Originally Posted by Rock

I was 1k for years before becoming GS. There is a very significant difference between the two with the most important being how you are handled during irregular operations. For us, that’s job security. As a GS, I’ve had my reservations reworked before I was even aware there was a problem. Weather, maintenance, ATC problems, doesn’t matter. If they identify you might not make a connection, they start working a solution. Either a different flight, or they meet you at the gate and drive you across the ramp, or through the terminal to your next flight. Since it also comes with lounge access, you also gain the benefit of a United agent in the lounge who can help work issues. Can’t count how many times I’ve walked past lines of a thousand people in IAH or ORD waiting for customer service, and I’ve walked into the lounge to an agent with no line. 1k comes with none of that. Really the 1k benefits for the kind of travel we do are essentially useless. We’re flying in business class for most international flights anyway. That means you’re boarding in group 1 no matter what your status. The 1k “hotline” can take 45 minutes to get someone on the phone. You get your first choice of meal, but the food isn’t that good anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. And when the sh*t hits the fan in a commute or deviation, you’re mostly on your own to find a solution.
To each his own, but once you experienced the difference, it’s pretty easy to see the difference.

Originally Posted by JackStraw

Nah they reserve that sort of hostility for anyone who voted NO on the TA.

Originally Posted by Nordhavn

If you do decide to switch carriers look into status match at your new carrier of choice. Most will honor whatever level you had at UAL instantly so you don't have to start at the bottom.

Originally Posted by Herkguy80

Thanks for this, going to try and get some AA and UA leverage off my Delta Diamond.

Originally Posted by 2StgTurbine

I wouldn't expect to be treated differently at Delta. They revised their rewards program and made it much harder to advance and maintain status.

Originally Posted by Rock

The hits keep coming. If you are a United Airlines commuter, be aware that they decided this year not to invite FedEx pilots into their "invitation only" Global Services status. It's not just a FedEx thing, but at least 6 long term Global Services FedEx pilots I'm aware of did not requalify this year despite spending over 6 figures on United airfare in 2023. Plan accordingly for 2024. To my knowledge, American and Delta still appreciate FedEx money. United...not so much.

Originally Posted by LAXtoDEN

That’s what’s you get for using your commuter cash on United instead of Delta. Massive mistake by YOU. Now hold this L buddy. Don’t be upset because a Frontier with a little more infrastructure and cheap screens on their back seats is bending you over after they took your money.

Originally Posted by LAXtoDEN

That’s what’s you get for using your commuter cash on United instead of Delta. Massive mistake by YOU. Now hold this L buddy. Don’t be upset because a Frontier with a little more infrastructure and cheap screens on their back seats is bending you over after they took your money.