Use UR points USA-Japan [Consolidated]
Mar 21, 2017, 12:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Also, just keep in mind that NH availability through UA tends to drop off pretty quickly about 4 months before departure. Just be sure to book early and be flexible. BR and OZ awards tend to stick around longer.
Mar 21, 2017, 2:09 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Mar 21, 2017, 6:33 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,369
Mar 22, 2017, 7:22 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,740
While SQ no longer charges YQ on its metal, it also eliminates the online booking discount. So Net Net, it is actually worse on the limited international routes SQ flies, assuming those are the routes that most flyers here are interested in.
In fact I think SQ sent out an email to that effect a week or so ago but I deleted it already.
Mar 27, 2017, 8:49 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
Virgin Atlantic is the cheaper way to do it from a miles standpoint, but you have to deal with the Virgin Atlantic phone agents.
United works, but the cost can be 2x what Virgin is.
Neil
United works, but the cost can be 2x what Virgin is.
Neil
Mar 31, 2017, 2:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,092
Mar 31, 2017, 7:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
I guess a better question is why use virgin as the partner airline to redeem through?
Last edited by gumercindo; Mar 31, 2017 at 7:54 pm
Mar 31, 2017, 7:56 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
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It appears from the discussion above that Virgin Atlantic charges fewer miles than United does for the exact same redemption on ANA -- at least on certain routes. (See Post # 10.)
Apr 1, 2017, 9:41 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,740
The YQ amount depends on routes. Apparently the specific ANA route costs 50% of the miles with Virgin and the YQ is reasonable.
With alliances and partner airlines and the myriad of transferrability from flexible currencies, there are many many ways to redeem miles for a particular route. Some are much cheaper than the others. It is truly "Not all Miles are Created Equal". It is up to the consumer to figure out which way would be the most advantageous in a certain situation.