Join Us: 1K/GS Seeking to Move to AA and Have Executive Platinum Status Matched
Nov 20, 2010, 11:50 am
#196
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,050
I would consider switching my flights to AA seriously given possible change of life in 2012, if AA offers EXP match. Competition is welcome from customer's perspective.
I am with you.
I am with you.
Nov 20, 2010, 12:24 pm
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,597
I've been EXP and 1K, and there's just no comparison.... AA has treated me far better as an EXP than UA ever did as a 1K. I have not FLOWN ONCE in coach this entire year, and that's on heavily discounted tickets ($299 RT SFO MIA example). Prior to upgrades, I am ALWAYS able to select an emergency exit row. And the EXP desk is, in one word, amazing. In addition, queries to customer service are answered often same day. I also have flown F "in the nose" (1A, 1K) on Cathay to Asia and on British Air to Europe, on miles, on the days I wanted.
No airline is perfect and there are plenty of problems with AA, but I wanted to share my experience as a SFO-based flyer (though I don't really want the competition for upgrades from you guys and gals ha!)
Of course, YMMV...
No airline is perfect and there are plenty of problems with AA, but I wanted to share my experience as a SFO-based flyer (though I don't really want the competition for upgrades from you guys and gals ha!)
Of course, YMMV...
Still hindsighting about flying AA F SFO-MIA-LHR/LHR-BOS-SFO (both domestics 2-class planes) with miles when we probably could (should) have used our AA miles for SFO/LHR RT F at that time (2006)...
Nov 20, 2010, 5:47 pm
#198
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 449
Indeed it is. On .bomb when I just purchased my last MR for the year, yesterday, I was offered to buy upgrades to 1st on a 757 that was empty in 1st (which I doubt will fill up anyway because it's on Christmas day). They must think that 1k's have no chance of upgrades on any flights.
Nov 20, 2010, 5:48 pm
#199
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,138
Nov 20, 2010, 5:59 pm
#200
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SFO and OAK
Programs: FAF, Hyatt <>, SPG PLT
Posts: 2,240
Indeed it is. On .bomb when I just purchased my last MR for the year, yesterday, I was offered to buy upgrades to 1st on a 757 that was empty in 1st (which I doubt will fill up anyway because it's on Christmas day). They must think that 1k's have no chance of upgrades on any flights.
Nov 20, 2010, 6:03 pm
#201
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,138
I've been offered premium seating on award tickets.
Last edited by mahasamatman; Nov 21, 2010 at 7:22 am Reason: typo
Nov 20, 2010, 7:03 pm
#202
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,037
What about someone who flies quite a bit to Asia? How is AA transpac?
Nov 20, 2010, 9:59 pm
#203
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
The (2) NA carriers with a good Pacific route structure were NW, and UA. NW is now DL, and UA is still UA. AA and the others are playing "catch up" due to the open sky agreements out there, but AA is traditionally strong in Latin/South America, and UA/NW(DL) with a giant head start in Asia (Pan Am, which sold theirs to UA, NW, and I think one of the cargo carriers) due to NRT 5th freedom rights.
Nov 20, 2010, 10:06 pm
#204
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
Strength in numbers. Color me interested in jumping ships.
Nov 20, 2010, 11:39 pm
#205
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London and Madrid
Programs: BA Gold, UA 2MM, Hyatt Globalist, Columbia Record & Tape Club Triple Diamond VIP
Posts: 580
It's already happening
UA is ditching us. I'm delighted to return the favor and fly AA.
Nov 21, 2010, 5:44 am
#206
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
(takes a deep breath, with heavy heart) I'm definitely interested here. I have the added incentive of more work through DFW in the new year, and regular trips to Europe which route through London often, then to other places, so the BA tie-up is useful too.
I don't begrudge UA trying to maximise revenue, I suppose. By the same token, I am sure they don't begrudge me taking my TATL business elsewhere.
I don't begrudge UA trying to maximise revenue, I suppose. By the same token, I am sure they don't begrudge me taking my TATL business elsewhere.
Nov 21, 2010, 7:09 am
#207
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: United 1K - AA EXP - Avis CC - Hertz Plat - Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat
Posts: 212
Is someone actually trying to reach out to AA for everyone here are we just hoping AA sees this and makes an offer?
Nov 21, 2010, 9:13 am
#208
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
As both GS & EXP, I think AA is a great program, and UA is a good one. Personally, I've yet to get anything out of GS that exceeded routine EXP benefits. Then again, I was going back through, and I actually haven't had any IRROPS situations on any airline in 2+ years 
. (Wood knocking commences.) And IMHO, an average EXP agent is even better than an average GS agent - but YMMV.
But I caution everyone contemplating this to be careful if you transfer CR1s a lot to friends/family. That is one of the biggest benefits of UA over AA/DL to me... and it still will be after these changes. It's the sole reason all my friends are UA people and not AA people. I don't even remember the last time I upgraded a companion or gave one away to a friend on AA. To me, this advantage still tilts to UA. (Personally, I'll actually gain CR1s, but even at the 6SWU+4CR1 vs 8VIP minimums, I think this is still true.) And I must admit, it's a bit ironic to me that this is the issue creating the uproar to leave UA over when there is nothing comparable at AA. But outside this issue, there are certainly enough reasons to tempt someone with this change IMO.
. (Wood knocking commences.) And IMHO, an average EXP agent is even better than an average GS agent - but YMMV. But I caution everyone contemplating this to be careful if you transfer CR1s a lot to friends/family. That is one of the biggest benefits of UA over AA/DL to me... and it still will be after these changes. It's the sole reason all my friends are UA people and not AA people. I don't even remember the last time I upgraded a companion or gave one away to a friend on AA. To me, this advantage still tilts to UA. (Personally, I'll actually gain CR1s, but even at the 6SWU+4CR1 vs 8VIP minimums, I think this is still true.) And I must admit, it's a bit ironic to me that this is the issue creating the uproar to leave UA over when there is nothing comparable at AA. But outside this issue, there are certainly enough reasons to tempt someone with this change IMO.
Last edited by HeadInTheClouds; Nov 21, 2010 at 9:56 am
Nov 21, 2010, 11:09 am
#209
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD, collecting parking tickets on the ///M3
Programs: UA 2K, MM, SPG PLT
Posts: 363
Count me in as interested.
1K with ~230k eqm, 100+ eqs, 180k BIS.
1K with ~230k eqm, 100+ eqs, 180k BIS.
Nov 21, 2010, 11:27 am
#210
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
Unless AA suddenly adopts E+ seating (or UA drops it), I imagine the number of UA 1K/GS fliers who will actually switch will be minimal, esp if you have to earn your status on AA, which I predict. I can't imagine depending on the availability of an exit row seat.