New United award chart side by side w/ Delta and American charts
Jan 21, 2015, 1:30 pm
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, US Silver
Posts: 68
1. DL charges YQ for Euro-originated itins (sometimes really high)
2. DL domestic award availability is hit-or-miss, so unless you live at the international gateway, you might find excellent flat beds on AF/AZ at saver prices and can't find the connecting flight to your home airport.
3. Many of DL's partners aren't exactly "aspirational".
I see some improved value in DL miles (like eastbound flights on VirginAtlantic), but I wouldn't be parking 200K miles in my DL account just for the off chance I'll need to visit London.
Jan 21, 2015, 1:33 pm
#32
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
At times, yes. But note these caveats :
1. DL charges YQ for Euro-originated itins (sometimes really high)
2. DL domestic award availability is hit-or-miss, so unless you live at the international gateway, you might find excellent flat beds on AF/AZ at saver prices and can't find the connecting flight to your home airport.
3. Many of DL's partners aren't exactly "aspirational".
I see some improved value in DL miles (like eastbound flights on VirginAtlantic), but I wouldn't be parking 200K miles in my DL account just for the off chance I'll need to visit London.
1. DL charges YQ for Euro-originated itins (sometimes really high)
2. DL domestic award availability is hit-or-miss, so unless you live at the international gateway, you might find excellent flat beds on AF/AZ at saver prices and can't find the connecting flight to your home airport.
3. Many of DL's partners aren't exactly "aspirational".
I see some improved value in DL miles (like eastbound flights on VirginAtlantic), but I wouldn't be parking 200K miles in my DL account just for the off chance I'll need to visit London.
Jan 21, 2015, 1:52 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, US Silver
Posts: 68
I find that UA biz awards are a poor deal out of BOS. Flying across the Atlantic requires partners at the penalty level. DL does not do that. Same story to Africa and the Middle East. Even to Asia (ex Japan) DL is 10K less than UA, because UA will refuse to make its own metal available.
It really depends on whether you're miles rich or cash rich. The euro side YQ may more than offset the mileage differences.
There are pros and cons to both. I wouldn't necessarily say one is distinctly better than the other (if you're heading to SYD then definitely skymiles since VA has unlimited award seats)
Jan 21, 2015, 2:11 pm
#34
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
Asia is also 70K at UA metal (same price as DL). Whether UA makes their own metal is very subjective depending on routes and dates. But out of BOS, that means you MUST find Level 1 award to the gateway city (DTW, SEA etc) to head to Asia. If not, your award is anywhere between 90K (L2) and 162.5K (L5)
It really depends on whether you're miles rich or cash rich. The euro side YQ may more than offset the mileage differences.
There are pros and cons to both. I wouldn't necessarily say one is distinctly better than the other (if you're heading to SYD then definitely skymiles since VA has unlimited award seats)
It really depends on whether you're miles rich or cash rich. The euro side YQ may more than offset the mileage differences.
There are pros and cons to both. I wouldn't necessarily say one is distinctly better than the other (if you're heading to SYD then definitely skymiles since VA has unlimited award seats)
Jan 21, 2015, 2:55 pm
#35
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, US Silver
Posts: 68
They're only good if you're very p2p focused type of awards.
Jan 21, 2015, 3:02 pm
#36
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
It works for me. AND they have the lowest amount of miles required for any destination. For instance, CX cannot be beat to Asia. Only 50k one-way.