Suggestion from Boston - Changing Alliance to StarAlliance with United?
Jun 18, 2018, 1:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BOSTON
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Gold SPG, Gold HH, Silver Marriott
Posts: 54
Suggestion from Boston - Changing Alliance to StarAlliance with United?
Hello, I am top elite on American Airlines (Executive Platinum) and I am thinking changing to United as American is constantly reducing its presence in Boston.
I only use miles to redeem travels transatlantic (to France or Portugal), I never redeem miles for US travels.
This is why the redemption cost (Miles and Award cost is any) and the choices of airlines are key. Fyy flying from Boston to Europe with Oneworld is almost always with BA and they charge $670 in airport fees alone (LHR..) then add all the miles...: ridiculous!
Does anyone have good experience redeeming miles to Europe on United or any partner (TAP for example) in high season (like Summer)? Feedback especially from Boston would be awesome!
Thank you for any feedback
I only use miles to redeem travels transatlantic (to France or Portugal), I never redeem miles for US travels.
This is why the redemption cost (Miles and Award cost is any) and the choices of airlines are key. Fyy flying from Boston to Europe with Oneworld is almost always with BA and they charge $670 in airport fees alone (LHR..) then add all the miles...: ridiculous!
Does anyone have good experience redeeming miles to Europe on United or any partner (TAP for example) in high season (like Summer)? Feedback especially from Boston would be awesome!
Thank you for any feedback
Last edited by davidmiami; Jun 18, 2018 at 1:38 pm Reason: Put the wrong airline
Jun 18, 2018, 1:43 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BOSTON
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Gold SPG, Gold HH, Silver Marriott
Posts: 54
Jun 18, 2018, 1:44 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
BOS does have a solid *A roster, including flights operated LH and LX, which are among the easier TATL business class redemptions.
That said, redemptions in "high season" will as a general proposition be challenging in any program.
Undoubtedly.
That said, redemptions in "high season" will as a general proposition be challenging in any program.
Undoubtedly.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 18, 2018 at 1:52 pm Reason: cleanup after title correction
Jun 18, 2018, 1:47 pm
#6
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
And wise choice not to use your reward miles domestically ^
Jun 18, 2018, 1:52 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BOSTON
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Gold SPG, Gold HH, Silver Marriott
Posts: 54
It seems that United Is not growing much out of Boston so I would rely pretty much exclusively on LH and Tap for transatlantic flights. As long as I can redeem in coach easily in high season without crazy fees, it is ok for me.
Jun 18, 2018, 1:55 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
BOS has some of the best TAP and LH award availability I've seen across north america, not sure why that is the case though.
One thing to keep in mind with Delta, depending on how you book your award trips, is that Europe-originating awards incur significant surcharges. So if you like to book your trips as two one-ways, this will be an issue.
One thing to keep in mind with Delta, depending on how you book your award trips, is that Europe-originating awards incur significant surcharges. So if you like to book your trips as two one-ways, this will be an issue.
Jun 18, 2018, 1:59 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BOSTON
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Gold SPG, Gold HH, Silver Marriott
Posts: 54
BOS has some of the best TAP and LH award availability I've seen across north america, not sure why that is the case though.
One thing to keep in mind with Delta, depending on how you book your award trips, is that Europe-originating awards incur significant surcharges. So if you like to book your trips as two one-ways, this will be an issue.
One thing to keep in mind with Delta, depending on how you book your award trips, is that Europe-originating awards incur significant surcharges. So if you like to book your trips as two one-ways, this will be an issue.
Jun 18, 2018, 2:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I think that, on BA, passengers are better off redeeming for higher class awards (First Class or Business) even though the fees are higher since very often you can find paid Economy tickets that are about the price of the YQ charges when you redeem an Economy award. When we were living in the UK 3 years ago, my wife redeemed a First Class award LHR-PEK-LHR. Totally enjoyed being in the front of the 747 (She had travelled many times in the upper floor so that was a different experience).
Jun 18, 2018, 2:03 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
You can pretty easily do a few searches for some of your sample itineraries on ua's website, if you want to get an idea for availability and fees with your preferred *A carriers.
I have been pretty satisfied with my award redemptions, but none of them have been TP or LH. I like OS.
edit add:
What counts as good for you? Service, seat, schedule? UA has quite a bit of capacity from EWR, so if you are OK with a domestic connection that could be a reasonable option.
I have been pretty satisfied with my award redemptions, but none of them have been TP or LH. I like OS.
edit add:
What counts as good for you? Service, seat, schedule? UA has quite a bit of capacity from EWR, so if you are OK with a domestic connection that could be a reasonable option.
Jun 18, 2018, 2:12 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
I agree. BOS is a non-*A hub with decent *A flights overwater, and as such features excellent availability in my experience.
Jun 18, 2018, 2:22 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BOSTON
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Gold SPG, Gold HH, Silver Marriott
Posts: 54
You can pretty easily do a few searches for some of your sample itineraries on ua's website, if you want to get an idea for availability and fees with your preferred *A carriers.
I have been pretty satisfied with my award redemptions, but none of them have been TP or LH. I like OS.
edit add:
What counts as good for you? Service, seat, schedule? UA has quite a bit of capacity from EWR, so if you are OK with a domestic connection that could be a reasonable option.
I have been pretty satisfied with my award redemptions, but none of them have been TP or LH. I like OS.
edit add:
What counts as good for you? Service, seat, schedule? UA has quite a bit of capacity from EWR, so if you are OK with a domestic connection that could be a reasonable option.
So my understanding is that with Star LH is great fo coach redemption, then I add the possibilities of United through EWR. However for the US United might not be that great out of Boston.
DL seems to be another fit out of Boston but for TATL i only have 2 choices (DL or AF - which might often be the same operating the flights) but I can also connect via JFK and coach seems also quite available.
Jun 18, 2018, 3:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
Jun 18, 2018, 3:52 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
UA's program would be good for that because you would get a free one-way within Europe (the "Excursionist Perk") with a round-trip award. So if you booked BOS-LIS // LIS-FRA // FRA-BOS the LIS-FRA segment would be no extra charge.