I'm new to this forum -- an American expat living in Taipei. Most of my FF miles are with UA. Last Xmas, I paid about $1900 and used miles to upgrade TPE-SFO-JFK. I was waitlisted, but all the upgrades came through on all the int'l and domestic flights.

This summer, my travel agent tells me that UA will charge $1710, plus $500 payable at the airport for each over the water leg where an upgrade is available (or $2710). I could also pay $2100 up front, and then $350 for each available upgrade (or $2800).

No domestic upgrade is included.

UA says this lets passengers pay a lower fare and only pay if the upgrades come through -- true, but the final cost is much higher than I paid in December.

A reduced biz fare ticket is only $3100, but would not cover a leg of my domestic travel. Still, I would be earning miles, not giving them up.

What are people using miles for these days? Hotels? Cars? It seems that my miles have been seriously downgraded. Are they worth collecting? I have a Chase Visa card that give me UA miles.

Should I redirect my focus to Asian carriers? I have a Citi Visa card that gives me AA miles which I can use on Cathay.

Advice is welcome. Thanks.

My miles will only be for award travel from now on, no upgrades :-(

Thanks - very interesting. It's been really discouraging to watch my benefits disappear. I'm looking into free flights.