UA 1K 1.3MM, AA .3MM Should I hedge my bets?
Nov 11, 2017, 7:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
UA 1K 1.3MM, AA .3MM Should I hedge my bets?
If I stayed with UA MP, I’ll hit 2MM before I retire. That would give me lifetime Plat.
Alternatively i I could switch to AA and get to 1MM and whatever that provides in lifetime terms.
Im wondering if any of you think I should hedge my bets and switch now or stay put with UA.
Alternatively i I could switch to AA and get to 1MM and whatever that provides in lifetime terms.
Im wondering if any of you think I should hedge my bets and switch now or stay put with UA.
Nov 11, 2017, 7:15 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,390
1MM on AA is Lifetime AA Gold -- equivalent to UA Silver. I can't see flying 700K miles on AA just in order to achieve that. Lifetime Platinum isn't a huge upgrade over Gold, so if AA offers other advantages for you, then that's fine. But I wouldn't do it just to have AA Gold status at retirement.
Nov 11, 2017, 7:40 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
I agree with jsloan. If you had more than 0.3M, for example 0.8M, then probably yes. But it's not worth it unless there are other reasons to fly AA.
I'm at 1.9M with DL and 0.8M with UA. Should reach 2MM + 1MM in the next few years, but honestly I'm not going out of my way to do this, and will continue to fly AA when the routing or fares are better.
I'm at 1.9M with DL and 0.8M with UA. Should reach 2MM + 1MM in the next few years, but honestly I'm not going out of my way to do this, and will continue to fly AA when the routing or fares are better.
Nov 11, 2017, 9:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,952
I’m currently UA 1.5MM and AA 0.3MM, but I gave up 1K for EXP. I figure that I’m content with UA/*A lifetime Gold—at least until (if) the +1 gift status goes away. And if I want Plat, I’ll get it from Chase CC spend.
I am enjoying EXP. Not that AA service is better than others (it’s on par with every domestic carrier, IMO), but I find the different airlines in the OW alliance and lounge access as Emerald to be exciting experiences to look forward to. Meanwhile, I’ll be taking a protracted route to reaching UA 2MM, which is something that I too want to eventually attain.
I am enjoying EXP. Not that AA service is better than others (it’s on par with every domestic carrier, IMO), but I find the different airlines in the OW alliance and lounge access as Emerald to be exciting experiences to look forward to. Meanwhile, I’ll be taking a protracted route to reaching UA 2MM, which is something that I too want to eventually attain.
Nov 11, 2017, 9:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
The lower tiers don't do much these days. I have LT 1K with UA via the CO Infinite program and close to 2M on UA. But I switched to AA about 5 years ago with the whole TOD thing. AA had been great - I am at 1.3+M and plan to go to 2M for LT Plat but that really only gives you MCE seating at ticket time. As EXP my upgrade rate has dropped dramatically with the new sort process, so not sure - might just switch back to UA.
But F fares have dropped so much, it seems like a better deal to just by F domestically, and forget about the status. Status isn't what it used to be.
But F fares have dropped so much, it seems like a better deal to just by F domestically, and forget about the status. Status isn't what it used to be.
Nov 11, 2017, 11:22 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,990
Nov 12, 2017, 3:27 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
While I agree with this statement now, if you're looking for a status tier for the rest of your life, I'd say going for UA Plat over UA Gold is a much better devaluation hedge than going for AA Gold vs UA Gold.
Admittedly, Plat has been devalued now from an award perspective, but I would be worried about significant cuts to Gold in the future (SDC in particular) which I suspect won't hit Plat.
I also think permanent G1 boarding, especially on domestic flights, is a genuine value-add from Plat, as is 9 E+ per flight if you have a family. I'd be surprised if either of those are taken away from Plat in the medium run.
Admittedly, Plat has been devalued now from an award perspective, but I would be worried about significant cuts to Gold in the future (SDC in particular) which I suspect won't hit Plat.
I also think permanent G1 boarding, especially on domestic flights, is a genuine value-add from Plat, as is 9 E+ per flight if you have a family. I'd be surprised if either of those are taken away from Plat in the medium run.
Nov 12, 2017, 3:29 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
Parker the downgrader sent UA Mr. Kirby
Upgrades ES have been farcical lately: and pretty sure that’s intentional. GPU’s don’t clear because capacity is so restricted on TPAC, and domestic is TOD to death hub to hub.
Oh well—thanks everyone for their thoughts and comments!
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 12, 2017 at 11:33 am Reason: repaired quote
Nov 12, 2017, 7:10 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
Your Chicago base might swing the choice to having MM status on your two hub airlines, but I would go for lifetime UA Plat.
I have MM Gold status on AA and it's been mildly useful the few times I've had IRROPS to an AA flight or AA was a much better fare or time, but really just for a slightly better selection of free seats and priority boarding. Being based in New Jersey, focusing on UA is my only realistic option.
I'll get to 2MM on UA in the near future myself (currently earned 1K), and do see great value when my travel decreases in keeping BG1 and E+ seats for family trips.
I have MM Gold status on AA and it's been mildly useful the few times I've had IRROPS to an AA flight or AA was a much better fare or time, but really just for a slightly better selection of free seats and priority boarding. Being based in New Jersey, focusing on UA is my only realistic option.
I'll get to 2MM on UA in the near future myself (currently earned 1K), and do see great value when my travel decreases in keeping BG1 and E+ seats for family trips.
Nov 12, 2017, 8:18 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
I’m in the camp that feels splitting your loyalties is a mistake. If you take a long run strategy it’s most likely better to maximize lifetime status on a single carrier. No one knows, starting out, how many miles he/she will fly but over time focusing my loyalty with UA has paid real benefits. In my case LT GS, companion status for my wife and LT United Club membership. If I had split my loyalties I would be LT Platinum and companion status for my wife, best case on two Airlines, it’s an easy choice looking backwards, at least to me.
Nov 12, 2017, 12:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hiding under the trees in Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 2.5MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,306
Go for Lifetime Platinum on United. Perpetual Group 1 boarding, and it does separate you from the pack of Golds on UA.
Nov 13, 2017, 12:19 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 734
1MM on AA is Lifetime AA Gold -- equivalent to UA Silver. I can't see flying 700K miles on AA just in order to achieve that. Lifetime Platinum isn't a huge upgrade over Gold, so if AA offers other advantages for you, then that's fine. But I wouldn't do it just to have AA Gold status at retirement.
Otherwise, the safe bet is that both UA and AA will further devalue their MM programs. UA will first drop the spouse benefit, and meet AA's lower bars on everything. Heck. 100k used to get you UA MM. AA still gets you MM credit for some non-AA metal. It's easier, hence the obvious lower value.
And here I am with 0.8 MM in both UA and AA. I've been asking myself how hard should I go for any of it...
Nov 13, 2017, 5:41 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
Admittedly, Plat has been devalued now from an award perspective, but I would be worried about significant cuts to Gold in the future (SDC in particular) which I suspect won't hit Plat.
I also think permanent G1 boarding, especially on domestic flights, is a genuine value-add from Plat, as is 9 E+ per flight if you have a family. I'd be surprised if either of those are taken away from Plat in the medium run.
I also think permanent G1 boarding, especially on domestic flights, is a genuine value-add from Plat, as is 9 E+ per flight if you have a family. I'd be surprised if either of those are taken away from Plat in the medium run.
Nov 13, 2017, 5:52 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
You're too far from a crappy AA status as many others noted. But I also wouldn't try too hard to get the next UA tier. There are a few small advantages in fee waivers and such but the best bang-for-your-buck milestone on UA is 1MM, not a higher level.
Go free agent instead. Buy tickets that are the right price, schedule and service level that you want. Take advantage of the UA status when it works but my guess is long term you'll save time, money and stress by just buying the tickets you want and ignoring the lifetime status implications.
Nov 14, 2017, 12:04 am
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,341
