SFO-CLT: Am I Crazy?
Apr 27, 2007, 11:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: APC/SFO
Programs: UA 1K, B9, AA, DL, WN
Posts: 280
SFO-CLT: Am I Crazy?
Have to fly SFO-CLT roundtrip 20-25 May. Am I completely crazy to want to avoid the US non-stop? I feel like I should have my head examined.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Apr 27, 2007, 11:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: United
Posts: 65
I did this on US in Aug 06 and for $99 at gate did the upgrade to First. Upgrade probably wasn't worth it b/c their domestic first was mostly more disappointing that UA domestic first, but meh.
Otherwise, uneventful. Not particularly better/worse than UA.
Otherwise, uneventful. Not particularly better/worse than UA.
Apr 28, 2007, 2:27 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MM / Plat
Posts: 222
Personally, I'd stick with the nonstop US flight if you can put up/ignore their tacky service. The exit row seats on their A321s can be reserved in advance and are even better than E+ on UA. The whole ordeal is over in 4.5 hours anyway...
Apr 28, 2007, 6:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
I've done SFO-CLT and SFO-PHL in both directions on US both in F and in Y. It's not really that bad as it's only a 5 hour flight and US service is not nearly as abysmal as many folks seem to think it is. Granted, I've done 14 hours in Y on QF in a middle seat on a packed plane twice in a week, so nothing seems too bad anymore.
Now 5 hours on WN with no mileage accrual and singing flight attendants, that would be crazy.
Now 5 hours on WN with no mileage accrual and singing flight attendants, that would be crazy.
Apr 28, 2007, 6:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: RIC
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 3,387
The problem with SFO-IAD-CLT is that you inevitably have to connect to a UX Mesa flight, typically one of the (if not THE) last of the night. In other words, your connection will be severely delayed or cancelled, if you have my luck.
Apr 28, 2007, 11:05 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: AS,WN,UA,B6,hotels
Posts: 4,239
I generally get better seats on WN than on UA (without status). WN's seats are also slightly larger than UA's E- seats. Also, WN flies into less delay prone airports (e.g. OAK-MDW instead of SFO-ORD). Customer service on WN is generally good all around.
WN's frequent flyer program is not so good for long haul flyers, though. A 4-hour flight gives the same 1 point that a 50-minute flight does. And those looking for first or business class seats won't find them on WN.
Apr 29, 2007, 12:37 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,923
Take US
I would take the US Air direct flight. I have found service to be generally good on US Air, especially if you get a CLT based crew.
If the load is light, you may be able to get a F/C upgrade for less than $99. My friend recently flew from CLT-SFO and the gate agent offered upgrades for $99. When there were no takers, she went down to $75. Finally, my friend went up to the podium and said, "I'll give you $50 for an upgrade." She refused, but called him over a few minutes later and sold him the upgrade for $50.
If the load is light, you may be able to get a F/C upgrade for less than $99. My friend recently flew from CLT-SFO and the gate agent offered upgrades for $99. When there were no takers, she went down to $75. Finally, my friend went up to the podium and said, "I'll give you $50 for an upgrade." She refused, but called him over a few minutes later and sold him the upgrade for $50.
Apr 29, 2007, 12:44 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: DL PM,UA MP(former 1K), Hertz 5*G, National Emerald Club, SPG, Marriott Silver
Posts: 443
Did the redeye SFO-CLT in February in Y...will do it again in August. Let me just say that the people (not the service which was largely undistinguished with grumpy FAs) were wierd! I cannot imagine a worse group to be on a red eye with. These px definitely did not understand the philosophy of the redeye!!! Good luck with it though. At least it was close to ontime.