Which program to choose?
 

In January I will begin a new Job in Tokyo that will bring me home to New York 2 or 3 times per year. Additionally, I will take a few inter-Asia trips.

All told, possible 50,000 miles per year, all coach. It appears that both United and Northwest could handle all of my trips.

Questions:

1) Is it worth it for me to try and focus on one airline for their mid-level elite status? Are the benefits really worthwhile in the mid-level teirs?

2) Which airline, if any, would you choose in my position?

3) Any other musings/advice from USA to Asia road warriors will be appreciated!

Thanks!

auh2064

Aggg.....my name..some stole my name! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Sorry mate, I thought it was obscure enough! My version (w/ year) was a bumper sticker in my friends basement that puzzled us kids for years...now an inside joke here.

Cheers,

*auh2064

Welcome to Flyertalk and I am sure someone can help you with your question but I hope you are not like the above auh2o. One Goldwater in my life is quite enough. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

auh2064 -

email me... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Some random thoughts:
- definitely worth it to try to achieve mid-level elite in one program. Checking in in non-elite lines in Asia is time-consuming. Extra luggage allowance will come in handy when not flying to the US
- NW and UA are your best bets. One of their main advantage is the low price of intra-Asian awards, pretty much the lowest around. The 30K C award is a great value.
- another is that they grant full mileage for GIT tickets, which are the cheapest ones out of Japan.
- any elite status on UA will get you an E+ seat on aircraft which have them.
- Silver elite on NW gets you a 50% bonus, vs. 25% on UA. 100% bonus for Golds on both.
- UA has many Asian partners with good coverage out of NRT: NH, SQ, TG, OZ. NW currently has MH, should have KE next year, CO Micronesia, Garuda. Advantage UA, except for the fact MH has the best Y product of the above carriers, with two relatively empty 772 daily between NRT and KUL.
- for personal trips to SE Asia, you'll find Tokyo discounters have the best prices and most offers on NW, UA, TG, and SQ, usually.


I'm sure others can provide more comprehensive comparisons between Mileage Plus and Worldperks.

just my two cents, but i would go with united solely because of the economy plus seating. if you're going to do all that travel on coach fares, then you will likely come to appreciate the extra room in economy plus.

Thank you Monahos and Rives21, I appreciate your insights!

I'm also Asia based (PNH), and will hit UA Gold level in the next few weeks.

In addition to the mileage bonus and extra luggage allowance, etc., a key feature for me is lounge access to Star Alliance carrier lounges -- since I find myself spending a fair amount of time waiting in transit in airports, regardless of whether I'm flying to/from the US, Europe or other points in Asia (there aren't too many direct flights from PNH to anywhere). Of course, from NRT, YMMV.

I agree with the poster above that MH has the best Y product, but for me the other Star carriers (especially for SE Asia -- TG, SQ, etc.) and the corresponding inter-Asian awards pushed me towards UA. Again, though, ex-NRT YMMV.

- Michael

I also recommend UA, but depending on where you are flying, flying coach on another STAR Alliance airline might be a better option (NH, SQ) as they will give you more room and better service.

It is my understanding that Econ Plus is not available on most UA trans-pac 777s ... which, is what UA flys NRT-JFK non-stop and many intra-Asia routes. All UA 747s have it but then you will not have a PTV at each seat.

All that said, UA, no matter what configuration, is better than NWA ... at least until they start putting their new A330s into NRT. In addition, on intra-asia routes, if you restrict yourself to NWA, you will be stuck on narrowbody aircraft to many destinations leave yourself with only one flight a day on which to accrue NWA miles. With NH (ANA) you have tons of choices out of Tokyo to get your UA miles.

One disadvantage of both NW and UA flights to Asia out of Narita is that they are timed to connect to incoming flights from the US. For the destinations farther from Japan (SIN, BKK, etc.) that means a very late arrival (and a very early departure when returning).

As for the partners, Star Alliance does have more in NRT, with a resulting day and evening flight to the major destinations.

However, JL and NH tickets easily cost Y10-20,000 more from the discounters, as many Japanese prefer to fly their own carriers. Their lower fare classes also sell out much earlier, making them an uneconomical proposition. NW's, perhaps because of its local perception as a no-frills carrier with older planes, are probably the easiest to get.

As for SQ, their pitch in Y is definitely among the stingiest at 31". JL is also pretty tight, NH somewhat better. KE and TG have a generous 34", but very basic seats.

From my experience working in Japan, the only thing you'll want to do inflight is to catch up on sleep immediately. Aim for legroom and less crowded flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

NW also has pretty active marketing in Japan, running more promotions (miles and status) for its local members than UA, which may have its hands tied because of local partner NH. Visit NW's Japan site for details and special offers for its Asian elites; Asian NW Golds get better lounge access than US ones, IIRC (e.g. free Worldclub access in the US).

Also, expect to compete with millions of Japanese Star Alliance elites out of NRT http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif


Which brings up another possibility: ANA's FFP, which is not particularly competitive (miles expire after 3 years, among others), but has two unusual benefits:
- free upgrades to their premium economy section on a space-available basis for their own elites (and full fares), on planes so equipped. Something like 2-4-2 and 38" pitch on a 747, IIRC.
- one of the few remaining airlines to which one can transfer Amex MR miles, if you have a US-issued Amex.

[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 10-26-2003).]

I'd go with AA. They focus their Asia services on Tokyo; it would be perfect for you. You'll always get the more room throughout coach on the 777s.