I will be flying to Paris in June. I'd like to use miles and it's 100,000 on either airline. My concern is this: which one is more likely to be around in June? I'll be buying about 60,000 miles and don't want to waste the money if they go belly up. Any suggestions? As always, thanks in advance.
For 100K are you going in C? If so, I'd pick UA.
Of course, you could also pick a different *A carrier for C, if you don't mind connecting. Fly LH or SQ (from JFK) to FRA and then connect to a flight to Paris. Both would be superior to UA and US in C.
Of course, you could also pick a different *A carrier for C, if you don't mind connecting. Fly LH or SQ (from JFK) to FRA and then connect to a flight to Paris. Both would be superior to UA and US in C.
Unfortunately, I'd be flying coach. This is in the middle of peak season so I would need another 80,000 to fly C on UA.
If you'll still have your Premier Associate Status, then stick with UA. You'll get E+.
Edited to add - why are you buying 60K miles for a coach ticket? That's almost $2000 for the miles. You can easily find a ticket to CDG for $2K in coach.
Edited to add - why are you buying 60K miles for a coach ticket? That's almost $2000 for the miles. You can easily find a ticket to CDG for $2K in coach.
Hah, I wish. The status expires soon. 
Definitely not worth buying the miles. You can get much cheaper flights in coach, even during peak season. Also if I was paying that much I certainly wouldn't be flying UA or US. I'd fly someone else whose product (whether Y or C) is better (in star alliance I'd go with LH or even SK) if I had to fly across the pond to Paris. I only travel UA or US for MRs.
The thing is, the cheapest I can find is $1600 in Y on CO. Is there a site I don't know about? I have to arrive/depart June 13/20.
Try harder. Orbitz turns up $1549 tickets on US Airways from IND to CDG for your dates. It only makes sense to buy miles when we're talking about a couple thousand; what you propose makes no financial sense at all.
I don't think either airline is in imminent danger of liquidation; if a sense of security is your top priority then spend a little more and fly a major European carrier, or find insurance. In coach, there is not a huge difference in experience flying a foreign carrier as opposed to UA, unless complimentary alcohol is very important to you.
I don't think either airline is in imminent danger of liquidation; if a sense of security is your top priority then spend a little more and fly a major European carrier, or find insurance. In coach, there is not a huge difference in experience flying a foreign carrier as opposed to UA, unless complimentary alcohol is very important to you.
Quote:
You can fly air canada for $1423 USD from IND on those dates all-in. Originally Posted by sletohdarnoc
The thing is, the cheapest I can find is $1600 in Y on CO. Is there a site I don't know about? I have to arrive/depart June 13/20.
AC8024 IND-YYZ (6/12)
AC880 YYZ-CDG (6/12 - arrive 6/13)
AC881 CDG-YYZ (6/20)
AC8025 YYZ-IND (6/20)
Books into N (Tourist Class) - which will earn you 50% EQM on the first flight & 100% on the trans-atlantic flights on UA MP.
AC 777 service is pretty good - I took it earlier this year from YUL to CDG...would be cheaper than buying miles (and using them all up!) and would get you MP EQM too...
Can you book a star alliance reward on AC or another carrier via MP for those dates? I just did a search on aeroplan and I can see a number of Star AC flights available for those dates from IND-CDG but maybe those aren't all available to MP? That would only use 50,000 miles in Y.
J.
I've found a whole lot nicer itinerary for the OP.
Why not fly Openskies or L'avion?
Both offer 50+ inches of seat pitch and 140 degrees of recline.
A whole lot nicer than flying UA/US coach, if you ask me.
To purchase 60,000 miles on UA, it would cost you $1970.
Try to purchase a separate IND-NYC flight and combine that with one of these.
OpenSkies ($1582.64)
Departure 17:30 Sat 13 Jun 09 – New York (JFK)
Arrival 07:25 Sun 14 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Departure 10:55 Sat 20 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Arrival 13:25 Sat 20 Jun 09 – New York (JFK)
L'avion ($1742.64)
Departure 19:05 Sat 13 Jun 09 – Newark (EWR)
Arrival 08:40 Sun 14 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Departure 13:40 Sat 20 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Arrival 16:30 Sat 20 Jun 09 – Newark (EWR)
I see that IND-JFK/EWR flight isn't really cheap, but still can be had for about $400.
Or you could use your miles if there's availability.
edited to add: I didn't realize that you had to arrive on the 13th of June.
Same price if you leave a day earlier.
Why not fly Openskies or L'avion?
Both offer 50+ inches of seat pitch and 140 degrees of recline.
A whole lot nicer than flying UA/US coach, if you ask me.
To purchase 60,000 miles on UA, it would cost you $1970.
Try to purchase a separate IND-NYC flight and combine that with one of these.
OpenSkies ($1582.64)
Departure 17:30 Sat 13 Jun 09 – New York (JFK)
Arrival 07:25 Sun 14 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Departure 10:55 Sat 20 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Arrival 13:25 Sat 20 Jun 09 – New York (JFK)
L'avion ($1742.64)
Departure 19:05 Sat 13 Jun 09 – Newark (EWR)
Arrival 08:40 Sun 14 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Departure 13:40 Sat 20 Jun 09 – Paris (ORY)
Arrival 16:30 Sat 20 Jun 09 – Newark (EWR)
I see that IND-JFK/EWR flight isn't really cheap, but still can be had for about $400.
Or you could use your miles if there's availability.
edited to add: I didn't realize that you had to arrive on the 13th of June.
Same price if you leave a day earlier.
Wow, thanks everyone. Unfortunately, I have to arrive on the 14 so maybe that's why I'm seeing more expensive options. I'll go ahead and give AC a call... Again, thanks and safe travels.