comparing upgrades
 

Any exAAdvantage flyers here who can give me a brief comparision of the UA upgrades (EQMs) compared to AA EVIPs (useability, flexibility)?
I've all but talked myself into defecting to Mileage Plus (status match) next year and I need to understand what I am gaining or giving up regarding upgrades. This is probably the most important elite benefit for me.

Thanks in advance for any info!

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Sorry, what level will you be on UA and what are you now on AA? Also, are you talking about domestic or international?

EXP on AA (highest) so I guess thats 1K on UA?
I fly almost exclusively internationally ... round trips starting in South America going to Europe, Middle East, and sometimes USA.

How many miles/year? What cabin are you paying for?

80,000 to 150,000 miles per year
about 50%-75% paid coach
25%-50% paid business

For starters, the year after you have reached 1K level (and it is unlikely they will comp you to 1K but you can buy it) you should receive 6 SWU's good for international upgrades for qualifying fares. The real benefit is priority on wait lists - particularly during irregular ops. The other benefit is better telephone service - i.e. getting native english speaking agents.

1K gets you:

6 System Wide Upgrades (SWUs) at 100K, and two additional each 50K increment above 100K. (If you flew 150K next year you would have earned 8 SWUs during the year.) These are confirmed at booking if available.

2 Confirmed Regional Upgrades (CR1s) each quarter that you fly 10K bis miles or more -- a total of 8 may be earned in a year. Also confirmed at booking if available.

4 e-500's earned for each 10K miles flown, unlimited earning. Confirmed at the 100 hour window for 1Ks.

No fees for award travel, including changes (other than taxes, etc.)

Refund of Chase Visa fee -- Plat value is $140 (which currently comes with first sign-up bonus of 25K RDM, 5K EQMs, and the ability to earn 5K EQMs on a 1 to 1 basis for tix purchases on ual.com, and 5K EQMs when you spend more than $35K in a calendar year.)

I realize the last two are not "upgrades" but are true values of the 1K program that are less mentioned.

Enjoy.

I called and they told me to fax proof of AA status and that they would match my status ... well they didnt guarantee it, but apparently there is a status match program.

What are the Elite coach seats (E+?) all about anyway? Anyone know where I can find a picture of one?

Thanks for all the help by the way!

Economy Plus (E+) seats are regular coach seats with extra legroom. They're no wider and not physically in a different cabin or anything, but you get extra space for your legs, opening your laptop, etc. They advertise "up to 5 inches" extra - it varies by plane type. It's quite noticeable. You don't get nearly as many domestic upgrades on United as you do on American, but coach is much more comfortable because of E+.

It can never hurt to try, but the rumor is that UA will only match up to Premier Executive (the third highest level) but will not match to 1K (the second highest level) or UGS (the highest level, detemrmined by dollars spent, not miles flown). Without a match you will have to fly a year of 100K miles in order to earn the SWUs. As other posters have noted, you can pre-purchase 1K (for 10K I believe) and then this 10K can be applied to travel throughout the year. If you are looking to switch and can make this up front purchase this, this is a good way to make the transition easier. Particularly if you fly Y frequently, the SWUs are VERY valuable for upgrading to C. Additionally, you will earn 1.5 EQM/S for full (Y/B) coach fares purchased as well as 1.5 (EQM/S) for (F/P/A/C/D/Z) premium cabin fares purchased. So, depending on your mix of fares, you may actually earn more EQMs than meets the eye by simply calculating based upon actual mileage.

See, aren't we so much friendlier here in the UA forum :D . You should switch to UA just to get away from those meanies in the dAArk forum. :p

Go to SeatGuru.com and check out the difference for E+ vs. E- on the different metal. As goplaces has just noted, E+ nets you more room.

A quick glance over there shows the following: (added AA for your comparison)
AA 757 in Y = 31" pitch, 17.2" width
UA 757 in E+ = 36" pitch, 17" width
UA 757 in E- = 31" pitch, 17" width

AA 777 in Y = 31-32", 18.2" width
UA 777 in E+ = 35-36", 18" width
UA 777 in E- = 31", 18" width

Also worth noting that if you are comped to at least Premier Executive (1P) then you will have the ability to book exit row seats at ticketing -- generally resulting in even more room -- sometimes significantly more.

Interesting comparison, but the OP will likely want to compare the 763 products as well as he noted he will be doing a lot of flying to/from SA. UA only operates the 763 to SA (GIG/GRU/EZE/MVD).

As a 1P (Premier Executive) and higher, the ability to book exit rows is a big benefit. On some planes, such as the 763, I can barely touch the seat in front of me when I stretch my legs out. Also, getting the middle seat blocked is nice, and gives room to work and set stuff down.