Comparison of miles earned in 3 * programs
 

This thread is now in the archives at:

http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ft...ML/000055.html

so I will start a new one here>

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 2003
AC (as SuperElite)
Total air (no hotel, car, credit card) miles including bonuses: 230,750
(compared with 346,539 in 2002, 250,576 in 2001, 224,728 in 2000 and 321,118 in 1999)
Total status miles: 105750 compared with 101672 in 2002, 113642 in 2001

LH (as Senator)
Total status miles including bonuses 122509, compared with 105047 in 2002, 161,732 in 2001*
- about the same number of total miles this year, less promos to where I was travelling

UA (as 1K)
Total status miles: 89010 compared with 70,590 in 2002 and 71,022 in 2001
- would have earned about 96,000 total miles

* also includes bonuses for LH Senator (1.25, 2.50, 3.75 for Y, J, F).

Not many promos this year but at least a status promo at year end for AC

Clearly AC was the winner again in total miles but LH puts in a respectable show for earning status but is low 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 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 (will change in 2004 finally!!!!) 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 on all but 2 flights on AC domestic and international flights (including 3 flights that I did not have an upgradeable fare for) and in addition to all the threshold bonuses and other bonuses included above, got one free econo ticket good for anywhere AC flies in North America (upgradeable to business class for 10k points).
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I could have flown another 28000+ status miles on AC but chose to use reward travel instead

[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited Dec 02, 2003).]

Very nice comparison that makes me contemplate more about the AC program. Well done, thanks a lot! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

What BB does not mention is that unless you are a SuperElite, 100K plus a year, the chances of getting a reward ticket are virtually impossible. They have the worst availability of any airline.

If you are SE, you can override and get a seat in C or Y, but E (*G) can only override Y for double miles and lower status nothing at all.

It would appear the non-SE's are as valuable to AC as the folks who earn all their miles from credit cards. Before switching, check the AC forum - lots of people have left AC because of its poor reward record.

Oh yeah, the service onboard is very inconsistent - think Low Cost Carrier.

I think it is useful to check out the comparison chart, figure out where you fly and what benefits you want.

All the airlines have issues. AC was once a very good airline and still is on some of its routes.

ML is correct about reward availability for less than SuperElite though. Also you won't get as many miles as I did without hitting 100k miles (Super Elite qualification)--you get most of your bonus miles at 50K and above. It works for some of us but not for others . . .

UA is still the worst of the bunch in status and mileage earning but if you fly out of the USA or in the USA a lot, you might find a few promos that suit your patterns and might increase your mileage to AC like levels. Remember you only get the 100% bonus for PremEx and 1K on LH and UA flights with UA's Mileage Plus, not with the Star Alliance crew. On AC and LH you get your bonuses on all Star carriers status miles. If you fly a lot in business or first, then LH is definitely worth a look, especially with its 2+ year validity each time you make top tier!

------------------

BlondeBomber's Star Lounge Guide
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2003
BlondeBomber's Hilton HHonors Rewards Hotel Levels (1 MB!)
BlondeBomber's Starwood Hotel Levels

The programs are changing again in 2004 and UA finally makes the switch to first and business bonuses counting as status miles.

There are rumblings that AC will improve the rewards for AC Elites (35K status miles).

We will hold our breaths in anticipation.

I always expect the worst (but sometimes I have been fooled--it was worse than I thought! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif)

They do that and they will have me jumping ship - LH SEN is a pain to renew in the back of the bus - and AC fares are only a couple of hundred bucks more to Europe than the LH ones - that coupled with my tiring appetite for LH service on the BKK runs and not so pleasant seating ... may just work for AC. Not to mention the non-existent upgrades.

[edited due errors]



[This message has been edited by luftaom (edited Dec 02, 2003).]

The two years to renew are great especially if you want to fly on award tickets every odd year and a premium class RTW in even years. Therefore it (LH SEN) is best for me!

inconsistent, maybe - AC's service has been between "comparable" and "better than" say Westjet, on routes that i've flown lately. And that's not bad...

Funny how your statement has somehow managed to malign both Air Canada AND low cost carriers, as hard as that might be.

Out of 105 segments this year domestically I have to say that I think the service has been fine or great. I would say less than 5 flights this year have been disappointing from a service and attitude perspective.

Then again I have believe that the attitude that one presents is often reciprocated. I start every flight with a smile or upbeat "good morning/afternoon" when I get on board the aircraft and seem to get lots of them in return during the flight. Imagine that http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I haven't missed a single upgrade domestically this year but I fly from/to YYC. I can't comment on Europe-YYZ/YVR or the YVR/YYZ run. Everything else is batting 100% and I have used over 30 upgrade certs. Not too bad a record.

As BB points out the bonuses really add up. Starting at 50k status miles you earn a 10k bonus

50k + 10k
60k + 10k
.
.
100k+10+b[]30k[/b] for passing the 100k threshold http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

So flying 100k gets you

100k status miles
65k bonus miles (you also get 5k for passing 35k)
30k bonus for passing 100k

You get 195k for flying 100k miles (which can include CoS bonuses earned within Canada only)

As a SE you get 8 SWU upgrade certs (good from H or higher - V for Canada to/from US flights) to start the year and earn 2 for every 10k status miles with no limit on the number you can earn. Fly 100k and you get a total of 28 SWU's (plus whatever you get on FT http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif )

I'm darn http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Lets hope the 2004 package is the same or better.

Can't comment on the other programs as I have always been with AC. Read the board and decide for yourself as each program benefits each person differently. This program works for me but maybe not for you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I don't consider WestJet a lowcost carrier, if that is what you are implying. They are a full-service carrier now, without C class, or a frequent flyer program. Oh yeah they are also very consistent.