Value of SWUs?
Dec 18, 2010 | 12:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 614
Value of SWUs?
I'm about 14K away from the 4 SWUs for hitting 100K EQM, and I'm looking at a possible mileage run / vacation, but probably won't do it.
Still, for next year in planning out a goal, what do you think the value of the SWUs are? If they can be used to go from discount economy to BF that's incredible value... Depending on how easy they are to redeem, though.
Still, for next year in planning out a goal, what do you think the value of the SWUs are? If they can be used to go from discount economy to BF that's incredible value... Depending on how easy they are to redeem, though.
Dec 18, 2010 | 12:47 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London, England
Programs: OnePass Platinum, *G, Amex Plat, Priority Pass Prestige, Costa Coffee Loyalty Card
Posts: 378
This year, they redeem up from any class. Starting next year, it'll only redeem up from the W fare bucket.
Here's my value calculation for next year's tickets:
W = cost of a W ticket
L = cost of cheapest available ticket on the route
P = processing cost of a miles upgrade on the cheapest ticket
M = value of 20,000 miles to you (for me, $0)
V = value of the SWU
L + P + M = Total personal cost of a miles upgrade
W + V = Total cost of the SWU-based upgrade
L + P + M = W + V (Since both give the same outcome, and V is variable)
Therefore,
L + P + M - W = V
And yes, I am sure there are routes for which V resolves to a negative value. Good work, Smisek.
Here's my value calculation for next year's tickets:
W = cost of a W ticket
L = cost of cheapest available ticket on the route
P = processing cost of a miles upgrade on the cheapest ticket
M = value of 20,000 miles to you (for me, $0)
V = value of the SWU
L + P + M = Total personal cost of a miles upgrade
W + V = Total cost of the SWU-based upgrade
L + P + M = W + V (Since both give the same outcome, and V is variable)
Therefore,
L + P + M - W = V
And yes, I am sure there are routes for which V resolves to a negative value. Good work, Smisek.
Dec 18, 2010 | 1:26 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PacNW (SEA)
Programs: AS, IHG and post-loyal
Posts: 614
Good work indeed Smisek. Thanks for the thoughts there. Wasn't aware of the W restriction, that definitely lowers the value.
Dec 18, 2010 | 2:04 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London, England
Programs: OnePass Platinum, *G, Amex Plat, Priority Pass Prestige, Costa Coffee Loyalty Card
Posts: 378
W restriction doesn't apply to this year's SWUs, but it will next time around. It's one more "change that we think you'll like".
To be fair, the other side of the coin is that in future, SWUs won't book into R, but into any available F seats, so availability of confirmed-at-booking upgrades should increase on the most heavily used routes.
To be fair, the other side of the coin is that in future, SWUs won't book into R, but into any available F seats, so availability of confirmed-at-booking upgrades should increase on the most heavily used routes.
Dec 18, 2010 | 5:35 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The trade-off is more SWUs (6 to start and more as you accrue more EQMs), not that the new ones are easier to use in any way.
Dec 18, 2010 | 6:39 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
I'm 2/2 with SWU so far, so I am well pleased with them. I was 3/3, but I cancelled one of the trips before departure, so back to 2/2.
GLA-EWR
EWR-NRT
NRT-EWR
Good stuff in my book
GLA-EWR
EWR-NRT
NRT-EWR
Good stuff in my book
Dec 18, 2010 | 6:50 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vancouver, Houston
Programs: UA-Perma Plat, Hyatt-Sucks, HHonors - Dia., Marriott - Gold
Posts: 438
......
Last edited by GeoMedic; Dec 18, 2010 at 6:57 pm Reason: removed
Dec 18, 2010 | 7:27 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: USA
Programs: UA Silver SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 538
Can anyone quantify the dollar value of a SWU? I realize it depends on the person, however a United SWU is generally traded for $250-300 (gift card, or travel voucher)
Dec 18, 2010 | 8:37 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: One Pass Silver, UA Premier
Posts: 152
Also, I'm curious as to when I'll be able to see the "tab" (the one you get to see if you post 90 times before 90 days or something). I forgot the name, lol.
Last edited by c1ue1ess88; Dec 18, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Dec 18, 2010 | 9:04 pm
#10
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,070
If anyone has 2 SWU's they can't use or if they're expiring soon I am flying from PEK-MSY and would like to offer a 250 gift card for each. Sorry if this isn't allowed, as I'm still rather new to Flyertalk. Being 6'3 and sitting in economy isn't the greatest feeling in the world, if you know what i mean. 
Also, I'm curious as to when I'll be able to see the "tab" (the one you get to see if you post 90 times before 90 days or something). I forgot the name, lol.
Also, I'm curious as to when I'll be able to see the "tab" (the one you get to see if you post 90 times before 90 days or something). I forgot the name, lol.
And FYI: I would recommend modifying your original post, as you're not allowed to use forums other than the CC for 'bartering.'
Dec 18, 2010 | 9:10 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP 75K, DL Diamond, LH SEN, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 2,360
If anyone has 2 SWU's they can't use or if they're expiring soon I am flying from PEK-MSY and would like to offer a 250 gift card for each. Sorry if this isn't allowed, as I'm still rather new to Flyertalk. Being 6'3 and sitting in economy isn't the greatest feeling in the world, if you know what i mean.
Also, I'm curious as to when I'll be able to see the "tab" (the one you get to see if you post 90 times before 90 days or something). I forgot the name, lol.
Also, I'm curious as to when I'll be able to see the "tab" (the one you get to see if you post 90 times before 90 days or something). I forgot the name, lol.
Dec 19, 2010 | 2:46 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London, England
Programs: OnePass Platinum, *G, Amex Plat, Priority Pass Prestige, Costa Coffee Loyalty Card
Posts: 378
I believe this to be wholly and completely false. Please provide a source that suggests SWU-based upgrades will not continue to be capacity controlled.
The trade-off is more SWUs (6 to start and more as you accrue more EQMs), not that the new ones are easier to use in any way.
The trade-off is more SWUs (6 to start and more as you accrue more EQMs), not that the new ones are easier to use in any way.
I was clearly remembering a port and cheese-induced dream from my most recent LHR-IAH.