Cheapest way to obtain 1K using Z fares for 2011
Dec 23, 2010, 2:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
Cheapest way to obtain 1K using Z fares for 2011
I'm a 1k yet again for 2011. Going forward most of next years travel will be on my nickel. I'd like to remain 1K and do so without having to fly 120 segments. In addition, I'd like to do it in Z class so that I can realize the 150EQM bonus.Also if possible, I'd like to do legs/segments where I can apply my 8SWU's for upgrade into F. With that in mind, I'd like to ask FTers for routes/fares and suggestions on how to achieve this in as few flights as possible. I'd like to keep fares sort of in line. Thanks all in advance for your help and suggestions.
Dec 23, 2010, 3:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
Just a reminder, for intl travel (on UA metal)... Z cannot be upgraded using SWU's (However, it can be upgraded using miles).
Dec 23, 2010, 3:03 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
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Incidentally, if you fly enough to make 1K on Z fares, methinks you will skip right over and be GS.
Dec 23, 2010, 3:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORF
Programs: HH Silver, Marriott Silver, SPG Plat, Fairmont, UA GS/1K, Amex Platinum
Posts: 53
Been there Done that
I did 8 or 9 flights to Europe in Z and A (domestic) this year but still on GS for 2011. A Z fare guarantees a seat in business, but it's otherwise pretty useless in my opinion (no use of SWU, no bonus EQM).
Dec 23, 2010, 3:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
Z Fares to Seoul seem fairly affordable from my perspective. I was looking at some today for $4,000 R/T A/I from SAN. And the advance purchase seems short, 14 days or less? Quite a few miles.
Dec 23, 2010, 4:05 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
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Posts: 731
incorrect
Z fares DO offer 150EQM. You can't use SWU's but I have a zillion miles to use for upgrade to F in desirable metal.
Dec 23, 2010, 4:10 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Keep in mind that you need not fly UA to max out on EQMs. Flying Z (and I believe other fare codes), you accrue just as many EQMs on LH and of course CO, and possibly some other partners. These partners sometimes can offer cheaper Z deals than UA--or at least I know that LH does.
Plus sometimes a code share flight can working out cheaper than if the flight numbers such as are not the same as the metal--e.g., at least occasionally flying UA metal as an LH code share (that is, with LH flight numbers) can cost less than if you buy the same flights as UA flight numbers, and vice versa. Kayak.com and occasionally the online travel agency Vayama.com can be good for finding these deals.
Another advantage of LH in Z (though I believe this only applies to LH metal with LH flight numbers, not UA code shares) is that you can use your SWUs to upgrade Z on LH (but not, as has already been pointed out, on UA). It does require a process of getting paper SWUs, waiting for the day of the flight to see if LH has F availability, and, I believe, being able to upgrade only one flight with one SWU (as opposed to the entire itinerary, though this can be an irrelevant consideration, since most trips only have one long-haul that one can upgrade from J to F anyway). There's a thread here in the UA forum that explains the ins and outs of this.
Happy trails!
Plus sometimes a code share flight can working out cheaper than if the flight numbers such as are not the same as the metal--e.g., at least occasionally flying UA metal as an LH code share (that is, with LH flight numbers) can cost less than if you buy the same flights as UA flight numbers, and vice versa. Kayak.com and occasionally the online travel agency Vayama.com can be good for finding these deals.
Another advantage of LH in Z (though I believe this only applies to LH metal with LH flight numbers, not UA code shares) is that you can use your SWUs to upgrade Z on LH (but not, as has already been pointed out, on UA). It does require a process of getting paper SWUs, waiting for the day of the flight to see if LH has F availability, and, I believe, being able to upgrade only one flight with one SWU (as opposed to the entire itinerary, though this can be an irrelevant consideration, since most trips only have one long-haul that one can upgrade from J to F anyway). There's a thread here in the UA forum that explains the ins and outs of this.
Happy trails!
Dec 23, 2010, 4:24 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
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Dec 23, 2010, 4:36 pm
#9
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
yup -- $500 Z-upgrade copay for internaional travel
maybe not
Z fare SFO-FRA can be in the low $3K and yields 17,098 EQMs, easy 1K with 6 trips -- but $20K isn't going to get you GS
Z fare SFO-FRA can be in the low $3K and yields 17,098 EQMs, easy 1K with 6 trips -- but $20K isn't going to get you GS
Dec 23, 2010, 4:47 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Crystal City, VA
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They do get you a seat in the C cabin, which is handy if there are irrops.
You won't get arrivals on a straight Z. However, if you upgrade with miles + copay or UFC, you will get into the IFL (at least, that has always been my experience). And IIRC, NF will get you an arrivals invitation.
I've upgraded Z's with UFC, miles + copay, and a SWU on LH. You'll want to check prices for D/C/J/A fares, to see how that stacks up against the Z + copay prices.
Dec 23, 2010, 5:05 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
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Posts: 5,839
Interesting point, but it would be 100k premium EQMs, which has to influence something. Plus, I doubt you can always find that kind of price.
Dec 23, 2010, 5:19 pm
#12
Moderator: United Airlines
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Do this monthly and you might get some GS interest but certainity not 6 trips.
[KVS Availability Tool 6.0.2/Diamond - Sabre: Fares/DotRes/US]
Code:
SFO San Francisco Intl CA US [KSFO] FRA Frankfurt Metro / Frankfurt Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF] SUN 20 Feb 2011 | SUN 28 Aug 2011 | R/T | Business Carrier From To Fare Cur Fare Basis/TD --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------- UA SFO FRA 3171 USD ZXNC50E UA SFO FRA 3371 USD ZWNC50E
SFO-ICN is another $500
Dec 23, 2010, 5:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Programs: UA Plat-2MM, Marriott Life Titanium, Hyatt something
Posts: 1,888
In terms of GS qualification, I don't think buying a lot of Z fares is attractive to UA. UA considers Z a deep discount on business. I think they are much more interested in flyers who purchase YB and JCD. Of course if you get your spend over $50K, you'll be in the running.
They added the J bucket in part to have four fare levels in business and push Z down to the bottom of the ladder.
I think after UA and CO consolidate programs we may well see a published threshold for GS (like CO's published $30K for Presidential Platinum). I presume the threshold will lie somewhere in the range of 30 to 50K.
In terms of distance, Z fares to India can be a good value: 70-80 percent more miles (via FRA on LH or EWR on CO) for maybe 20-30 percent more in fares and the Z fares are less restrictive. 3 round trips would get you almost to 1K. You can choose from DEL, BOM, CCU, HYD, and MAA (at least) for variety.
CPT is even farther, but the cheapest Z fares are around $1300 above India.
If you can do a one-way initially, you can pick up even cheaper Z fares round trip or open jaw originating from some of these cities (plus CAI).
They added the J bucket in part to have four fare levels in business and push Z down to the bottom of the ladder.
I think after UA and CO consolidate programs we may well see a published threshold for GS (like CO's published $30K for Presidential Platinum). I presume the threshold will lie somewhere in the range of 30 to 50K.
In terms of distance, Z fares to India can be a good value: 70-80 percent more miles (via FRA on LH or EWR on CO) for maybe 20-30 percent more in fares and the Z fares are less restrictive. 3 round trips would get you almost to 1K. You can choose from DEL, BOM, CCU, HYD, and MAA (at least) for variety.
CPT is even farther, but the cheapest Z fares are around $1300 above India.
If you can do a one-way initially, you can pick up even cheaper Z fares round trip or open jaw originating from some of these cities (plus CAI).
Last edited by LAX UA 1K; Dec 23, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Dec 23, 2010, 5:51 pm
#14
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
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I would say the most bang for your buck in Z entirely on UA would be either SEL, HKG, or SIN. Z fares are generally available with less advance notice than 50 days from consolidators, especially to Asia.
Dec 23, 2010, 6:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
On UA Z fare gets you 150% EQM, it's RDM where you lose the bonus.