FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Split outbound and inbound across different programs?
Thread: Split outbound and inbound across different programs?
View Single Post
Old Feb 10, 2019 | 10:05 pm
  #3  
Stgermainparis
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 6,227
Originally Posted by Yoshi212
I've had 3 big trips this year (May 2018-April 2019) and all 3 were splits. First was B6 (positioning to West Coast), AA (West Coast to Europe in J), BA intraEurope & VS PE back to JFK. Second was AS (JFK-PDX & NH (PDX-SFO-TPE, TPE-PVG, HKG-HND, NRT-ICN, ICN-JFK) and the third will be UA (to West Coast, Excursionist perk flight in EU, Additional miles flight in EU & EU-JFK), AA (West Coast to Europe in J), BA (intraEurope).

The second trip to Asia was mostly via NH and the greatest return on my points in value but having some points in different programs increases flexibility and routing opportunities.

If it's between 2 1-ways on UA or a split between UA & AA it's about best schedule and reduced potential fees for changes and/or preferred seating. In your case, it's a balance between not having to potentially pay that $175 in additional fees or having miles in a different program that could be used for positioning or a different 1-way for a future award trip with restricted space. From what you've said..burn the AA miles.
Some great trips you’ve done. And in J. Nice. I’m grateful for the validation re split programs bc that’s how I was leaning. And actually I mis typed. AA is $175 cheaper. So another reason to do it.

Weighing flexibilty with strength in numbers is delicate. But I think we both incline the same way. I started thinking about the split bc UA worked ideally in one direction but not other.

Still curious what others do.
Stgermainparis is offline  
Reply