Where to credit/spend after hitting 1k?
May 15, 2019, 11:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: UA
Posts: 38
Where to credit/spend after hitting 1k?
I have crossed 1K mark recently (for the first time), and still have at least 5 business trip planned this year. They are all SFO to east-coast.
My situation:
My situation:
- The remaining trip will be paid P/Z fare, so I don't need free upgrade
- I don't think I will hit GS because my PQD is quite low
- The additional GPU per 25K doesn't seem that attractive
- I plan to use award travel primarily for flights between SFO-asia, e.g. Japan and China.
May 15, 2019, 12:04 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,412
My general answer here is that presumably you started flying UA because it was the best airline for your travel, so you should keep flying UA. The GPUs and lifetime miles might not be what you need, but they're not worthless either.
If your "East Coast" destinations are served nonstop by another carrier, you could conceivably build status there to diversify your options. However, I think adding a connection to do so would be crazy.
If your "East Coast" destinations are served nonstop by another carrier, you could conceivably build status there to diversify your options. However, I think adding a connection to do so would be crazy.
May 15, 2019, 12:06 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
My general answer here is that presumably you started flying UA because it was the best airline for your travel, so you should keep flying UA. The GPUs and lifetime miles might not be what you need, but they're not worthless either.
If your "East Coast" destinations are served nonstop by another carrier, you could conceivably build status there to diversify your options. However, I think adding a connection to do so would be crazy.
If your "East Coast" destinations are served nonstop by another carrier, you could conceivably build status there to diversify your options. However, I think adding a connection to do so would be crazy.
Only thing that could change my mind is if there was a compelling price/service difference. Or if you already had or are trying to maintain another carriers status.
May 15, 2019, 12:14 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
I don't know the intricacies, but what about crediting UA flights to another *A carrier, if there are enough miles to get status there. For example, having direct status on ANA might bring some benefits . . .
May 15, 2019, 12:22 pm
#5
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
May 15, 2019, 12:49 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
I'm not sure how many points you can accrue with 4-5 trips, but my thought would be to consider either AS or AA, because you'd get access to a different set of partner inventory for the desired award flights to Asia. Not necessarily a better set, mind you, just a different one. However, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that you could find a JL or CX award on dates that you can't find an NH or BR award.
May 15, 2019, 1:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I'm not sure how many points you can accrue with 4-5 trips, but my thought would be to consider either AS or AA, because you'd get access to a different set of partner inventory for the desired award flights to Asia. Not necessarily a better set, mind you, just a different one. However, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that you could find a JL or CX award on dates that you can't find an NH or BR award.
May 15, 2019, 3:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
AS has a very generous mileage program, and it might be worth considering if they serve your destinations.
In P/I class, you'll get 13750 miles per trip (5,000 base miles, 75% class of service bonus, 100% promotional bonus*). If you status match to 75k status, you'll also get 125% bonus on top of that.
All in, you'd end up with 70-100k miles at the end of the year, enough for a CX First Class flight for example.
Promotion link: https://www.alaskaair.com/promo/AS1905
In P/I class, you'll get 13750 miles per trip (5,000 base miles, 75% class of service bonus, 100% promotional bonus*). If you status match to 75k status, you'll also get 125% bonus on top of that.
All in, you'd end up with 70-100k miles at the end of the year, enough for a CX First Class flight for example.
Promotion link: https://www.alaskaair.com/promo/AS1905
May 15, 2019, 3:23 pm
#10
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
The problem I see with crediting elsewhere is that you're starting at that airline's bottom. If you're buying business/first fares coast-to-coast then many of those benefits don't help you, but what about IRROPS assistance? What do you value an MP point at, because you earn 11 per dollar as a 1k, right? That goes a long way towards your Japan trips!
I like Delta's service domestically but I have no idea how it is at SFO and if you'd rather be connecting or not. Alaska still earns by distance which is nice too but their partners are starting to diminish. Plus, isn't *A one of the best for Asia routes, which is what you identified as your use of points?
I like Delta's service domestically but I have no idea how it is at SFO and if you'd rather be connecting or not. Alaska still earns by distance which is nice too but their partners are starting to diminish. Plus, isn't *A one of the best for Asia routes, which is what you identified as your use of points?
May 15, 2019, 3:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
AS has a very generous mileage program, and it might be worth considering if they serve your destinations.
In P/I class, you'll get 13750 miles per trip (5,000 base miles, 75% class of service bonus, 100% promotional bonus*). If you status match to 75k status, you'll also get 125% bonus on top of that.
All in, you'd end up with 70-100k miles at the end of the year, enough for a CX First Class flight for example.
Promotion link: https://www.alaskaair.com/promo/AS1905
In P/I class, you'll get 13750 miles per trip (5,000 base miles, 75% class of service bonus, 100% promotional bonus*). If you status match to 75k status, you'll also get 125% bonus on top of that.
All in, you'd end up with 70-100k miles at the end of the year, enough for a CX First Class flight for example.
Promotion link: https://www.alaskaair.com/promo/AS1905
May 15, 2019, 4:31 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,801
One thing to keep in mind is lifetime status. If it’s of interest, every mile counts, so I’d stick with United.
May 15, 2019, 5:23 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
The problem I see with crediting elsewhere is that you're starting at that airline's bottom. If you're buying business/first fares coast-to-coast then many of those benefits don't help you, but what about IRROPS assistance? What do you value an MP point at, because you earn 11 per dollar as a 1k, right? That goes a long way towards your Japan trips!
May 15, 2019, 6:28 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
However, that's exactly why I was advised to stick with one program, and that has just borne fruit for me as a newly minted 1MM. It's also why I signed up the iapetus jrs. for MP. Yeah, they're still well south of 100,000 BIS miles, but maybe by the time they get to college they'll have a nice head start on lifetime status (if they'll even care about that). Maybe they won't have to wait until they're an old woman and an old man ... like their old man.
May 15, 2019, 6:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 189
I don’t know about others but after 20 years as a 1K I find that flying 200,000 miles or more with spend of $30,000 or more does not get me any more benefits that those who fly bare minimum. I earn extra upgrades but cannot use them due to lack of availability. Letters and complaints do not help. I also have 5 or 6 international business flights after achieving 1K this year and have no intention of flying these on United because I am furious that I cannot use upgrades. Adding to the upgrade total gets me nowhere. Flying Turkish, Lot and others with better business class product and typically lower prices. Have had it with loyalty that only works one way