Comparison of Miles earned in 3 star programs
Dec 14, 1999 | 9:49 pm
#31
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
The miles included 172528 miles earned from flights directly (including class of service bonuses and double miles promotions). I earned 145000 miles in threshold bonuses and promotional bonuses.
Not bad for 85 flights (average of 3736 miles per flight!), considering that 50 of the flights were each less than 500 actual flight miles.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 12-14-1999).]
Not bad for 85 flights (average of 3736 miles per flight!), considering that 50 of the flights were each less than 500 actual flight miles.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 12-14-1999).]
Dec 20, 1999 | 4:53 pm
#32
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
In addition, I forgot about the two free companion tickets (from any fare) that I earned for going across two thresholds (60K and 100K) -- last year I earned one free companion ticket from any fare plus 2 free tickets to Hawaii or Caribbean.
Dec 24, 1999 | 6:47 am
#33
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Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
Lastly, but not least, I was upgraded on 58 discount fare (30 one-way upgrades) Air Canada segments (100% success) and 11 full fare (6 one-way upgrades) Air Canada segments (100% success).
Even though Air Canada doesn't have a way to use points to purchase upgrades, in comparison with what other Star carriers charge for upgrades on their routes, this has saved me over 300,000 miles in 1999 over what those upgrades would have cost on United plus they were upgradeable from any fare, not just select fares (AC is about to change to V class or higher for year 2000).
I am not sure what similar upgrades would have cost on Lufthansa (I suspect a bit more) but at least they would have been upgradeable from any fare (and will be in year 2000, unlike AC).
Even though Air Canada doesn't have a way to use points to purchase upgrades, in comparison with what other Star carriers charge for upgrades on their routes, this has saved me over 300,000 miles in 1999 over what those upgrades would have cost on United plus they were upgradeable from any fare, not just select fares (AC is about to change to V class or higher for year 2000).
I am not sure what similar upgrades would have cost on Lufthansa (I suspect a bit more) but at least they would have been upgradeable from any fare (and will be in year 2000, unlike AC).
Nov 28, 2000 | 6:48 am
#34
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
UPDATED to account for lack of 100% bonus on non-UA flights in Mileage Plus program
The story continues for 2000
AC (as SuperElite)
Total air (no hotel, car, credit card) miles including bonuses: 224,728 (compared to 321,118 in 1999)
Total status miles: 120,907
LH (as Senator)
Total miles including bonuses 123,251*
Total status miles: 123,251
UA (as 1K)
Total miles including bonuses 69,664
Total status miles: 65,471 (but 102 segments flown on Star carriers so I guess I would have made 1K)
*This number also includes improved bonuses for LH Senator (1.25, 2.50, 3.75 for Y, J, F).
The AC Numbers are way down from 1999 for total air miles due to the lack of competition/significant promotions.
Cost per air mile = 5 cents CAD (3 US). Cost per status mile = 16 cents CAD (10 US)
Clearly AC was the winner again in this group of 3 Star carriers.
Still got upgraded 100% of the time on AC flights and got one companion any fare award good for anywhere AC flies as well.
I could have flown another 22000 status miles on AC but chose to use reward travel instead (mostly for last minute trips for business and pleasure, including Altbier in DUS).
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 03-25-2001).]
The story continues for 2000
AC (as SuperElite)
Total air (no hotel, car, credit card) miles including bonuses: 224,728 (compared to 321,118 in 1999)
Total status miles: 120,907
LH (as Senator)
Total miles including bonuses 123,251*
Total status miles: 123,251
UA (as 1K)
Total miles including bonuses 69,664
Total status miles: 65,471 (but 102 segments flown on Star carriers so I guess I would have made 1K)
*This number also includes improved bonuses for LH Senator (1.25, 2.50, 3.75 for Y, J, F).
The AC Numbers are way down from 1999 for total air miles due to the lack of competition/significant promotions.
Cost per air mile = 5 cents CAD (3 US). Cost per status mile = 16 cents CAD (10 US)
Clearly AC was the winner again in this group of 3 Star carriers.
Still got upgraded 100% of the time on AC flights and got one companion any fare award good for anywhere AC flies as well.
I could have flown another 22000 status miles on AC but chose to use reward travel instead (mostly for last minute trips for business and pleasure, including Altbier in DUS).
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 03-25-2001).]
Nov 28, 2000 | 7:29 am
#35
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
great calculations/comparisons. Thank you Cliff.
LH Senator: you only have to qualify in any subsequent 12 months in a, at least, 24 months 'time window'.
And probably UA and LH are 'a little bit discriminated' in that comparison, as by favoring AC flights you will not take into your accounting any UA and LH promotional/bonus miles if you would be a frequent flier with them).
LH Senator: you only have to qualify in any subsequent 12 months in a, at least, 24 months 'time window'.
And probably UA and LH are 'a little bit discriminated' in that comparison, as by favoring AC flights you will not take into your accounting any UA and LH promotional/bonus miles if you would be a frequent flier with them).
Nov 28, 2000 | 7:47 am
#36
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
Gruezi Rudi.
Thanks for the reminder (keep forgetting about the 24 month window).
There may have been a couple of flights that I would have flown UA but most of my flights are in Canada so there is not much choice. Perhaps 5-10K additional miles in LH or UA due to such promos if I did go out of my way to participate.
The UA promos (especially since summer) in 2000 for those living in USA (and therefore flying mostly in USA or with UA) were as good as any I have ever seen and would have been equivalent or better than AC's last year big promotions.
The few UA/LH bonus transatlantic did not coincide with my travel and/or would have been very inconvenient.
Thanks for the reminder (keep forgetting about the 24 month window).
There may have been a couple of flights that I would have flown UA but most of my flights are in Canada so there is not much choice. Perhaps 5-10K additional miles in LH or UA due to such promos if I did go out of my way to participate.
The UA promos (especially since summer) in 2000 for those living in USA (and therefore flying mostly in USA or with UA) were as good as any I have ever seen and would have been equivalent or better than AC's last year big promotions.
The few UA/LH bonus transatlantic did not coincide with my travel and/or would have been very inconvenient.
Dec 21, 2000 | 6:54 am
#37
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
I ended up flying again in December after I thought it was all over.
In the end, I would have qualified as 1K on UA by segments and on LH requalified as Senator by miles (due to J class travel on Mexican Hat Dances).
Still sticking with Aeroplan Super Elite this year but it is tempting to maybe qualify in one other Star program.
In the end, I would have qualified as 1K on UA by segments and on LH requalified as Senator by miles (due to J class travel on Mexican Hat Dances).
Still sticking with Aeroplan Super Elite this year but it is tempting to maybe qualify in one other Star program.
Mar 25, 2001 | 11:15 am
#38
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
I have updated the UA numbers as I was counting too much (ie non UA and UA/LH codeshare should not count as 100% bonus) in Mileage Plus. Definitely shows why AC and LH are more attractive to me.
Dec 30, 2001 | 8:30 am
#39
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
My annual comparison:
The story continues for 2001
AC (as SuperElite)
Total air (no hotel, car, credit card) miles including bonuses: 250,576
(compared with 224,728 in 2000 and 321,118 in 1999)
Total status miles: 113642
LH (as Senator)
Total status miles including bonuses 161,732*
UA (as 1K)
Total status miles: 71,022
*This number also includes improved bonuses for LH Senator (1.25, 2.50, 3.75 for Y, J, F).
AC had some full fare promos in the spring that were quite good for status miles earning (175% in paid J class)
Cost per air mile = 5 cents CAD (3 US). Cost per status mile = 11 cents CAD (7 US)
Clearly AC was the winner again in this group of 3 Star carriers but LH is increasingly the attractive option, especially considering the changes to the AC Aeroplan program for 2002.
I may have gotten a few more double miles promos by flying on LH or UA metal but it would have almost always involved inconvenience (above what I am normally able to bear) to my travel plans. The overall impact on my total miles would have been negligible.
UA's lack of 100% bonus on most Star Carrier flights is the reason for the poor showing on total miles (=status miles for me). UA also fails on status miles compared with LH and AC due to the lack of Class of Service bonuses for paid business or paid first class (125% and 150% on AC and 250% and 375% respectively on LH as top tier member).
Got upgraded 100% of the time on AC domestic and international flights (although I had more full fare tickets not needing upgrades than last year, thanks to the MHD, may it R.I.P.) and in addition to all the threshold bonuses and other bonuses included above, got one free ticket good for anywhere AC flies in North America and another free ticket for "sun" destinations in North America.
I could have flown another 20000+ status miles on AC but chose to use reward travel instead.
------------------
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart
The story continues for 2001
AC (as SuperElite)
Total air (no hotel, car, credit card) miles including bonuses: 250,576
(compared with 224,728 in 2000 and 321,118 in 1999)
Total status miles: 113642
LH (as Senator)
Total status miles including bonuses 161,732*
UA (as 1K)
Total status miles: 71,022
*This number also includes improved bonuses for LH Senator (1.25, 2.50, 3.75 for Y, J, F).
AC had some full fare promos in the spring that were quite good for status miles earning (175% in paid J class)
Cost per air mile = 5 cents CAD (3 US). Cost per status mile = 11 cents CAD (7 US)
Clearly AC was the winner again in this group of 3 Star carriers but LH is increasingly the attractive option, especially considering the changes to the AC Aeroplan program for 2002.
I may have gotten a few more double miles promos by flying on LH or UA metal but it would have almost always involved inconvenience (above what I am normally able to bear) to my travel plans. The overall impact on my total miles would have been negligible.
UA's lack of 100% bonus on most Star Carrier flights is the reason for the poor showing on total miles (=status miles for me). UA also fails on status miles compared with LH and AC due to the lack of Class of Service bonuses for paid business or paid first class (125% and 150% on AC and 250% and 375% respectively on LH as top tier member).
Got upgraded 100% of the time on AC domestic and international flights (although I had more full fare tickets not needing upgrades than last year, thanks to the MHD, may it R.I.P.) and in addition to all the threshold bonuses and other bonuses included above, got one free ticket good for anywhere AC flies in North America and another free ticket for "sun" destinations in North America.
I could have flown another 20000+ status miles on AC but chose to use reward travel instead.
------------------
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart
Dec 30, 2001 | 7:00 pm
#40
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 8,573
With the changes coming to Aeroplan next year (day after tomorrow!), I wonder whether you could have qualified for Elite on AC and had enough miles for something decent on LH (obviously not on UA).
I suppose SuperElite will always be better than Elite, no matter how much the program is watered down overall, but the other side is whether a different alliance is more appropriate for travel outside Canada.
andrew
I suppose SuperElite will always be better than Elite, no matter how much the program is watered down overall, but the other side is whether a different alliance is more appropriate for travel outside Canada.
andrew
Dec 21, 2002 | 4:51 pm
#42
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
My annual comparison (actually earned in AC Aeroplan but compared with what I would have earned in LH Miles and More or UA Mileage Plus crediting the same flights to those programs):
The story continues for 2002
AC (as SuperElite)
Total air (no hotel, car, credit card) miles including bonuses: 346,539
(compared with 250,576 in 2001, 224,728 in 2000 and 321,118 in 1999)
Total status miles: 101672 compared with 113642 in 2001
LH (as Senator)
Total status miles including bonuses 105047 compared with 161,732 in 2001*
- would have earned about 170,000 total miles
UA (as 1K)
Total status miles: 70,590 compared with 71,022 in 2001
- would have earned about 130,000 total miles
* also includes bonuses for LH Senator (1.25, 2.50, 3.75 for Y, J, F).
AC had some high/full fare promos in the spring and year end that were quite good for status miles earning
Cost per air mile = 4 cents CAD (2.6 US). Cost per status mile = 15 cents CAD (9 US)
(up from 11 cents CAD in 2001)
Clearly AC was the winner again in total miles but LH puts in a respectable show for earning status and is mid range in miles department.
As in the past, I may have gotten a few more double miles promos by flying on LH or UA metal but it would have almost always involved increased inconvenience and the overall impact on my total miles would have been negligible.
UA's lack of 100% bonus on most Star Carrier flights is the reason for the poor showing on total miles (=status miles for me). UA also fails on status miles compared with LH and AC due to the lack of Class of Service bonuses for paid business or paid first class (125% and 150% on AC and 250% and 375% respectively on LH as top tier member).
Got upgraded 100% of the time on AC domestic and international flights and in addition to all the threshold bonuses and other bonuses included above, got one free ticket good for anywhere AC flies in North America.
=========================================
I also earned 60,000 status miles and 200,000 overall miles (due to signup bonuses and several great promos in Germany) in LH Miles and More Program and was planning to hit Senator in January but that could come undone with LH's interpretation of the rule changes. Cost per Q mile = 7 cents CAD (4 USD) and cost per total mile = 2 cents CAD (1.3 cents USD)
=====================================
I could have flown another 25000+ status miles on AC but chose to use reward travel instead during the uncertain period at the beginning of 2002.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 12-21-2002).]
The story continues for 2002
AC (as SuperElite)
Total air (no hotel, car, credit card) miles including bonuses: 346,539
(compared with 250,576 in 2001, 224,728 in 2000 and 321,118 in 1999)
Total status miles: 101672 compared with 113642 in 2001
LH (as Senator)
Total status miles including bonuses 105047 compared with 161,732 in 2001*
- would have earned about 170,000 total miles
UA (as 1K)
Total status miles: 70,590 compared with 71,022 in 2001
- would have earned about 130,000 total miles
* also includes bonuses for LH Senator (1.25, 2.50, 3.75 for Y, J, F).
AC had some high/full fare promos in the spring and year end that were quite good for status miles earning
Cost per air mile = 4 cents CAD (2.6 US). Cost per status mile = 15 cents CAD (9 US)
(up from 11 cents CAD in 2001)
Clearly AC was the winner again in total miles but LH puts in a respectable show for earning status and is mid range in miles department.
As in the past, I may have gotten a few more double miles promos by flying on LH or UA metal but it would have almost always involved increased inconvenience and the overall impact on my total miles would have been negligible.
UA's lack of 100% bonus on most Star Carrier flights is the reason for the poor showing on total miles (=status miles for me). UA also fails on status miles compared with LH and AC due to the lack of Class of Service bonuses for paid business or paid first class (125% and 150% on AC and 250% and 375% respectively on LH as top tier member).
Got upgraded 100% of the time on AC domestic and international flights and in addition to all the threshold bonuses and other bonuses included above, got one free ticket good for anywhere AC flies in North America.
=========================================
I also earned 60,000 status miles and 200,000 overall miles (due to signup bonuses and several great promos in Germany) in LH Miles and More Program and was planning to hit Senator in January but that could come undone with LH's interpretation of the rule changes. Cost per Q mile = 7 cents CAD (4 USD) and cost per total mile = 2 cents CAD (1.3 cents USD)
=====================================
I could have flown another 25000+ status miles on AC but chose to use reward travel instead during the uncertain period at the beginning of 2002.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 12-21-2002).]
Dec 21, 2002 | 4:53 pm
#43
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
Except during AC promo periods, I have started putting my domestic discount non-upgradeable (ie single class aircraft) segments in my LH Miles and More account due to greater earning there (625 mile minimum vs 250 on AC).
Dec 22, 2002 | 2:09 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 197
Just a thought after reading all these posts..
I know mileage calculators exist but never use them because I've heard they are not precise..sometimes 1 mile is critical on 31 December...
I wonder which alliance will be the first to standardize miles calculations for all their major airlines....probably none and never.
Too bad...but it opens a window for the creation of a private On-line mileage calculation service.I would be a founding member and pay a fee!
All those 'actual flight miles' for every carrier, airport codes, spitting out realible and factual comparisons based on your own ustomized settings....giving detailed information that always matches the credit we receive on our statements.
This 'dream' system would also caculate all current bonus miles on offer...and data on upgrades possible...keeping a running log on all completed flights within every 12 calendar months..
Simple to use, easy to maintain...a no-brainer for all...
Perhaps one already exists? If so please let me know as I am just as detail-oriented and curious as most of the posters here and would pay $$ if the service was accurate and cost effective.
And if one doesn't exist then let's create one, quit our jobs and spend all of our time doing what we really love doing for others!
I know mileage calculators exist but never use them because I've heard they are not precise..sometimes 1 mile is critical on 31 December...
I wonder which alliance will be the first to standardize miles calculations for all their major airlines....probably none and never.
Too bad...but it opens a window for the creation of a private On-line mileage calculation service.I would be a founding member and pay a fee!
All those 'actual flight miles' for every carrier, airport codes, spitting out realible and factual comparisons based on your own ustomized settings....giving detailed information that always matches the credit we receive on our statements.
This 'dream' system would also caculate all current bonus miles on offer...and data on upgrades possible...keeping a running log on all completed flights within every 12 calendar months..
Simple to use, easy to maintain...a no-brainer for all...
Perhaps one already exists? If so please let me know as I am just as detail-oriented and curious as most of the posters here and would pay $$ if the service was accurate and cost effective.
And if one doesn't exist then let's create one, quit our jobs and spend all of our time doing what we really love doing for others!