MP credit card now most efficient way to Redeemable miles?
Mar 9, 2015, 1:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
MP credit card now most efficient way to Redeemable miles?
Seems that the United Mileage Plus credit card is the quickest way to actually earn redeemable miles vs actually flying.
Am I reading this right
Am I reading this right
Mar 9, 2015, 1:25 pm
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
those terms are probably very individually biased.
For some flight earnings will increase, for many / most flight earnings will probably decrease. So for the latter group with a Chase MP card, card credit earnings will be become are great % of there earnings.
Is this quicker or more efficient depends.
Note credit earnings require you to purchase something (after the signup bonus), so either you will have to shift from an existing purchase method or make more purchases -- again a personal issue.
For some flight earnings will increase, for many / most flight earnings will probably decrease. So for the latter group with a Chase MP card, card credit earnings will be become are great % of there earnings.
Is this quicker or more efficient depends.
Note credit earnings require you to purchase something (after the signup bonus), so either you will have to shift from an existing purchase method or make more purchases -- again a personal issue.
Mar 9, 2015, 1:28 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
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those terms are probably very individually biased.
For some flight earnings will increase, for many / most flight earnings will probably decrease. So for the latter group with a Chase MP card, card credit earnings will be become are great % of there earnings.
Is this quicker or more efficient depends.
For some flight earnings will increase, for many / most flight earnings will probably decrease. So for the latter group with a Chase MP card, card credit earnings will be become are great % of there earnings.
Is this quicker or more efficient depends.
Mar 9, 2015, 1:45 pm
#4
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
1Ks flying >18cpm -- the "average" for UA is roughly 14 cpm, so those above average flyers. Most paid premium cabin also. GS clearly will also.
Clearly the bulk of cheapest, lowest economy flyers will see a decrease but as documented in the master thread others will no.
Mar 9, 2015, 1:59 pm
#5
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many examples in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-distance.html
1Ks flying >18cpm -- the "average" for UA is roughly 14 cpm, so those above average flyers. Most paid premium cabin also. GS clearly will also.
Clearly the bulk of cheapest, lowest economy flyers will see a decrease but as documented in the master thread others will no.
1Ks flying >18cpm -- the "average" for UA is roughly 14 cpm, so those above average flyers. Most paid premium cabin also. GS clearly will also.
Clearly the bulk of cheapest, lowest economy flyers will see a decrease but as documented in the master thread others will no.
Mar 9, 2015, 5:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
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I have this sneaking suspicion that manufactured spending will be the next mileage running. The thing is that this time no one will brag about their hacks until they no longer exist.
For me I view this change as super refreshing: in a world where the airlines don't value our loyalty I am free to choose the cheapest ticket and best times.
For me I view this change as super refreshing: in a world where the airlines don't value our loyalty I am free to choose the cheapest ticket and best times.
Mar 9, 2015, 5:59 pm
#8
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Don't forget that UA credit cards are not available in most of the world.
Mar 9, 2015, 6:11 pm
#9
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Fly pretty much anywhere from Canada to the U.S.
Mar 9, 2015, 7:44 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
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It appears the major airlines attach more emphasis to their customers spending money on their airline branded credit cards rather than having paid customers seated in their planes. IMHO, the emphasis should be on filling the seats of their planes and using cobranded credit cards as an ancillary source of revenue and profits.
Mar 9, 2015, 8:42 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 843
I have a one-way SFO-YYJ booked later this year, and the fare wasn't terribly bad. Under the old system, I'd get 900-some miles for the flight (with Silver bonus). Now, I'm getting 1100-something.
It's hard to get flights much cheaper on short haul one-ways, so if you're doing short-haul flying, you'll end up doing better.
Now, if only they could upgauge SFO-YYJ to a CR7.
It's hard to get flights much cheaper on short haul one-ways, so if you're doing short-haul flying, you'll end up doing better.
Now, if only they could upgauge SFO-YYJ to a CR7.
Mar 9, 2015, 9:29 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Dayton
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, National Emerald Exec
Posts: 240
Also almost any premium cabin fare.
Mar 9, 2015, 9:37 pm
#13
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Location: Bay Area, CA
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And it's nice to have 2MM under my belt in case they ever figure it out.
The delta between domestic and transborder fares has come down quite a bit, I'm not seeing the big differences that much these days (or it's not as bad as it used to be).
Lately DL miles seem easier to use, AA miles have lower thresholds, AS have some cool redemptions and partners, BA has great deals for short hauls, etc.
With UA's increased redemption costs, partner premiums, and now tightened inventory, they are by far not my preferred currency for airline miles.
Mar 9, 2015, 9:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 321
I found a much easier way for redeemable miles
Found a easier way to get redeemable miles, better than using Chase CC. Do a status match to AA, and fly with them. Many years as UA 1K flyer, switched because of United new policy- "We don't love our passengers, just their money." From a bitter UA flyer who watched upgrades disappear and now RDM disappear.
Mar 9, 2015, 10:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,611
Also Chase Sapphire Preferred
United Flyers also have another option with the Chase Sapphire Preferred VISA card. Yields 2 times points on planes (including United), trains, buses, and ferries. Hotels and restaurants, too. Annual fee is a pricey $95.
The useful thing about this card is one can transfer points 1:1 to United Mileage Plus (and some hotels and BA's Avios). You can also link a Chase Freedom (no annual fee) VISA card to your CSP card, and transfer the 5% category bonuses to CSP where they can again turn into United miles.