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Elite Status Longtime SFO UA 1K moving to London- what do?

Discussion in 'questions. answers. conversations.' started by xj47, Oct 19, 2018.

  1. xj47

    xj47 Reader

    Title says (most of) it all. Moving to London for the foreseeable future, expecting regular coach travel around Europe + TLV, as well as 4-6 paid business class trips a year to NYC / SFO / SEA. Trying to decide what to do... keep up the UA 1K and under-earn on Europe and TLV (except when possible to take LH), go for AS MVP 75K by crediting BA to AS, or flip to BA/oneworld completely? I have more redeemable miles than time to use them these days so I'm focused more on elite benefits enjoyed during revenue travel (upgrades, lounges)... therefore leaning away from AS, though those class-of-service bonuses are hard to ignore. Thoughts?
     
    #1
    xj47, Oct 19, 2018
  2. Tiffany

    Tiffany One Mile At A Time

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    Can you do both? BA (or maybe FlyingBlue) for intra-Europe so you get the benefits and lounge access, and use AS or United for the long-haul flights?

    Alaska miles are really hard to use to Europe right now, so that would be a thing to consider too.
     
    #2
    Tiffany, Oct 20, 2018
  3. xj47

    xj47 New Member

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    Thanks for the reply, Tiffany. I'm not sure I'd qualify for anything meaningful with BA if I split loyalties that way. All the intra-Europe would be coach travel... maybe a couple times a month. I could go all-in on BA but it seems like a pretty awful program coming from UA, hence my indecision.
     
    #3
    xj47, Oct 21, 2018
  4. OCTinPHL

    OCTinPHL Well-Known Member

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    Why can't you split loyalties? Granted, I am somewhat new to this game, but I have been EXP w/ AA (and CP with US) for 5 years now. I am basically locked into AA as a PHL based traveler, but am looking for a way to get some Star Alliance status (preferably with AC or LH).

    AA offers 2x EQM for paid J. Does UA offer something similar? If so, 4 trips from LHR to JFK would get you close to 60 qualifying miles (not quite). 6 trips, including some to SEA or SFO should be enough to get you 1K, right? Credit intra-Europe flying to BA and get some OW status. My impression from UK-based friends is that BA mid-level elites enjoy their program more than mid-level AA elites. Of course that is AA and BA. Not sure about UA....
     
    #4
    OCTinPHL, Oct 21, 2018
  5. OCTinPHL

    OCTinPHL Well-Known Member

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    Of course, fuel surcharges on BA award flights do suck. I hate that 90% of AA's Saaver Awards to Europe are on BA. I have yet to find a business class Saaver award from PHL to LHR on AA metal.
     
    #5
    OCTinPHL, Oct 21, 2018
  6. Tiffany

    Tiffany One Mile At A Time

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    @xj47 -- Unlike in the U.S., I think even mid-tier BA status can be useful, as @OCTinPHL mentions. You'd get lounge access, etc., and their status year doesn't go by the calendar year, it's a rolling 12-months. And from Europe you might see great fares on partners like Qatar that would rack up the points quickly, etc. I'd definitely evaluate your travel to see if you can do both if possible.
     
    #6
    Tiffany, Oct 22, 2018