US Airways or United Airlines

[leny]

I'm wondering which one of these programs fellow aussies and other oceania members (Thinking of Kiwi Flyer here) are members of? If member of both - Could you say which one you like more and why? I still haven't found the *A program that suits me best

Cheers

 

[serfty]

One Eastern Antipodean here seems to feel to LH suits his flying best when choosing a *A FF program.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Really depends on your travel patterns. Normally for someone based in Australia UA Mileage Plus would be better than US Dividend Miles, since you can fly UA from Australia (opportunities for upgrades, elite status bonus, promos, etc).

Whether a US-based FFP suits or not is another matter. Depends on travel patterns. Where do you fly on *A, how much, what class of travel, what do you want out of the FFP, etc.

Since you are young, I am guessing you don't travel much outside Australia and if you do it is on the cheapest fare you can find. In that case there may not be much point in joining any program as difficult to accrue enough to make it worthwhile.

 

[leny]

Thanks serfty and Kiwi Flyer.

LH miles expire so that's unfortunately no good for me. I will have to choose out of United Airlines and US Airways (I know that some others have no expiry, but these are the 2 programs I liked the most). I have had a further look and United Airlies does seem better than US airways. I was going to join US because they had points for Qantas, but I now have AA and QF membership so there's really no point.. I travel quite a lot out of Australia, not quite as much as domestically, but international travel does make up about 35% of my total air travel.

I'm going to go for UA, they just seem to be the 'better' airline with a little better program than US Airways.

Cheers

 

[leny]

And I forgot to say that I am planning a trip to the US in the near future, so it will come in handy.

 

[NYCguy]

I'd go with UA. They have an awesome domestic network, and you can earn MP points on fellow *A member US anyway.

You can also buy economy-plus access before your trip, which apparently makes a long haul in the main cabin a little (some would say a lot) more bearable. You have to decide if it is worth the US$299 fee for a year of access, especially if you are only going to be making the one trip. Remember, though, that the paid access permits you AND a travelling companion to sit in E+.

UA points expire after 18 months of inactivity. This seems to be becoming the new standard, rather than the 3 years of old.

 

[leny]

Thanks very much for that info NYCguy

I'm going to join UA

I've heard that they've halved the period of expiration of points, but I see that they still haven't changed it on their website.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I've heard that they've halved the period of expiration of points, but I see that they still haven't changed it on their website.

Yes they have. See MP rule #10.

 

[leny]

Oh ok, but they still haven't changed it in their member's guide.:

29. Mileage accured shall only be subject to expiration thirty-six (36) after the last account activity...

United Airlines - Member's Guide