India - Cheapest ticket for 150% elite mile earning?

I am flying to DEL from IAD this October, and I'm looking to earn 150% elite miles. What's the cheapest option? This will probably help dictate my "main" airline for work (travel every few weeks, started a few months ago) based on alliances.

So far, I see Air France for ~$2000, which would sway me toward Delta as my main FF. BA has something like $2600. Anything that low on *A? United is pretty expensive. For AF, I'd need Premium Voyageur, BA I'd need World Traveller Plus...doesn't hurt, I'd enjoy premium economy.

Also, what if I flew United to DEL with regular 100% elite earning...how many additional PQM could I buy? Would it even out to ~150%? I'm just curious since I am not booking just yet, but am wondering. Although I may still go with AF since I'd still get the 150%, but also actual premium economy.

i think you may get a better response in the alliance forum rather than the india forum....

i'm not a big fan of world traveler plus on ba....tk has a good premium economy but i don't believe they offer it out of india....it is an option from ist onwards though....

Cross posting is not permitted (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-alliance/1358661-iad-del-premium-economy.html)

If you are looking for status with US Airways, you can buy up to the next status level.
If you are looking for status with United, you can buy unlimited EQMs by manipulating the mileage multiplier.

If you are looking for status with United, you can buy unlimited EQMs by manipulating the mileage multiplier.


Nope. Award miles only.

Correction: Looks like (post-merger) there is an option to buy pqm AFTER you select the award miles. My bad.

I thought United has an option to buy extra EQM? For my last domestic flight with them, I first had to click "Buy Award Accelerator" and then they had a second option following that (along with a second, more expensive charge) for Premier Accelerator.

That being said, BA just started having tickets at ~$2200 so I can choose to get my almost-instant status upgrade with Oneworld too...still nothing from *A :'(...AF or BA it is...now the question is whether I will choose Delta or AA for my domestic flights of choice...