Status vs Non-Restrictive Travel
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,238
Status vs Non-Restrictive Travel
I was hoping to get your opinions on something I've been pondering...
Basically how important/helpful is your status to you?
Here is my situation:
I have been flying UA so far this year (only 4 EQS), and currently have $2200 in vouchers, valid for UA metal only.
I am about to receive another $2700 in vouchers and have the option between choosing UA or AA (a story for other threads..)
Do I
a) Choose UA so that I will continue to fly only UA and have status, but be restricted to their routings and destinations they serve
or
b) Choose AA so I can choose where I want to go and which carrier will serve me best, but will probably not manage to get elite status on either airline
A little more background:
UA vouchers will only allow me to fly to destinations they serve on their metal. That means if I want to fly to TLV, AKL, PRG I am out of luck (These are just random places I fancy a vacation to). AA vouchers on the other hand will allow me to use codeshare partners, although these flights may be expensive.
I am really looking to offset as much of my travel expenses as I can. While I do value comfort, upgrades, etc and would love to take advantage of UA E+, the most important thing to me is convenient routings and getting there with minimal cost.
Another issues to consider is that I am based out of WAS and UA would obviously have me flying out of IAD most of the time, which isn't the most convenient for me. AA would allow me more flights out of DCA but does not have non-stops to nearly as many destinations.
The final wildcard is:
There is some chance I may start traveling for work at some point, which would be enough travel to make me 1K on UA, at least for the next qualifying year. If this happens I would also be flying out of BOS in many cases.
So.. I hope after all my blabering you have some idea what I'm looking for and could offer some advice. I feel like I am either giving up status and perks I could easily obtain or giving up my freedom to travel to any destination I want.
Basically how important/helpful is your status to you?
Here is my situation:
I have been flying UA so far this year (only 4 EQS), and currently have $2200 in vouchers, valid for UA metal only.
I am about to receive another $2700 in vouchers and have the option between choosing UA or AA (a story for other threads..)
Do I
a) Choose UA so that I will continue to fly only UA and have status, but be restricted to their routings and destinations they serve
or
b) Choose AA so I can choose where I want to go and which carrier will serve me best, but will probably not manage to get elite status on either airline
A little more background:
UA vouchers will only allow me to fly to destinations they serve on their metal. That means if I want to fly to TLV, AKL, PRG I am out of luck (These are just random places I fancy a vacation to). AA vouchers on the other hand will allow me to use codeshare partners, although these flights may be expensive.
I am really looking to offset as much of my travel expenses as I can. While I do value comfort, upgrades, etc and would love to take advantage of UA E+, the most important thing to me is convenient routings and getting there with minimal cost.
Another issues to consider is that I am based out of WAS and UA would obviously have me flying out of IAD most of the time, which isn't the most convenient for me. AA would allow me more flights out of DCA but does not have non-stops to nearly as many destinations.
The final wildcard is:
There is some chance I may start traveling for work at some point, which would be enough travel to make me 1K on UA, at least for the next qualifying year. If this happens I would also be flying out of BOS in many cases.
So.. I hope after all my blabering you have some idea what I'm looking for and could offer some advice. I feel like I am either giving up status and perks I could easily obtain or giving up my freedom to travel to any destination I want.
Jan 24, 2009 | 5:01 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rural TN (but WAS native)
Programs: National Executive Elite, none of the others matter
Posts: 23,831
Given that vouchers expire, it appears you are intent upon booking almost 5K in travel between now and the end of the year. If status is something you desire, wouldn't a third option be to use 5K in UA credits for 95% of your effective travel (all of the domestic and almost all international) and then find cheap flights on Star Alliance partners (more UA credits) to finish the last 5%?
Example - if one wants to go WAS to PRG, is it so wrong to do (as an example) WAS-FRA on UA, spend a day in FRA (to avoid misconnects), then do FRA-PRG on LH for $150 round-trip?
Example - if one wants to go WAS to PRG, is it so wrong to do (as an example) WAS-FRA on UA, spend a day in FRA (to avoid misconnects), then do FRA-PRG on LH for $150 round-trip?