Originally Posted by tom911

The one thing you have to consider about UA at SFO is that they have frequent service between LAX and SFO, so you can always time those international connections, particularly during our rainy season (more rain due Wednesday), to fly into SFO a few hours early (thinking at least 4 hour connections this time of year). Would save you a lot of aggravation if you misconnect. I know one Reno flyer that misconnected last year, in upgraded business to Asia, and the best UA could do was route him on a partner in coach when he misconnected. If you're not ready to deal with that a couple times a year, UA at SFO is probably not for you, though that doesn't rule out UA partners that might fly to Asia from LAX. Chances are you're not going to get the extra legroom you might see as an elite flyer on UA, but you would avoid SFO.

Let me toss out another wild card for you (and my primary carrier these days): Alaska. They have different earning rates on partners which include Cathay, JAL, Singapore, Hainan and AA (AA accrues miles only on international flights). Some of the cheap Cathay fares bring in some minimal miles (25-50%), and Qantas, who I regularly fly, brings in 100% miles on economy fares, based on distance, plus your Alaska elite bonus. A mid tier Alaska flyer accrues 30,000 miles on a west coast-SYD discount economy ticket, as an example. Look at the Alaska partner chart and see if you could make partners work on the routes you fly. The various fare classes are spelled out pretty clearly. Some of Alaska's award tickets are less than what AA and UA charge, too (F to/from Australia is 70K on Alaska while the same seat is 110K on AA).
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...rline-partners