MP redemptions as of now. Sad :(
#17
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: 1K
Posts: 784
I remember this time last year looking at redeeming award miles on United's website. Plenty of saver award on different star alliance carriers for both Christmas and Thanksgiving. Times have changed. Availaiblty to Europe is nil to none. What a shame. Is it the same for the folks flying AA and DL? I guess this is the sign of the times. Oh well . It was good while it lasted.
#18
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
I remember this time last year looking at redeeming award miles on United's website. Plenty of saver award on different star alliance carriers for both Christmas and Thanksgiving. Times have changed. Availaiblty to Europe is nil to none. What a shame. Is it the same for the folks flying AA and DL? I guess this is the sign of the times. Oh well . It was good while it lasted.
While AA is not that bad, I doubt there's much saver availability for thanksgiving and Christmas at this time of year, especially domestically.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
The gap has narrowed, and in many cases, DL miles are easier to use than UA miles.
DL also does not charge a premium for partners.
I used to value my UA miles as worth more than DL, but now I find them to be roughly equal.
#20
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,204
I seem to have no issues finding LH (not UA though) availability to Europe; it's almost all Y class though but LH is tolerable in Y. Almost all domestic flights are gone now that US has left. uA domestic saver availability is really pathetic and I try from PHL IAD DCA BWI and EWR.
#21
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SOF
Programs: A3 Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 849
I'm not seeing what others are. Plenty of availability on LH for intra-European travel. Also, when searching Europe-US routings, routinely see UA availability - not always premum cabins but Economy for sure.
People have to realize that MP is a huge program belonging to the former biggest carrier in the world and millions of members are competing for few award seats available per flight. Other *A carriers are wising up to that and probably placing some restrictions. One example would be removing SQ availability from online searches.
I've looked at other *A FFP programs and they don't have the generous bonuses UA offer to its Premiers. Most of the time they are no more than 25% even at the highest level. Also, a lot of travel outside the US doesn't always earn credit in the lowest classes and the rest may not earn 100%, so it takes quite a long time for members to accumulate sufficient miles for award travel that has redemeption levels almost equal.
With UA, you get at least 100% credit even on the cheapest tickets and with Premier bonuses as high as 100%, one can accumulate quite a number of miles from a single trip. So, with all of that factored in, don't be surprised that other *A carriers may be limiting inventory to UA MP members. It's just not a leveled playfield, so it's their way of trying to balance that out.
People have to realize that MP is a huge program belonging to the former biggest carrier in the world and millions of members are competing for few award seats available per flight. Other *A carriers are wising up to that and probably placing some restrictions. One example would be removing SQ availability from online searches.
I've looked at other *A FFP programs and they don't have the generous bonuses UA offer to its Premiers. Most of the time they are no more than 25% even at the highest level. Also, a lot of travel outside the US doesn't always earn credit in the lowest classes and the rest may not earn 100%, so it takes quite a long time for members to accumulate sufficient miles for award travel that has redemeption levels almost equal.
With UA, you get at least 100% credit even on the cheapest tickets and with Premier bonuses as high as 100%, one can accumulate quite a number of miles from a single trip. So, with all of that factored in, don't be surprised that other *A carriers may be limiting inventory to UA MP members. It's just not a leveled playfield, so it's their way of trying to balance that out.
#22
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: CO-plat, SPG-plat
Posts: 1,655
With UA, you get at least 100% credit even on the cheapest tickets and with Premier bonuses as high as 100%, one can accumulate quite a number of miles from a single trip. So, with all of that factored in, don't be surprised that other *A carriers may be limiting inventory to UA MP members. It's just not a leveled playfield, so it's their way of trying to balance that out.
#23
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
DL seems to realize they had a problem here (my guess is that Amex pressured them), and is definitely getting better. If DL would get rid of the hateful 72 hour rule, when added to the upcoming one way awards, they might fully eliminate this gap.
#27
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
I seem to be able to find biz awards to Europe (saver) all over the place from the East Coast this summer when we went, but couldnt sniff UA metal on a bet. Some UA F available though. OS J to UA F wasnt worth the extra 10k to me though.
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,621
Exactly. For example, if you want to fly IAD-SYD this Sunday, there is standard and saver economy, standard business, and standard and saver first seats available. Forward to July 2015 on the same route, no saver at all.
#29
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,043
All I can say is this time last year there was a lot more blue on the page than there is now. Last year at this time I had multiple ORD-LHR choices in business during the Christmas week on UA and many other star alliance. Now if I'm lucky you might see an AC option with crazy times or EI.
I'm moving to Orange County next month and award flights in business to LHR from SNA/SBD/LAX airports are abysmal.
I'm moving to Orange County next month and award flights in business to LHR from SNA/SBD/LAX airports are abysmal.