Why I decide to leave United and keep Delta
United was my first mileage program that gave me Elite status on any airline, also the first program I got top elite status(excluding GS) on any airline, it was hard to say good bye to them, but after I re evaluate everything, I decided to give up.
1 Mileage Program- United has one of the most expensive award chart AND the least flexible program on routing, carrier, change, and availability among all Major North America Programs. You can only route via one direct, no mixed of *A and Non *A, no change on *A award, no one way except UA only, open jaw or stopover and MOST IMPORTANTLY STARNET Blocking.
2 In flight product- United has the most uncomfortable first class seat, agree? No in flight power(exclude PS and some 767 first class), no internet except PS, no PTV like Delta or Continental. I agree they have flat bed cross ocean, but others too such as US air, CO, DL, AC
3 Systemwide Upgrade certificate for 1K, Lucky mentioned today on their W fare, which is the lowest booking code you can use SWU, they are just getting more and more and more expensive.
I like Continental airline a lot, they have very good program, new FLAT bed seat and In flight entertainment program just amazing, but next year, or maybe 2, CO will merge with UA, I have no idea how the program will turn out. due to my limited presence in the States for next few years or may be forever, I decided to quite both together.
As for Delta, I have to agree they have done many little things better than others, they have upgrade list under my trip section, so you know where you stand before departure. they have better domestic in flight product. In general Skymiles program is rip off, but did you notice they have the generous offer for bonus miles everywhere? Also, Their miles are not as bad as you though, it can get very creative.
For people who’s living in the hub cities, you don’t have choice, but for those don’t live around hubs, maybe you should think again such as AA, US, DL or AC.
To Clarify : I was not trying to compare UA with Delta only, I was trying to compare UA with all North America carriers.
Gary said,
uYou have several good criticisms of United but they aren’t necessarily areas where Delta is better.
United’s mileage program is expensive compared to some, but on the whole not more so than Delta’s (or at least where United is higher, they tend to be close in price).
You can’t route round the world with United wihtout paying a round the world charge, but there are very few programs where you can. Starnet blocking is an issue but I’ll take United’s availability with blocking over Delta’s without (you can still always fly unblocked carriers like AC, TK, SK, etc). And blocking has been a problem really only for about two weeks of the last 5 months.
I disagree on inflight power, United has power for most of their fleet at least in premium cabins. On the 747 and 777 no adapter required.
It’s more expensive to use United’s systemwide upgrades than it used to be, but still far less expensive than to use Delta’s…
Now, you may often look for single award seats and those can be alright to get with Skymiles. But if you were looking at bringing a family in premium cabins between the US and Asia I can’t imagine you’d make the call for Skypesos.
Delta’s inflight entertianment is surely better but I’m not sure their overall product including inernational is better. Mileage Plus is still far far better than Skymiles.
Troy said,
@ Gary, I think I did not make my point clear, I wasn’t really comparing UA and DL only, I basically comparing UA with ALL others.
Kevin said,
Don’t forget Air Canada. Internationally they run 777′s or fully upgraded 767′s with lie flat seats, great IFE an their service levels have steadily improved. IMHO they best any US carrier right now. And they’re Star Alliance so if you want a real treat you can get an award on Singapore Airlines.
Troy said,
@Kevin, To be honestly, I think SQ is over rated. they are excellent airline, but you can not get Business/First class seat on their upgraded cabin unless use their rip off award level, such as 1 million miles for A 380 Suite. TK 77W first class suite are good enough and it doesn’t cost 1 million miles. I agree with you on AC, you should try new CO seats, excellent too.
Geoff said,
I went the other way a few years ago, for the single reason that Delta’s Skymiles program was so bad. I like to use miles to fly business class to far off places and the only availability that I could ever get was for double or triple miles. And to add insult, the mileage requirements out of Burlington VT were usually 50,000 miles higher than from JFK for a short flight on a commuter jet. I’ve had relatively good luck getting where I want to go on United at the base mileage level and am glad that I switched.
Alan said,
actually, BTV-JFK is most low on at least one flight (last flight?) a day. BTV-DTW is mostly yellow when i search.
RONG said,
For United’s domestic first class seats, I think they are OK. The headrest is very uncomfortable when it’s down. But when you pull it up it becomes a nice pillow.
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