Underrated doesn’t mean something is the best, just that it’s better than commonly appreciated. Overrated doesn’t mean it’s not good — or even great — just that it isn’t as good as people in general seem to think.
Overrated or underrated is about lowering or raising the status of things. It’s about whether you think people in general regard it too highly, or not highly enough, relative to its actual worth.
Here are five things I think are the most underrated.
- The Spirit Airlines Big Front Seat. Alongside the Southwest Airlines companion pass and the Alaska Airlines $99 credit card companion ticke this is arguably one of the very best deals in travel. Pre-pandemic Spirit Airlines had improved its reliability and joined up with PreCheck, and then finally layered on inflight internet. Performance is good! They even call the Big Front Seat a real first class now. Sometimes pricy, but often a deal, and probably cheaper than it should be because of drag from the broader Spirit brand keeps people away. But the airline just isn’t as bad as it used to be (indeed, they aren’t as bad as they used to want you to think they were!).
Copyright: boarding1now / 123RF Stock Photo - Uber. Their reputation went through the ringer, then they spent a lot of time trying to be seen as nice. They’ve gotten much worse than they used to be, unsurprising since they hired the CEO of Expedia when ousting their founder. They aren’t the underdog anymore fighting politicians in the pockets of taxi bosses for the right to operate. Now they’re the ones blocking competitors. And they have scaled back their entrepreneurial ambitions.
But it’s hard to imagine I only started covering Uber a dozen years ago. Getting around unfamiliar cities is so much easier summoning a ride on my phone with the touch of a button and knowing exactly where the car is on its way to pick me up. There’s not even a physical financial transaction at the end of the ride. When I do use a taxi I have to remind myself I need to pay before getting out and walking away.
- World of Hyatt. There were no real changes to the points-earning and redemption program at all when they changed the Gold Passport name to World of Hyatt. Their top elite tier is still the most rewarding for anyone that can make the chain’s 1000 or so hotel footprint work. No one else does confirmed suites at booking the same way, let alone opportunities for premium suite redemptions. No one else does full (not continental) breakfast.
The second elite tier that isn’t competitive with Marriott or Hilton, and telling folks who used to qualify on 25 stays they weren’t as important as they used to think caused a backlash. They got rid of check-in amenities too in exchange for expiring free nights. They added suite upgrades for top elites if available at check-in and a dedicated representative to work with all things Hyatt on though execution of the My Hyatt Concierge program should be better.
Hyatt still needs a bigger hotel footprint, though they’ve added brands and alliance partner hotels. They also allow points transfers at no cost between members, and it’s possible to gift top tier status for a stay, too. It’s a real shame they haven’t aggressively courted dissatisfied Marriott members through status challenges, preferring to recruit American Airlines flyers instead.
Park Hyatt Buenos Aires - American Airlines Business Class. It’s the best international business class product of any U.S. airline when you factor that Delta flies too many 767s with the worst product and JetBlue doesn’t have enough flights to count. Cabin crew are a mixed bag, to be sure, but where they aren’t competing against the likes of Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and ANA how much better are their competitors really?
American B/E Aerospace Super Diamond Seat - Awards for British Airways business and first class with fuel surcharges. The old product is generations behind their competitors, but catching up with their new seats. And spending miles for this subpar product you get charged a big cash premium in surcharges. But award redemption on BA can mean a cash co-pay of $1000 or more in addition to the miles you’re redeeming for a subpar product. It’s easy to forget there’s still good award availability and redeeming miles you’re still getting value.
British Airways A350 Business Class Suite
Here are the 5 things I think are the most are overrated:
- Delta’s reliability Delta is known for not cancelling flights, and for operating a more on time airline, though their reliability has fallen and they’ve been recently beaten by Southwest. Delta’s comparative advantage has been in part their TechOps, which manages to get planes ready to fly despite working with an older fleet than competitors.
And their reliability created a halo over the product, customers wanted to fly them. People have been willing to give up value in a frequent flyer program. And they’ve willing to gloss over deficiencies in the product (they went to 36 inch pitch in first class long before American did), and still fly the worst major business product across the Atlantic in their 767s.
Delta check-in, Austin - United Polaris. United has great business class bedding in the sky, but their seats are just “keeping up with the Joneses” in the words of their CEO at best. It’s a lie flat direct aisle access seat that gives each passenger less space than competitors. It was a way of getting away from the old six and eight across seats on Boeing 777s without taking up more space in the aircraft.
Even without all the cuts to the soft product we’ve seen it isn’t one of the better business classes in the world, and isn’t even one of the better business seats offered by a U.S. airline. They’re going to introduce a better product, but only for new delivery 787-9 aircraft. Most of the fleet will be left further behind.
United Polaris Business Seat - American Express Centurion lounges I’ve called these lounges so crowded nobody goes there anymore. They were lauded when they first opened because they were genuinely better than airline lounges in the U.S. — more stylish, better drinks, and good hot food offerings. Some have showers and spas. But good lounges attract passengers, who spend more time more frequently in the lounge than you ever expect and they’re crowded. The food investment also seems scaled back compared with earlier years as they try to handle the cost that comes with the volume. Still, they are nice which is why so many people go and they get crowded. And they aren’t all, always crowded.
Centurion Lounge, Philadelphia - Hilton Diamond It’s a top tier status but doesn’t offer the same benefits as competitors. Even IHG has confirmed suite upgrades now! If a hotel has standard suites available, and they do not give it to a Diamond member, they haven’t violated any rule of the program. Hotels do not even have to honor late check-out! Even breakfast is no longer promised in the U.S., with a food and beverage credit that often doesn’t come close to the cost of breakfast taking its place.
At the same time, for those who get the status just by acquiring a credit card the program is of course fairly rated.
- Emirates business class. People generally think that Emirates offers a quality product, but their Boeing 777 business class (the aircraft which remains the backbone of their fleet) is subpar in the extreme. Even their Airbus A380, which has a bar at the back of business class and lie flat seats, doesn’t offer as much space per passenger and many competitors.
Emirates gets away with this because of the flourishes of their service and because of a first class that’s so over the top. Their new first, on a limited number of 777s, is probably best in the world. And their Airbus A380 first class is known for the showers. Plus their first class food and beverage program is amazing and deep, even down to Château d’Yquem as a dessert wine.
- Airbnb It makes sense to rent a house or multi-bedroom condo when traveling with the whole family, or large groups. And it makes sense to rent private residences in places where there just aren’t hotel options.
However Airbnb is a lot more expensive than you expect when searching, and much more expensive than it used to be. The fees are out of control – to the company itself, from both the traveler and host – along with those imposed at the property level. Cleaning fees are ridiculous.And there are too many scams on Airbnb, properties that aren’t anything like the ad or that do not even exist. When you get stuck by a property like this, or a last minute cancellation, you’re mostly out in the cold.
Hotels, of course, are doing their darndest to erode their competitive edge against Airbnb by cutting back on the services they offer like housekeeping and food and beverage options on property.
What about the Goldilocks approach, what’s rated just right? I had a harder time coming up with things that are fairly rated:
- Street food in Southeast Asia. Street food in Bangkok, in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and food stalls in Singapore are widely regarded the world over. I’m tempted to say that even so they’re still underrated because they’re so darned good. But I think it’s fairer to say that they simply live up to the hype.
Singapore Hawker Stalls
What do you think is overrated, underrated, or fairly rated?
I was one of those Airbnb “property didn’t exist” victims. Gorgeous Florida on-water home. Nice pics. Nice write up.
Fortunately one of the folks traveling with us is a real estate attorney and decided to look up the info on it. Turns out to be a complete scam. The house didn’t even exist- literally.
The listing was taken from the original real estate listing.
The really aggravating part was the push back we got from Airbnb. No refund initially.They didn’t believe the house didn’t exist. Took me 2 weeks to get them to send someone to the property and I told them to send pictures of the home.
Got the refund about 5 days later after the person went to the empty lot.
” the best international business class product of any U.S. airline ”
That is like being the finest restaurant in Alvorado, TX.
Pretty much all the foreign airlines are better than their US counterparts.
This should be retitled as “most overrated/underrated in DOMESTIC travel”. This is all road warrior stuff. I feel sorry for anyone who has to frequently travel domestically, the entire experience is just garbage now, from door to door. But still, WoH underrated? By who? They aren’t what they used to be, but bloggers keep propping them up. Sure, they’re the least stinky garbage, but they’re still garbage.
I had to do a double-take as that type of headline is far more likely to be at TPG or Buzzfeed. “Top 11…” blah, blah… click me… ad revenue… referrals…
Overrated: earning elite status (especially since upgrades are basically gone)
Underated: cash back CCs
Disagree on United. Catering has gotten better. Their alcohol selections are tops notch. And I find their seats to be comfortable and cozy. Totally disagree with your assertion.
Overrated: Hyatt (the hotels, not the program)
Small footprint and overpriced hotels for the quality that they are (not)
Overrated:
1. Most US lounges (even for example the AA DFW, MIA, ORD, and LAX FL lounges are just ACs with a bit better food)
2. Travel vloggers on Youtube. Really does the size of the seat pocket in coach really mean much?
3. Top status as a way to upgrade
4. Four and five star hotels run by local franchisees that run them like they’re a Comfort Inn, or less
5. “Strategies” for getting an empty middle seat next to you.
Underrated:
1. Knowing how to use an airline’s app or website to solve your problems rather than a tired, stressed out agent that’s going to give you two options and tell you that’s it
2. Actively use and monitor cash upgrades which often can be very generous (and yes sometimes not)
3. Taking longer connections because the annoyance of sitting an airport longer is far less than the stress of being told there’s no flights until tomorrow and since it weather and/or ATC related you’re on your own
4. Airline credit cards with large annual fees that allow lounge access. Unless you travel heavily paying $600 bucks to enter an airline lounge a few times a year to eat Wawa like food is no bargain.
Street food in Asia is great. Dont overlook the mall food. On occasion run by the same family. At MBK in Bangkok there are at least 2 Michelin rated street food like places among 50-70 stalls. . Anyone for a $3.99 Pho that’s Michelin rated?
We own two AIRBNBS in Venice, Florida, and constantly get 5 star reviews. We travel there from Virginia twice a year to work on the homes. We responded to guests’ issues/requests as fast as we can. If they want something reasonable we purchase it for them and send it to the house. Our cleaning fees are not exorbitant, and our housekeeper keeps the houses stocked. Most of the complaints I have heard are from overseas. In four years we have had two problem guests, one in each house, and we paid the housekeeper extra, and in one case paid for a hotel for a guest who couldn’t get in because the previous guest wouldn’t leave until our housekeeper basically kicked them out. Our biggest problem with AIRBNB is getting refunds when something has been ruined and we have had to pay to take care of problems. But that’s a company problem. We find Host Tools to be really effective.
Overrated:
1. Agree on Centurion Lounges. Overcrowding is a much bigger issue. Amex should go to a spend-based model (e.g. five visits per cardholder and five more with every $5,000 in spend).
2. Spend-based rewards (e.g. elite night credits or a free night for 15k in spend). Not always bad but always worth considering opportunity cost.
Underrated:
1. Direct flights: Might be better than having status to shave a leg and some time off your commute to have more time and energy for the things you love doing.
2. Mid-level cards: Influencers hype premium cards, but the mid-level cards (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Hilton Surpass, Bonvoy Boundless) may be the better option for a lot of people.
3. YMMV: Your mileage may value. What’s best for other people isn’t always best for you. Everyone is different and people may like different cards based on their individual habits and preferences.
4. Strategy: I enjoy planning out spend based on card, bonuses, planned redemptions, etc. Not for everyone but a geniunely enjoyable experience for me.
5. Meh redemptions: Cents per point is a metric I look at, but I’ve enjoyed many meh redemption (average hotels at okay or even subpar value). Don’t regret it one bit. My goal is to maximize *my* value rather than get the highest cents-per-point value with my redemption.
6. Enjoying the moment: Who knows how long the credit card game will last? We are already seeing devaluations and credit card points or even credit cards may not be as big in ten years as they are today.
Overrated: Chase Sapphire Preferred. AMEX, Bilt, Citi, and Capital One have better airline transfer partners and offer better earning structures on cards that have similar or lower annual fees (Bilt). Sick of everyone singing their praises when there are better options. If one likes Hyatt, United, Air Canada, etc, the Chase co-branded cards make more sense.
Compared to what is listed as underrated, I would say that the street food in Bangkok is still underrated.
Underrated – Hyatt’s GOH (at least for me as I have no meaningful stauts)
I was the recipient of a GOH for Grand Hyatt DFW, Grand Hyatt SFO and Alila Maldives.
Using those, got me great rooms at both Grands and free breakfast at the Alila which saved me a boatload of money.
The Spirit Big Front Seat is without a doubt the best value in non-stop (emphasis) domestic travel. Especially to LAX, LAS and BOS. First on, first off, dedicated overhead bin and friendly flight crews who say “welcome back, family” when you board. If you have status, you can often bid as little as $50 or so for the front seat before check in (depending on availability).
Overrated: Suite Upgrades. If I am traveling with family and need a larger accommodation, I am booking a suite straight up and not rolling the dice on the upgrade game. If I am traveling alone, I need a suite like I need a little “Executive Platinum” luggage tag – to feel important?? I use three things in my hotel rooms when I travel for work: the bed, the bathroom and the desk.
Underrated: AA Frontline Employees: If I had no experience flying AA and based my expectations solely on reading frequent flyer blog comments, I would expect the vast majority of AA staff to be miserable. The inverse has actually been true in my years of flying with them…vast majority are pleasant and helpful. Bad apples are the exception.
Agree with that, particularly (1) UA Polaris is no longer leading in hard product and the on-board soft product is mediocre to awful compared to any EU international airline (if you don’t care about soft product, I guess it is okay, but I do), and (2) BA is underrated, both for quality and for availability of saver awards. You can almost always find either saver awards or upgrade space (including through the AA website), where that has almost disappeared on a lot of other carriers. I’d rather get a club world saver award and pay the LHR fee than pay retail cash price for business class. And the food on BA is good since they switched to Do&Co.
I also agree that the Centurion Lounges have really gone downhill.
@Mantis: Crossroads Cafe.
Finest in Alvarado, TX.
Just saying.
And what a surprise to see my tiny little town mentioned on this blog!
Underated: AAdvanatage award redemptions. The most user-friendly award search system with the best premium award availability with the lowest fees/surcharges.
Fairly rated: WOH Globalist recognition/benefits.
Overated: Delta economy and premium cabins/service (their 767s are a disgrace/embarassement)
Re rating domestic US airlines, the best analogy I have read (forgot the source unfortunately) is that comparing the likes of AA, DL and UA is like sticking your hand in a trash bag. You might pull something that stinks less than the others, but it is still trash.
Correct!
Hilton Diamond is by far the most overrated tier in travel. Nothing comes close. Breakfast is NEVER covered and upgrades occur as frequently as planets are in alignment. Breakfast used to be completely included for two. Years ago.
I suggest an entire blog on Hilton and its overrated Diamond tier.
@M.K.M. Wait until you see IHG Spire Elite
Overated:
– Most hotel lounges
– Any location that went viral on Instagram.
– TPG
Underrated:
– Agree on Hyatt relative to Marriott and Hilton.
– This blog and OMAAT
– Travel insurance
– AA miles
Indonesian street food. The real deal.
M.K.M., it sounds like you’re staying in US Hilton properties only, as in Europe breakfast is ALWAYS offered, and upgrades quite frequent, and even confirmed by email 24h in advance.
By the way , Mr Gary never misses an opportunity to tackle Delta and Hilton!
Overrated: AMEX Platinum Card (personal) –> while there are nice credits one gets with this card, with such a high fee I would think there would be more bonus categories than simply 5x on airfare. (Yes, I know, there’s 5x on hotels, but ONLY if you prepay and use their OTA.)
Underrated: AMEX Gold Card (personal) –> far more bonus categories than the Plat., and at a lower AF. And come on, don’t you eat out and go to the supermarket more often than you fly?
Overrated: In the world of domestic (U.S.) carriers, Southwest –> I never minded the A-B-C/1 thru 60 approach to boarding, and didn’t even mind paying for the “Early Bird Check-in,” but now WN has taken a leap off the high dive and is rapidly heading toward the bottom. Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant may still be worse, but now nothing separates WN from the mainstream US carriers, and in fact they’re worse, as it’s often impossible to fly non-stop between destinations.
Underrated: In the world of domestic carriers, Alaska –> Elite status is relatively easy to obtain, even though my upgrades don’t clear as often as they used to. (That said, my first five flights this year were upgraded to First, so it’s kind of hard to complain about that.) I get outsized value on point redemptions (e.g.: 10.3¢/point flying Business r/t to Japan; 8.5¢/point flying Business o/w from Portugal to SFO via LHR, after accounting for the fuel surcharges); I earn miles on award flights; and the companion fare saves me lots of money every year.
Overrated: OAK. For all intents and purposes, this airport exists to serve Southwest. They control roughly 1.5 of the 2 terminals there; everyone else seems like an afterthought. Food concessions and shopping suck; there is only one lounge (over in the “afterthought” terminal), and there’s only one lounge for the entire airport.
Underrated: SFO. Sure, San Francisco International had a bad reputation — everyone knows about the fog and the two runways too close together and the ATC slow-downs restricting take-offs and landings to 30x/hr. instead of of 60x/hr. in clear weather. Except that hasn’t been my experience, and I’ve flown in and out of there nearly 350 times according to my self-reported “journal” on flight memory.com. I haven’t experienced very many *serious* delays in departures and zero cancellations that I can recall. As for the minor delays, that time is usually made up in flight so that we land on time or even early. The restaurants choices are excellent, and the regular (i.e.: not Duty Free) shopping Is excellent. The number of different lounges, both airline and others, is excellent, and once T3 is remodeled, all the terminals will be new, super-clean, and super-quiet.
Overrated – anything made from US tap water whether it’s coffee, cocktails, squeezed orange juice or jambalaya. Smells and tastes like a swimming pool.
Underrated – airports with public transport, including most every airport in Europe