GPU of 1K UA vs SWU of EXP AA -- Which provides more value?
Jul 16, 2019, 6:38 pm
#16
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EXP gets 4 at 100k and I think 2 every 50k after. I'm on track for 200k EQM which I know will leave me with 8 SWU. I don't know 100% if they give you more at 250k, 300k, but for sure at 150k and 200k.
Jul 16, 2019, 6:43 pm
#17
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There was a brief window when any fare worked on LH, but they fixed that
Jul 16, 2019, 6:50 pm
#18
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In that case, for my purposes (100% leisure travel), I think AA SWU are the more useful instrument. It's true the confirm at time of booking avail isn't great, but I used my 4 this year turning a $600 JFK-CDG-JFK Y roundtrip into a J one, and turning the HKG-DFW and LAX-HKG portions of a $1,800 HKG-DFW-MEX, CUN-MIA-LAX-HKG J fare into F legs. Sounds like I would have to shell out a lot more $ on the fares to get any benefit from UA GPU.
Jul 16, 2019, 7:43 pm
#19
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Jul 16, 2019, 10:54 pm
#20
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Hard to say which provides more value, but I would say that I struggle to use the AA SWUs each year vs. the UA GPUs. AA simply doesn't open up much space, and I don't like waitlisting, especially on AA with relatively small J cabins.
Agree with previous posts that J to F is a pretty good use of an SWU, especially if routing through a hub that has Flagship Dining. Even better if one encounters IRROPS, and AA rebooks you in F on one of their OW partners.
Agree with previous posts that J to F is a pretty good use of an SWU, especially if routing through a hub that has Flagship Dining. Even better if one encounters IRROPS, and AA rebooks you in F on one of their OW partners.
Jul 17, 2019, 12:11 am
#21
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... for my purposes (100% leisure travel), I think AA SWU are the more useful instrument. It's true the confirm at time of booking avail isn't great, but I used my 4 this year turning a $600 JFK-CDG-JFK Y roundtrip into a J one, and turning the HKG-DFW and LAX-HKG portions of a $1,800 HKG-DFW-MEX, CUN-MIA-LAX-HKG J fare into F legs. Sounds like I would have to shell out a lot more $ on the fares to get any benefit from UA GPU.
I appreciate the ability to use AA SWU on sub-$600 roundtrips to PEK, PVG, and HKG, as well as to TPE, KUL, CGK, etc., using AA/JL codeshares. Even though the SWU can only get as far as NRT on those latter instances, I'll take it for such low fares plus a trip to the Sakura First Lounge.
That said, when my schedule isn't flexible (e.g., flying transpac on a Friday or Saturday), I wouldn't bother with the SWU and instead book PEY on CX (which op-upped me a couple of times).
Jul 17, 2019, 3:58 am
#22
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The lack of fare class restrictions is nice but I’d argue the sweet spot for the VIPs is upgrading cheap Y to J, not J to F, on AA. True UA imposes a sub W embargo on Y > J upgrades but there is no fare class restrictions on Y > PPlus for GPUs. I’d argue this helps improve a GPUs usability and serves to partially close the gap on the no-fare-class-restriction AA VIPs.
”C” (AA’s version of PZ) is rarely open in advance on the flights I care about (HKG) but does seem to open about 2/3 days prior if the cabin is booked light enough. Take away is you either book a cheap Y last-minute when you can confirm the upgrade or else you’re playing the waiting game.
On UA, you can find PZ and PN (AA has no equivalent of PN) in advance some of the time and with UA adding J and PPlus seats, not removing them, I’d assume UA would offer better upgrade options for those who are VERY flexible and booking in advance.
Finally with discount J fares being what they are many - myself included - have found good value in foregoing the upgrade game in favor of just buying the front cabin. Uncertain what constraints you’re operating under but this maybe something you’d want to consider.
Jul 17, 2019, 7:28 am
#23
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I think the other benefit, depending on your patterns, is that UA gives you more certificates than AA. I'm actually getting hit by that one this year as I don't know what to do with my 5th and 6th GPUs since I don't really have time to make a "real" trip and not sure it's worth even a W fare just to go somewhere for the ~weekend (I know FT will disagree on that point )
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Jul 17, 2019, 9:22 am
#24
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I think the other benefit, depending on your patterns, is that UA gives you more certificates than AA. I'm actually getting hit by that one this year as I don't know what to do with my 5th and 6th GPUs since I don't really have time to make a "real" trip and not sure it's worth even a W fare just to go somewhere for the ~weekend (I know FT will disagree on that point )
)
Jul 17, 2019, 9:56 am
#26
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My S/O is an AA Exec Plat who hasn't been able to confirm an UG at booking in the past 2 years, even when booking 11 months in advance and departing on a Tue/Wed.
I always manage to find something and never ever play the wait list game.
Jul 17, 2019, 2:03 pm
#27
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While I admit AA C-avail isn't great, I have never waitlisted either. If you're flexible and do some digging, you can usually find routes that will work for you.