I'd skip on the HNL upgrade and save the miles for an international.

It depends on how long it takes you to earn enough miles for another upgrade...to me 5 hours in coach is a trial and a half.

Does UA offer a reasonable day of departure upgrade purchase policy? For example, HA upgrades day of departure for $250, on any ticket. That might make it worthwhile to pay the fee and save the mileage.

ha2vegas,
united doesnt do that, you cant upgrade like that day of departure.if you do, you must be in a full fare class of service and buy upgrade certs.

and tonyburr,
i think you are wrong, have you even flown first class or business on united internationaly? the service is awesome internationaly.try it some time you'll like it.

as far as domestic? like they all said, it's all about the same.


ual 777 contrail

I've been in First on their domestically configured 767s and 777s. All I can say is, redeposit those miles NOW. Yes, the food is better, but the domestic first class seat in the 767 are barely wider than the economy seat (2-2-2 in First vs. 2-3-2 in Coach). The 777 is not much better. Save your miles for an international upgrade, because even the international C seat is better than the domestic F seat.

I've found that on short- to medium-hauls, if the coach cabin is partly empty you can actually get more space than in F, for example, a whole block of seats on which to stretch out. If I had 4 seats to myself on a 744 for 5 hours, I'd save my miles for int'l.

Ual 777 contrail - I have flown UA F and C many, many times (as recently as two weeks ago LHR-IAD). I fly UA F - two or three times a year to NRT or ICN, twice a year to SYD. I fly C about five or six times a year to Europe and about twice a year F to Europe. Last year I did four round the worlds in F on Star Alliance.I think I can say I speak from some experience. Their seats in C are comfortable. The UA First Suites are excellent. And I will admit the comfort of the seat for sleeping before business meetings is more important then the food or even the service. So UA rates very high there.

But in C and F: Food is mediocre. Really it is economy served on a different plate. Difference between C and F food is a larger salad, and a bigger plate.

On my recent C flight LHR-IAD ( I took BA over) they came through the C cabin TWICE with water during the whole flight. "Table clothes" were extra napkins. Menus were xeroxed (LH and SQ have them in folders, some leather). We can live without the Godiva chocolates. Now in C they have done away with the fruit and cheese course. Yes we can live without them also. Rarely saw a FA. December 26, 2001 F IAD-LHR, the "salad" in F was 1 ( read one) "leaf" of lettuce with a slice of tomato on top.

My favorite comparison of F was last January flying SQ JNB-SIN-SYD and UA SYD-SFO. WHen I got on board SQ a warm welcom greeting, and showed my F boarding pass they took my handlugage escorted me to my seat, stowed my luggage, handed me a menu and a drink in a REAL glass ( UA is platic) before I sat down. Constantly in the cabin checking on your needs. Four days later I boarded UA in F. The FA at the door was leaning on the wall, arms folded, chweing gum. I showed her my F boarding pass. She crooked her head in the direction of the F cabin, and never said a word. I said to her "I guess I will find it myself".

Have YOU ever flown SQ or BA in F???? Incredible seats AND service AND food. BA in C has fully reclining seats to beds.

As I said the comfort of the seats is the most important on long flights heading for meetings. However for the same fare other airlines also offer service and food.

So, yes I have flown F and C in UA many times internationally. Also BA, SQ, LH, SA Ansett Australia. Have you flown other first rate airlines in F or C? Fly them and give us a trip report.

I think UA has a daily 767-300 SFO-HNL which is internationally configured. If you can, switch your upgrade so that you ride in C rather than F. World of difference.

TonyBurr wrote
My favorite comparison of F was last January flying SQ JNB-SIN-SYD and UA SYD-SFO. WHen I got on board SQ a warm welcom greeting, and showed my F boarding pass they took my handlugage escorted me to my seat, stowed my luggage, handed me a menu and a drink in a REAL glass ( UA is platic) before I sat down.

FAA regulations require that all glass were be stowed and not used until after take off. United was complying with federal law by serving your pre flight beverage in a plastic cup. If it counts, its a very nice plastic cup.

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