Expatbear

With all the caveats of it depends, what do you value, etc... just wondering what people's thoughts are on GUF1s. With a recent need to trek to the west coast and an unbelievable milage run deal that I'm about to book, I could get from 2600 ish TPs to 3450 before the end of my year. It requires about 24 hours of travel on the return, including a round-trip to Jersey, and of course a number of AA flights. Having never flown this much in a year, I'm unsure if they are worthwhile or not? I will be going to Oz in the next year, so it would be quite pleasant to be able to do it in First. But... are they easy enough to actually use?

The other thing I'm kicking around is whether I should do a status challenge on AA or another alliance with this trip... anyway, thoughts welcome!

mikeyfly

Well if you value it at 50k Avios - I don't think it's worth it at all. However, if you can use Propeller or similar to GUF an exEU from J to F for just over �2,000 then I think it is decent and a comfy way to get to Oz.... then again you can buy ARN-SYD on Etihad for around �1,700 at the moment, so there are many factors to consider...

arnie.

I haven't had a chance to use any of my GUF's since getting them in September (GUF2) and October (GUF1s) because the availability has never been there. That said, those have all been for work trips and I'm sure, should I look at doing something more vacation-like, I'd look for availability, rather than chancing/hoping I can get any use out of them. I guess what I'm saying is that the value of them would be subjective / dependent on how you book/prioritise your travel, more than anything.

pablol

It�s what they are worth to you (I know that sounds trite) For as Us as a family of four, they�ve been worth several thousand pounds each time as it�s meant we can go as a 4 in Club somewhere long haul in peak season - recently years Tokyo, Vancouver, LAX and Denver later this summer. Probably helps if you are GGL, and have Jokers,as we�ve found availability easy on these flights.

Mike P

Agreed, probably most valuable to GGL members as combined with Jokers, they can be very valuable.

sirkay

Agree that having jokers really brings out the value of the GUFs. We're a family of four and we managed to get ex-OSL to California in WTP in August for around 550 euros per person and then upgrade to CW. That's pretty decent value.

Geordie405

I think they are excellent value. You need to remember too that if you use a TA to book then they can also book into revenue classes without the need for Avios availability.

pablol

Sirkay - that�s a lovely use of the Gufs, well done sir.

Phil the Flyer

Mrs PtF and I are currently sitting on two GUF2s, one of which has already been the subject of a six month extension and expires in two months. As things stand, and given our strong preference for QR long-haul, they�ll probably end up being used for nothing more exciting than ET to CE upgrades. I�d sooner receive some Avios instead of GUFs.

amt

Find it near impossible for two people to burn through 3x GUF2 and 4xGUF1 every year...

Lucky to get the full value of 2, the rest? Usually end up blowing most on one ways, using GUF2 for one or on CE returns to GVA or DUB... cant even give them away to younger college age siblings/niece or nephews unless there�s avios availability.

pjh981

mikebg

Book via a TA and get vast availability

oxtailsoup

I love them! I agree it helps if you are GGL with jokers to use.

My last lot of GUFs were used to book x4 First flights from AMS-LHR-JNB for �6k in the school holidays. Those that fly to JNB will appreciate how much of a bargain that is! Plus we get TPs and Avios.

snuffi

I do not get many of these but I have used them all for WTP-CW on longhaul - CPT, AUS, and LAS were all GUF2s, and a GUF1 was used for MIA - all ex-Lon and generally using DIF as the cash fare. I have one more GUF1 to use, it expires in 3 months but you can use it for a year after that. Value wise I tend to extract about �1800-�2500 per person on them at the point I am ready to book - the South Africa flight was the best value. They are definitely worth the faff when you use a TA to book them.

Lucanesque

Trying to use them to upgrade Avios bookings, they've been useless (and therefore worthless) to me. Using a TA like Propeller to upgrade in to revenue fares they've saved me thousands ^