How would you finish out your year?
Aug 26, 2005 | 3:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and some airport, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 3,516
How would you finish out your year?
I'm trying to decide how to finish out my airline year and am hoping that y'all who are far more intelligent (and probably better looking 
) than me can offer some suggestions.
The background: I'm PHL-based, travel domestically for business every week and split my time as roughly 50% east coast/30% central/20% western. My flying is generally unrestricted coach, more often than not Y/B-type. (unless AA is making my butt hurt with K and L unrestricted fares...
)
Currently I'm sitting on:
AA: Platinum w/60k Q-points (45 segments, but that doesn't really matter) and an AC membership
UA: 1P w/22k EQMs this year so far on 17 segments
US: Already qualified for CP through 2/07 thanks to a promo
For the remainder of the year I have probably 40-50k elite miles to go. Where would you allocate the remainder? Consolidate on US? Bump up UA? Make a run at EXP?
Thanks for your thoughts.
) than me can offer some suggestions. The background: I'm PHL-based, travel domestically for business every week and split my time as roughly 50% east coast/30% central/20% western. My flying is generally unrestricted coach, more often than not Y/B-type. (unless AA is making my butt hurt with K and L unrestricted fares...
)Currently I'm sitting on:
AA: Platinum w/60k Q-points (45 segments, but that doesn't really matter) and an AC membership
UA: 1P w/22k EQMs this year so far on 17 segments
US: Already qualified for CP through 2/07 thanks to a promo
For the remainder of the year I have probably 40-50k elite miles to go. Where would you allocate the remainder? Consolidate on US? Bump up UA? Make a run at EXP?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Aug 26, 2005 | 3:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hertz Plat
Posts: 1,224
If you are already re-qual'ed for CP on US, then why not re-qualify for 1P on UA? If you can get flights on UA metal (hard to do out of PHL, I'll bet), you would get some 500 mile upgrades and have a decent chance of them clearing by being 1P. Otherwise, ditch the UA (since you can get E+ seating on UA metal with CP) and go for EXP.
Aug 26, 2005 | 5:31 pm
#5
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
The answer is in next years travel
I'd look at my needs for next year as far as award travel. Am I flying the kids, SO, friends, myself on award tickets or will need more upgrades, and need more total miles?? I'd be inclined to take the most bonus miles available on my highest level status as of now.
Aug 27, 2005 | 6:47 pm
#7
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
EXP! Think of all the free domestic upgrades (I've cleared 66 out of 70 requests as of this weekend, since the program started last year).
Tom in Washington DC this weekend
Tom in Washington DC this weekend
Aug 30, 2005 | 1:00 am
#8
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX AA:EXP,3.1mm, CO 800k
Posts: 430
Originally Posted by McFlyPHL
I'm trying to decide how to finish out my airline year and am hoping that y'all who are far more intelligent (and probably better looking ) than me can offer some suggestions.
The background: I'm PHL-based, travel domestically for business every week and split my time as roughly 50% east coast/30% central/20% western. My flying is generally unrestricted coach, more often than not Y/B-type. (unless AA is making my butt hurt with K and L unrestricted fares... )
Currently I'm sitting on:
AA: Platinum w/60k Q-points (45 segments, but that doesn't really matter) and an AC membership
UA: 1P w/22k EQMs this year so far on 17 segments
US: Already qualified for CP through 2/07 thanks to a promo
For the remainder of the year I have probably 40-50k elite miles to go. Where would you allocate the remainder? Consolidate on US? Bump up UA? Make a run at EXP?
Thanks for your thoughts.
) than me can offer some suggestions. The background: I'm PHL-based, travel domestically for business every week and split my time as roughly 50% east coast/30% central/20% western. My flying is generally unrestricted coach, more often than not Y/B-type. (unless AA is making my butt hurt with K and L unrestricted fares...
)Currently I'm sitting on:
AA: Platinum w/60k Q-points (45 segments, but that doesn't really matter) and an AC membership
UA: 1P w/22k EQMs this year so far on 17 segments
US: Already qualified for CP through 2/07 thanks to a promo
For the remainder of the year I have probably 40-50k elite miles to go. Where would you allocate the remainder? Consolidate on US? Bump up UA? Make a run at EXP?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Sep 1, 2005 | 2:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SNA
Programs: AA ExPlat 5MM, Lifetime Marriott Titanium Platinum Elite
Posts: 61
No doubt in my mind...EXP
Out of 60+ segments this year I've been upgraded probably 45-50. Also as someone else mentioned, the VIP's are great for Europe
Caltraveler
Out of 60+ segments this year I've been upgraded probably 45-50. Also as someone else mentioned, the VIP's are great for Europe
Caltraveler
Sep 2, 2005 | 2:47 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,037
As long as AA continues to fit your travel patterns about as well as any other airline (excepting US; they're not part of the question) - go for EXP.
Last edited by Efrem; Sep 6, 2005 at 6:45 am Reason: fix a typo