Originally Posted by
exbayern
I've switched between AC, LH, UA over the years depending more on my anticpated travel patterns than my location. I have been using UA as my primary and LH as my secondary for a few years now, although I very rarely fly UA long haul. Besides UA I fly LH and LX with some regularity, AC and BD (as well as the Baby product which does nothing mileagewise), and then assorted other *A carriers depending on routes.
I also keep miles in my AC account.
UA for E+, LH for mileage upgrades, AC for lower mileage requirements. Taxes and fees on award travel are definitely an issue, so I spend my miles wisely.
However AC and LH are also changing more than UA is changing so I would look at various programs carefully and their recent and upcoming changes before making a decision.
Other than that, being a non-US UA customer can be annoying at times. There are a few threads in regards to that here. Others would say that we receive 'better' benefits than US based customers, but I am not yet convinced of that fact.
Where do you keep your elite status then? After living in Europe for the last 3 years and having Star Gold with M+, I value that program immensely. From a priority perspective, the most important thing when choosing a new program is the "fastest way to Star Gold", then ease upgrades, then free trips.
I think we receive better benefits from the perspective that I get to use all Star Alliance lounges, but that's pretty much it. Booking flights with United is a pain in the ... on their website since you have to use a US-based credit card, but miles redemption has been okay.
I just read up on Aegean Airlines' program -- interesting that you only need 16000 "miles" to get Gold status. Unfortunately, you need a minimum of 500 miles to accrue 100%, and many of my flights between Scandinavia are less than that.
I don't really understand their "flat miles" concept, for example, with LH.
LH earnings with AA Anyone care to elaborate?
Thanks for all of your insight!