Given all the devaluations happening, are there literally any sweet spots/value left?
May 2, 2024, 8:49 am
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,753
Most of the saver J award pricing is still reasonable on a relative basis (i.e., compared to other major programs). The problem is a near-total lack of availability. To redeem for those these days typically requires a level of flexibility which I do not have.
May 2, 2024, 11:09 am
#18
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,745
I've also used a decent stash of miles to upgrade *A partner flights, which I've found to be a reasonable deal for the itineraries I fly.
Meanwhile intra-Africa is 99k now.
May 2, 2024, 11:15 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: NYC/DC
Programs: AA,SPG, Delta, Amtrak, JB
Posts: 944
MileagePlus has skydived from being historically one of the best FFPs to the bottom.
Now UA is consistent in all rankings (in the bottom half of list):
customer satisfaction
on-time record
airline meals
baggage delays (and missing)
maintenance
negative press
most Max exposure (amongst the Big3)
least partner awards
I guess UA is no longer consistently inconsistent anymore when it comes to rankings.
Now UA is consistent in all rankings (in the bottom half of list):
customer satisfaction
on-time record
airline meals
baggage delays (and missing)
maintenance
negative press
most Max exposure (amongst the Big3)
least partner awards
I guess UA is no longer consistently inconsistent anymore when it comes to rankings.
May 2, 2024, 12:40 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriot Gold
Posts: 53
May 2, 2024, 1:02 pm
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,242
Closer in domestic one ways in Coach are still out there for <13-15k one way. Nearly at the old 25k saver RT level.
Keep in mind some of these are cardmember exclusive discounted rates
Keep in mind some of these are cardmember exclusive discounted rates
May 2, 2024, 1:05 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,229
Yes I have been seeing more of these in the past six months. Tells you how much United must be earning from these cards.
May 2, 2024, 3:18 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,613
Also occasionally a good way to accumulate additional PQFs, if needed.
May 2, 2024, 4:13 pm
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,753
Even DL offers better domestic pricing than UA.
May 2, 2024, 4:34 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,612
Also devalued big time, but I feel AS is still relatively good, recently got South America to US in J for 50K on LATAM.
For UA and in general, don't horde your miles, as they will devalue. Earn and burn, earn and burn.
At the very least, for the earn and hold group, there is definitely more value by keeping your earnings in Chase UR, which has greater flexibility than UA miles.
May 2, 2024, 5:33 pm
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,242
My larger point is the historical Saver chart has been 12.5k one way and we still see this or close to it. That hasnt been devalued to oblivion. Yet.
May 2, 2024, 5:39 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,994
The unfortunate reality [across all mileage programs] is that demand vastly exceeds available supply. I can't think of any mileage program where you can login today and easily find a Saver J award to a destination of your choice. It just doesn't exist.