AA miles so much more useful than UA miles?
May 26, 2015, 9:13 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
OP lives in NYC where every alliance and program has hubs and awards, across the board, are generally available. So for them it comes down to price. Starting from a secondary airport with 4 travelers, we rarely have a choice. We collect in all the programs, plan to have to take positioning flights on separate awards, and make it work.
On their own, all the programs suck. That's how Capital One gets new customers.
On their own, all the programs suck. That's how Capital One gets new customers.
May 26, 2015, 9:33 pm
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,575
It ebbs and flows over the years as well as the destinations that everyone has pointed out already.
My biggest problem with AA is that their biggest European partner is pretty much off the board for award usage. That creates a huge hole in the middle of the program for me. I get the frustration with not being able to get LH F with UA, but compared to having to avoid BA almost entirely, it pales in comparison.
My other current problem with AA is that their integration with US is as clunky and poorly thought through from a technology perspective as one could possibly imagine. Thankfully this should eventually pass.
AA is stronger to South America and the Caribbean. Maybe even a little better to Asia. I think at the end of the day, you have to play two or even three of the big alliances since they all have sweet spots that the others don't.
Our family trip this summer is 5x30k one-way awards on AA/US and 5x30k one-way awards back on AC/UA. To/from BCN. Finding the AA award that didn't involve BA metal on the TATL was the harder part. The AC/UA itin was available on a few dates, albeit the Rouge product that nobody really likes that much. (Hey, it's peak summer dates...I'll take it.) I'm glad we have both programs and at least a low-tier status in each alliance.
My biggest problem with AA is that their biggest European partner is pretty much off the board for award usage. That creates a huge hole in the middle of the program for me. I get the frustration with not being able to get LH F with UA, but compared to having to avoid BA almost entirely, it pales in comparison.
My other current problem with AA is that their integration with US is as clunky and poorly thought through from a technology perspective as one could possibly imagine. Thankfully this should eventually pass.
AA is stronger to South America and the Caribbean. Maybe even a little better to Asia. I think at the end of the day, you have to play two or even three of the big alliances since they all have sweet spots that the others don't.
Our family trip this summer is 5x30k one-way awards on AA/US and 5x30k one-way awards back on AC/UA. To/from BCN. Finding the AA award that didn't involve BA metal on the TATL was the harder part. The AC/UA itin was available on a few dates, albeit the Rouge product that nobody really likes that much. (Hey, it's peak summer dates...I'll take it.) I'm glad we have both programs and at least a low-tier status in each alliance.
May 26, 2015, 10:07 pm
#33
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 583
I can hardly plan a trip a year in advance when the schedule opens for booking.
If all the award seats are released at 330 days out, they will be gone before I know what kind of projects will be coming up at work.
Being able to count on LH F at T-14 is awesome.
The extra cost in miles for partner F vs UA F is very steep though.
May 27, 2015, 11:02 am
#34
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Illinois.
Programs: Switched from UA 1K to AA so I could earn EQD's on partners. Mid-tier on most major hotel programs.
Posts: 542
Was UA, now AA
Before UA's massive first class partner mileage hike February 1 of last year, for me it wasn't even close....I only focused on UA in earning miles and flying. This year I finally began to realize the value of AA miles, in particular in first class to Asia, and I have begun to shift to AA. However, I am still burning through a lot of my UA miles. Next year, I'll likely shift all of my flying to AA/One World, IF (and it's a big IF) American does not insanely hike its partner redemption chart.
So, the ball is in AA's court. I don't really care if they switch to earning miles based on revenue (I mainly buy discounted Biz tickets to Asia), but I'll never fly AA if they insanely hike the mileage Biz/First redemption requirements...particularly to Asia.
So, the ball is in AA's court. I don't really care if they switch to earning miles based on revenue (I mainly buy discounted Biz tickets to Asia), but I'll never fly AA if they insanely hike the mileage Biz/First redemption requirements...particularly to Asia.
May 30, 2015, 2:20 am
#35
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 967
I just spent time trying to book an award flight to Bali (and looked at other parts of Asia as well) with AA miles. It's really difficult to find availability. You have to use BA.com and dance around to try and find flights. Price every segment separately. Call in to book. Yuck. I'd call AA miles 4/5 difficulty to actually use.
As a comparison, same itinerary with United is a breeze to find flights, can book online, tons of availability. Oh yeah and you can take a stop over.
Love my United points. Was saving my AA miles for one of those Explorer awards but that vanished. Seeing how hard it is to book flights, I doubt I would have been able to piece one together anyway.
As a comparison, same itinerary with United is a breeze to find flights, can book online, tons of availability. Oh yeah and you can take a stop over.
Love my United points. Was saving my AA miles for one of those Explorer awards but that vanished. Seeing how hard it is to book flights, I doubt I would have been able to piece one together anyway.
May 30, 2015, 5:14 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
India
EY(+9W) flies to a lot of the second tier places from the US with a one stop connection.
QR is the best for comfort in J to India. The planes are decent.
However, now that AI has joined *A, almost all Indian cities are doable with UA, although paying 140k for AI F class to India is an absolute joke and total waste.
I would not even pay 140k DL for this award.
EY(+9W) flies to a lot of the second tier places from the US with a one stop connection.
QR is the best for comfort in J to India. The planes are decent.
However, now that AI has joined *A, almost all Indian cities are doable with UA, although paying 140k for AI F class to India is an absolute joke and total waste.
I would not even pay 140k DL for this award.
May 30, 2015, 5:17 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
For awards, it has been the best part of the UA/CO merger.
Prior to that one was limited to AC or ANA website for checking then one had to call in with UA and spend an hour or two on the phone booking the award.
May 30, 2015, 6:01 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Understand that what you appreciate in award booking is the old CO engine (SHARES) that the UA folks hated and which created so many problems for the merger.
For awards, it has been the best part of the UA/CO merger.
Prior to that one was limited to AC or ANA website for checking then one had to call in with UA and spend an hour or two on the phone booking the award.
For awards, it has been the best part of the UA/CO merger.
Prior to that one was limited to AC or ANA website for checking then one had to call in with UA and spend an hour or two on the phone booking the award.
So it still depends on what you're doing.
May 30, 2015, 6:06 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
https://www.united.com/web/format/pd...t-02-01-14.pdf
May 30, 2015, 6:15 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
On LAX-FRA, LH (1) it never seems to have First available via UA in the near term, and (2) depending on the day of travel, Business may only appear as little as 3 days out.
EDITED TO ADD:
Or not at all!
They never loaded any Business for tomorrow (Wednesday 6/3), at least as of right now (after 6 pm PDT Tuesday 6/2). Nor is there at this point Business loaded for any day other than next Monday.
EDITED TO ADD:
Or not at all!
They never loaded any Business for tomorrow (Wednesday 6/3), at least as of right now (after 6 pm PDT Tuesday 6/2). Nor is there at this point Business loaded for any day other than next Monday.
Last edited by sdsearch; Jun 2, 2015 at 7:28 pm
May 30, 2015, 11:57 am
#41
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Another perk of UA is being able to use these miles online. Want to get between GUA and MGA? PRG and VIE? YYZ and PIT? Go to UAL.com, search, select your flights and book. No calling agents, no using BA's website etc. That saves major time.
May 30, 2015, 3:49 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 441
I find UA availability much easier to find for our travels. We go to SE Asia ~4 times a year and have always been able to find flights with UA. I prefer to use our AA miles on CX and can find flights about 35-40% of the time with AA, but I can find flights with UA 100% of the time. I like them both and they work well together, as I can always piece together a trip between the 2 programs.
Jun 2, 2015, 2:56 pm
#43
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Programs: AA, DL, AK, UN, CN
Posts: 967
Understand that what you appreciate in award booking is the old CO engine (SHARES) that the UA folks hated and which created so many problems for the merger.
For awards, it has been the best part of the UA/CO merger.
Prior to that one was limited to AC or ANA website for checking then one had to call in with UA and spend an hour or two on the phone booking the award.
For awards, it has been the best part of the UA/CO merger.
Prior to that one was limited to AC or ANA website for checking then one had to call in with UA and spend an hour or two on the phone booking the award.
For Asia awards, I try for AA first then go with UA if I can't get it with AA. I suppose I should be happy there is a backdoor way to find AA partner flights using BA.com, otherwise it'd really be impossible.
AA's redemption rates are obviously the lowest of the group, which means better use them up before they raise them!
FF ratings
AA:
Availability and flight searches: 1/5
Award Value at low level : 4/5 (would be higher if they allowed a stopover)
Fees: 4/5 (free date changes!)
UA:
Availablity : 5/5
Value: 4/5
Fees: 2/5 (Change fees, close in fee, have to ask to waive the phone-in booking fee)
Neither is perfect, happy to have both. SkyPesos rate even worse. Love my BA Avios for short jumps too, and thank them for hosting a good search engine (invoke Fight Club rule here too)
Cheers,
RdM
Jun 3, 2015, 2:27 pm
#44
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
Yes, agree as the merger with US Airways has opened up Europe on AA.
But you will find most routes being stuck on US Airways unless flying to 1 of 6 American direct connections.
US Airways is lesser quality service than AA but same # of FF miles 20k in off season.
AA used to put you on BA to get intra-europa or even on Air Berlin, Iberia with taxes a bit higher. BA taxes were outrageous so stay out of London!!
Anyway, I just flew AA Award on US Airways Sea-PHL-DUb (18,000 points+ $5) and Mun-PHL-SEA(18,000 points + $96). Got 10% discount using CITi VISA card!
But you will find most routes being stuck on US Airways unless flying to 1 of 6 American direct connections.
US Airways is lesser quality service than AA but same # of FF miles 20k in off season.
AA used to put you on BA to get intra-europa or even on Air Berlin, Iberia with taxes a bit higher. BA taxes were outrageous so stay out of London!!
Anyway, I just flew AA Award on US Airways Sea-PHL-DUb (18,000 points+ $5) and Mun-PHL-SEA(18,000 points + $96). Got 10% discount using CITi VISA card!
Hi,
Am I alone in thinking that it is much easier to use AA miles than UA miles and there are so many more saver award seats available.
I normally use my award miles for NYC - LHR/MAN flights and with AA there is nearly always seats available including over the xmas period and it is only 20,000 AA miles . Where as with united they are much harder to find and need about 50% more miles.
I'm really impressed with AA's generosity in this regard..
Am I alone in thinking that it is much easier to use AA miles than UA miles and there are so many more saver award seats available.
I normally use my award miles for NYC - LHR/MAN flights and with AA there is nearly always seats available including over the xmas period and it is only 20,000 AA miles . Where as with united they are much harder to find and need about 50% more miles.
I'm really impressed with AA's generosity in this regard..
Jun 3, 2015, 2:28 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
AA allows a stopover US-Europe only at gateway city which happens to be in US.
But a stopover is allowed.
But a stopover is allowed.
Yup I do appreciate it! I've had to call in once or twice, but in general its fantastic. Of course you broke the first rule of UA/CO booking
For Asia awards, I try for AA first then go with UA if I can't get it with AA. I suppose I should be happy there is a backdoor way to find AA partner flights using BA.com, otherwise it'd really be impossible.
AA's redemption rates are obviously the lowest of the group, which means better use them up before they raise them!
FF ratings
AA:
Availability and flight searches: 1/5
Award Value at low level : 4/5 (would be higher if they allowed a stopover)
Fees: 4/5 (free date changes!)
UA:
Availablity : 5/5
Value: 4/5
Fees: 2/5 (Change fees, close in fee, have to ask to waive the phone-in booking fee)
Neither is perfect, happy to have both. SkyPesos rate even worse. Love my BA Avios for short jumps too, and thank them for hosting a good search engine (invoke Fight Club rule here too)
Cheers,
RdM
For Asia awards, I try for AA first then go with UA if I can't get it with AA. I suppose I should be happy there is a backdoor way to find AA partner flights using BA.com, otherwise it'd really be impossible.
AA's redemption rates are obviously the lowest of the group, which means better use them up before they raise them!
FF ratings
AA:
Availability and flight searches: 1/5
Award Value at low level : 4/5 (would be higher if they allowed a stopover)
Fees: 4/5 (free date changes!)
UA:
Availablity : 5/5
Value: 4/5
Fees: 2/5 (Change fees, close in fee, have to ask to waive the phone-in booking fee)
Neither is perfect, happy to have both. SkyPesos rate even worse. Love my BA Avios for short jumps too, and thank them for hosting a good search engine (invoke Fight Club rule here too)
Cheers,
RdM