"The Points Guy" takes the mickey out of United & Polaris
Aug 9, 17, 5:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,128
"The Points Guy" takes the mickey out of United & Polaris
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/08/united-777-polaris-business-review/
This is worth a complete read. but if you can't here are some tidbits:
Can't count the times I've experienced this -- or when the flight attendant won't bend 3 degrees to put the tray on my aisle seat tray-table, but sticks it in my face instead
The whole account rings sadly familiar. Not a one-off. This is how it often is. The contrast with the author's Lufthansa review is striking.
This is worth a complete read. but if you can't here are some tidbits:
This was by far the worst business-class flight I’ve experienced. I can easily think of a few economy products that I would’ve rather flown instead: Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa come easily to mind.
The flight attendant simply wouldn’t lean over my neighbor to serve or collect any dishes, forcing me to awkwardly stretch out to take or hand back my food trays and glasses.
Whenever I was around the galley, I noticed that the flight attendants treated passengers as if we were invisible, not letting us interfere with their conversations, meals or iPad games.
Service [on Lufthansa Business Class] was top-notch throughout the flight. The ever-efficient flight attendants struck a friendly yet professional tone....Shortly before landing, the flight attendant came through one last time to thank each passenger (by name) and wish us safe onward travels.
Aug 9, 17, 6:05 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,650
No credibility--
Child, please.
Originally Posted by JT Genter
This was by far the worst business-class flight I’ve experienced. I can easily think of a few economy products that I would’ve rather flown instead: Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa come easily to mind.
Last edited by MatthewLAX; Aug 10, 17 at 8:10 am Reason: I confused him with Caitlyn. Mea Culpa!
Aug 9, 17, 6:12 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New York
Programs: UA GS, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,420
Though the author wasn't TPG himself, I think this has the potential to make a bit of noise at United. They have had a VERY cozy relationship with United as of late, as evidenced by the special treatment the blog's editor-in-chief was given on his recent 1MM flight.
Last edited by villox; Aug 9, 17 at 6:35 pm
Aug 9, 17, 6:13 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 59,156
Lufthansa Y? Yes the article gets nuked just from that one assertion. Even WN beats LH.
the only FAs I have found to be chatty at galleys are UA 747 crews at tow 45 on the 747. Brewing me fresh pots of freshpoo and small talk. The SQ bots rivet their curtains shut.
the only FAs I have found to be chatty at galleys are UA 747 crews at tow 45 on the 747. Brewing me fresh pots of freshpoo and small talk. The SQ bots rivet their curtains shut.
Aug 9, 17, 6:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,058
That's the same contributor who raved about the value of using United miles for ANA intra-Japan awards because he didn't do enough research to find out about $100 Experience Japan fares.
Aug 9, 17, 6:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I read the TPG article and unfortunately it was pmUA tired/outdated hard product with the consistently inconsistent UA service. Coupled together I can understand his frustration. However, I rather "slum" it in pmUA business than any carriers Y.
Aug 9, 17, 6:53 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,596
This review made me insane, first the tobacco chewer is not UAs fault and why didn't he ask for the Purser after the first FA wouldn't do anything about it?
IME UA and LH business are quite similar, but the Polaris bedding and food blows away the LH food.
IME UA and LH business are quite similar, but the Polaris bedding and food blows away the LH food.
Aug 9, 17, 7:03 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,086
Whenever someone goes "I'd rather fly economy on another airline than this", you know that person is full of crap. The particular product the author flew is one of the worst J products out there, and I'd certainly consider a lot of alternatives before booking it - but it beats long-haul Y in any event. Whether it's good value is a different question, maybe $500 for Y would beat $2k for this J but I guess that depends on just how tolerable Y is for you.
Aug 9, 17, 7:31 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 13,400
Originally Posted by Ber2dca
Whenever someone goes "I'd rather fly economy on another airline than this", you know that person is full of crap.
Aug 9, 17, 7:43 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 7,878
Originally Posted by findark
For the number of people who make this claim on FT, especially things like "21D is better than any F seat on a 739", I really need to find a way to profitably arbitrage this...
Aug 9, 17, 7:53 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 779
While I am no fan of TPG to begin with, it's particularly telling that there was no mention of this being the old hard product, and it was only really Polaris soft products on this flight. While I understand that wasn't good either, as a professional reviewer he should at least mention that the seat is not part of the "soon-to-come" Polaris experience, so those complaints should be tampered in the review. Instead, he makes no mention at all.
