Originally Posted by
emcampbe
NZ indeed has the lower fare, but given you're looking for PQD, presumably you're also looking for PQM/PQS. Doing a search, its notable that the $1446 fare on NZ, books into L class and that won't help you there either - L class on NZ doesn't earn mileage at all. Would it have made you feel better to book the cheaper ticket, and then find out you don't earn mileage at all?
Personally, I would rather book L class on NZ, and get the PQD (but no PQM). Then, this would basically entitle me to mileage run at least 14660 miles without worrying about PQD (even if UA has another computer glitch that gives tickets away entirely for free, I'd be able to do this). It's ALWAYS better to get the PQD even if it doesn't have PQM attached to it - it entitles you to MR more later on.