FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Best value usage of UA miles in 2023
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Old Jul 13, 2023 | 6:23 pm
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moondog
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Originally Posted by nacho
I think UA miles are great for intra-Asia flights.
Intra-Asia is my preferred redemption set these days. Since there isn't a published award chart, I've resorted to trial and error to attempt to figure out the formula. I don't have my spreadsheet handy now (on my phone), but here are few general points I recall:
  • I think they use distance bands, and the cheapest is 8500 miles*, next is about 15000 miles
  • Business seems to cost a little less than double economy
  • But, the key to unlocking value is to book round trips because the return segment is only around 2000 additional miles (for economy)
  • I emphasize this because none of my other points have this feature, and I haven't seen UA offer it in other markets either
  • Open jaws sort of conform with this pricing, but require more experimentation
*ETA: I have not researched any really short flights (e.g. ITM-HND), and these are possibly cheaper than 8500 miles, but 8500 is the price for SHA-SEL (544 miles).

Last edited by moondog; Jul 13, 2023 at 9:48 pm
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