I've been using United up to now, but given recent developments, I think I'd better get a backup plan in place fast. I hope you all don't mind if I ask a few open questions, for which I'd be grateful for any good information:
1. Living in Asia (Singapore), how easy/difficult is it to get things done with American (such as requesting upgrades, ordering award tix, etc.). American doesn't have as much of a presence as United, so I'm a little concerned it might be difficult to get awards.
2. How well does American treat premium pax? And how is int'l business class? Their website seems a little short on info about what they actually offer.
3. Given that I don't fly US domestic, can I expect consistently good service from American internationally? United's always treated me very well, so it would be nice to maintain that.
Hope this isn't a rehash of something someone else has asked; I couldn't find anything similar. My being in Asia probably changes the perspective a bit. Anyway, any help is appreciated. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
You may want to look at all the OneWorld carriers and see which one serves your needs best. For example, on CX there is limited mileage accrual to AA in cheap coach fare classes. Also, look at Alaska's program, as several OneWorld carriers participate as well as Northwest and KLM.
I find AA's customer service to be one tier better than UA's - UA 1Ks get treated about the same as AA Platinums, and AA EXPs are treated phenomonally as long as you use some common sense and don't always feel entitled to ridiculous favors and waivers.
wow...lots of feedback, and it's not yet 24 hours since I posted http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
My reason for considering American were that, even though I don't fly domestic US, I DO fly between the US and Canada a fair amount, and I fly between Asia and North America across the Pacific at least twice a year. So, it's pretty likely I'll be on AA metal a fair bit (maybe 30,000 miles a year) if I decide to go this path. Plus, if I have to connect SIN-NRT on JL, it'd give me a chance to try a new airline. :P
One of the reasons I posted here was because what's posted on airline websites isn't always the same as what people experience directly--I think it's a case of what looks good on paper isn't necessarily great in real life http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif So I wanted to see if anyone had any first-hand thoughts on the matter.
United has always treated me very well (I'm currently Premier), with the exception that every single time I've flown them, my suitcase has arrived two or three days later (not a big deal to me so far). The only reason I'm considering a switch is the lack of confidence I see in United's management, which doesn't inspire me. American looks like it's more confident of itself.
Anyway...just my thoughts on the matter...I'm flying United for the rest of this year, but next year, we'll see...
Actually, I have considered Northwest...WorldPerks looks pretty good. Only problem is, I fly within Southeast Asia a lot, and even though I can accumulate points on Malaysia Airlines, I don't think they count for status...WorldPerks seems a bit lacking in status partners in this region at the moment. But, that's a topic for another board http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Does anybody here advise against switching to American/AAdvantage? I've heard lots of advantages, if you'll pardon the pun, of doing so, but has anybody got a strong or substantiated contrary viewpoint?
terima kasih http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif (thank you)
[This message has been edited by singaporeboy (edited 10-20-2001).]
AA has an office in an building -- I forgot the name, near Paragon, I guess -- on Orchard. It shares an office with QF and BA. It is like a full-service city ticketing office and hadles reservation and ticketing including award issues and ticket changes. I don't see any problem in getting tickets from AA in Singapore. Unless you hit Executive Platinum, AA charges service fees for handling expedite award ticket issues, though.
For economy travel, AA also sells 'S' tickets out of Singapore (like Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taiepei). They are all routed via Tokyo (I assume they would reinstate Taipei routing via NRT as well.) The downside is that you cannot use AA's upgrade facilities, be it certs or miles, for the SIN-NRT sector, on which you can fly almost any carriers in service including JL, SQ, NH, CX (via HKG), UA, NW (some restrictions on this choice of carriers, if you want to fly to Latin America.)
With UA, as you perhaps know, you can upgrade all the way from Singapore to North America with one systemwide upgrade, for instance.
I made around 5 round transpacific trips each on AA and UA per year in the past two years or so -- all in business. I would choose UA if I have a choice. Not that AA is bad. I guess the two are almost equal and the choice boils down to personal preferences. AA offered newspapers except the last flight I took last week. They pulled out all newspapers and magazines in the business cabin. I hope they are not doing this permanently as a cost-cutting step.
I like UA for its lounge at Narita (AA's Admirals Club is often too crowded), slightly wider offerings of entertainment. UA also has more extensive routes.
[This message has been edited by Chiangi (edited 10-18-2001).]
ElmhurstNick - you are almost correct in one area. AA's customer service is MANY tiers above UA's. I can't even imagine how well you EXPs get treated by AA. As a Platinum, I am constantly amazed on how consistently friendly, knowledgable and accomodating the Platinum desk is - it is really a pleasure to deal with them. As a 1K, it is always a crap shoot on what kind of agent you are going to get. It is interesting how the 1Ks know UA rules better than these agents. They certainly don't treat - or even attempt to give the impression to care for - their top-tier customers in a manner how they should be treated. I find this one of American's biggest benefits. Now if they would only fly to Asia/the Pacific more...
LAX - SIN used to be a normal commute for me. While my perfered carriers was SQ - at the time they had a relationship with AA at the time. In today's world, the posts on this board are correct, AA is well ahead of UA in preimer. Building miles with AA, and using them on CX or BA has been quite easy, and as long as your EXP (which must be earned, no challanges for that level) the service is excellent.
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Askworldtraveler, EXP,4 million AA miles+++
As far as I know, AA doesn't serve Singapore. You'll have to connect through an alliance airline like Cathay Pacific, and you can't use AA upgrades. Unless you don't mind connecting through Japan, there won't be upgrades on your transpacific flights.
AA is a great airline. I'm only a lowly gold but have always been treated well. However, have you considered NW. (ducking) The World Business Class is now has 60" pitch. The intra-asia flights are like another airline. You could take NW metal the whole way from SIN. You get real 747s (though most are older 200s, they are still 747s. You get unlimited first class upgrades in the US domestic markets and on trans-border Canadian flights. You also have CO from Narita and Business First is fantastic. You could even fly via Guam (at least I think CO serves SIN from Guam.) You also have elite benifits on KLM if you wanted to go to Europe. Just trying to think outside the box for you.
Singapore: I fly both AA and UA substantially. 4MM now on AA. Just shy of 1MM on UA. At the current time, there is little doubt in my mind that, in the aggregate, AA is a significantly better carrier, across the board--(Can't comment on piloting and maintenance. Both carriers are excellent, IMO, in providing safe, actual flight.)
But as for reservations, in-airport treatment, in-flight service, and overall resolutions of unforseen problems--I definitely give it to AA. If you get to top elite, AA's EXP appears tops (I am not now currently 1K on UA). You can read others' posts on this one.
Finally, it is more likely that AA will survive in the jungle than UA. They have been, IMO, better innovators, for one, and most important, they have a far better vision than UA in looking at the world from the customer's point of view.
'nuff said. Best wishes. See what others think.
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AAExecPlat; Lifetime AAirpass; 3MillMiles; UApremier-PassPlus
If you live in Singapore and don't fly US domestic there's no point in picking AA.
Since you'll never step foot on AA metal, I'm confused by your question.
Originally posted by singaporeboy:
2. How well does American treat premium pax? And how is int'l business class? Their website seems a little short on info about what they actually offer.
Just a couple of interesting points in reference to this particular question:
As for treatment of premium passengers I am assuming you mean elite members (I like the service I get from AA Gold, although nothing dramatic but never really had a problem), I take it you need to be an elite member before anything. Anyways, here is my point:
When I went home, I was in my travel agent's office saying hi, and a United rep came in (this is post 9/11) and we were talking and she said United would be willing to MATCH my elite status without having ever flown on them once in my life. They will match up to platinum (they cant do an EXP/1K match). Call AA and find out if they are willing to match if you are an elite member on United.
As for Int'l Business, i have never flown TransPac but the TransAtlantic business on the A322 was comfy when i flew to London and the 777 wasnt bad either when I flew on the return. As for their 767-300s I will let you know my opinion after my trip later in November to SA.
If you want more info on their seats, go to AA.com and click on Programs and Services and then Inflight features. You can get detailed info about the classes of service and what there is. There is helpful information there.
Hope this helped.
-Eli
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Washington/Miami
AAdvantage Gold
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considering switching United to American