Could someone please advise on which program to choose: Miles&More or United Plus? I fly often (business class) from the IAD to Europe and Africa. Both United and Lufthansa does transatlantic, but only Lufthansa goes further. I also fly from IAD to to Asia, where United and other *A are the choices. Which ariline's FF program is better? (Awards to Europe/Africa, upgrades, lounges, treatment of "elite" members, etc.)
Much appreciated.

If you were buying Y tickets, the answer would be easy: M+ is much more generous to low fare customers. If you were buying F tickets, the answer would also be easy, M&M is much more generous to high fare customers.

If you were going to be flying only UA and (transAtlantic only) LH, then it would be a tough choice. However, because M&M will give you 250% of actual flight miles for paid C when you fly beyond FRA or on *A partners and M+ would give you only 125% of actual flight miles in such cases, M&M is the better choice for you.

If you'll be flying on SQ (which I recommend doing), be aware that you can credit PPS segments to SQ's program while crediting miles to another *A program.

It wouldn't hurt to have a look at: BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Comparison Chart

[Edited for spelling.]

[This message has been edited by zvezda (edited 05-18-2003).]

Thanks very much. It is indeed a tough choice. Things sort of point toward choosing M&M.
BUT, something else made me hesitate--currently I am a BA Executive Club Gold member and plan to leave them because of the 7/1/03 changes to EC). So I asked both M&M and M+ whether they will/can comp me to an equivalent *A gold. M&M said "sorry, no". M+ said we will be glad to give you Premier Executive.
So, M&M is probably the better choice for miles earning capabilities, but M+ will comp me to *A gold. Perhaps I should not care about the comp--I'll earn higher status with M&M pretty soon anyway, am I right? My next trip is in July on UA in First IAD-ORD-NRT-BKK (roundtrip).
Probably the most important factor for me is the amount of miles needed for an award from North America to South Africa. On M&M's website, it looks like it is 180000 miles for business class. On M+ website, it says 120000 miles (on *A members). It's a bit strange that they are different, I think, or is that correct. (BA is going to ask 180000 from 7/1/03 too--up from 110000--which is one of the reasons I am leaving. If M&M is also asking 180000, what's the point of leaving, I wonder?)
As you can see, I have no clue what to decide. Advice would be most welcome. Thanks!

If you don't now where your going, then any road will get you there.

Seem like the choices are so close for your consideration, that you can't go too wrong staying put until something comes along that makes the choice more clear cut???

Never mind. I missed the part about the miles needed for the awards you want.

Though, no real reason to turn down the comp on UA, is there? It will get you Star Gold status immediately. Then, you still have all the same choices. The only downside there is that the comp might be a one time only thing.

-David


[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 05-22-2003).]

Many awards require more M&M miles than M+ miles. However, given your flying, you will earn M&M miles faster than M+ miles.

Take the comp from UA. Then even if you choose M&M, you will have *G status from the start.

Also, if you're flying UA, LH SEN status gets you into the Red Carpet Club. UA 1K status does not.

If you don't fly much on SQ, also take a look at BMI's Diamond Club. The new changes make it attractive for high revenue flyers.