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Originally Posted by Bokito
Hi All,
Couldn't find my answers in the research, so I plead for direct assessment:
I am about to purchase two tix for my folks to travel CLE>(ORD)>LHR and return BCN/MAD>(?)>CLE (40th anniversary; coming to see me in London and sister in Spain.)
Plan is to pay via my Capital One Venture rewards in order to max out return for personal travel. (This purchase will kick in my 40k miles bonus.) I am London-based and eyeing a trip to Hong Kong/ SE asia trip this spring.
Currently have 20,290 Avios, (BA Bronze) 19,270 Sky Miles (UA Peasant/Steerage) My simple question; should I book with BA or UA to maximize return (generally, free/cheaper flights, maybe an upgrade) on this purchase? Thanks very much for the help!
You won't earn any of the flown miles just by purchasing the tickets. Flown miles are only accrued by the passengers on the flights. You will earn points or miles based solely on the form of payment you use to buy the tickets.
As
nux points out, BAEC offers a Household Account that allows for pooling of Avios, but I believe that every member of an HHA must register from the same address.
"Sky Miles" is the Delta brand; "Mileage Plus" is the United brand.
With the upcoming devaluation of the BAEC program for long-haul travel in premium cabins (coupled with BAEC's hefty surcharges), I would think about accruing miles in some other program -- like AA's or UA's -- if that is a realistic option for you. In fact, sometimes just
buying the miles you need directly from the airline will be cost effective if you're looking for long-haul travel in a premium cabin. (AA and UA frequently run sales on their miles.)