The OFFICIAL No One Knows What Will Happen to [Your Issue Here] w/CO Merger Thread
May 1, 2010 | 12:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Continental Gold Elite, United Premier Executive
Posts: 6,766
The OFFICIAL No One Knows What Will Happen to [Your Issue Here] w/CO Merger Thread
Please feel free to use this thread to express your questions and concerns about the merger with Continental Airlines.
However, do post in the virtual certainty that there simply won't be any firm answers on many merger- and post-merger related topics for at least several months, if not a year or more, as many policy and product decisions simply cannot and will not be made until the merger has closed and the combined carrier's management team is in place to review things and call shots.
Fire away.
However, do post in the virtual certainty that there simply won't be any firm answers on many merger- and post-merger related topics for at least several months, if not a year or more, as many policy and product decisions simply cannot and will not be made until the merger has closed and the combined carrier's management team is in place to review things and call shots.
Fire away.
May 1, 2010 | 1:33 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 3951'31"N 10440'23"W
Programs: UA 1.5K MM/SPG Plat/Various Random Golds lol
Posts: 1,071
I'm concerned that with Smisek at the helm our FF program will lose some of it's bene's like the 6 SWU + each 50K 1 more SWU, CR1's, pillows in F, efficient IRROPS, E+, etc.
I hope we gain some of CO's good things= customer service.
I wonder how it will turn out. Despite alot of chest thumping and brow beating by UA/CO loyalists, in the end if Smisek implements alot of CO I fear UA FF's will start looking at AA. The reality is UA and AA have the best programs. Not many would argue that. I hope he add's the CO good stuff to the already strong UA stuff.
I hope we gain some of CO's good things= customer service.
I wonder how it will turn out. Despite alot of chest thumping and brow beating by UA/CO loyalists, in the end if Smisek implements alot of CO I fear UA FF's will start looking at AA. The reality is UA and AA have the best programs. Not many would argue that. I hope he add's the CO good stuff to the already strong UA stuff.
May 1, 2010 | 1:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)
Posts: 9,077
UA exceeds CO's customer service IME.
As for M+, if it's working why would they change it? Especially when there are others <cough> AA <cough> who'd love to swoop down and welcomedisgruntled enhanced UA/CO FFers into their arms.
As for M+, if it's working why would they change it? Especially when there are others <cough> AA <cough> who'd love to swoop down and welcome
May 1, 2010 | 1:58 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 3951'31"N 10440'23"W
Programs: UA 1.5K MM/SPG Plat/Various Random Golds lol
Posts: 1,071
I'm probably being suckered, I only said the customer service b/c of all the posts of how wonderful CO is. I have never had a problem with UA's CS frankly. Always been great.
May 1, 2010 | 3:59 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Does UA treat Elites way better?
Is it that UA really treats Elites well but non-Elites poorly that gave CO the better reputation? What will be in store for Elites in the newly merged company?
May 1, 2010 | 4:06 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United Global Services and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,042
CO treats its elites horribly during irregular situations. UA is so much better.
May 1, 2010 | 4:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,686
Two really important questions that need to be answered:
1. Will Doug Frost be the sommelier for the merged airline and will he still buy the same crappy wine?
2. Will the merged airline use the same crappy stale bagels in the lounges?
1. Will Doug Frost be the sommelier for the merged airline and will he still buy the same crappy wine?
2. Will the merged airline use the same crappy stale bagels in the lounges?
May 1, 2010 | 5:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Lounge Food CO vs. UA
While CO has complimentary beer and wine in their lounges, UA has more healthy and varied food. CO seems to have mostly chips and cheese in the afternoons and evenings, and I think just muffins in the morning vs. UA offering veggies and trail mix in the afternoons, yogurt and cereal in the mornings.
May 1, 2010 | 6:56 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 旧金山/Old Gold Hill/SFO
Programs: UA 1P, Marriott Platium, SPG
Posts: 1,001
EconomyPlus
May 1, 2010 | 7:36 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: USA
Programs: UA (1K, 2MM), AA, Avis, National
Posts: 867
What will happen to the million BIS miles benefits -- will it be like the MP or the OnePass program? UA 1M (and beyond) programs are more attractive, and the current 1M members would not like being switched to the OnePass alternative.
What about qualification, will the miles add up? For example, if one has 600K UA BIS miles and 500K CO BIS miles, does one qualify for one million miles benefits (if there will be such a thing). I would not bet on it, but it would be nice.
What about qualification, will the miles add up? For example, if one has 600K UA BIS miles and 500K CO BIS miles, does one qualify for one million miles benefits (if there will be such a thing). I would not bet on it, but it would be nice.
May 1, 2010 | 7:36 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MDT / BWI / IAD
Programs: UA Plat 1MM
Posts: 477
May 1, 2010 | 8:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,772
I hear you there.
That along with the red carpets staying
They better add them. I can't imagine why they wouldn't. I am sure it would p/o a lot of fliers from both programs.
That along with the red carpets staying
They better add them. I can't imagine why they wouldn't. I am sure it would p/o a lot of fliers from both programs.
Last edited by iluv2fly; May 1, 2010 at 9:01 pm Reason: merge
May 1, 2010 | 9:04 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SYD; Central Coast, NSW
Programs: UA, LT Plat 2MM
Posts: 947
Down here in Oz being a long term 1K the biggest concern would be losing those SWUs. E+ is not much to rave about on the 747 so I would have to seriously reconsider my loyalty to UA if we lose SWUs.
May 1, 2010 | 9:19 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: USA
Programs: UA (1K, 2MM), AA, Avis, National
Posts: 867
This year CO introduced SWUs of their own. You get 4 for flying 100K BIS miles. Good with any fare. A good question is what kind of SWU program will survive.
May 1, 2010 | 10:13 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Highland Park,IL.
Programs: United 1K Million Mile flyer, Hertz Presidents Circle, Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond member, Marriott
Posts: 164
I am most worried about keeping the same amount of SWUs (6 plus 2 per 50 K), CR1s, and Economy Plus. I also worry about the possibility of the 1K and elite benefits being further watered down by the additional elites that would come from the CO side.