Will the United devaluation change your credit card strategy?
Nov 4, 2013, 6:07 pm
#62
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: DL, SPG, UA.
Posts: 230
Yes. I have been very heavy on earning UR for the past 2 years. I now may move more to the cash / fixed value programs (Citi TYP, US bank, arrival, amex) and cash back malls. If one can average more than 2% it may be worth it. While yes, miles may have better value they are not as flexible as cash. Over the past few years i have found discounted J int'l tickets that made more sense than burning miles, even if they were not on my preferred carrier. Kayaking is looking more and more appealing.
Nov 4, 2013, 11:08 pm
#63
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: FL
Programs: AAdvantage Elite Plat, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold, BA
Posts: 498
Quote:
Originally Posted by atxtravel
Maybe I'm in the minority now, but I still find UA miles immensely valuable for those of us whose main purpose of travel is to visit and enjoy as many destinations as possible around the world. I couldn't care less about "trying new product" when I fly. I'm not like some of the bloggers who spend most of their time flying or gushing over the upgraded suite, instead of getting to know the destination.
For the 14+ hours TPAC flight, sitting in coach is just too painful. We have seen enough places around the world and there is no need to go if it means to curl up in coach for longer than 10+ hours. Each extra hour above the 10th, is getting exponentially uncomfortable, to the point that could create health issue (really swollen legs and feet).
No need for F, but a flat bed is a must for those Asia / South Pacific flights. We can do Europe in coach, but not the ultra longhaul to Pacific/Indian ocean zones.
Originally Posted by atxtravel
Maybe I'm in the minority now, but I still find UA miles immensely valuable for those of us whose main purpose of travel is to visit and enjoy as many destinations as possible around the world. I couldn't care less about "trying new product" when I fly. I'm not like some of the bloggers who spend most of their time flying or gushing over the upgraded suite, instead of getting to know the destination.
For the 14+ hours TPAC flight, sitting in coach is just too painful. We have seen enough places around the world and there is no need to go if it means to curl up in coach for longer than 10+ hours. Each extra hour above the 10th, is getting exponentially uncomfortable, to the point that could create health issue (really swollen legs and feet).
No need for F, but a flat bed is a must for those Asia / South Pacific flights. We can do Europe in coach, but not the ultra longhaul to Pacific/Indian ocean zones.
Did Qantas to Australia in F and even that was exhausting!
Nov 5, 2013, 10:32 am
#64
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 74
I'm leaning towards applying to two United cards today to increase my United miles from 125k to 225k, then booking several premium flights over the next year before the devaluation hits. Can always change the dates if travel plans or availability change.
Nov 5, 2013, 10:46 am
#65
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 209
Let them know that you will be switching airlines/your disappointment https://www.facebook.com/United
Brutal. Would read again.
Nov 5, 2013, 11:46 am
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
You mean over the next 4 months, correct?
Nov 5, 2013, 12:44 pm
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I live on the East Coast and EU is usually 8 hours more or less so business is fine and low season I can deal with coach. But TPAC means long flights and that is a no-no for my back and butt. Usually Business is allright and first if it is a foreign carrier like CX or ANA.
Did Qantas to Australia in F and even that was exhausting!
Did Qantas to Australia in F and even that was exhausting!
However, TPAC is a very different animal. Not only the flight is 60% longer, but the time zone change is really hard on you. We have been in Australia and New Zealand 5 times, and similar number to Asia. So without a flat bed, it would be hard-pressed for us to go.
Our first business class long haul was on UA miles flying NZ at 90K miles booked immediately after it announced a jump to 120K. It was 2007. At that time UA miles to South Pacific were at the bargain level comparing to other programs. Also at that time NZ sill released J seats, even though it tended to be 1 at a time but you could count on it when it got to 3 to 4 months before departure. We loved their herringbone setting which was pioneered by Virgin, NZ and AC licensed from Virgin from what I understood. Gone are those days. Now NZ J probably is just as hard or even harder to get as LH F.
Nov 7, 2013, 6:22 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Scottsdale, Berlin, Wherever
Programs: Marriott titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, AS, UA, AA, TWA, PAN AM, PSA
Posts: 558
I use my cards for my business and charge close to $1 million per year on my Club card. It was worth the $400 per year fee for the extra 1/2 mile on every dollar at the old award rate. Haven't decided yet if I'm going to stay with this card when it comes time for renewal. Where my Club card has been my primary card for purchases, I am starting to place more orders on my AS and AA cards since the changes were announced.
Nov 10, 2013, 10:32 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: co AA ua
Posts: 140
I called United Explorer Chase
Explained them why it is not beneficial for me to hold the card anymore. To my surprise they gave me 15000 miles to keep the card open and keep spending. Not bad deal. I will keep it for another year. See my spending pattern. This puts me closer to another domstic ticket in coach not bad. I can fly in united by now in 6 tickets. I was lucky to redeem the trip for travel on Turkish and US Airways in business for Summer 2014. Not bad. But I still have 100,000 miles. Will shift my focus to UR Mileage Plus.
Nov 12, 2013, 8:51 pm
#72
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
Mods, I'm curious to see the numbers, any chance we can add a poll to this thread about where others might be taking their spending?
A) UA Card
B) Chase Cards
C) Membership Rewards Cards
D) Other Airline Card
E) Citi TYP
F) BarclayCard
Not sure how many options you can have....
A) UA Card
B) Chase Cards
C) Membership Rewards Cards
D) Other Airline Card
E) Citi TYP
F) BarclayCard
Not sure how many options you can have....
Nov 12, 2013, 10:02 pm
#73
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
The key is earning across the board and having options. Not putting all your spend in one basket. I have found great values not only in Sky Pesos, but even in Spirit miles if you can believe that.
Nov 13, 2013, 5:29 am
#74
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: United, Cathay, Delta, Priority Pass (gold), SPG
Posts: 100
Will the United devaluation change your credit card strategy?
This is downright depressing. Thank you flyertalk for drawing my attention to this. Been saving up for a lovely trip to the us. Now that trip will cost me almost 30 percent more
Nov 13, 2013, 6:31 am
#75
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887