Aegean Airlines Miles&Bonus - Maintaining UA and A3 Statuses

Hi there,

I have read a lot of good things about the A3 program and how easy it is to get to *G very quickly. I am currently a UA Premier Silver member, and am having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of working on getting to A3 *G status. Does doing so interfere with my UA Premier (and hence *S) status? For example, if crediting miles to an A3 account, can I still reap the benefits of UA's program such as waitlist upgrades? Does anyone have experience working with both programs? I live in the US, and only have one flight actually planned with Aegean this year, so I plan on earning most of my miles with UA as a member airline of *A.

One more question (this might be better put in the MileagePlus forum): If I earn *G in the A3 program, does that grant me access to the United Club? I know they don't recognize *G earned with United's program, but do they recognize it for access if you got it through A3.

Thanks for any and all help!

One more question (this might be better put in the MileagePlus forum): If I earn *G in the A3 program, does that grant me access to the United Club? I know they don't recognize *G earned with United's program, but do they recognize it for access if you got it through A3.

Yes - United club (or any *A lounges) are ok to access with A3*G as long as you are departing on a flight that day on any *A carrier.

Does doing so interfere with my UA Premier (and hence *S) status? For example, if crediting miles to an A3 account, can I still reap the benefits of UA's program such as waitlist upgrades? Does anyone have experience working with both programs? I live in the US, and only have one flight actually planned with Aegean this year, so I plan on earning most of my miles with UA as a member airline of *A.

At least before the merger UA allows you to have one program that you earn miles into, and one program that rules your benefits on the same reservation.

The real issue is that for the long run, if you are only Premier, can you maintain status in both programs? Although it would really matter only in the year you try to qualify to *G through A3 - but because of most discount economy tickets only getting 50% of the miles on A3, if you credit everything to UA you might get to *G on UA anyway. Of course, timing is important (calendar qualification year on UA vs. rolling qualification year on A3) which might mean you can do it, depending on your travel schedule.

The bottom line, if you cannot qualify for both programs is whether you value lounge access and luggage benefits over the chance for upgrades?

The bottom line, if you cannot qualify for both programs is whether you value lounge access and luggage benefits over the chance for upgrades?

Ya that is the tricky thing for me. UA are so stingy with lounge access (even 1K don't get free access) that I suppose that would be nice. But on the other hand I have enjoyed one or two complimentary upgrades since getting silver. I suppose I should really try and get both, that way I could have the best of both worlds! Thanks for the help.

Yes - United club (or any *A lounges) are ok to access with A3*G as long as you are departing on a flight that day on any *A carrier.

Just realized you have to be traveling on an international flight to get into United Club as a *G member. More relaxed on other *A lounges. See here:
http://pss.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/access.aspx
(http://pss.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/access.aspx)
Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

Just realized you have to be traveling on an international flight to get into United Club as a *G member. More relaxed on other *A lounges.

Nope, that's is not the case. As a non-UA *G, one gets club access for all *A flights, domestic or international. It is however different for UA elites.

Ya that is the tricky thing for me. UA are so stingy with lounge access (even 1K don't get free access) that I suppose that would be nice. But on the other hand I have enjoyed one or two complimentary upgrades since getting silver. I suppose I should really try and get both, that way I could have the best of both worlds! Thanks for the help.



Just realized you have to be traveling on an international flight to get into United Club as a *G member. More relaxed on other *A lounges. See here:
http://pss.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/access.aspx
(http://pss.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/access.aspx)
Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!

That is only true if you are a *G in US or UA/CM's programs. Any other program and you are fine.

At least before the merger UA allows you to have one program that you earn miles into, and one program that rules your benefits on the same reservation.

The real issue is that for the long run, if you are only Premier, can you maintain status in both programs? Although it would really matter only in the year you try to qualify to *G through A3 - but because of most discount economy tickets only getting 50% of the miles on A3, if you credit everything to UA you might get to *G on UA anyway. Of course, timing is important (calendar qualification year on UA vs. rolling qualification year on A3) which might mean you can do it, depending on your travel schedule.

The bottom line, if you cannot qualify for both programs is whether you value lounge access and luggage benefits over the chance for upgrades?

Good summary. The risk of not getting upgrades on UA (as an A3 elite) is mitigated by UA's practice of selling upgrades for cash.

That is only true if you are a *G in US or UA/CM's programs. Any other program and you are fine.
This is one of the advantages for USA travelers to do *Gold through A3.

This is one of the advantages for USA travelers to do *Gold through A3.

I'm still a bit confused. On the information page for the lounges, under "Star Alliance Gold Members", the following is stated for access to United Club:
http://pss.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/access.aspx
(http://pss.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/access.aspx)
Credentials:
Star Alliance Gold card
Boarding pass for travel in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight

Doesn't this mean I would need to be traveling international to go in the UA club with A3 *G? The majority of my travel is transcon with UA.

Thanks for the help!

Credentials:
Star Alliance Gold card
Boarding pass for travel in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight

Doesn't this mean I would need to be traveling international to go in the UA club with A3 *G? The majority of my travel is transcon with UA.

Unfortunately, I can't see that webpage as the new United site STILL doesn't work properly from Japan. However, that rule only applies to United's own *G. I have used United Clubs on a USA domestic ticket before and I'm sure loads of other people here have too. For this reason there are a number of US-based flyers that have A3*G, just for lounge access in USA, while they credit the miles to their main USA program.

Unfortunately, I can't see that webpage as the new United site STILL doesn't work properly from Japan. However, that rule only applies to United's own *G. I have used United Clubs on a USA domestic ticket before and I'm sure loads of other people here have too. For this reason there are a number of US-based flyers that have A3*G, just for lounge access in USA, while they credit the miles to their main USA program.

That's awesome. Glad you have been able to get in. A3*G sure looks tempting!

Hi there,

I have read a lot of good things about the A3 program and how easy it is to get to *G very quickly. I am currently a UA Premier Silver member, and am having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of working on getting to A3 *G status. Does doing so interfere with my UA Premier (and hence *S) status? For example, if crediting miles to an A3 account, can I still reap the benefits of UA's program such as waitlist upgrades? Does anyone have experience working with both programs? I live in the US, and only have one flight actually planned with Aegean this year, so I plan on earning most of my miles with UA as a member airline of *A.

One more question (this might be better put in the MileagePlus forum): If I earn *G in the A3 program, does that grant me access to the United Club? I know they don't recognize *G earned with United's program, but do they recognize it for access if you got it through A3.

Thanks for any and all help!

Thanks for this post, it gave me some ideas.

My wife finally joined me in retirement recently, and now 90%+ of our travel is both of us on the same itineraries. She is *S, I am *G with UA.

She is now crediting to A3 and will reach Aegean *G next month after a RTW on United and Turkish. I am continuing to credit UA for upgrades, boarding, international lounge access and other status perks. When she reaches A3 Gold, we will have lounge access, including domestic USA, for the next three years.

After many years, we are easing away from UA for domestic travel anyway, having status matched to AS, using them for Hawai'i, Mexico and some west coast travel. The UA-CO merger, subsequent Gold status devaluation and the rest of the mess there had us looking around for alternatives, and Aegean is making is easy to cut the cord.

As an aside, crediting to A3 does not take away your spots on upgrade lists on UA.

I still got UDU (whatever it is called now), and also an SWU cleared at the gate - even though I was crediting the flights to A3.

I had my UA number in the status part - and then inserted my A3 number into the earning part of the FF record by the checkin agent.

As an aside, crediting to A3 does not take away your spots on upgrade lists on UA.

I still got UDU (whatever it is called now), and also an SWU cleared at the gate - even though I was crediting the flights to A3.

I had my UA number in the status part - and then inserted my A3 number into the earning part of the FF record by the checkin agent.

Has this been since the integration on 3/3? Would love to know if this is still possible on the new system.

Has this been since the integration on 3/3? Would love to know if this is still possible on the new system.

FQTV and FQTS fields are the ones of relevance. Perhaps somewhere on the UA forum someone can comment about how this worked with CO's SHARES system before and still.

If they are IATA mandatory fields then it is still possible.

As an aside, crediting to A3 does not take away your spots on upgrade lists on UA.

I still got UDU (whatever it is called now), and also an SWU cleared at the gate - even though I was crediting the flights to A3.

I had my UA number in the status part - and then inserted my A3 number into the earning part of the FF record by the checkin agent.

I'm guessing you're flying V-class or better because any class I fly on United only earns 50% miles. Personally, I stick to US Airways for mileage earning to get 100% on A3, but if you have status on United and are pretty certain you'll get upgraded than that may be worth earning just 50% on A3.

I'm guessing you're flying V-class or better because any class I fly on United only earns 50% miles. Personally, I stick to US Airways for mileage earning to get 100% on A3, but if you have status on United and are pretty certain you'll get upgraded than that may be worth earning just 50% on A3.

no, actually it was W class - the reason for crediting to Aegean was because it was an award ticket (which for a while last year was booking into W). I did not want to take any chances with an UA audit and get nothing for it.

This was post 3/3. Upgraded with a sponsored SWU, cleared at the gate