(Which) Frequent Flyer program recommendation?
May 18, 2011 | 4:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Posts: 252
(Which) Frequent Flyer program recommendation?
Hey guys
I'm new to this whole site and I'm not sure if this is in the right place. I'd like a recommendation on which frequent flyer program to join. I'd be flying out of SFO/SJC. 4-10 trips a year mainly to EWR/SEA, sometimes to HKG. I'd also like to engage in mileage runs and supplement the miles with credit card derived miles.
I'm mainly looking for easy upgrades from cheapest economy fares and getting award tickets.
Thanks!
I'm new to this whole site and I'm not sure if this is in the right place. I'd like a recommendation on which frequent flyer program to join. I'd be flying out of SFO/SJC. 4-10 trips a year mainly to EWR/SEA, sometimes to HKG. I'd also like to engage in mileage runs and supplement the miles with credit card derived miles.
I'm mainly looking for easy upgrades from cheapest economy fares and getting award tickets.
Thanks!
May 18, 2011 | 5:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, SPG GLD
Posts: 181
Any reason why you posted in the AA forum?
To answer your question, I'd suggest *gasp* UA. (Such blasphemy!) With a hub at EWR and SFO it will likely cover your needs well. (Of course, I'm assuming that they have service to HKG...)
To answer your question, I'd suggest *gasp* UA. (Such blasphemy!) With a hub at EWR and SFO it will likely cover your needs well. (Of course, I'm assuming that they have service to HKG...)
May 18, 2011 | 5:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K
Posts: 2,574
Almost certainly UA/CO. They fly their own metal nonstop SFO-HKG/SEA/EWR.
If you really want to fly out of SJC, AA might be better as you can earn EQM on AS nonstop nerdbird SJC-SEA and can connect in ORD/DFW for other destinations in the US, and then fly out of SFO on CX when you head to Asia.
If you really want to fly out of SJC, AA might be better as you can earn EQM on AS nonstop nerdbird SJC-SEA and can connect in ORD/DFW for other destinations in the US, and then fly out of SFO on CX when you head to Asia.
May 18, 2011 | 5:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, SPG GLD
Posts: 181
May 18, 2011 | 5:41 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Posts: 252
The reason why I posted to AA is because I have the AA Citi card. =P I could just as well get the UA CC. And the other thing is I'll probably be a low-mid tier Elite member, and AA doesn't have unlimited upgrades as UA does.
1. How easy is it to get upgrades on UA with 25K status?
2. How does MR difficulty compare between AA vs UA?
Thanks!
1. How easy is it to get upgrades on UA with 25K status?
2. How does MR difficulty compare between AA vs UA?
Thanks!
May 18, 2011 | 7:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
The reason why I posted to AA is because I have the AA Citi card. =P I could just as well get the UA CC. And the other thing is I'll probably be a low-mid tier Elite member, and AA doesn't have unlimited upgrades as UA does.
1. How easy is it to get upgrades on UA with 25K status?
2. How does MR difficulty compare between AA vs UA?
Thanks!
1. How easy is it to get upgrades on UA with 25K status?
2. How does MR difficulty compare between AA vs UA?
Thanks!
And for the second, I can't compare because I don't MR on UA, but I saw a few years ago that they had cheaper prices so better cpm.
Actually, my dad is a 2P on UA. He got upgraded a few times, but at least you get E+ when you're not upgraded.
May 18, 2011 | 7:48 pm
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
As this may lean a tad in a couple of spots toward AA, it also does for AA/CO, so it will go off to TravelBuzz! for greater member input, and those with broader experience. Good luck with your decision - a strategic one, not tactical... JDiver, AA Moderator
May 18, 2011 | 7:53 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 701
I think UA/CO is your best bet, and possibly only bet. Although, you will definitely need to hustle to at least 25k miles to get 2P status, since SFO is extremely elite-heavy.
May 18, 2011 | 8:54 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,807
Not a single doubt - SMI/J is your choice with EWR/SEA and HKG (as SMI/J want to move his bloody fleet of 737s to HKG and kick off CX...
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