Originally Posted by
jks74
(1) What is your home airport? NRT or HND in Japan (PHX in the US)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? mostly economy with some business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? >50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? US Air Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? upgrades, lounges, and reward travel
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? HND to PHX
(7) Preferred Airlines - ANA and US Air (I don't like UA coach seats)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mostly work, usually fly coach unless I find a good price on business class or economy plus.
I've recently moved to Japan. I signed up for ANA frequent flyer program, but I'm thinking maybe I should go with UA. I'm from Phoenix so I have used US Air in the past. I also have a wife and 4 kids who will each get about 20k miles to 40k miles a year. So I'm looking for advice for myself and my family. We plan to be in Japan for around 5 years.
Thanks for the help.
Welcome to FT jks74!
One reason you should consider UA is that as a UA elite, you get free access to economy plus seats on UA/CO. These seats do have lots more legroom (but not extra recline or footrests).. The other consideration is that you can get one companion in economy plus as well. (they wont let all the 6 of you get E-plus for free).
I think ANA's E-plus is actually a better seat. But, I doubt if you get free access even as ANA elite. (Please check that fact on ANA website).
As a UA Elite, you stand a very very small chance to also get an operational upgrade. However, the 1K and GS members will be ahead of you in that line.