soitgoes

Hi, Kyle Peterson, and welcome to FT--want to say hello to us?

rxalexa

Is anyone having trouble accessing the UAL website? Is it bogged down with inquires related to this issue?

AZ_MISMAN

We're famous... again.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssI...16668420080205

jetsetter

"What people will do to save $25 is pretty amazing," said Terry Trippler, travel expert at TripplerTravel.com.

For some travelers, dodging the bag-check fee will be a matter of pride, Trippler said.

"It's not so much as saving the $25. For them it will be the thrill of it," he said."

FCfree

1. More like Apples to Onions. Southwest is sweet, United makes you cry. The more you peel the layers, the worse it gets (now this $25 2nd bag fee, for example).

2. No Star Alliance. You are free to fly on anyone when you fly transatlantic or transpacific. Find the best deal, best price, best service on any carrier you choose. I've found American/Cathay to be a great combo and with the PLAT challenge, I got way more benefits than if I had gone United (and, in that year, I was already PREMIER on United). I earned a free upgrade on American that I could actually use (as opposed to United, who flies TED on my routes and therefore offers no place to use the free upgrades I was earning on United)

3. Southwest A-list is great! United PREMIER's don't really get any perks either. If you are flying enough transatlantic or transpacific, you are going to have status with United anyway. Enjoy Southwest's perks (no change fees, for example) when you fly short-hop domestic. Southwest -- home of the "no questions asked" full can of soda.

Only the guy who frequently flies the trans-con gets the real perks from United, and even there its hard to get frequent upgrades. I'd think that Northwest/Continental, with unlimited free upgrades has United beat in that department.

4. Agreed. That is why I quit flying United about 2 years ago. I would agree, however, that depending on your situation, there may be times when United/American/Northwest/Continential have some advantages over Southwest. For a mostly "short-hopper" like me, the edge goes to Southwest. YMMV.

FightingIlliniUAL

If you read United's Powerpoint presentation to Investors (http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_...ystMeeting.pdf), they note the new luggage policy with the following statement,

Nothing new, but this program is just a trial and is doomed to fail if the rest of the industry doesn't adopt a similar program.

mahasamatman

Your experience is vastly different from mine. Southwest makes me run away screaming.

FCfree

I guess we do have two different experiences then. As a 1K, I'm sure you do have a different experience at United than I ever had as a 2P.

But, if you compare short-hop domestic flights, I really don't see the difference between Southwest and United.

On United, you might be flying TED. Then, the only difference is E+. But, on Southwest, I'd say you have a better chance of open middle if you are high on the A-list. Seat 11E on Southwest is guaranteed not to have anyone in 11F (since there is no 11F). If the flight is very light on pax, then 12F or 8F can yield true open middle seat.

But then, you might be on a *REAL* United flight with E-, E+ and F. As a 1K, you've probably got a lot of upgrade coupons in your account. As a 2P, I'd burn them as fast as I'd get them. I'd feel burned as well, because I'd spend two 500-mile coupons to upgrade 600 or 800 miles, thus losing 400 or 200 miles of "comfort."

As a 1K, you probably frequently get open middle seats. As a 2P, it seemed I never would. Yet, over on Southwest, I get open middles and/or 11E all the time.

When you do get the first class upgrade, either by an op-up (I only had that once on UA as a 2P), using certs, using miles or paying for it, you do get nice service. But, whether in E+ or E-, asking for a full can of soda on UA is certain to get a dirty look from the FA's. Southwest's FA's never give me a hard time about a full can of soda. And, Southwest has sent me more free drink coupons than I will ever use.

But, it is the "before the flight" service where Southwest really appeals to me. That no-stress "no change fee" policy. But, I do believe that is waived for the 1K's? But, not for the 2P's over at United. Again, another reason why a 1K's experience differs from the 2P's experience at United. But, at one time, you must have been a 2P, at least for a month or two, working your way up to 1K?

mahasamatman

I'm sorry, but you must have blinders on. The difference is night and day.

Legroom is far more important than width to me. I only need one seat, so a person in the seat next to me isn't a problem.

Actually, I don't think I ever have. And I've never complained about it either.

I always get a full can, even on TED. If you have an attitude, so will the FA.

I plan ahead, so that has never been an issue for me. Not needing a change is even more stress-free.

And that was when I ran away from Southwest screaming.

jonu

I would think that the price-sensitive, non-elite frequent fliers that UA cares about do not check in more than 1 bag (if bags are checked at all).

The difference the you are self-loading cargo and do not have to be handled by bag handlers.

jetsetter

FcFree,
I'm curious about your experiences with no change fees on WN. How much have you typically found you had to pay extra if you wanted to change your flight time the same day? What people officially say is that WN will make you upgrade to a full fare in order to take either an earlier or later same day flight, where as UA will allow you to standby for free (or confirm free if 1K). I guess the big question is do you typically pay more or less than $100 for these changes, or do WN gate agents routinely enough waive additional fare collection for pax making same day changes especially for WN's most frequent flyers?

The other concerns I would have about WN, coming from the perspective of a UA 1K, is that apparently? it is difficult to get them to accommodate you on another airline under rule 120.20? I have the sense WN doesn't have the breath of interline agreements that the legacy carriers have. Also, if you fly them frequently, how are they in regards to paying for hotels or ground transportation in irregular operations? That is one area at least for 1K's where UA is good, but probably you have to be a 1K to realize those perks on UA.

I do very much like though
http://blogsouthwest.com
and my one flight from IAD to MCO with them was pleasant and only cost me about $50 with tax. I was going to fly Ted but he wanted about 3X or more the cost so I went with WN. But it was the simplest trip I didn't make any changes, there were no irregular operations, and I didn't have any unusual requests for the airline. But the booking process, agents, and flight crew were nice. And I liked the flexibility if I had to totally cancel I could even use the $50 for someone else to travel with no change fee. Even if you don't cancel your WN reservation, you retain the value of the ticket with no change fees. None of this "use it or lose it," legacy nonsense which US introduced and which carriers like UA gladly embraced.

anc-ord772

The complaining about no full can on Ted is no stranger to this forum. If you have a secret maybe you should share. As has been often relayed here a smile and polite question still = sans full can.

Sometimes with all the planning in the world, business travel requires last minute changes. Consider yourself lucky, not perfect.

alliance

As has also been often relayed here, asking for two or three cups will result in getting a full can or full can equivalent.

anc-ord772

On my LAS-LAX flights I am lucky if they come through twice. YMMV

alliance

No, you ask for two or three cups during the first service and will either end up with a full can or the equivalent (in multiple cups).