Value of SP
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: AA Platinum, HHonors Gold, Alamo Insiders, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 191
Value of SP
As the year comes to a close, I am looking at my mileage summary... I flew less than last year and am coming up about 3k short of SP. I am thinking about doing an MR on two connecting flights that will get me the 3k for less than $300.
However, I have also thought whether the value of SP is worth it or to go with another carrier (since BWI is nobody's hub except FL). I have not had an UG in ages... unlike last year, I am flying more TAs so less segments but mileage around the same. I generally now fly out of BWI... connect in either PHL or CLT to LAX, BUR, SFO, LAS, or DEN.
My UGs typically came from PHL-STL, STL-PHX, BUR-PHX, PHL-MCO... got one TA UG over the course of a year.
Problem is all of these TA flights are elite-heavy, even on non-peak days (example: flying to LAS on Tues morning but no upgrades available, FC already sold out on flight back on Saturday).
Wondering whether SP is worth it anymore... free bags (I rarely check anyways) and FC check-in are often the only perks. There is no elite line at BWI. Would you switch carriers to someone like UA (who has TA from BWI and what looks like similar if not better benefits) or keep with US?
However, I have also thought whether the value of SP is worth it or to go with another carrier (since BWI is nobody's hub except FL). I have not had an UG in ages... unlike last year, I am flying more TAs so less segments but mileage around the same. I generally now fly out of BWI... connect in either PHL or CLT to LAX, BUR, SFO, LAS, or DEN.
My UGs typically came from PHL-STL, STL-PHX, BUR-PHX, PHL-MCO... got one TA UG over the course of a year.
Problem is all of these TA flights are elite-heavy, even on non-peak days (example: flying to LAS on Tues morning but no upgrades available, FC already sold out on flight back on Saturday).
Wondering whether SP is worth it anymore... free bags (I rarely check anyways) and FC check-in are often the only perks. There is no elite line at BWI. Would you switch carriers to someone like UA (who has TA from BWI and what looks like similar if not better benefits) or keep with US?
#2
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 535
Check out this page for the Preferred Benefits:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid.../benefits.html
Exit seating, Priority check-in and security lanes, waiver of Move Up standby fee, 25% mileage bonus and 500 mile minimum are some of the things that may well be worth the $300 for the MR if you don't check bags.
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid.../benefits.html
Exit seating, Priority check-in and security lanes, waiver of Move Up standby fee, 25% mileage bonus and 500 mile minimum are some of the things that may well be worth the $300 for the MR if you don't check bags.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 39
Put a value on each benefit you'll receive and then decide if it's worth it. One of my favorite silver benefits is the 25% bonus miles when flying US or *A carrier as I'm building miles for a specific trip in 2013
10 cpm ain't bad with just over a month to go in 2011.
10 cpm ain't bad with just over a month to go in 2011.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: All Over
Programs: DL Gold, AA EXP, SPG Plat, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glob, CC Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 574
#5
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
You have already gotten a lot of good advice above ... Personally, I find exit seating, and front-of-the-plane-seating to be key perks; and although I never check a bag, one of the reason's that that is doable is that as an elite (even when Silver) I can always board reasonably early and get things stowed. Finally, you can search the boards for more details, but my strong sense is that the comparative advantage of the US Dividend Miles program is precisely at your cut-point (Silver versus Dust). That is, other FT programs compete better with US at the more elite statuses; but there are no other programs that offer as much stuff (including a non-trivial set of FC upgrades, even if it is not everything one could desire all of the time) to Silvers.
#6
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MYR
Programs: spirit elite, MRgold Hilton Gold
Posts: 454
Speaking generally in terms of value, I find the move-up program, first-class check-in and not having to be on hold when i call the most valuable. I would say look at what you think your travel plans are going to be for the next year. Remeber being silver is much much better than being dirt, if its going to take you all year to maybe get there on another airline is it worth the frustration? Only you can answer that
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: AA Platinum, HHonors Gold, Alamo Insiders, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 191
Thanks for all for the input.
UA looks like it is trying to match up to the US SP benefits, though still not as much. In 2012 UA states their SPs will get: priority check-in, baggage, boarding, security, dedicated res line, access to E+, unlimited domestic upgrades (same as US - when available at 24 hours), 25% mileage bonus, reduced fees for award tickets, access to unrestricted standard awards.
It now looks like the only thing US will offer that UA does not is the Move-Up benefit. I have used it a couple of times and it is quite useful, but given E+ access and more options out of BWI, I wonder if it might be better to move to UA. Though as one poster said, to do this would mean no status for a year.... so is dirt worth one year to change airlines?
UA looks like it is trying to match up to the US SP benefits, though still not as much. In 2012 UA states their SPs will get: priority check-in, baggage, boarding, security, dedicated res line, access to E+, unlimited domestic upgrades (same as US - when available at 24 hours), 25% mileage bonus, reduced fees for award tickets, access to unrestricted standard awards.
It now looks like the only thing US will offer that UA does not is the Move-Up benefit. I have used it a couple of times and it is quite useful, but given E+ access and more options out of BWI, I wonder if it might be better to move to UA. Though as one poster said, to do this would mean no status for a year.... so is dirt worth one year to change airlines?
#8
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,484
UA looks like it is trying to match up to the US SP benefits, though still not as much. In 2012 UA states their SPs will get: priority check-in, baggage, boarding, security, dedicated res line, access to E+, unlimited domestic upgrades (same as US - when available at 24 hours), 25% mileage bonus, reduced fees for award tickets, access to unrestricted standard awards.
If you do a match, keep in mind that it is generally a once in a lifetime opportunity. Many on Flyertalk will say that matches are difficult, especially within the same alliance. But if you work at a large company, generally it is a rather straightforward process, handled by your travel department.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
Regardless of the airline you fly, I think status, even the lowest tier status, is well worth the price of a buy-up or a couple of mileage runs. In irrops, especially the big ones like snowstorms and hurricanes, just being able to get an agent on the phone without competing with the thousands of general members is worth a lot, and even with long wait times you're still getting a "preferred" level agent. Having faster access to agents, and access to theoretically "better" agents, can be the difference between a day's delay to get home, and four days.
To me, it's like insurance. Pay for it and hope you never need it.
To me, it's like insurance. Pay for it and hope you never need it.