$500 for Gold?
Sep 17, 2003, 2:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
$500 for Gold?
I registered today for the gold challenge. I've flown about 25K, so I've qualified for Silver next year. As United flights don't count for the status challenge, I only have 3700 miles booked on US, thus I need to go overseas. Looking at my options (via PHL), I can do US PHL-LGW in Dec, leave Fri nite, arrive Sat AM, depart Sun AM for $335.00. Take in transport, meals, a show, and I'm at ~ $500.
Questions:
1) Is $500 worth it for gold?
2) What are my chances for using my transatlantic upgrades departing Fri eve, returning Sun eve?
Thanks in advance...
Questions:
1) Is $500 worth it for gold?
2) What are my chances for using my transatlantic upgrades departing Fri eve, returning Sun eve?
Thanks in advance...
Sep 17, 2003, 4:47 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU
Programs: TSA/INS/FBI Platinum (stopped last 12 of 13 int'l returns - the computer broke once)
Posts: 2,638
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PHLbuddy:
I registered today for the gold challenge. I've flown about 25K, so I've qualified for Silver next year. As United flights don't count for the status challenge, I only have 3700 miles booked on US, thus I need to go overseas. Looking at my options (via PHL), I can do US PHL-LGW in Dec, leave Fri nite, arrive Sat AM, depart Sun AM for $335.00. Take in transport, meals, a show, and I'm at ~ $500.
Questions:
1) Is $500 worth it for gold?
2) What are my chances for using my transatlantic upgrades departing Fri eve, returning Sun eve?
Thanks in advance...</font>
I registered today for the gold challenge. I've flown about 25K, so I've qualified for Silver next year. As United flights don't count for the status challenge, I only have 3700 miles booked on US, thus I need to go overseas. Looking at my options (via PHL), I can do US PHL-LGW in Dec, leave Fri nite, arrive Sat AM, depart Sun AM for $335.00. Take in transport, meals, a show, and I'm at ~ $500.
Questions:
1) Is $500 worth it for gold?
2) What are my chances for using my transatlantic upgrades departing Fri eve, returning Sun eve?
Thanks in advance...</font>
I dunno about the upgrades clearing, but if you need more miles, you might want to look at PHL-CLT-LGW as a potential alternate route. Make sure you don't get a V fare if you want to upgrade (but I've noticed most of the LGW sales are Q fares). You might want to take a look at the seat availablility on the various LGW flights to see which looks the most accomodating to upgrades.
Sep 18, 2003, 5:42 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: CHS
Programs: UA Premier, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,112
If you are planning on keeping US as your main airline, I would 'go for it'.
I think Golds definitely get treated better than Silvers. The 100% mileage bonus is nice. Also, the upgrade opportunities for Silvers are very much reduced from where they were 2 years ago.
Also, London is a very interesting city. Lots of things to see and do. Headed there next week myself for a pub inspection tour.
I think Golds definitely get treated better than Silvers. The 100% mileage bonus is nice. Also, the upgrade opportunities for Silvers are very much reduced from where they were 2 years ago.
Also, London is a very interesting city. Lots of things to see and do. Headed there next week myself for a pub inspection tour.
Sep 18, 2003, 9:28 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,046
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PHLbuddy:
I can do US PHL-LGW in Dec, leave Fri nite, arrive Sat AM, depart Sun AM for $335.00. Take in transport, meals, a show, and I'm at ~ $500.</font>
I can do US PHL-LGW in Dec, leave Fri nite, arrive Sat AM, depart Sun AM for $335.00. Take in transport, meals, a show, and I'm at ~ $500.</font>
Sep 18, 2003, 9:58 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: weekdays:ATL; weekends:Elsewhere
Posts: 1,094
If you are looking for an inexpensive hotel, I would definately look at Priceline. It seems that I have gotten a lot more deals in London than anywhere else. I have gotten 4* hotels for $50-55! Might be worth a try, unless you have your heart set on a particular hotel.
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No thanks, I'm just lurking. Call me the Lurker!
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No thanks, I'm just lurking. Call me the Lurker!
Sep 18, 2003, 12:31 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Babu:
Did you include the cost of a hotel in your $500?
</font>
Did you include the cost of a hotel in your $500?
</font>
Sep 25, 2003, 10:36 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
Alright a bit of an update:
I can't find the lowest fares for my dates (and others don't work). A few hours to find upgradeable fares on A330 yield two options
11 DEC US 26 PHL-CDG J4P4C4I0 Q Fare
15 DEC US 27 CDG-PHL J4P4C4I0 Q Fare
Total: $500.70 - $50 off coupon = $450.70
11 DEC US 126 PHL-LGW J4P4C4I0 H Fare
15 DEC US 99 LGW-PHL J4P4C4I0 H Fare
Total: $428.70 - $50 off coupon = $378.70
I'm bummed the I bucket is empty, but what are non-CP experiences getting upgraded with 4s in the others? Is LGW or CDG easier? And finally, I'm guessing the H fare for LGW is better than Q for CDG.
Thanks in advance!
[This message has been edited by PHLbuddy (edited 09-28-2003).]
I can't find the lowest fares for my dates (and others don't work). A few hours to find upgradeable fares on A330 yield two options
11 DEC US 26 PHL-CDG J4P4C4I0 Q Fare
15 DEC US 27 CDG-PHL J4P4C4I0 Q Fare
Total: $500.70 - $50 off coupon = $450.70
11 DEC US 126 PHL-LGW J4P4C4I0 H Fare
15 DEC US 99 LGW-PHL J4P4C4I0 H Fare
Total: $428.70 - $50 off coupon = $378.70
I'm bummed the I bucket is empty, but what are non-CP experiences getting upgraded with 4s in the others? Is LGW or CDG easier? And finally, I'm guessing the H fare for LGW is better than Q for CDG.
Thanks in advance!
[This message has been edited by PHLbuddy (edited 09-28-2003).]
Sep 27, 2003, 9:46 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU
Programs: TSA/INS/FBI Platinum (stopped last 12 of 13 int'l returns - the computer broke once)
Posts: 2,638
Envoy is almost always upgraded at the gate, and not in advance.
I'm assuming the dates above are wrong, since they're in the past. There's a $231 + taxes (about $300 total) Q class fare from PHL to LGW valid from 1 Nov to 28 Feb on M/T/W/H flights. If you need some extra miles, route through CLT. Take a night flight out on Thursday and come back Monday. You'll only miss Friday and Monday from the office.
I'm assuming the dates above are wrong, since they're in the past. There's a $231 + taxes (about $300 total) Q class fare from PHL to LGW valid from 1 Nov to 28 Feb on M/T/W/H flights. If you need some extra miles, route through CLT. Take a night flight out on Thursday and come back Monday. You'll only miss Friday and Monday from the office.