DM Preferred Challenge/experience so far...
Apr 7, 2013, 10:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, UA-Premier Silver, AA EXP, Hilton Gold, SPG Plat.
Posts: 191
DM Preferred Challenge/experience so far...
I have to admit I have been very pleased with my experience with US. They are efficient, customer service is good and competent. I did the GOLD match and have been upgraded 14/15 segments so far. I will reach 20 segments by next week no sweat. So my dilemma is this: I was thinking of switching back to UA where I am plat. and requalifying now that I am gteed gold on US for the rest of next year... but here are my concerns. 1) award travel seems very difficult and for much higher mileage than on UA or AA. 2) with UA I have Pre/TSA and I do not believe that US participates. Any thoughts/advice/suggestions? Thanks!
Apr 7, 2013, 10:48 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Where do you want to go? Star Alliance redemption chart might be of much better value - especially in First or Business - comparing with redemption on US. Plus US does not charge YQ (aka 'fuel surcharge') while AA charges YQ on non-AA metal (or at least on BA).
Apr 7, 2013, 12:20 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
You weren't clear if you planned to credit your UA flights to US or UA. It sounded like to US, but you also didn't explain why you switched to US or how often you fly.
Keep in mind that any DM miles you earn will be AA miles in a year or so.
I don't know how it works if you fly UA and use your US number. I know you will get credit toward US elite for 2014, but you might lose some of your UA plat benefits. Will you fly 70 more segments this year to make US plat? For that matter, can you fly 30 by the end of your trial and make Plat on US?
Keep in mind that any DM miles you earn will be AA miles in a year or so.
I don't know how it works if you fly UA and use your US number. I know you will get credit toward US elite for 2014, but you might lose some of your UA plat benefits. Will you fly 70 more segments this year to make US plat? For that matter, can you fly 30 by the end of your trial and make Plat on US?
Apr 7, 2013, 12:37 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, UA-Premier Silver, AA EXP, Hilton Gold, SPG Plat.
Posts: 191
Great questions... I could easily requalify for plat on UA or even complete DM challenge and qualify for plat. on US. Just trying to figure out what is more advantageous. I am Lifetime Gold on AA. My biggest fear is not being able to use my miles on US to book intl travel in premium cabins, it seems when i search on US website the redemptions are very high mile wise...), but you make a good point all will be AA in a years time. Dunno what to do... US is better routing, service and upgrade oppty. I am confused.
Apr 7, 2013, 2:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: DM member since 1996, DM Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 255
14 out of 15 upgrades is Hall of Fame material as a Gold!! What flights, times and days of the week are you flying? I am Gold with 55k BIS miles(with a much less sucess rate this year) last year and I am always looking for the best flights to book for the UG.
Thanks
Thanks
Apr 7, 2013, 3:27 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, UA-Premier Silver, AA EXP, Hilton Gold, SPG Plat.
Posts: 191
Mostly CLE-CLT and CLT-MIA... not any particular time, just what my schedule dictates...
Apr 9, 2013, 4:20 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: US CP ; LH FTL ; *G
Posts: 1,630
2) Yes, US participates in TSA Pre. You can check the TSA website for a list of airports where US terminals have Pre lines.
May 24, 2013, 1:14 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: HKG
Posts: 566
For the challenge, presume anything in business/first gets a COS bonus ? i.e. for Chairman's you just need 20,000 BIS miles ?
May 24, 2013, 1:51 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: (near) Cambridge, MA
Programs: US GP (used to be *G, now,what)
Posts: 1,777
Just curious. I signed my wife up for the Silver challenge as one of the perks of hitting 37.5K miles last year...
I booked her/daughter on some recent flights and she is clearing upgrades at my window of three days. I'm not on the reservation. Any ideas? Certainly not complaining... just odd.
I booked her/daughter on some recent flights and she is clearing upgrades at my window of three days. I'm not on the reservation. Any ideas? Certainly not complaining... just odd.
May 24, 2013, 2:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
But your point about making it to Chairman's is worth noting - if it is possible to get the flown BIS miles for CP, I would go for it...
May 25, 2013, 9:12 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: HKG
Posts: 566
I'm meaning COS bonus counting towards the challenge for paid International Biz class..(not an upgrade)
May 25, 2013, 9:44 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 211
There are no COS bonuses on the trial, even for paid first/biz tickets. You still need 30k BIS miles to hit Chairman's, whether those miles are in coach, biz, or first.
May 26, 2013, 10:43 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: US CP ; LH FTL ; *G
Posts: 1,630
You get CoS bonus for paid F/C, but it doesn't count towards the challenge. It counts towards your regular RQ. For challenge, only BIS miles count.