Advice on use of miles
Oct 27, 2019, 5:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 14
Advice on use of miles
Hi all,
Just after a quick bit of advice please. Never flown United before but my husband was awarded 100k air miles. I realise that this in reality is a relatively small number but we would like to use them in the best possible way. We are thinking of a trip from either Manchester or London to New York next Easter holiday. Would you recommend just using the miles towards economy seating paying the small fee or is a better use of miles paying the economy fare and using the miles to upgrade to business (I can’t fathom out how much this would cost).
Many thanks
Just after a quick bit of advice please. Never flown United before but my husband was awarded 100k air miles. I realise that this in reality is a relatively small number but we would like to use them in the best possible way. We are thinking of a trip from either Manchester or London to New York next Easter holiday. Would you recommend just using the miles towards economy seating paying the small fee or is a better use of miles paying the economy fare and using the miles to upgrade to business (I can’t fathom out how much this would cost).
Many thanks
Oct 27, 2019, 5:59 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,199
Best use of miles is always to buy a ticket and use them to upgrade.
However situation of best use and logical use depends upon your circumstances- ability/desire to pay cash and willing to sit in the back.
Availability of award space limited especially during high volume times. Your choice of above may depend on what you can find to fit your dates.
However situation of best use and logical use depends upon your circumstances- ability/desire to pay cash and willing to sit in the back.
Availability of award space limited especially during high volume times. Your choice of above may depend on what you can find to fit your dates.
Last edited by zebranz; Oct 27, 2019 at 5:11 pm
Oct 27, 2019, 3:54 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hertz President's Circle, Uber Platinum
Posts: 116
You may have a problem getting the upgrade due to limited availability/lots of competition. I fly mostly domestically in the United States and I have United 1K status, I try to use upgrade certificates rather than miles, I rarely get the upgrade.
Whatever you decide, use your points soon. They don’t improve with age.
Whatever you decide, use your points soon. They don’t improve with age.
Oct 27, 2019, 4:58 pm
#4
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
I strongly disagree. I haven't used miles to upgrade in over 15 years. The co-pays make upgrades very costly.
This is truly the deciding factor.
This is truly the deciding factor.
Oct 27, 2019, 5:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,199
Well, let's clarify that yes- the total cost (miles, ticket, co-pay) has to be computed. Buying a ticket does get some miles back and get BIS credit.