Premier Cabin Awards -- Partner availablity seems better that UA?
Apr 30, 2017, 4:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 186
Premier Cabin Awards -- Partner availablity seems better that UA?
In the past I have had great luck getting all premium class flights at Saver rates from United out of Las Vegas to Asia and Europe. Now I am finding, and I have lost elite status, that this is pretty much impossible. On my last Saver premium award trip to Europe I had to fly out of SFO and return to YVR (which worked for me for personal reasons but had to buy my own tickets LAS to SFO and YVR to LAS.
It seems like for premium class award flights at Saver rates United is trying really hard to push customers to use partners, e.g., from the West Coast to Japan thru Seoul via Asiana, or to South America thru Panama City via Copa.
I've got a lot of United Miles plus Chase Ultimate Reward points. In the past I would convert the Chase points to United. I am aware that one can convert Ultimate Reward points to other airlines. Are any of you finding that consistently other airlines are offering better premium award redemptions than are available thru United?
Also, can anyone say what level of United elite status opens up more premium Saver awards? Thanks.
It seems like for premium class award flights at Saver rates United is trying really hard to push customers to use partners, e.g., from the West Coast to Japan thru Seoul via Asiana, or to South America thru Panama City via Copa.
I've got a lot of United Miles plus Chase Ultimate Reward points. In the past I would convert the Chase points to United. I am aware that one can convert Ultimate Reward points to other airlines. Are any of you finding that consistently other airlines are offering better premium award redemptions than are available thru United?
Also, can anyone say what level of United elite status opens up more premium Saver awards? Thanks.
Apr 30, 2017, 4:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Platinum
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...r/default.aspx
I am 1K and I am pretty unimpressed at saver premium cabin availability. And I concur that often the best for timing is on a *A partner which costs more that UA Polaris.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...r/default.aspx
I am 1K and I am pretty unimpressed at saver premium cabin availability. And I concur that often the best for timing is on a *A partner which costs more that UA Polaris.
Apr 30, 2017, 4:42 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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Apr 30, 2017, 5:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
Given that most *A partners have better long-haul business class products than United, and I live outside the USA anyway (so connecting through the US both ways on award travel is a hassle), I don't mind this at all. Just redeemed direct Air Canada flights to Asia and Europe from YVR in business, no problems here.
Apr 30, 2017, 6:24 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
I say thank goodness several of UA's *A partners (including LH, OS, TK, SK, OZ, BR, and TG) are considerably more generous with award availability. I've never minded paying a bit extra for the partner products.
Apr 30, 2017, 6:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
1K here, and no doubt that saver awards are much easier on partner airlines than UA. I have also noticed in looking at some routes that they also only open up IN and not I...wonder if there is some connection to the $$$ they receive from CC partnerships.
May 1, 2017, 5:52 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Historically, the difference in premium class saver availability (IN vs. I) has not been meaningful.
I say thank goodness several of UA's *A partners (including LH, OS, TK, SK, OZ, BR, and TG) are considerably more generous with award availability. I've never minded paying a bit extra for the partner products.
I say thank goodness several of UA's *A partners (including LH, OS, TK, SK, OZ, BR, and TG) are considerably more generous with award availability. I've never minded paying a bit extra for the partner products.
May 1, 2017, 8:37 am
#11
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,731
OK, this is what's been going on for several years:
-*A members release award inventory early and periodically. This is offered by UA and costs more than the UA awards.
-UA releases Saver award inventory a few weeks before the flight dates. This way they only offer what is unlikely to sell as revenue seats.
This is common for MP for the last few years.
-*A members release award inventory early and periodically. This is offered by UA and costs more than the UA awards.
-UA releases Saver award inventory a few weeks before the flight dates. This way they only offer what is unlikely to sell as revenue seats.
This is common for MP for the last few years.