United in Seattle?
#16
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
My SO and I each have an Alaska credit card that comeS with a companion fare, so I'll revise my estimate to us flying 10,000 Alaska miles per year on the West Coast and another 10,000 cross country given the companion fares. This leaves the decision of whether to try and fly Alaska partners internationally to get miles for MVPG or settle for silver status with Alaska and silver with United or Delta.
#17
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
I actually moved to Seattle specifically because of the existence of the UA SEA<>NRT flight. However, NH and other *A carriers provide a lot of options so the Smisek damage hasn't really hurt me. I still fly UA SEA<>ORD, but the other $75k in annual spend now goes elsewhere.
#18
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
One potential issue is that connections from Europe via EWR don't seem great, at least on the days I've looked, i.e. not enough evening connections, but that might be time-of-year dependent, and I don't regularly fly Europe-SEA. I find the connection tends to be 4-5 hours via EWR. (Most people do prefer IAD though, going through there allows for 2 hour connections.)
Apparently the DL club in SEA is rather good (read: classes above UA) though, that might be something to factor in.
Apparently the DL club in SEA is rather good (read: classes above UA) though, that might be something to factor in.
#19
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA*G, UA 1MM
Posts: 1,277
If LAX is one of your West Coast destinations, be prepared to connect in SFO on UA unless you want to fly direct at some odd times.
You can fly UA from SEA direct to NYC if you consider EWR to be part of NYC.
I'm a UA million miler who really tried to be loyal after Smisek and CO took the airline over. The UA staff at SEA were always great. The UA based FA's were the best in the system IMHO (RIP SEA FA base). But after watching UA pull back from SEA and the deteriorating reliability I finally gave up and switched to AS for domestic, DL for international. Both airlines are great. If I were you I'd go AS and AS partners for international but credit your miles to AS and try to qualify for MVP status.
You can fly UA from SEA direct to NYC if you consider EWR to be part of NYC.
I'm a UA million miler who really tried to be loyal after Smisek and CO took the airline over. The UA staff at SEA were always great. The UA based FA's were the best in the system IMHO (RIP SEA FA base). But after watching UA pull back from SEA and the deteriorating reliability I finally gave up and switched to AS for domestic, DL for international. Both airlines are great. If I were you I'd go AS and AS partners for international but credit your miles to AS and try to qualify for MVP status.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA*G, UA 1MM
Posts: 1,277
#21
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
This looks like the most relevant thread... I noticed there's no evening SEA-SFO flight on multiple days this week (i.e. Tuesday/Wednesday). The last one leaves at 4.20pm.
Next week is back to normal (and normal schedule through to January). Really odd that they're missing some of the busier flights this week?
Next week is back to normal (and normal schedule through to January). Really odd that they're missing some of the busier flights this week?
#23
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Don't forget superior customer service! Calling AS is like calling a friend, they are really great especially when compared to UA's offshore call center staff that lower elites and GM's get routed to.
#24
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,426
#25
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
I have flown DL quite a bit this year and I'm impressed with them... agree on the mileage redemptions though...they are ridiculous. DL is not competitive at all with UA with regard to the number of miles needed for awards/saver availability. Ironically the only good values I've seen are on AS metal... but that partnership is doomed as it's now a rivalry.
#26
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
One correction.. it's now SkyClub(s) plural..one in the S gates and a brand new one near gate A1. And I have to say, yes to all. The new one at A especially..it has 2 floors, sweeping tarmac views with 2 story floor to ceiling windows, lots of seating, a spa, and the DL food and drink offerings are better than UA & AS.
I have flown DL quite a bit this year and I'm impressed with them... agree on the mileage redemptions though...they are ridiculous. DL is not competitive at all with UA with regard to the number of miles needed for awards/saver availability. Ironically the only good values I've seen are on AS metal... but that partnership is doomed as it's now a rivalry.
I have flown DL quite a bit this year and I'm impressed with them... agree on the mileage redemptions though...they are ridiculous. DL is not competitive at all with UA with regard to the number of miles needed for awards/saver availability. Ironically the only good values I've seen are on AS metal... but that partnership is doomed as it's now a rivalry.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,797
I have had good UA agents as well (just last week during the PNW weather situation), but this one went beyond my expectations.
#28
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Yes, the Centurion lounge at SEA is pretty bad that I typically choose the UA club over it, because closer to gate. That's when you know..
The SkyClub is very spacious with beautiful views and decent food options. Definitely the nicest lounge at SEA.
The SkyClub is very spacious with beautiful views and decent food options. Definitely the nicest lounge at SEA.
#29
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
I have gotten more than one "Hey I just wanted to let you know" after the face phone calls from AS agents. One was from the partner award desk when I saw EK space, she saw EK space but EK wouldn't give it up. She bird dogged it and got the seats after I had given up and said I'd keep looking.
#30
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS
Posts: 1,295
SEA-Asia | I use Delta
I was United Gold when I moved to SEA in and mostly flew to Shanghai. I didn't really like having to fly through SFO as that usually meant an early morning departed from SEA-SFO.
Delta upped their game in SEA and I've been taking direct flights SEA-YYZ. That makes for a lot shorter trip for me.
Delta's new club in SEA is two to three times the size of the United club. So for now it's Delta for me.
As others have said it depends on your routes. And I agree with the comment about checking out YVR. I've been able to get @$2000 business class on Delta out of Vancouver several times.
Delta upped their game in SEA and I've been taking direct flights SEA-YYZ. That makes for a lot shorter trip for me.
Delta's new club in SEA is two to three times the size of the United club. So for now it's Delta for me.
As others have said it depends on your routes. And I agree with the comment about checking out YVR. I've been able to get @$2000 business class on Delta out of Vancouver several times.