Fello ausbt readers, I cant seem to make my mind up and need your advise. I am planning a trip to the US in September and don't know which airline I should fly United or Delta. I have to head to NYC - SAN - SAC - SYD. They both offer an amazing deal in J & both have the biggest pulling factor - STATUS. With United I will qualify for Star Alliance Gold and with Delta I will qualify for Elite Plus.
Just arrived back in oz after flying UA business SYD-SFO-JFK return on a 777 and 757. Here's a few thoughts:
Backwards facing fully flat seats were ok but a bit narrow as they squeeze 8 across (2-4-2)
Flight attendents all very old and generally quite nice
UA lounges in America are abysmal
Food in air ok
The icecream sunday trolley is a hit
My wife and I got *A gold with the flight but we'd probably choose a different carrier next time. UA not in the same league as other international carriers I've flown
Martin intersting question. I'm an Aussie living in NYC and find Delta a much better experience to fly with than United. I avoid United usually - everything about them is ordinary, but I guess if it came to cost, then sometimes they are cheaper.
Delta however have a pretty bad reward scheme - flights within the US are super expensive to redeem (40,000miles to fly 1 way across the country is very common) and the times I have looked to transfer points to the Delta program I have been surprised at how expensive their redemptions are.
My personal preference would be to have status with star alliance over Skyteam as none of the Skyteam airlines appeal. You could better use your Star Alliance from australia with SQ and TG if that is where your travels take you.
I couldnt comment regarding United, however Delta has huge flexibility and the most flights accross the US, and from report they have a better FF program.
On Delta flights i've requested points/status allocation to Velocity program. This works well!
As you are based in Australia, and unless you are comfortably achieving ongoing top-tier status with Velocity, i would recommend doing the same.......
Globally I'd much rather have Star Alliance Gold than Skyteam Gold. But in Australia, Delta Gold will get you (I assume) privileges on Virgin whereas Star Gold gets you nothing.
As an actual airline, Delta tends to be much better than United which is currently in a death spiral of cranky employees, disaffected customers and a let's-cut-everything mentality, so just for the flight I'd choose Delta.
msport2012
msport2012
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 14 Apr 2013
Total posts 294
UNITED vs DELTA.
Fello ausbt readers, I cant seem to make my mind up and need your advise. I am planning a trip to the US in September and don't know which airline I should fly United or Delta. I have to head to NYC - SAN - SAC - SYD. They both offer an amazing deal in J & both have the biggest pulling factor - STATUS. With United I will qualify for Star Alliance Gold and with Delta I will qualify for Elite Plus.
Who do I choose? Please help.
bmc
bmc
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 22 Aug 2013
Total posts 121
Just arrived back in oz after flying UA business SYD-SFO-JFK return on a 777 and 757. Here's a few thoughts:
Backwards facing fully flat seats were ok but a bit narrow as they squeeze 8 across (2-4-2)
Flight attendents all very old and generally quite nice
UA lounges in America are abysmal
Food in air ok
The icecream sunday trolley is a hit
My wife and I got *A gold with the flight but we'd probably choose a different carrier next time. UA not in the same league as other international carriers I've flown
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 132
Martin intersting question. I'm an Aussie living in NYC and find Delta a much better experience to fly with than United. I avoid United usually - everything about them is ordinary, but I guess if it came to cost, then sometimes they are cheaper.
Delta however have a pretty bad reward scheme - flights within the US are super expensive to redeem (40,000miles to fly 1 way across the country is very common) and the times I have looked to transfer points to the Delta program I have been surprised at how expensive their redemptions are.
My personal preference would be to have status with star alliance over Skyteam as none of the Skyteam airlines appeal. You could better use your Star Alliance from australia with SQ and TG if that is where your travels take you.
Hope that helps...
charlieg
charlieg
QantasFF Platinum
Member since 16 Feb 2012
Total posts 133
I couldnt comment regarding United, however Delta has huge flexibility and the most flights accross the US, and from report they have a better FF program.
On Delta flights i've requested points/status allocation to Velocity program. This works well!
As you are based in Australia, and unless you are comfortably achieving ongoing top-tier status with Velocity, i would recommend doing the same.......
Hugo
Hugo
Member since 12 Jun 2013
Total posts 216
Depends what statuses you have at the moment.
Globally I'd much rather have Star Alliance Gold than Skyteam Gold. But in Australia, Delta Gold will get you (I assume) privileges on Virgin whereas Star Gold gets you nothing.
As an actual airline, Delta tends to be much better than United which is currently in a death spiral of cranky employees, disaffected customers and a let's-cut-everything mentality, so just for the flight I'd choose Delta.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
Indeed - and you know Untied* is in trouble when DELTA** is the preferred carrier.
* deliberate
** Doesn't Ever Leave The Airport, or so they said...