View Poll Results: Will you switch frequent flyer programs / what will you switch to?
Stay with UA (or join UA - please post)
233
42.75%
Change to American Airlines
28
5.14%
Change to Delta Air Lines
44
8.07%
Change to Alaska Airlines
28
5.14%
Change to non-US Star Alliance (please post which program)
53
9.72%
Change to non-US Oneworld (please post which program)
10
1.83%
Change to non-US SkyTeam (please post which program)
2
0.37%
Split alliances / programs (please post which programs)
28
5.14%
Cease preference for any program
91
16.70%
Retain no preference for any program
28
5.14%
Voters: 545. You may not vote on this poll
2020 MP changes Will you switch loyalty programs? What program will you switch to?
Nov 20, 2019, 7:07 am
#376
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,460
I am honestly thinking of switching to another *A carrier but I am unsure who to switch to. Chasing status used to be the thing for me at UA but with my infrequent flying, the most I was able to strike was Silver this year (and with the PQD waiver being taken away from internationals, this will be gone). I'm beginning to understand the benefits of the Amex Plat card...
I am looking for good redemption and accumulation in the *A network.
I am based out of YYZ and fly TPAC 1-2 times a year and fly domestically 1-2 times a year for business. I usually redeem on Canada-US flights.
Any suggestions on where to jump ship?
I am looking for good redemption and accumulation in the *A network.
I am based out of YYZ and fly TPAC 1-2 times a year and fly domestically 1-2 times a year for business. I usually redeem on Canada-US flights.
Any suggestions on where to jump ship?
Nov 20, 2019, 7:30 am
#377
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
I believe the answer to your question is no. Points must be pointed towards one airline, you can point them to United or ANA but not both. The "Gold" status will work on both airlines but the points only feed one mileage program. If you fly ANA and credit the miles to United they will count towards your MileagePlus status but you will not earn United Lifetime Miles, that only accumulates when flying on "United Metal".
Nov 20, 2019, 10:58 am
#378
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
DL is apparently watching and is now matching UA Silver to DL Gold and UA Gold+ to DL Plat
Before --
https://web.archive.org/web/20191024...atch-challenge
After --
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...atch-challenge
Before --
https://web.archive.org/web/20191024...atch-challenge
After --
https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles...atch-challenge
Nov 20, 2019, 11:29 am
#379
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Platnium, TK Elite Plus
Posts: 134
I'm on BOS on the edge of making Platinum each year. I have 1-2 PE or J trips to East Africa each year and 1-2 TPAC to HK each year plus domestic travel. I too am wondering if a switch to DL or AA makes sense.
Nov 20, 2019, 2:55 pm
#380
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4ιme
Posts: 12,019
I recommend you do some dummy bookings on DL and AA to see what they offer to your destinations in East Africa.
Nov 20, 2019, 3:38 pm
#381
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Denver
Programs: UA Lifetime Plat 2MM. Starwood Lifetime Gold
Posts: 178
I decided to play the field 2 years ago. Continue to do primarily at *A but have done a couple of Middle East carriers. Not flying as much but when I do it is almost always F domestic and J International. Now about 200,000 short of 3MM. Any thoughts on whether it is worth it to go for it?
Nov 20, 2019, 3:45 pm
#382
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,792
I decided to play the field 2 years ago. Continue to do primarily at *A but have done a couple of Middle East carriers. Not flying as much but when I do it is almost always F domestic and J International. Now about 200,000 short of 3MM. Any thoughts on whether it is worth it to go for it?
Nov 20, 2019, 4:10 pm
#383
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,989
Air Canada?
Hey, does anyone here fly AC a lot?
I found a pretty cheap fare (4.2K) in biz to NRT from the East Coast and am wondering how UA flyers like their J cabin and soft product?
In addition, I always travel with commercial merchandise. Are there any additional hassles with transiting through Canada with such?
To benefit from the PQP exchange advantage, I know that I need to credit my points to my UA account, but what if I have an old Aeroplan account? Could this be automatically resurrected once I start the booking process and mess things up?
Thanks!
I found a pretty cheap fare (4.2K) in biz to NRT from the East Coast and am wondering how UA flyers like their J cabin and soft product?
In addition, I always travel with commercial merchandise. Are there any additional hassles with transiting through Canada with such?
To benefit from the PQP exchange advantage, I know that I need to credit my points to my UA account, but what if I have an old Aeroplan account? Could this be automatically resurrected once I start the booking process and mess things up?
Thanks!
Nov 20, 2019, 4:58 pm
#384
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Platnium, TK Elite Plus
Posts: 134
- Skyteam: AF or KL has options but generally much more expensive than LH or LX. I can fly Kenya airways but its hard get MQM's or MQD's that are worth much.
- Oneworld: BA has options decent PE options with Qatar as a backup again. Qatar is not great for earning EQM/EQD. I'm not thrilled with AA being my domestic carrier especially because they don't have a credit card EQD wavier.
Nov 20, 2019, 7:41 pm
#385
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Boston MA
Programs: UA 1K/1.5 million miler, SU Gold, JL Sapphire
Posts: 529
Hey, does anyone here fly AC a lot?
I found a pretty cheap fare (4.2K) in biz to NRT from the East Coast and am wondering how UA flyers like their J cabin and soft product?
In addition, I always travel with commercial merchandise. Are there any additional hassles with transiting through Canada with such?
To benefit from the PQP exchange advantage, I know that I need to credit my points to my UA account, but what if I have an old Aeroplan account? Could this be automatically resurrected once I start the booking process and mess things up?
Thanks!
I found a pretty cheap fare (4.2K) in biz to NRT from the East Coast and am wondering how UA flyers like their J cabin and soft product?
In addition, I always travel with commercial merchandise. Are there any additional hassles with transiting through Canada with such?
To benefit from the PQP exchange advantage, I know that I need to credit my points to my UA account, but what if I have an old Aeroplan account? Could this be automatically resurrected once I start the booking process and mess things up?
Thanks!
It is fairly easy to transit. On your way to Asia you won't have to go through security. If doing YYZ it is child's play: there is a transit place where you scan your passport and voila you are on your way to international departures. In YUL it is a bit more complicated because in addition to scanning your passport you also need to speak with Canadian immigration. You won't need to go through security though.
Coming back from Asia is as easy in YUL as in YYZ. There is a place where you sit and wait until your luggage is scanned by US authorities. Then you go through security and then US border (since both airport have preclearance). That means you arrive US side at your arrival, no need to speak to US immigration.
The he only drawback I could see is if you are checking in your commercial material, the immigration authorities scan it and then have questions about it. I believe it would only matter when coming back, and the customs agent after security may ask about it (they have a picture of the scan I assume). When going to Asia, Canadian authorities are just trying to make sure you are just transiting, no question about your luggage at all.
p.s. All considered, this may not be the ideal thread for this question. If a mod wants to split the thread please, with my apologies,
Nov 20, 2019, 7:50 pm
#386
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,989
I do and for the same reasons. Quality tends to be superior to UA, especially the seat. It is Polaris all over the long haul fleet as far as I know: direct access. Only drawback: your seat may deflate, but if it does press the maple leaf for a few secs and reset lumbars, works every time.
It is fairly easy to transit. On your way to Asia you won't have to go through security. If doing YYZ it is child's play: there is a transit place where you scan your passport and voila you are on your way to international departures. In YUL it is a bit more complicated because in addition to scanning your passport you also need to speak with Canadian immigration. You won't need to go through security though.
Coming back from Asia is as easy in YUL as in YYZ. There is a place where you sit and wait until your luggage is scanned by US authorities. Then you go through security and then US border (since both airport have preclearance). That means you arrive US side at your arrival, no need to speak to US immigration.
The he only drawback I could see is if you are checking in your commercial material, the immigration authorities scan it and then have questions about it. I believe it would only matter when coming back, and the customs agent after security may ask about it (they have a picture of the scan I assume). When going to Asia, Canadian authorities are just trying to make sure you are just transiting, no question about your luggage at all.
p.s. All considered, this may not be the ideal thread for this question. If a mod wants to split the thread please, with my apologies,
It is fairly easy to transit. On your way to Asia you won't have to go through security. If doing YYZ it is child's play: there is a transit place where you scan your passport and voila you are on your way to international departures. In YUL it is a bit more complicated because in addition to scanning your passport you also need to speak with Canadian immigration. You won't need to go through security though.
Coming back from Asia is as easy in YUL as in YYZ. There is a place where you sit and wait until your luggage is scanned by US authorities. Then you go through security and then US border (since both airport have preclearance). That means you arrive US side at your arrival, no need to speak to US immigration.
The he only drawback I could see is if you are checking in your commercial material, the immigration authorities scan it and then have questions about it. I believe it would only matter when coming back, and the customs agent after security may ask about it (they have a picture of the scan I assume). When going to Asia, Canadian authorities are just trying to make sure you are just transiting, no question about your luggage at all.
p.s. All considered, this may not be the ideal thread for this question. If a mod wants to split the thread please, with my apologies,
I am feeling pretty upbeat about how reasonably AC biz can be purchased. And the transit times are equal to my normal UA flights.
Nov 20, 2019, 8:23 pm
#387
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,839
Ok, let me get this straight... to achieve 1K you must actually fly; meeting both the PQD and PQM (or segments) requirements, award travel doesn't count.
So you are saying that with all flying you do to achieve and maintain 1K, the single most important benefit was the waiver of the $75 close in booking fee for award tickets?
Regards
So you are saying that with all flying you do to achieve and maintain 1K, the single most important benefit was the waiver of the $75 close in booking fee for award tickets?
Regards
wasnt doing that much flying to get to 1k-i was doing a lot on award tkts as well..
Nov 21, 2019, 7:23 am
#389
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
So I have sense there:
- Skyteam: AF or KL has options but generally much more expensive than LH or LX. I can fly Kenya airways but its hard get MQM's or MQD's that are worth much.
- Oneworld: BA has options decent PE options with Qatar as a backup again. Qatar is not great for earning EQM/EQD. I'm not thrilled with AA being my domestic carrier especially because they don't have a credit card EQD wavier.
Nov 21, 2019, 7:49 am
#390
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,989