the Y offerings of the ME carriers before making a decision as well, if this is the class you are in mostly.
Is DL through SEA (or MSP / DTW) an option? Another connection is not that attractive, but may be worth considering.
Jul 10, 2014, 1:54 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
I do miss *A Gold, but gotta wonder if UA will ever take that away from million milers.
I did just sign up for Aegean to earn Gold there. Just depleted my UA account and fully expect to credit all future *A flying to Aegean.
Jul 10, 2014, 2:48 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,878
No contest in my experience. A connecting flight on DL is better than a non-stop on UA, more often than not. UA really is that bad! I am SFO based but fly 85% DL.
Jul 10, 2014, 4:43 pm
#36
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD & BKK
Programs: UA 1K/MM; *A Gold Life; CX Gold; Marriott Platinum LT; SPG Plat; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 343
Don't do it! If you do, the flamers win...
Seriously though, do the 6 GPU's from UA factor in to your decision? I don't believe that the Middle Eastern carriers have an equivalent, although I could be wrong.
Do you fly primarily in Economy? Or Business / First? I would look hard at the Y offerings of the ME carriers before making a decision as well, if this is the class you are in mostly.
Is DL through SEA (or MSP / DTW) an option? Another connection is not that attractive, but may be worth considering.
Seriously though, do the 6 GPU's from UA factor in to your decision? I don't believe that the Middle Eastern carriers have an equivalent, although I could be wrong.
Do you fly primarily in Economy? Or Business / First? I would look hard at the Y offerings of the ME carriers before making a decision as well, if this is the class you are in mostly.
Is DL through SEA (or MSP / DTW) an option? Another connection is not that attractive, but may be worth considering.
First, it's not because of the flamers, but a decision based on my own disgusted position with UA, but I am willing to put my money where my mouth is rather than simply making idle complaints. But I really hate the snarky comments about moving if you don't like UA.
I fly totally on my own dime and yes I fly mainly Y but play the UA lottery by buying a W, H or Q tickets in hopes of getting a GPU upgrade--sometimes win and sometimes lose.
So in the long run I am always prepared to tough it out in E+. With EK or QR the pitch on their 772' and 773's from ORD are the same pitch as E+, and after a few long hauls I should have enough miles to get a few upgrades--probably much like UA.
In addition right now I fly ORD-->NRT-->SIN with an overnight and use award miles on TG to BKK. So I have the hotel overnights R/T and spend 35,000 miles on the award (vs about $400 cash for the 2 hour flight), and it takes an extra day each way. Now with award miles based on ticket price even with a Q fare I will get only about 22,000 miles--a net deficit on my 35,000 mile award to BKK of 13,000 miles.
Last flight UA could not make interlining my bags work at SIN, so I had to go through immigration and baby sit them all night because I could not get back airside to the hotel or lounge w/o a boarding pass which I had to get from TG when they opened a 0600.
DL is a terrible option from ORD and that was the first one I looked at. There is no direct flight from ORD--SEA, so it involves a whole bunch of connections MSP or JFK or DTW etc to SEA and forward. About 28 hours
EK or QR fly directly to BKK via their hubs so I have a short connection in DXB or DOH or a stopover if I chose and I suspect that their soft product is far superior to UA's.
In the long run, it simply may not work the way I expect and I won't leave UA, but at least I'm going to give it a try.
Jul 10, 2014, 10:52 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 514
Don't do it! If you do, the flamers win...
Seriously though, do the 6 GPU's from UA factor in to your decision? I don't believe that the Middle Eastern carriers have an equivalent, although I could be wrong.
Do you fly primarily in Economy? Or Business / First? I would look hard at the Y offerings of the ME carriers before making a decision as well, if this is the class you are in mostly.
Is DL through SEA (or MSP / DTW) an option? Another connection is not that attractive, but may be worth considering.
Seriously though, do the 6 GPU's from UA factor in to your decision? I don't believe that the Middle Eastern carriers have an equivalent, although I could be wrong.
Do you fly primarily in Economy? Or Business / First? I would look hard at the Y offerings of the ME carriers before making a decision as well, if this is the class you are in mostly.
Is DL through SEA (or MSP / DTW) an option? Another connection is not that attractive, but may be worth considering.
Jul 10, 2014, 11:33 pm
#38
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,309
Also
Don't forget Etihad. They fly ORD-AUH-BKK. Quick connections both ways. Great service too. And AUH has US pre clearance. You clear us customs And immigration in Abu Dhabi so on arrival at ORD you arrive just as if you're coming in as a domestic passenger. Worth a try
Like I said I am probably a one off, and there are lots of considerations. But nonetheless I fly 100,000+ a year and will spend more than my $10 K PQD but obviously not a HVF in UA's eyes.
First, it's not because of the flamers, but a decision based on my own disgusted position with UA, but I am willing to put my money where my mouth is rather than simply making idle complaints. But I really hate the snarky comments about moving if you don't like UA.
I fly totally on my own dime and yes I fly mainly Y but play the UA lottery by buying a W, H or Q tickets in hopes of getting a GPU upgrade--sometimes win and sometimes lose.
So in the long run I am always prepared to tough it out in E+. With EK or QR the pitch on their 772' and 773's from ORD are the same pitch as E+, and after a few long hauls I should have enough miles to get a few upgrades--probably much like UA.
In addition right now I fly ORD-->NRT-->SIN with an overnight and use award miles on TG to BKK. So I have the hotel overnights R/T and spend 35,000 miles on the award (vs about $400 cash for the 2 hour flight), and it takes an extra day each way. Now with award miles based on ticket price even with a Q fare I will get only about 22,000 miles--a net deficit on my 35,000 mile award to BKK of 13,000 miles.
Last flight UA could not make interlining my bags work at SIN, so I had to go through immigration and baby sit them all night because I could not get back airside to the hotel or lounge w/o a boarding pass which I had to get from TG when they opened a 0600.
DL is a terrible option from ORD and that was the first one I looked at. There is no direct flight from ORD--SEA, so it involves a whole bunch of connections MSP or JFK or DTW etc to SEA and forward. About 28 hours
EK or QR fly directly to BKK via their hubs so I have a short connection in DXB or DOH or a stopover if I chose and I suspect that their soft product is far superior to UA's.
In the long run, it simply may not work the way I expect and I won't leave UA, but at least I'm going to give it a try.
First, it's not because of the flamers, but a decision based on my own disgusted position with UA, but I am willing to put my money where my mouth is rather than simply making idle complaints. But I really hate the snarky comments about moving if you don't like UA.
I fly totally on my own dime and yes I fly mainly Y but play the UA lottery by buying a W, H or Q tickets in hopes of getting a GPU upgrade--sometimes win and sometimes lose.
So in the long run I am always prepared to tough it out in E+. With EK or QR the pitch on their 772' and 773's from ORD are the same pitch as E+, and after a few long hauls I should have enough miles to get a few upgrades--probably much like UA.
In addition right now I fly ORD-->NRT-->SIN with an overnight and use award miles on TG to BKK. So I have the hotel overnights R/T and spend 35,000 miles on the award (vs about $400 cash for the 2 hour flight), and it takes an extra day each way. Now with award miles based on ticket price even with a Q fare I will get only about 22,000 miles--a net deficit on my 35,000 mile award to BKK of 13,000 miles.
Last flight UA could not make interlining my bags work at SIN, so I had to go through immigration and baby sit them all night because I could not get back airside to the hotel or lounge w/o a boarding pass which I had to get from TG when they opened a 0600.
DL is a terrible option from ORD and that was the first one I looked at. There is no direct flight from ORD--SEA, so it involves a whole bunch of connections MSP or JFK or DTW etc to SEA and forward. About 28 hours
EK or QR fly directly to BKK via their hubs so I have a short connection in DXB or DOH or a stopover if I chose and I suspect that their soft product is far superior to UA's.
In the long run, it simply may not work the way I expect and I won't leave UA, but at least I'm going to give it a try.
Jul 11, 2014, 8:07 am
#39
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD & BKK
Programs: UA 1K/MM; *A Gold Life; CX Gold; Marriott Platinum LT; SPG Plat; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 343
Good catch. Will consider.
Jul 11, 2014, 5:29 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
AUH pre-clearance has been a disaster so far. Read Lucky's posts. Not a real benefit.
Jul 11, 2014, 5:33 pm
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Jul 11, 2014, 7:36 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,187
[...]my seat cushion was broken and "caved in" in the middle. Had the flight gone off, I was going to have to use my pillow as support in order to be somewhat comfortable.
[...]
I will cross 1 million miles in late 2014 or early 2015. United has those months to at least try to improve or I will walk. I may only be one customer, but once gone I will never come back[...][/I][/I]
[...]
I will cross 1 million miles in late 2014 or early 2015. United has those months to at least try to improve or I will walk. I may only be one customer, but once gone I will never come back[...][/I][/I]
Given that it could be a safety issue, MX should have been called out to inspect it. Report the problem: end up with either an alternative, not broken seat, or at least piece-of-mind... possibly even a DBC if one is lucky enough to have an inop seat on a full aircraft.
Jul 11, 2014, 8:58 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Programs: UA LT Gold, American Kettle, Hertz #1 Presidents Circle, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 927
Jul 12, 2014, 2:08 am
#45
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,239
This is sort in reply to all the flamers who say "that if you are so unhappy with UA why don't you fly someone else". Well, I am one that is probably going to do just that.
I am a long time 1K @ 1.6 mm--and was really intent on getting 2mm until just recently--but at least I am *A gold. I fly almost exclusively to BKK (and a little to other SE Asia destinations), and understand that my case is a little unique. With UA dropping BKK; the stupid JV with ANA (where you can't even get a seat assignment until check-in in their sardine can NRT--BKK) and all the other devals; downgrades; down gauges; soft product meltdown, I am soon to give both QR and EK a shot from ORD. If either works OK for me, I am totally done with UA--and at 100,000 + miles per year status should come pretty quickly.
If I go with QR I will have the OneWorld alliance--not as good a *A, but decent enough. Domestic does not matter so much to me and I'll go with whoever when I need those trips. Four hours domestic is nothing compared to 20-24 hours to SE Asia. I'll probably continue to fly UA until March to build miles at the current 1K bonus rate, and then burn them up as quickly as possible afterwards.
I have never flown any other airline for the past 10 years, except for short inter-Asia hops. I never ever thought that I would consider abandoning "My Hometown Airline". A sad day.
I am a long time 1K @ 1.6 mm--and was really intent on getting 2mm until just recently--but at least I am *A gold. I fly almost exclusively to BKK (and a little to other SE Asia destinations), and understand that my case is a little unique. With UA dropping BKK; the stupid JV with ANA (where you can't even get a seat assignment until check-in in their sardine can NRT--BKK) and all the other devals; downgrades; down gauges; soft product meltdown, I am soon to give both QR and EK a shot from ORD. If either works OK for me, I am totally done with UA--and at 100,000 + miles per year status should come pretty quickly.
If I go with QR I will have the OneWorld alliance--not as good a *A, but decent enough. Domestic does not matter so much to me and I'll go with whoever when I need those trips. Four hours domestic is nothing compared to 20-24 hours to SE Asia. I'll probably continue to fly UA until March to build miles at the current 1K bonus rate, and then burn them up as quickly as possible afterwards.
I have never flown any other airline for the past 10 years, except for short inter-Asia hops. I never ever thought that I would consider abandoning "My Hometown Airline". A sad day.
http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/the-...qatar-airways/
http://www.bild.de/geld/wirtschaft/q...9208.bild.html