why fly United to China, give me a reason!
Jan 30, 2015, 1:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Posts: 556
why fly United to China, give me a reason!
Hi, I am about to book a personal trip to China in April, looked at the economy fare out of BNA, all three airlines(AA,DL,UA) offered the same price. I prefer UA because of their miles are slightly better than AA and much better than DL. However, when I check the luggage allowance, UA only offer one free check bag, 2nd costs $100. Both AA and DL offer two free checked bags ( I think DL used to offer one bag, but then changed to 2 bags now). Additionally, I have to pay for drinks on UA. Also the old 747 has no personally TV screen. AA and DL are much better UA on the sofe product. UA is not competitive at all.....
I cannot afford paid business class, so just talk about Y class, why people still fly UA to asia???
I cannot afford paid business class, so just talk about Y class, why people still fly UA to asia???
Jan 30, 2015, 1:54 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Jan 30, 2015, 2:02 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: BWI<MCI< PHL<DEN<SCL<EZE<CHO<PHL<ABE
Programs: UA Silver / FA
Posts: 939
Did you play with the routing at all? You may be able to go through EWR on 772 to get away from the 744...
Re: baggage. Can't help you there..
Re: mileage. Just remember you'll be getting 5x (for GM?) PQM on UA/DL v. mileage flown for AA.
Good luck with your decision.
Re: baggage. Can't help you there..
Re: mileage. Just remember you'll be getting 5x (for GM?) PQM on UA/DL v. mileage flown for AA.
Good luck with your decision.
Jan 30, 2015, 2:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Au, IHG Au
Posts: 71
I flew to China 8 times last year, all on United. Destinations were Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu. In 16 flights there was only one serious delay. It was for 4 hours and United provided 8,500 in compensation, so I felt fine about that. My impression is that the flight attendants on these trips were almost uniformly polite, helpful and friendly. The food quality varies from edible (but not my favorite) to pretty good. E+ seats make a huge difference for me, so you might consider that factor. I don't drink much anyway, so the lack of free drinks doesn't bother me. In fact, I gave all my free drink chits away. I'm less than pleased about the upcoming changes to MP, but ime UA's TransPac service is fine.
Last edited by Folderholder; Jan 30, 2015 at 2:14 pm Reason: Change sentence
Jan 30, 2015, 2:46 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,222
Not anymore. CA and MU fly new 777-300s that are better than anything UA flies. CZ flies the 380 or 787. All of these airlines are now better to fly than UA in business or economy. Economy plus is the only advantage UA has.
Jan 30, 2015, 3:13 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
Hi, I am about to book a personal trip to China in April, looked at the economy fare out of BNA, all three airlines(AA,DL,UA) offered the same price. I prefer UA because of their miles are slightly better than AA and much better than DL. However, when I check the luggage allowance, UA only offer one free check bag, 2nd costs $100. Both AA and DL offer two free checked bags ( I think DL used to offer one bag, but then changed to 2 bags now). Additionally, I have to pay for drinks on UA. Also the old 747 has no personally TV screen. AA and DL are much better UA on the sofe product. UA is not competitive at all.....
I cannot afford paid business class, so just talk about Y class, why people still fly UA to asia???
I cannot afford paid business class, so just talk about Y class, why people still fly UA to asia???
Jan 30, 2015, 3:17 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,299
If you are flying in April - your ticket will earn pricex5 in miles - so if your ticket is $1000, you will earn only 5000 miles. Similar on DL.
You will learn many more miles by flying AA. United does not really care about the out-of-own-pocket economy longhaul flyer.
lol... I hope this was a joke based on some sort of 2002 flying experience.
While Chinese airlines have improved in both Y and J - UA has gone downhill. Only advantage would be free E+.
You will learn many more miles by flying AA. United does not really care about the out-of-own-pocket economy longhaul flyer.
lol... I hope this was a joke based on some sort of 2002 flying experience.
While Chinese airlines have improved in both Y and J - UA has gone downhill. Only advantage would be free E+.