FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - New Job Requires Frequent Travel; What programs should I sign up for?
Old Mar 30, 2011, 7:21 pm
  #10  
jkburns1
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: PWM/MHT/BOS
Programs: UA (lame duck)1K, US Plat,HHonors Diamond, PC Plat, SPG Plat, MR Platinum
Posts: 605
Originally Posted by 747freightPilot
There's really no way to know how many miles I'll fly per year.

On average I would suspect 4 domestic legs per month. I'm sure there will be an occasional business class international long-haul flight too, maybe one every second or third month (they have to give us business or better on int'l).

My primary goal is to get upgrades on domestic legs. I can still jump seat on any carrier domestically in my leisure time so I'm not so worried about free tickets.

I'm going to make my first objective to get status on Continental. If they end up booking me on airways more than everyone else I'll look at going with them instead later.
I'd go w/ the CO as well.. Keep in mind, remember to use your Onepass FF # when booking on the US flights so it credits properly. I prob fly as many or more US flights on my CO. I've heard from many that rewards avail on US vs. CO is absolutely horrid. I can't say I've ever had any trouble finding reward availability on CO.

Only downside is no upgrades on the US w/ my CO status and same day changes cost me $50 on US vs $25 as Gold on CO.(depending on airport - the smaller ones it seems like both airlines rarely charge me a penny when I ask nicely for a no change-fee) Once you achieve Gold on CO you also get the double bonus on miles which US as *A Gold will only give you 150% bonus.

I short haul so the difference is 750 miles credit per segment on US vs the 1000 I get per segment on CO. Sounds like you will have longer hauls and may have a more significant difference.
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