Posted by Marshall Jackson on March 18, 2010 under Continental Airlines, Credit Cards, US Airways, United Airlines | 
I received a credit card offer in today’s mail that made me feel the need to blog. In exchange for an annual fee of $89 dollars, I am pre-approved for a US Airways Premier World MasterCard with “Dividend Miles Select.” The signup bonus is 35,000 miles. I won’t be applying as I haven’t flown US Airways in over 2 years. I’m not mad at them, I just focus my flying and mileage earning on American and to a lesser extent, Delta. I had not heard of Dividend Miles select, so I did read the offer pretty thoroughly. “Select” privileges include:
- Award travel for 5,000 fewer miles
- Two companion tickets annually
- An Annual US Airways Club pass
- First Class check-in and Zone 2 boarding
- No annual mileage cap
I suppose this isn’t a bad deal for the person who flies just enough for flying to be annoying, but not quite reach elite status. But the $89 dollar price point is troubling to me. Why? Most people can afford that, which makes me wonder if this doesn’t run the risk of making access to US Airways’ First Class check-in lines and Zone 2 boarding more like a carnival than the privilege that they are meant to be.
Personally, I think the Continental Presidential Plus World MasterCard from Chase is a much better model for providing an enhanced package of benefits to travelers. Presidential Plus cardholders receive a Continental President’s Club membership, and Continental’s “Elite Access” privileges which include early boarding and priority baggage handling plus a whole host of other benefits. With that much to offer, it’s no surprise that the annual fee is much higher than the US Airways card at $375 dollars per year. But the annual fee also has another benefit, it likely serves as a deterrent to the card being obtained by huge masses of people and prevents the dilution of elite benefits for lower level elite fliers. Access to First Class check-in lines and priority boarding are the 2 things I value most in elite status on any airline. I think the Continental product does a much better job of protecting the elite benefits of those of us who can only attain low and mid level elite status.
Another card that offers a bit of access to certain privileges is the Delta Reserve Card from American Express. In exchange for a lofty $450 dollar annual fee, cardmembers receive access to Delta’s Sky Club on the day of flight. A notable difference between this card and the Continental card is that those card holders receive an actual membership in the Continental President’s Club while Delta Reserve holders are merely granted access to Delta’s club, just like an Amex Platinum cardmember receives. The card does have some other benefits including Medallion Qualifying Mile bonuses for reaching certain spending thresholds and priority for Medallion upgrades within your status level. Personally, if I flew Delta enough to obtain more than Silver Medallion status, I’d likely carry this card, if for no other reason than the upgrade priority.
United also offers a handful of cards that offer access to varying levels of privileges. Depending on the card, you can receive a Red Carpet Club membership, or my favorite, access to United’s Economy Plus section. Some of the cards also offer elite qualifying mile bonuses for reaching certain spending thresholds. You can read all about each of United’s card options here.
Those are the cards of the domestic mileage programs that offer access to enhanced benefits for travelers. If you know of others, feel free to comment to the blog. Each of these has its good and bad points, and if you fly one of these airlines regularly, you should at least consider one of these products. That said, I think the Continental Presidential Plus MasterCard from Chase is the best of the bunch. No way I’d be without one if I were a regular Continental flier.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on January 14, 2010 under Ancillary Revenue, United Airlines |
I’m late to post this, so I know it’s already out there. United has joined the $25 dollar party on first bags. The rest will surely follow soon. One has to wonder where it will stop? There must be a top end of what customers are willing to tolerate paying for the privilege of checking one lousy bag.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on December 11, 2009 under Commentary / General Info, United Airlines |
OK, perhaps my headline is a tad over the top, but still…. The biggest news I’ve heard in a while is United’s announcement this week that they have ordered 50 new widebody aircraft. The order is evenly divided between the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787. As I understand it, the A350 is targeted to replace United’s fleet of larger 747s while the 787 will replace the smaller 767 fleet. Don’t pack your bags just yet as the first of these new aircraft aren’t set to arrive until 2016.
That said, I applaud United for taking a step towards remaining in the airline business by ordering new aircraft. I know the A350 and 787 serve different market segments, but I would have expected the airline to focus on one aircraft type with an eye towards reducing fleet complexity and costs. However, I suppose if you look at these 2 aircraft types replacing the 747s and 767s AND even the 777 down the road, United will be reducing from 3 fleets to 2. I still don’t think it’s ideal, but I wasn’t consulted on the purchase decision by United either. 
We’ll see if these orders stick, or one of the fleet types gets cut as part of a potential merger transaction that United seems keen to execute…..someday.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on November 7, 2009 under Commentary / General Info, Marriott Rewards, United Airlines |
And all through the hotel lobby, it was not quiet. And that’s a good thing! Hello from the Renaissance Long Beach. Enjoying a cocktail and 2 hours of free internet in the lobby bar. MrsMJonTravel and I made a full day of it with a trip up to Simi Valley and a tour of the Reagan Library. A great experience all around, but I think my favorite was walking through one of the 707’s that served President Reagan and many other Presidents of the United States as Air Force One.
Our trip out yesterday could not have gone smoother. Both flights on United were very nice and remind me that United can be a great airline to fly on. We were blessed with really good crews on both legs, especially the widebody flight from ORD to LAX. I will post a full review of our United trip when we return. I have some observations on United that I feel like sharing, and a cross-country first class trip seems like the ideal time to share.
Avis upgraded us to cherry red Mustang, and boy will it fly! Kind of helps make up for the 20 minute wait for the shuttle yesterday at LAX. Seriously, I saw 3 Thrifty buses… Thrifty!!! Before Avis finally rolled around. Not acceptable. But other than that, a great trip so far.
Renaissance upgraded us to the Club floor as a Marriott Rewards Silver, something I haven’t seen at Hilton in over a year as an HHonors Gold. Granted, the lounge is closed for the weekend, but the fridge is stocked with water and sodas, and the turndown lady even stopped by last night.
I know this post contained a lot of rambling. Things will come into focus after vacation, I’m sure. I’ll post again before I leave, with some details of the guest posts coming this week too!
Posted by Marshall Jackson on November 1, 2009 under Commentary / General Info, Marriott Rewards, United Airlines |
MrsMJonTravel and I will be departing on Friday, November 6th, for an exciting 7-night cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas. We fly out on Friday, and set sail Sunday. We’re planning to do a little touring around and visiting with friends before we sail. I spent some United miles and got us first class seats to LAX with a connection in Chicago each way. We’re leaving from Reagan National (DCA) which is just minutes from our home. Being so close to DCA makes the connection almost worthwhile as opposed to trekking the 26 miles out to Dulles for United’s nonstop flights, though I’m not sure I’d chance Chicago in the middle of winter. We’ll be spending 2 nights at the Renaissance Long Beach before sailing on Sunday.
While I’m away, there’ll be some exciting guest posts as well as some “Best of MJ on Travel” content for good measure. I’ll share more details on the vacation content later this week including an introduction of our special guest posters.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on October 18, 2009 under Continental Airlines, United Airlines |
You know that American AAdvantage is my preferred mileage program. And you also know that I fly Delta just enough to make that my second program. I’ve historically accumulated my handful of Star Alliance miles into United Mileage Plus. However, Continental’s coming entry into Star has me wondering if that’s the best thing to do. So I’d love to hear what others think. Should I switch my Star Alliance accumulation to Continental? Or should I think about US Airways Dividend Miles? Or continue with United. Share a comment, or send me an email.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on October 13, 2009 under United Airlines |
United Mileage Plus officially announced the forthcoming changes to their elite program today. There’s no free lunch, and there is a cost for this switch. United fliers are losing confirmed regional upgrades which could be used to upgrade any domestic flight at time of booking.
Here’s a link to the details on united.com.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on October 12, 2009 under American Airlines, Commentary / General Info, United Airlines |
In a move no doubt related to its upcoming partnership with Continental, United Airlines announced on FlyerTalk.com today that they will begin offering unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades to elite Mileage Plus members starting next year. Members will no longer need to earn and burn electronic 500 mile upgrades, and requests for upgrades will be automatically entered. This is a system similar to Continental, Delta and US Airways. (Hat tips to One Mile at a Time and View from the Wing)
American is now the only “Big 5″ carrier with the 500-mile electronic upgrade system where members spend electronic upgrades in 500 mile increments. American’s Executive Platinum members receive complimentary upgrades while Platinum and Gold members earn four 500 mile upgrade credits for every 10,000 miles flown. American also sells 500 mile upgrades for $30 dollars per unit (more if purchased from a live agent).
I’m not a regular United flier anymore, so this isn’t a big deal for me. The question I have is what are the implications of this change to my primary program, American AAdvantage? Frankly, I like American’s system just fine as it is. I’ve had great success in upgrading as a Platinum, and even as a Gold member of AAdvantage. I think the need to “pay” for your upgrade in some way with American results in more seats being available for those who really want to upgrade while other elites who may have spent all their upgrades or are inclined to sit in the back with their non-elite friends remain in coach.
Apparently, more details about the changes United is making will be forthcoming tomorrow. I’ll watch with interest. But right now, I hope this is one move that American does not copy.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on under American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Travel Tips, US Airways, United Airlines |
Random post, I know. But I think many less-than-frequent fliers may not be aware that a lot of airlines offer travelers the opportunity to change to an earlier or later flight on their day of travel with a confirmed seat (if available) for a relatively small fee.
Yesterday, I got a later than planned start on my 50 mile drive from my family home in North Carolina to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Faced with the need to make a couple of stops on the way, I knew I was pushing the envelope for making my scheduled 3PM departure. Add in the need to re-fuel and return the rental car, and it became apparent that the math just wasn’t going to work.
I stopped at an I-40 rest area and reached for my iPhone. I first did a quick check of flight availability from RDU to DCA which showed “all 7’s” on later flights. (Note: For those that don’t know, airline availability is displayed from their reservations systems in a series of letters and numbers, i.e. Y7…. meaning there are at least 7 seats left to sell in the “Y” fare bucket.) Then I called American’s Platinum Reservations number. When I reached the agent, I asked if there was “same day confirmed” availability on a later flight to DCA. There was, and the agent confirmed my seat for the flight I wanted. Cost: $50 dollars, which I think is a bargain in the world of airline fees.
I then continued my drive to the airport without worry, and without danger of a speeding ticket. You can read the scoop on American’s same-day flight change options here. Other airlines offer their own similar programs:
Continental
Delta
JetBlue
United
US Airways
Posted by Marshall Jackson on September 29, 2009 under Travel Tips, United Airlines |
United Mileage Plus has added a new option for using your miles. Now you can redeem your Mileage Plus miles for hotel stays and rental cars. Get more details at united.com/hotelandcarawards.
A very precursory review of some sample bookings of hotel rooms appeared to offer several options all the way up to 5-star properties, but they weren’t cheap. One high-end L.A. hotel priced out at just over 45,000 miles, but another large chain hotel near LAX was pricing at approximately 16,000 miles. A one-day car rental for pickup at LAX was 10,000 miles. I’ll let you be the judge of whether or not those represent the best uses of your miles.
In any event, if you have more miles than you can spend, you now have a new option to use them. And I’ll never complain about that.
