e500's Worth it?
Nov 7, 2008 | 8:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Silver/Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 360
e500's Worth it?
I'm going to be about 1500 miles short of my first 10K miles after reaching Premier if I stop flying for 2008 (and the e500 deposit that comes with that milestone). I have an opportunity to go to SFO to visit some family for the holidays for about $280, is it worth it to make the run? A pack costs $200 anyway. How often can I use these? My primary routes are ORD-MSY and IAH.
TIA
TIA
Nov 7, 2008 | 8:39 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Southwest A-List Preferred
Posts: 2,846
The ORD-MSY route probably still uses TED 1-class planes on most of the daily flights - so e500s aren't able to be used.
ORD-IAH might be hard for a premier to upgrade using e500s - but having e500s in your account is never a bad thing.
Anytime I can find a flight to SFO for under $300 I take them, so I'd head out there.
ORD-IAH might be hard for a premier to upgrade using e500s - but having e500s in your account is never a bad thing.
Anytime I can find a flight to SFO for under $300 I take them, so I'd head out there.
Nov 7, 2008 | 8:47 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Silver/Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 360
The ORD-MSY route probably still uses TED 1-class planes on most of the daily flights - so e500s aren't able to be used.
ORD-IAH might be hard for a premier to upgrade using e500s - but having e500s in your account is never a bad thing.
Anytime I can find a flight to SFO for under $300 I take them, so I'd head out there.
ORD-IAH might be hard for a premier to upgrade using e500s - but having e500s in your account is never a bad thing.
Anytime I can find a flight to SFO for under $300 I take them, so I'd head out there.
Nov 7, 2008 | 9:09 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 1,510
Today, but e500s are good for a year and TED planes will be reconfigured sometime in early 2009, so there is potential for a normal A320 on that route. Plus, given the fact that route is currently a heavy TED route, it's probably not as elite-heavy as others. (Or so I'm hoping with my regular LAS-IAD flights, currently on Ted.)
Nov 7, 2008 | 9:09 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,696
Do I understand you are right around 33,500 EQM (1500 short of the next e-500 pack)?
If so don't you also get a elitechoice at 35k? Maybe figure that into the equation too?
If so don't you also get a elitechoice at 35k? Maybe figure that into the equation too?
Nov 7, 2008 | 9:13 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 1,510
Don't forget the 10K counter starts at the mileage hit when qualifying elite, so if, for example, his qualifying trip put him at 26000, then he'd need to reach 36000 for the pack.
Sounds like a 5000 mile trip will give him plenty of gravy, though. In addition to the gravy on his mashed potatoes.
Given the "$200 value" of the e500's, I'd call it an $80 fare and think it was a great deal for a holiday visit!
Sounds like a 5000 mile trip will give him plenty of gravy, though. In addition to the gravy on his mashed potatoes.
Given the "$200 value" of the e500's, I'd call it an $80 fare and think it was a great deal for a holiday visit!
Nov 7, 2008 | 9:19 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Silver/Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 360
I had the Elite Choice at 30K. I'll be at 34.5K without this run and my 2P status started at 26K miles give or take a few.
Nov 7, 2008 | 9:44 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: BWI / IAD
Programs: UA-1P, HHonors - Silver
Posts: 82
-K
Nov 7, 2008 | 9:46 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: BWI / IAD
Programs: UA-1P, HHonors - Silver
Posts: 82
I ask because I hit 2p in September and will hit 1p by the end of december (currently at 33k EQM) but I didn't get an elite choice
Nov 7, 2008 | 10:28 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Silver/Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 360
How did you get the elite choice? per the link in my previous post, no elite-choice unless you were elite in March... Did you hit elite in March and then travel very until this month?
I ask because I hit 2p in September and will hit 1p by the end of december (currently at 33k EQM) but I didn't get an elite choice
I ask because I hit 2p in September and will hit 1p by the end of december (currently at 33k EQM) but I didn't get an elite choice
Nov 7, 2008 | 10:59 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 1,510
I just made 2P last month and had given up hope of getting any "choices" or anything, but you seem to imply differently...
Nov 7, 2008 | 11:12 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Silver/Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 360
I'm talking about Elite Choice. Not MP Visa related.
Nov 7, 2008 | 12:00 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Silver/Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 360
Nov 7, 2008 | 12:35 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 1,510
ah. That explains it. I didn't find out about elite choices until it was too late. Bleh!