Relocated to EU: Should I switch programs?
Jan 3, 2011 | 1:54 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockholm
Programs: UA PP, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 180
If I only expect 20,000 EQM a year on average, maybe the Aegean Airlines gold card is a better deal.
Jan 3, 2011 | 2:04 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,356
Another option you may want to consider is TK Elite. Takes 40,000 annual miles to earn, but then only 25,000 miles within one year or 37,500 within two years to keep.
Having said that, I'd moved back from the US to Europe before gaining 1P or 1K status on UA, and I am very happy with it - but then again I fly to the US often enough to make use of international and domestic upgrades.
Having said that, I'd moved back from the US to Europe before gaining 1P or 1K status on UA, and I am very happy with it - but then again I fly to the US often enough to make use of international and domestic upgrades.
Jan 3, 2011 | 2:07 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,696
I have relocated from the US to the EU. The two airlines I fly the most with now are SAS and Lufthansa.........Since I now live in Europe, should I switch to Lufthansa's Miles & More or the SAS Eurobonus programs, or should I stay with United? I don't come to the US as much as I used to, so the benefits from United are actually not relevant to me anymore.
Jan 3, 2011 | 2:12 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockholm
Programs: UA PP, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 180
One thing I just noticed - for the airline programs (such as Aegean or Asiana) that require less miles to get gold - they also don't give you as much for the economy tickets that I buy, so the journey to get there is just as long.
In other words, 3/4 of something is still equivalent to 75/100 of something else.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 3, 2011 at 4:58 pm Reason: merge
Jan 3, 2011 | 2:19 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,356
The move is permanent, for now. Meaning that I don't have an "end date" in mind, so I really do want to invest in the loyalty program that offers me the best bang for my money. I'm looking into Asiana and Aegean right now, and both only offer 50% mileage credit for the LH flight (W fare class) that I'm taking in a few days. That only gives me about 2500 miles.
Jan 3, 2011 | 2:22 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockholm
Programs: UA PP, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 180
Edit: Maybe it is faster if you're buying full fare or close to full fare tickets...
Jan 3, 2011 | 3:08 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,356
Well one thing that may be of some importance in your situation is that sales fare on SK (class O) earn 0 on UA, but 25% miles on SK. May be important if you're using segments to qualify.
But personally I've stuck with UA and been happy so far...
But personally I've stuck with UA and been happy so far...
