Giving up on 1k, what next?
Oct 20, 2018, 11:29 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
That's a pretty good Delta/SkyTeam destination set. Delta partners Virgin Atlantic non-stop to LHR, AF non-stop to CDG, KL non-stop to AMS. Delta SFO-LAX-SYD, or partner Virgin Australia on the LAX-SYD segment; China Airlines SFO-TPE-JKT. Delta's equivalent of the GPU (the GUC) is usable with fare restrictions on AF, KL, VS, Korean, and AM, but - as noted above, is only available at the Diamond 125K level.
OP will also have SkyClub access from Amex for domestic airports on Delta, but *G includes the international lounges which may be better than priority pass.
I'd probably stay with UA - 1K status is good through 2020 and if a requal doesn't seem likely, OP can match over to Delta later.
Oct 20, 2018, 11:46 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Delta also requires $15,000 in MQD (although I believe you can earn it on partner flights) so this might still be an issue for OP. The other thing to consider is no matter what fare class, you only get 150% MQM for premium tickets, which may not be a factor for OP depending on how many BIS miles he does a year in J.
My $0.02, if you don’t want to stick with UA, just become a kayaker and don’t worry about status. UA really is the best for your travel patterns from SFO. There’s no point in contorting your travels to try to get on another alliance if you don’t want to stick with United.
My $0.02, if you don’t want to stick with UA, just become a kayaker and don’t worry about status. UA really is the best for your travel patterns from SFO. There’s no point in contorting your travels to try to get on another alliance if you don’t want to stick with United.
Last edited by SFOdelayed; Oct 20, 2018 at 1:19 pm Reason: Typo
Oct 20, 2018, 12:07 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Exactly.
Oct 20, 2018, 1:20 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,604
Do a status match or challenge with an airline in another alliance while you are still 1K so you can get lounge access on International Economy or Premium Economy while you shop around. Or if you status match to a non-US Airline, then get US domestic lounge access too.
Oct 20, 2018, 1:20 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Oct 20, 2018, 2:30 pm
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
My $0.02, if you don’t want to stick with UA, just become a kayaker and don’t worry about status. UA really is the best for your travel patterns from SFO. There’s no point in contorting your travels to try to get on another alliance if you don’t want to stick with United.
And DL/ST is NOT a comparable replacement option for heavy international travelers ex-SFO. I tried it for a year. The options are far inferior to what *A offers. I can get as specific as you like, but just ask yourself, would you rather connect at CDG after flying angle-flats TATL, or at FRA/ZRH/MUC/LHR (T2) with 100% lie-flat options TATL?