True confessions: Is UA/ MP your ally or enemy?
Apr 27, 2015, 9:06 pm
#46
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 330
Apr 28, 2015, 7:30 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 304
Well, it depends on what you mean by "ally". I buy a lot of last-minute domestic tickets, which means that this year (as a 1K) I've been spending an inordinate amount of time in middle seats in E- (even on an M or B fare). The fact that I'm getting a lot more RDMs which United can devalue at will hardly makes MP an ally.
Apr 28, 2015, 7:39 pm
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2MM, AA MM, SPG Platinum
Posts: 22
Well, it depends on what you mean by "ally". I buy a lot of last-minute domestic tickets, which means that this year (as a 1K) I've been spending an inordinate amount of time in middle seats in E- (even on an M or B fare). The fact that I'm getting a lot more RDMs which United can devalue at will hardly makes MP an ally.
Apr 29, 2015, 10:33 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 304
Apr 29, 2015, 12:49 pm
#50
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,717
I am loyal to certain United products, ones that distinguish them in the marketplace.
However, their mileage program is no longer one of those features.
I have found that I miss United's products when I ran into difficulty with other airlines.
No need to go into too much detail but it's funny how quickly some people tend to overlook things that are actually quite important.
As much as people complain about United, you have to wonder why they continue to fly this airline.
It's just best to ignore the chronic complainers. They're merely waiting for that handout, one $25 cert at a time.
However, their mileage program is no longer one of those features.
I have found that I miss United's products when I ran into difficulty with other airlines.
No need to go into too much detail but it's funny how quickly some people tend to overlook things that are actually quite important.
As much as people complain about United, you have to wonder why they continue to fly this airline.
It's just best to ignore the chronic complainers. They're merely waiting for that handout, one $25 cert at a time.
Apr 29, 2015, 12:59 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA GS, UA 1.6MM, AA LT PLT, AA 2.6MM, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador
Posts: 838
UA/MP is definitely my ally. I used to spread my flying amongst UA and AA. As of this year, I have consolidated everything over to UA:
- upgrade rate on UA far surpasses what I was getting on AA (I am a late booker and my hit rate on AA was about 50% versus almost 100% on UA)
- superior ability to earn RDMs on UA versus AA
- route network to Asia and MENA is better on UA versus AA
- GS is superior to CK; having been a GS and CK for the past three years, I can tell you that GS is by far better on UA than is CK on AA
For these reasons, I look at UA/MP as my ally.
- upgrade rate on UA far surpasses what I was getting on AA (I am a late booker and my hit rate on AA was about 50% versus almost 100% on UA)
- superior ability to earn RDMs on UA versus AA
- route network to Asia and MENA is better on UA versus AA
- GS is superior to CK; having been a GS and CK for the past three years, I can tell you that GS is by far better on UA than is CK on AA
For these reasons, I look at UA/MP as my ally.