UA Onboard Changes - selling snacks; alcohol increases; charge on transpacs [Merged]
Jun 26, 2008, 7:47 pm
#31
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I am tusseling with the same issue. I am considering trying CO first, and if I like it, I will jump. If not, I probably give LCC all my domestic business, and foreign carriers for overeas flights.
Jun 26, 2008, 7:49 pm
#32
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BTW - had I known now what I knew when I started out I'd be 3MM on UA by now. Back then I took whoever was convenient, so I was an elite of DL, AA, TWA, UA, and spread it all out.
Cheers.
Jun 26, 2008, 7:52 pm
#33
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Jun 26, 2008, 7:57 pm
#34
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So given that, heck yes I'd be willing to consider them. In fact I'm telling all my friends & relatives that are not tied into the legacies to definitely go w/ the LCCs if the fares are better or comparable, and to stay away from the majors who are startign to emulate the EU LCC model.
So for me right now UA is working, but a combo of LCC/other int'l carriers is now crossing my mind - something that really takes a lot to get me to that point. But UA is getting close to that point this year.
OVMV. Cheers.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:04 pm
#35
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You're joking right? Other than E+, some of the LCCs are better than UA. I flew JetBlue transcon in Feb for the first time (won a sweepstakes). E+, DirectTV w/ 36 channels (which totally rocked btw!; forget the lame IFE on the majors), free snacks, soft drinks, no luggage fees (last I heard) and free-wifi in their JFK terminal certainly beat UA. I've heard good things about Southwest & Virgin America as well (both of which offer FF programs, or VAm will in the autumn).
So given that, heck yes I'd be willing to consider them. In fact I'm telling all my friends & relatives that are not tied into the legacies to definitely go w/ the LCCs if the fares are better or comparable, and to stay away from the majors who are startign to emulate the EU LCC model.
So for me right now UA is working, but a combo of LCC/other int'l carriers is now crossing my mind - something that really takes a lot to get me to that point. But UA is getting close to that point this year.
OVMV. Cheers.
So given that, heck yes I'd be willing to consider them. In fact I'm telling all my friends & relatives that are not tied into the legacies to definitely go w/ the LCCs if the fares are better or comparable, and to stay away from the majors who are startign to emulate the EU LCC model.
So for me right now UA is working, but a combo of LCC/other int'l carriers is now crossing my mind - something that really takes a lot to get me to that point. But UA is getting close to that point this year.
OVMV. Cheers.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:07 pm
#36
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Jun 26, 2008, 8:12 pm
#37
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I am starting my try-out with B6 next Monday. I have heard nothing but rave review from friends who fly B6 and Virgin America. Why not, my transcon on UA is about $799 in E+, but I can fly B6 and Virgin America for half of that, and come with free food, drinks, and IFE. Yes, I can upgrade with UA, but I can also pay a bit more to sit at front on B6 and Virgin as well but for a lot less.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:13 pm
#38
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Really? You're not joking? 
Well in that case I totally agree. I would take ANY airline over US Air! I was referring generically to 'low-cost carriers' when I mentioned LCC. How on earth did they get LCC out of USAirways for NYSE????
Cheers.
Well in that case I totally agree. I would take ANY airline over US Air! I was referring generically to 'low-cost carriers' when I mentioned LCC. How on earth did they get LCC out of USAirways for NYSE????Cheers.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:14 pm
#39
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I also think some of the non-legacy carriers such as Virgin America, JetBlue are better than UA. They may not have a strong mileage program, may not have a good elite program, but, to a lot of people, fare, service, and experience are the most important things than stuff like elite status or priority boarding.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:16 pm
#40
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I also think some of the non-legacy carriers such as Virgin America, JetBlue are better than UA. They may not have a strong mileage program, may not have a good elite program, but, to a lot of people, fare, service, and experience are the most important things than stuff like elite status or priority boarding.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:18 pm
#41
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Just the cleaner aircraft on Asian carriers and non-legacy carriers in US makes one wonder why United? It is the Mileage Plus program and the status to skip security queues.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:19 pm
#42
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Didn't LH buy part of JB? If so, flying them 'may' eventually get some *Alliance points in the future. Also if someone is doing only E transcon, then quite frankly JB beats UA.
OVMV. Cheers.
OVMV. Cheers.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:24 pm
#43
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Jun 26, 2008, 8:24 pm
#44
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Again, I've been a 25 year flyer w/ UA & loyal even when others said I've gotten MM, should I get status on the other guys. I always stayed w/ UA. But the snip, cut, snip, cut, snip, cut, even amongst elite bennies, has me for the first time looking at the other int'l carriers. Something I wouldn't have considered before.
OVMV. Cheers.
Jun 26, 2008, 8:32 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2007
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While we like to commonly think here on FT that such a thing would make a difference, is a traveler really going to change their travel plans over a $6 drink? People choose UA for schedule, the mileage program, Economy Plus, or the price, and I'd argue not a $6 drink...
CX, SQ, ... are way ahead of UA. I gladly pay more to fly these carriers.