Alternative programs to book united flights on?
 

Other than life miles, are there any other alternative programs to book united / Lufthansa flights to Europe that could give us a better redemption than united? Looking at RDU to Munich - I have chase and citi points available, Economy is fine- thanks

Every carrier in *A - Air Canada, Turkish, to name a couple.

Some still have charts (fixed rate) :tu:

Need to look up who among *A carriers that are transfer partner for Chase or Citi

One online source lists
Citi -- AV, BR, SQ, TG, TK
Chase -- AC, UA

Note transfer rates vary and award redemption mileages vary -- watch out for "fuel" charges

As rates are near 1:1, compare "cash purchased with pts" to award redemption cost after transfer

If you have UA status or Chase MP credit card, you will have better economy award availability on UA flights booking with UA.

Rhetorical, but the value in airline award redemptions is business and first, not economy. Litte value in transferring points to LifeMiles as buying direct is cheap and easy. With endless flexibility, LifeMiles can be of value. Without endless flexibility, United can be of value. The redemption rate for the "saver" flights available on LifeMiles isn't much cheaper than United; but the issue is availability. And as noted, status with United and/or credit cards with United does provide additional options (Special member pricing).

For RDU to MUC, I would be inclined to acquire the United credit card and book the flighs 30K each way via LifeMiles.

I mean, you can. You just need a credit card to pay for taxes/fees. Any credit card will do.

But, how do you acquire an United credit card, earn Kirby bux and redeem through Lifemiles?

I am not a fan of airline co-branded credit cards, as they'd limit redemption options.

Also, economy cabin should be in play as well. Have you look at the cash price on some O/D routes? And, with United's dynamic pricing, you would be likely paying around 1cpm in award redemption anyway. Like I said, having other options are better than no having those options.

The United Airlines credit card provides benefits such as a free bag and a better seat. I don't think you need to buy the ticket with the credit card to receive the benefits of the credit card. Not clear if the individual is flying once or one a month. Too much work for one economy ticket to Europe...

I agree, cash is cheaper.

No it doesn't. No United credit cards include E+ seating. The free bag, yes.

For the free bag in particular, that's not correct.

For the bag fee, you not only need to buy with the UA card, but essentially need to buy from UA. If UA can’t tell the card was used, they don’t know to include the benefit, and they don’t.

Travel Agents, for example, don’t provide UA with the CC information. And some have been surprised to find that if you use said MP card on say, the Chase portal in combination with UR, it also won’t get free bag, as you pay Chase with your card, but they use their own account to pay for the ticket (check out the card # on your receipt when you buy this way…it’ll be a card number you’ve never seen before…).

other benefits (such as priority boarding) are tied through the FF account and don’t require the card to be used.