Transfer from Germany to US-based program?
Jan 23, 2018, 12:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: LH
Posts: 4
Transfer from Germany to US - Which program to use?
Hi guys,
I recently moved from Germany to the US (Chicago). At the moment, I am a Lufthansa M&M member (Silver status, 250k miles accumulated). Now, I'm wondering if I should continue to earn Lufthansa miles (I have weekly flights within the US for work) or switch to United's program (given that it's Star Alliance) or any other airline (I guess AA is the only other Chicago alternative) to enjoy better benefits.
Any advice?
Thanks
I recently moved from Germany to the US (Chicago). At the moment, I am a Lufthansa M&M member (Silver status, 250k miles accumulated). Now, I'm wondering if I should continue to earn Lufthansa miles (I have weekly flights within the US for work) or switch to United's program (given that it's Star Alliance) or any other airline (I guess AA is the only other Chicago alternative) to enjoy better benefits.
Any advice?
Thanks
Last edited by Berbatov; Jan 23, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Jan 23, 2018, 12:31 pm
#2
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If you have weekly flights in the US, switch to UA MP, and keep your Germany address if you are still legally considered a resident there.
You will enjoy the benefits of UA Gold relatively soon (once weekly RT flights at 1000 each way is easily 100,000 a year and so 1K but being conservative) and you will waive the PQD requirements with a non-US address.
Meanwhile, ensure your M&M miles are used up or extended (not sure of their expiry policies).
You will enjoy the benefits of UA Gold relatively soon (once weekly RT flights at 1000 each way is easily 100,000 a year and so 1K but being conservative) and you will waive the PQD requirements with a non-US address.
Meanwhile, ensure your M&M miles are used up or extended (not sure of their expiry policies).
Jan 23, 2018, 1:42 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: LH
Posts: 4
If you have weekly flights in the US, switch to UA MP, and keep your Germany address if you are still legally considered a resident there.
You will enjoy the benefits of UA Gold relatively soon (once weekly RT flights at 1000 each way is easily 100,000 a year and so 1K but being conservative) and you will waive the PQD requirements with a non-US address.
Meanwhile, ensure your M&M miles are used up or extended (not sure of their expiry policies).
You will enjoy the benefits of UA Gold relatively soon (once weekly RT flights at 1000 each way is easily 100,000 a year and so 1K but being conservative) and you will waive the PQD requirements with a non-US address.
Meanwhile, ensure your M&M miles are used up or extended (not sure of their expiry policies).
Is there any way I can carry over my LH status or do I have to start from scratch? On UA's status match page, it says Star Alliance members are excluded...
Jan 23, 2018, 1:53 pm
#5
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I would not try the match. Especially if you think you may need the PQD exemption, I wouldn't try it as if you say you "moved" here, they may watch your account very very carefully for address changes.
But if you get the account first with the German address and then say " i want to switch as I will be traveling UA a lot", then maybe.
But if you get the account first with the German address and then say " i want to switch as I will be traveling UA a lot", then maybe.
Jan 23, 2018, 1:57 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: LH
Posts: 4
I would not try the match. Especially if you think you may need the PQD exemption, I wouldn't try it as if you say you "moved" here, they may watch your account very very carefully for address changes.
But if you get the account first with the German address and then say " i want to switch as I will be traveling UA a lot", then maybe.
But if you get the account first with the German address and then say " i want to switch as I will be traveling UA a lot", then maybe.
Jan 23, 2018, 2:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2009
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It’s easier to accrue PQM than PQD. In the U.S., it’s relatively easy to find airfare under $.12/mile.
Jan 23, 2018, 2:25 pm
#8
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It depends entirely on your travel patterns. For example, I was just below 10 cents per mile last year, flying almost exclusively paid premium cabin or (successfully) upgraded fares. Some people pay triple or quadruple that much for the same miles.
Jan 23, 2018, 2:27 pm
#9
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Location: MEL CHC
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I recently moved from Germany to the US (Chicago). At the moment, I am a Lufthansa M&M member (Silver status, 250k miles accumulated). Now, I'm wondering if I should continue to earn Lufthansa miles (I have weekly flights within the US for work) or switch to United's program (given that it's Star Alliance) or any other airline (I guess AA is the only other Chicago alternative) to enjoy better benefits.
Is Germany still home and if yes will you have flights back to Germany?
What are your objectives from a ffp?
Will you have choice of airline if flying for work? (UA/AA/DL/other)
Corporate travel policy / preferred airline?
What class will you travel?
Many people in USA get many many ff miles from cc spend/cc sign up.
Jan 23, 2018, 2:36 pm
#10
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Getting 1K on UA will mean some upgrades on domestic UA flights, while IIRC SEN/HON (if that's possible on LH with OP's increased travel) would give access to UA lounges while flying UA domestically as well as internationally (which is the *Gold benefit from either side).
Jan 23, 2018, 3:14 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GRZ
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 217
you need 35k PQM for a LH M&M Silver (still valid for two years after qualification) but pretty much useless if you are US based now ...
register with your German address and start flying UA and earning on UA MP.
You can easily hit UA MP Gold by flying a little domestic and fly home twice a year - just avoid to travel home on Lufthansa's cheap fare K ... get a credit score and get a UA branded credit card - all you need
UA MP mileage redemption is 100 times better than miles & less which charges you more fees than an actual ticket would cost
register with your German address and start flying UA and earning on UA MP.
You can easily hit UA MP Gold by flying a little domestic and fly home twice a year - just avoid to travel home on Lufthansa's cheap fare K ... get a credit score and get a UA branded credit card - all you need
UA MP mileage redemption is 100 times better than miles & less which charges you more fees than an actual ticket would cost
Jan 23, 2018, 3:23 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: LH
Posts: 4
How long will you be living in USA? Forever or a short time (few years)?
At least 2+ years
Is Germany still home and if yes will you have flights back to Germany?
I fully live in Chicago now and there won't be more than 1 flight a year back to Germany (which is how I can use my "old" Lufthansa miles)
What are your objectives from a ffp?
Lounge access, faster service (I travel mainly for business)
Will you have choice of airline if flying for work? (UA/AA/DL/other)
Usually yes
Corporate travel policy / preferred airline?
More or less flexible, personally I prefer United as a current Star Alliance user / Chicago resident
What class will you travel?
Mostly economy
Many people in USA get many many ff miles from cc spend/cc sign up.
At least 2+ years
Is Germany still home and if yes will you have flights back to Germany?
I fully live in Chicago now and there won't be more than 1 flight a year back to Germany (which is how I can use my "old" Lufthansa miles)
What are your objectives from a ffp?
Lounge access, faster service (I travel mainly for business)
Will you have choice of airline if flying for work? (UA/AA/DL/other)
Usually yes
Corporate travel policy / preferred airline?
More or less flexible, personally I prefer United as a current Star Alliance user / Chicago resident
What class will you travel?
Mostly economy
Many people in USA get many many ff miles from cc spend/cc sign up.
Jan 23, 2018, 3:35 pm
#13
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
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A very similar BA/AA "moving to USA from Eu" thread on the BA forum:- BA Gold GL moving to USA....should I switch affiliation ?
Lounge access will be a challenge as a UA ff.
With many USA frequent flyers upgrades are the primary ffp objective.
Be careful of the LH M&M 3 year hard ff miles expiry
Award cost guide:- ORD to FRA Award Pricing Calculator | AwardAce
Lounge access will be a challenge as a UA ff.
With many USA frequent flyers upgrades are the primary ffp objective.
Be careful of the LH M&M 3 year hard ff miles expiry
Award cost guide:- ORD to FRA Award Pricing Calculator | AwardAce
Jan 23, 2018, 3:37 pm
#14
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Location: Austin, TX
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Well, you're going to be a little disappointed. Neither AA nor UA offer lounge access to frequent flyers on domestic routes. DL does, if you reach Diamond level and choose that benefit; however, DL has many fewer nonstop destinations out of Chicago.
Both AA and UA sell lounge access, and lounge access is included with various credit cards (but check to makes sure the airports you'd be using have a lounge that you can enter with a given credit card).
You can get lounge access on UA domestic flights by accruing Gold status on a Star Alliance partner. You wouldn't get any other benefits, but if that's the most important thing to you, it might be worth considering. Aegean and Asiana have both offered reasonably quick paths to Star Alliance Gold in the past. It will be extremely difficult to get Gold status on your Miles & More account by flying UA domestic fares.
Both AA and UA sell lounge access, and lounge access is included with various credit cards (but check to makes sure the airports you'd be using have a lounge that you can enter with a given credit card).
You can get lounge access on UA domestic flights by accruing Gold status on a Star Alliance partner. You wouldn't get any other benefits, but if that's the most important thing to you, it might be worth considering. Aegean and Asiana have both offered reasonably quick paths to Star Alliance Gold in the past. It will be extremely difficult to get Gold status on your Miles & More account by flying UA domestic fares.
Jan 23, 2018, 3:39 pm
#15
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I agree with jsloan that the news isn't great. If you primarily value lounge access, you cannot get that (domestically) from UA status, and making SEN by flying domestic Economy is basically impossible. I would recommend getting the United Club Card as a means of lounge access and better treatment (or do the same on AA).