How many are REALLY leaving UA?
#286
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Syracuse, NY
Programs: 1k UA, UA MM, AA EXPlat
Posts: 639
So with the new stats that 13% of flyers contribute 50% of revenue to AA---
I continue to scratch my head at why AA doesn't want to make them more happy? They are creating low cost fares for those other 87% who will simply fly the lowest fare---a smart move. I am not sure why they won't treat the 13% with the same concern? Trying to squeeze the 13% sounds like a bad idea.
I continue to scratch my head at why AA doesn't want to make them more happy? They are creating low cost fares for those other 87% who will simply fly the lowest fare---a smart move. I am not sure why they won't treat the 13% with the same concern? Trying to squeeze the 13% sounds like a bad idea.
AA is not because they are finishing up the merger before joining DL and UA in the rev-based FF program arena. They have hired an ad agency specifically for their impending changes to be announced 1Q 2016...not sure if it is to manage the fall-out or for expected IT issues.
Mods: Feel free to label this as a rumor until changes are announced. An associate has first-hand access to information on this, but I am not willing to disclose name/company/title.
Mods: Feel free to label this as a rumor until changes are announced. An associate has first-hand access to information on this, but I am not willing to disclose name/company/title.
#287
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lafayette, LA
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, BA Gold, UA Gold MM, DL SM MM, Hyatt Glob, HH Diam, Marriott Ti/LT Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 274
This past week I flew my last few segments on UAL for the foreseeable future. These flights got me to 75,000 PQMs for the year and thus Platinum for 2016, which is the best I could have done anyway in light of the PQD requirement. In a couple of days I'll begin the last of my four Asia trips for the year, this time on AA and CX. I'll earn about 80,000 RDMs on this trip, about three times as many as I would have earned on United. And 34,000 EQPs, which will extend my EXP status through February 2017. As I noted in a couple of previous posts on this thread, the two AA flights I've already taken since beginning the EXP challenge were pretty good: upgrades cleared 100 hours out, capable and friendly flight attendants. On the downside, I've had some long waits on the dedicated EXP reservations/customer service line, and the agents on this line seem to vary from superb to terrible, but this is no worse than on the United 1K line. I'm still a little bit sad about leaving United after all these years, but I'm looking forward to the 1-2-1 seating in AA trans-Pacific business class and to spending some time in the CX First Class lounge in HKG.
Last edited by Assimilated Cajun; Nov 8, 2015 at 1:17 pm Reason: Arithmetic
#288
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Sure, I understand, but I had a connecting return ticket from ORD to FRA in (paid) 1st. In the past, I would have flown United. Actually, would have tried hard to fly United. Used LH instead.
So United gets $100 each more for people who bought 1st instead of Econ, but make (some) 1ks like myself abandon them.
Would love to see the underlying (LTV, retention etc. etc.) model (I am a data scientist)! For myself (n=1), this has turned me from a super-loyal UAL to a "check all airlines for each flight" flyer.
PS On the outbound, 40+ on the upgrade list, on the return about 50. 3 upgrades, so 13 purchased F (I think?).
So United gets $100 each more for people who bought 1st instead of Econ, but make (some) 1ks like myself abandon them.
Would love to see the underlying (LTV, retention etc. etc.) model (I am a data scientist)! For myself (n=1), this has turned me from a super-loyal UAL to a "check all airlines for each flight" flyer.
PS On the outbound, 40+ on the upgrade list, on the return about 50. 3 upgrades, so 13 purchased F (I think?).
#289
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,655
I've finally decided to work up the courage to leave. I'm approaching Platinum PQM while still not at Gold PQD. I'll be moving to AA - I can get a status match through my company
For me, losing out on all the RDMs and the high RDM is killing me. For the DEN-GRR (regardless of connecting in ORD) flights, I'm getting around on average 900 miles based on spend (each way). Switching to AA, those flights will get me over 2600 EACH WAY with the Platinum 100% RDM bonus, regardless of my spend. I flew DEN-LAX-NRT-BKK and back and ended up with about 5,000 RDM (that was with my silver multiplier). That was 18,000 miles flown and only getting 30% of the miles.
I'm also looking forward to being able to use AA miles for partner rewards. Compared to the rate of Star Partner awards, the One World partners are a lot more accessible for me.
Until I have frequent business travel in the US at high spend, United just doesn't make sense for me. Also getting very bored with the United Clubs. I use them to pretty much grab a USA today and that's it.
For me, losing out on all the RDMs and the high RDM is killing me. For the DEN-GRR (regardless of connecting in ORD) flights, I'm getting around on average 900 miles based on spend (each way). Switching to AA, those flights will get me over 2600 EACH WAY with the Platinum 100% RDM bonus, regardless of my spend. I flew DEN-LAX-NRT-BKK and back and ended up with about 5,000 RDM (that was with my silver multiplier). That was 18,000 miles flown and only getting 30% of the miles.
I'm also looking forward to being able to use AA miles for partner rewards. Compared to the rate of Star Partner awards, the One World partners are a lot more accessible for me.
Until I have frequent business travel in the US at high spend, United just doesn't make sense for me. Also getting very bored with the United Clubs. I use them to pretty much grab a USA today and that's it.
#290
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
#291
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,655
I do think they have set the bar too low for EXP and will end up with PQD eventually, but in the meantime..work it, baby...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 9, 2015 at 1:24 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed. http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#offensive
#292
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: SE100K (Star Gold)
Posts: 125
Left AC to join UA since moving. Did that challenge thing, and succeeded. However, my experience on UA has been abysmal. Poor food options, surely service. Not sure if I'll switch to another American carrier.
#293
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I find UA's buy on board food to be more appetizing than AC's on-board cafe. And SFO and ORD both have better in-terminal outlets to buy food for the flight than YYZ does.
#294
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
There's a restaurant/bar at YYZ that has smoked pork ribs from local Ontario Pigs and there's another really nice cafe-style place where you can sit down and order from an iPad then food or coffee just shows up like magic.
I'd take the food at YYZ over ORD any day.
SFO can't be beat.
#295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,957
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
#298
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
It will basically come down to who services where you fly to the most. I am LT gold with UA and mercifully don't have to play UA PQM/PQD games as much as I used to. I currently fly AK as much as I can (fly mostly out of SFO and OAK) but if I am flying back east I still more than occasionally end up on a UA flight. PS service flights back east are a nice option with UA if you can spring for them or get them with RDM's. But bottom line I don't disagree with your assessment of UA.
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,712
+1 except for the new UA gates 60-69. But in general SFO does better than most, though DCA and DEN are not bad either. I've even gotten to know the decent places at IAH, and always stop at Pappadeux if I have time.
Agree. I have yet to see anybody abandoning UA for less convenient options and all of the cheapskates who flocked to AA will be coming back in 2016 after the new revenue-based RDM program is launched.
Actually my biggest beef with UA is the horrid in-flight meal options, particularly in domestic economy. Mgmt eliminated the one item I like (Asian noodle salad) and none of the snack boxes or main meals are remotely appealing (or healthy). Basically I am now forced to self-cater for all my domestic flights, which doesn't work too well if I have tight connections.
Actually my biggest beef with UA is the horrid in-flight meal options, particularly in domestic economy. Mgmt eliminated the one item I like (Asian noodle salad) and none of the snack boxes or main meals are remotely appealing (or healthy). Basically I am now forced to self-cater for all my domestic flights, which doesn't work too well if I have tight connections.