Advice needed - AA vs UA
Aug 19, 2012 | 6:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
Advice needed - AA vs UA
Getting ready to apply for my first rewards card - not sure which way to go -
GOAL - have enough points to get two RT flights from CLT-DUB/LON-CLT using reward points. I saw that AA awards begin at 20K for econ and UA begins at 30K for econ for late Apr-mid May; economy is okay at this point for us as a starting point - which card(s) should I apply for since AA and UA are in different alliances - thanks!
GOAL - have enough points to get two RT flights from CLT-DUB/LON-CLT using reward points. I saw that AA awards begin at 20K for econ and UA begins at 30K for econ for late Apr-mid May; economy is okay at this point for us as a starting point - which card(s) should I apply for since AA and UA are in different alliances - thanks!
Aug 19, 2012 | 8:13 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 34,988
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
If you can meet the spend requirements, why not apply for both cards? Or better yet, for two AA cards -- using the two-browser technique described in the Citi/AA thread -- and for the UA card? Keep in mind that you would have to accumulate 60,000 UA miles to redeem for two one-ways or one roundtrip.
Remember that both AA miles and UA miles can be redeemed for one-way awards.
Also, note that your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you fly into LON and out of DUB.
Finally, if you are willing/able to depart from RDU, AA has a nonstop between RDU and LHR.
If you can meet the spend requirements, why not apply for both cards? Or better yet, for two AA cards -- using the two-browser technique described in the Citi/AA thread -- and for the UA card? Keep in mind that you would have to accumulate 60,000 UA miles to redeem for two one-ways or one roundtrip.
Remember that both AA miles and UA miles can be redeemed for one-way awards.
Also, note that your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you fly into LON and out of DUB.
Finally, if you are willing/able to depart from RDU, AA has a nonstop between RDU and LHR.
Aug 19, 2012 | 8:51 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
If you can meet the spend requirements, why not apply for both cards? Or better yet, for two AA cards -- using the two-browser technique described in the Citi/AA thread -- and for the UA card? Keep in mind that you would have to accumulate 60,000 UA miles to redeem for two one-ways or one roundtrip.
Remember that both AA miles and UA miles can be redeemed for one-way awards.
Also, note that your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you fly into LON and out of DUB.
Finally, if you are willing/able to depart from RDU, AA has a nonstop between RDU and LHR.
If you can meet the spend requirements, why not apply for both cards? Or better yet, for two AA cards -- using the two-browser technique described in the Citi/AA thread -- and for the UA card? Keep in mind that you would have to accumulate 60,000 UA miles to redeem for two one-ways or one roundtrip.
Remember that both AA miles and UA miles can be redeemed for one-way awards.
Also, note that your out-of-pocket costs will be lower if you fly into LON and out of DUB.
Finally, if you are willing/able to depart from RDU, AA has a nonstop between RDU and LHR.
Aug 19, 2012 | 10:28 pm
#4
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Aug 19, 2012 | 10:30 pm
#5
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
You can purchase a rail/ferry ticket to get between London and Dublin for about 40 pounds ($60) which is a pretty good value. I did that again last year. Takes about 8 hours and it's a pretty scenic train ride once you hit Wales (ferry departs from Holyhead).
Aug 20, 2012 | 7:52 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,568
If you have a good credit score and can hit the min spends, I'd say do:
1. the two browser trick for Citi
2. then maybe the starwood personal and biz cards
3. if you're feeling up for it the chase sapphire preferred and ink bold from chase
This would net you quite a few miles. Not to mention you'd be able to transfer the SPG to many airlines and the ultimate rewards to UA, for example, and have miles in multiple programs that allow one ways (in case there's an issue with availability). Always good to diversify.
1. the two browser trick for Citi
2. then maybe the starwood personal and biz cards
3. if you're feeling up for it the chase sapphire preferred and ink bold from chase
This would net you quite a few miles. Not to mention you'd be able to transfer the SPG to many airlines and the ultimate rewards to UA, for example, and have miles in multiple programs that allow one ways (in case there's an issue with availability). Always good to diversify.
Aug 20, 2012 | 8:35 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 366
If you have a good credit score and can hit the min spends, I'd say do:
1. the two browser trick for Citi
2. then maybe the starwood personal and biz cards
3. if you're feeling up for it the chase sapphire preferred and ink bold from chase
This would net you quite a few miles. Not to mention you'd be able to transfer the SPG to many airlines and the ultimate rewards to UA, for example, and have miles in multiple programs that allow one ways (in case there's an issue with availability). Always good to diversify.
1. the two browser trick for Citi
2. then maybe the starwood personal and biz cards
3. if you're feeling up for it the chase sapphire preferred and ink bold from chase
This would net you quite a few miles. Not to mention you'd be able to transfer the SPG to many airlines and the ultimate rewards to UA, for example, and have miles in multiple programs that allow one ways (in case there's an issue with availability). Always good to diversify.
Big caveat: make sure you check availability. I've found AA to be pretty good in the off season in some markets, but you'll want to check availability now. And then get the miles and book ASAP.