Short answer: probably not.
I sure thought about it yesterday when it became clear that United will be eliminating regional upgrades, but I have calmed down today.
I’m 1/3 of the way toward million-mile status on United, love Star Alliance, and have generally been satisfied with all aspects of United’s performance this year.
Still, American now has a superior upgrade program (let’s see if lasts) and a better soft product (though UA has a far superior hard product, in my humble estimation). As those of you who know me will attest, I’m more worried about the meal than the seat when it comes to domestic flights, so AA is attractive in that respect.
But I’m not about to give up Economy Plus and the ability to redeem my miles to fly on Swiss and Lufthansa just because I will not be able to as easily upgrade family and friends anymore on United.
The news is still settling in, but I doubt United is going to lose many customers over this change. And if I end up defecting to the dAArkside, it’s not like United is going to miss me too much–there will be others to buy the cheap tickets that I buy now.
I have two AA flights up front next month and will decide then if I should reconsider AA.
Act now… DBEQM can get you places fast.
Hi Matthew-
I’m totally with you on being more worried about the meal than the seat. Probably why I see so many of your posts in the menu forumns.
DON’T go over to the dAArkside though! Let’s just keep hounding UA about re-instating the quality of p.s. F meals 🙂 You are not alone! Now that UA will be extorting much more upgrade currency from us to get in to p.s. C or F maybe they will be willing to spend an extra $2 on our meal!
@HunterSFO:
Yeah, airline meals are very important, but you are right: UA still has not given me reason to jump ship.
Hopefully, UA will bring back the p. to p.s when the new upgrade program kicks in.
I’d love to see United return p.s. to what it once was–full meal service in Y, two full meals in F on morning flights, and a meal and substantial snack prior to landing on morning flights in C. Bring back the peach bellini and rack of lamb too!
You people are insane. I’d love three full meals on every flight and strippers dancing at a pole adjacent to my seat.
@Hunter: The difference is, as late as 2007 p.s. flights were as I describe above. I’m not talking about the 1960’s!
I’m a little young. Is Hunter referring to Braniff here or was it Continental?
@kd5mdk: You don’t remember Hooters Air? 😉