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If UA awarded you free Y travel for a year - non mileage earning, would you take it?

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If UA awarded you free Y travel for a year - non mileage earning, would you take it?

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Old Dec 14, 2017, 10:57 am
  #1  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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If UA awarded you free Y travel for a year - non mileage earning, would you take it?

I’m looking at the JetBlue sweepstakes, offering a prize of free travel for you and a companion for a year of economy travel. The rules specify:

No Mint
No miles.

If UA offered the same, would you want it? Or is earning miles/ maintaining status more important?

What if it were free C travel? Would that change things?
zrs70 is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 10:59 am
  #2  
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Originally Posted by zrs70
If UA offered the same, would you want it?
If I could get E+, yes.

Originally Posted by zrs70
What if it were free C travel?
Absolutely. No question.
mahasamatman is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 11:02 am
  #3  
 
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Originally Posted by zrs70
I’m looking at the JetBlue sweepstakes, offering a prize of free travel for you and a companion for a year of economy travel. The rules specify:

No Mint
No miles.

If UA offered the same, would you want it? Or is earning miles/ maintaining status more important?

What if it were free C travel? Would that change things?
Would depend on the tax liability.

Assuming none, would be great for short hauls - head anywhere a short hop away anytime.
cerealmarketer is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 11:07 am
  #4  
 
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Tax implications aside, who would say no?
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Old Dec 14, 2017, 11:11 am
  #5  
 
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Assuming you'd lose your status (0 PQM's) but with a UA credit card, you wouldn't drop below Group 2,

I'd still take it, but put a small percentage of what would have been the trip cost in an account. Then the following year, I'd use those funds to pay for E+, bag fees, TOD upgrades, etc, while I was building back up to previous status.
tarheelnj is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 11:11 am
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Originally Posted by zrs70
I’m looking at the JetBlue sweepstakes, offering a prize of free travel for you and a companion for a year of economy travel. The rules specify:

No Mint
No miles.

If UA offered the same, would you want it? Or is earning miles/ maintaining status more important?

What if it were free C travel? Would that change things?
Of course, I would take it in any case but would I keep the status I have currently earned and earn no more ? I would be happy with free travel - I have mostly free time so I would be traveling for the whole time. No need to earn miles - will they take what I already have ?
FlyfromDenver is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 11:27 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Heck ya, If domestic, I would just buy an E+ subscription for $500 and maybe get a year's UA Club membership and I would be set.
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IADFlyer123 is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 11:42 am
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
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Originally Posted by IADFlyer123
Heck ya, If domestic, I would just buy an E+ subscription for $500 and maybe get a year's UA Club membership and I would be set.
Once you get to a certain age, it's where you "set" that matters most!
Two Bee is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 12:14 pm
  #9  
 
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The only reason to say no to the B6 offer are the tax implications.
ctownflyer is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 12:16 pm
  #10  
 
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Originally Posted by Two Bee
Once you get to a certain age, it's where you "set" that matters most!
Oh I agree ......If this opportunity had presented itself in my 20s, or even early 30s i would be all over it.
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Old Dec 14, 2017, 1:25 pm
  #11  
 
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Originally Posted by Two Bee
Once you get to a certain age, it's where you "set" that matters most!
I'm 63 and happy to sit wherever for free. If I can sit on a bike saddle for 87 miles in a day, I can sit in E- for a free trip.
FlyfromDenver is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 1:32 pm
  #12  
 
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I guess I'm missing the decision dilemma - unless I'm going to Hawaii. If free and for a year - I can use the $$ saved for massage upon arrival from coach but I can travel as much as I wish including position flights to better destination.
RooseveltL is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2017, 2:22 pm
  #13  
mr8
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
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UA metal only - probably if I can book in advance and don't have to standby like a non-rev.
Any Star Alliance flight - definitely!
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Old Dec 14, 2017, 2:27 pm
  #14  
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No. I mostly fly for work, am often upgraded, and the miles pay for award vacations. Benefit to me? Zero
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Old Dec 14, 2017, 2:27 pm
  #15  
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I feel like the tax consequences here are the relevant portion.

Otherwise of course I would "take it"... utilize it often, not so much (assuming no way to get out of Y), but it would probably end up good for some free short hops.
findark is offline  


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