DC or UA
 

I will b racking up a significant amount of miles in the next 18 months or so. Monthly travel SIN to TPA, via London on separate bookings and all on *A. Now I had been all set to dump all miles to UA but just been checking DC and it seems as if I can earn more and burn less with DC???? I am I reading this right or is there something fundamental I am missing. I will earn enough to get 1K and the 6 SWU but I'm not sure how valuable these may really be????
Any thoughts?

Thanks

What is DC?

1K status and the SWU's will be valuable if you intend to fly your TATL segments on UA metal. SWU's can also have limited (standby) use on LH, but the whole London thing probably kills off your chances of using LH.

1K status basically functions as Star Gold on partner airlines. I've never gotten the sense that any "non-native" Star Gold status is better than any other. (That is, my experiences flying LH as a UA 1P and UA 1K haven't really been any different.)

That's my question as well.

OP, do you mean Diners Club? I don't know any airline with a code name DC.

Sounds like bmi's Diamond Club.

Lower requirements for elite levels and very flexible awards. With the recent LH takeover it is unclear how much of that generous program will remain intact. You can read more in the bmi forum.

Sorry folks, DC is Diamond Club, BMI's FF program. I am *A gold with them and looks like I can earn at 2X for Z class and 3X for A class, whereas it looks like 1.5X for UA and CO???? They also offer monthly 25% bonus for partner miles accrued.

If you fly premium cabins, DC and M&M are probably the best options in *A. UA is good for Coach flyers, as almost all fares earn miles, and most fares earn 100%.

+1.

Paid premium cabin is right in the sweet spot for BM's program. If you're buying mostly Z and A I'd probably stay there. Does you client still pay for premium cabin when Z and A are not available?

Discounted coach is in the sweet spot for UA. No fare minimum for elites to sit in E+, a 35-36" pitch seat. For TATL, the buy-up to a SWU-able fare is modest: in summer 2009, it was about $100 each way from the lowest available major-alliance fare on a similar itin. In Fall 2009, it was about $70 each way.