Never flown United... Tips?

[bunyah]

Have regularly flown United to US over past number of years. They are no better, no worse than any other airline. They do seem to have the most competitive fares, Aust to US. Certainly Economy Plus is worth the few extra dollars. As mentioned above the overhead locker space is at a premium, and this is true throughout the USA - get to the head of the que and board as early as possible. Mileage Plus program use to be worthwhile when Miles based but has now changed to Dollars spent.

 

[Caversham04]

My preference is the opposite to you, if I'm travelling from Australia to Europe prefer to leave at midnight and arrive late afternoon, and leaving Europe, stay up late and leave around lunch time, then sleep before connecting to day time flight (must stay awake for) down to MEL. Of course that program won't work for ADL!

Fair enough - at the end of the day, it's got to be whatever works for each individual, within the constraints of whatever flights are available. Do you use melatonin and / or sleeping tablets, or does the schedule alone do the trick?

When we first travelled ADL-SIN-LHR, Emirates weren't an option. They now fly schedule similar to that which you mention, but having found a fairly good solution in Y on SQ (through trial and error), I'm loathe to change it...... I'll try your suggestion in Feb 2017, although in the interests of full disclosure, I'm pushing the boat out and am using Qantas Miles to fly EK First for that one, so Dom Perignon will soothe the worst of any discomfort

 

[dajop]

As mentioned above the overhead locker space is at a premium, and this is true throughout the USA - get to the head of the que and board as early as possible. Mileage Plus program use to be worthwhile when Miles based but has now changed to Dollars spent.

I always find that I minimise hand luggage (small backpack only) when Travelling US carriers, just removes the stress of finding overhead locker space, has never failed me, always found some room somewhere near my seat.

As for miles, the discount economy fares don't earn much - as you say - based on dollars spent, but a lot of them still earn 100% on Krisflyer ( and by association .... effectively 74% on velocity !)

 

[PLANT]

Expect the worst and you will be fine...... Charged the Aussie tax for internal flights..... Customer service call centre useless.
Old planes. Basics supplied.