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Travel Vouchers and mileage runs - UA from IAH
Posted on 6/27/16 at 7:00 pm
Posted on 6/27/16 at 7:00 pm
I have a $400 travel voucher that I'd prefer to use for a mileage run than for a family trip or something similar.
My questions:
1. Do you get PQMs using a voucher to cover part/all of the cost of the flight?
2. How do I go about searching for valuable runs where I can stipulate all United (or airlines that allow me to get PQMs for UA) aircraft; and departing from IAH?
Any other tips would be appreciated. I looked at Flyer Talk, but it's been difficult to navigate to useful information (re: criteria in #2). It also seems like most of the stuff on there is outdated.
My questions:
1. Do you get PQMs using a voucher to cover part/all of the cost of the flight?
2. How do I go about searching for valuable runs where I can stipulate all United (or airlines that allow me to get PQMs for UA) aircraft; and departing from IAH?
Any other tips would be appreciated. I looked at Flyer Talk, but it's been difficult to navigate to useful information (re: criteria in #2). It also seems like most of the stuff on there is outdated.
3
Posted on 6/27/16 at 8:30 pm to GRTiger
You might get better points miles advice from money board thread about credit card miles and points.
Posted on 6/27/16 at 9:44 pm to Jimmy2shoes
All mileage accrual is the same on United when using vouchers. Not sure about your second question.
Posted on 6/27/16 at 10:57 pm to GRTiger
quote:
2. How do I go about searching for valuable runs where I can stipulate all United (or airlines that allow me to get PQMs for UA) aircraft; and departing from IAH?
If you can wait until Thursday or Friday I can take a look for you then. I've gone on a few runs out of BTR/MSY this year on American, but it's the same for United. Try to find the furthest destination possible at the cheapest price/ best timings and boom, mileage run. Also, take a look at this site for some good runs specific to United, American, Delta. LINK
Posted on 6/28/16 at 10:18 am to CuseTiger
Thabks for the link!
I actually found a good one just putting in random cities and dates directly to the United website. IAH-SFO-HKG-SFO-IAH with a night in SF and a night in HK for $612. So 17k miles would cost $212 out of pocket.
I'd actually prefer not to stay over anywhere as that will either eat into my savings or my hotel points, so I'll check your link and will certainly appreciate a Thursday or Friday response if you have time.
I actually found a good one just putting in random cities and dates directly to the United website. IAH-SFO-HKG-SFO-IAH with a night in SF and a night in HK for $612. So 17k miles would cost $212 out of pocket.
I'd actually prefer not to stay over anywhere as that will either eat into my savings or my hotel points, so I'll check your link and will certainly appreciate a Thursday or Friday response if you have time.
Posted on 6/28/16 at 12:52 pm to GRTiger
Hong Kong is one of the coolest big cities. See if you can justify a stay at the IC Hong Kong.
As far as your earning question goes - you need to check what fare code you are booking into. As all the rules depend on that. This may help: LINK
You can either pick your ticket and see what fare class it is (First letter of Ticket number if it is not evident already) or you can use United expert mode to select the fare class you want to book into.
Honestly - I wouldn't bother with United elite status especially if you have to go on mileage runs for it. It is one of the worst. And don't forget - even after earning the Elite miles you still have the PQD requirement to meet with UA. Just go to Central/South America or something.
As far as your earning question goes - you need to check what fare code you are booking into. As all the rules depend on that. This may help: LINK
You can either pick your ticket and see what fare class it is (First letter of Ticket number if it is not evident already) or you can use United expert mode to select the fare class you want to book into.
Honestly - I wouldn't bother with United elite status especially if you have to go on mileage runs for it. It is one of the worst. And don't forget - even after earning the Elite miles you still have the PQD requirement to meet with UA. Just go to Central/South America or something.
This post was edited on 6/28/16 at 2:51 pm
Posted on 6/28/16 at 2:42 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
onestly - I wouldn't bother with United elite status especially if you have to go on mileage runs for it.
It would be dumb for me not to go with United living in Houston near IAH. I travel for work, so having less direct options would be a huge waste of time and money. With gold, I can select the cheapest option on a flight and change it for free to the preferred time the day before. This would be less likely if I wasn't flying the airline whose hub is my local airport, due to limited options.
The only significant thing United doesn't meet or exceed Delta and American on is the bonus miles at the different tiers. This is offset by the fact that I am able to fly United almost exclusively due to my location, and the fact that my preferred credit card does 1:1 points match with United.
AA would probably be the only other option as a lot of work takes me to Dallas, but AA sucks for short flights (I actually tried to switch but ran away from that). I only got half the flight miles towards EQM (I have to choose the cheapest option whenever possible), whereas I get 500 minimum no matter where I go with United. I also get the chance at a 3rd 75k/90S tier with United, while AA requires you to double up to go from Platinum to EP.
Delta has the spend requirement (higher in certain classes), and AA has the weird point system that is based on dollars spent/fare class. So I am not sure what makes it one of the worst.
quote:
especially if you have to go on mileage runs for it
This makes no sense. The need to do runs is not based on the airline. It's based on the amount of travel I do. I will get gold without doing the run, but I won't get Platinum. That would be true no matter which airline I was flying.
I will also be 1/3 of the way to lifetime Gold on United by about August of this year.
And your link is broken.
Posted on 6/28/16 at 3:03 pm to GRTiger
As far as earning redeemable miles goes - all 3 legacy carriers are now pretty much exactly the same. It is a multiple of your fare where the multiple is decided by your status.
As far as EQMs go, they are based on distances flown on all 3 plus the fare class. Usually it is at least 1x distance flown. Idk how you got only 0.5 EQMs on AA. In fact, they had a 500 mile minimum themselves but only for elites.
Reason why I don't like United status is because they are the worst at giving complimentary upgrades. The worst part is that they have restrictions on applying GPUs on international long hauls. Usually, the cheapest tickets are discount or deep discount economy tickets and these fare classes fall under that restriction. So to be able to use your hard earned GPUs you need to purchase a ticket in a higher fare class, spending more money. Seriously, frick that.
AA is much better. Their System wide upgrades are truly system wide.
On top of that - their product isn't even worth it. They finally got a better Business class seat (the Polaris) on their 77Ws, which is still inferior to AAs business on their 77Ws.
I am not arguing that it does not make sense for you to stick with UA being that you fly out of IAH a lot. But I wouldn't go out of my way to earn status with shitty UA.
The only thing I like about UA is the redemption side of its FF program. Which is definitely one of the best, no question.
As far as EQMs go, they are based on distances flown on all 3 plus the fare class. Usually it is at least 1x distance flown. Idk how you got only 0.5 EQMs on AA. In fact, they had a 500 mile minimum themselves but only for elites.
Reason why I don't like United status is because they are the worst at giving complimentary upgrades. The worst part is that they have restrictions on applying GPUs on international long hauls. Usually, the cheapest tickets are discount or deep discount economy tickets and these fare classes fall under that restriction. So to be able to use your hard earned GPUs you need to purchase a ticket in a higher fare class, spending more money. Seriously, frick that.
AA is much better. Their System wide upgrades are truly system wide.
On top of that - their product isn't even worth it. They finally got a better Business class seat (the Polaris) on their 77Ws, which is still inferior to AAs business on their 77Ws.
I am not arguing that it does not make sense for you to stick with UA being that you fly out of IAH a lot. But I wouldn't go out of my way to earn status with shitty UA.
The only thing I like about UA is the redemption side of its FF program. Which is definitely one of the best, no question.
This post was edited on 6/28/16 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 6/28/16 at 4:22 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
But I wouldn't go out of my way to earn status with shitty UA.
I would.
I get upgraded probably 35% of the time as a gold, counting my normal business travel flights. It's probably close to 60% for vacation or off hours flights. I don't have many international longhauls where I am not already buying business class or using points for the business/first saver awards, so again your issue is pretty specific.
UA is shitty, but my experience on both AA and DL has been so much worse, that my mind is blown or I consider the person a liar whenever they rave about either of them.
Your complete disdain for UA probably means you very rarely fly them, so your opinion is based on a small sample size (as is mine with DL and AA to a lesser degree), reading the points guy or some other person's opinion, and bias for your own preference. Nothing wrong with that, but "not bothering" to get status with "shitty United" would only make them more shitty for me, so that advice doesn't really make sense either.
Posted on 6/28/16 at 4:39 pm to GRTiger
I don't read the points guy for this kind of stuff. Plus he never berates an airline. Not that I know of. All these guys will say an airline is really good, but they rarely berate any one. Corporate relationships and all I guess.
I fly UA more than I like to. I hate it. But I have to
Truth is that all 3 legacy carriers suck. If you are talking strictly quality of service and the planes, I hate to say it, but DL is probably the best. AA has the best long haul business class out of the three. Apart from that, I am spoilt by non-US carriers which I try to fly whenever I can. I fly international long haul 4-6 times a year on average, so I guess it is more important to me than it is to you. Mostly in Economy. About 20% of the times in Business. My worst flights have been with UA and BA so they will never get any love from me.
Truthfully, I find it hard to believe that you get upgraded so often as a "lowly" Gold out of a UA hub like IAH (where there are sure to be many top tier elites).
I am not trying to insult you by using the word "lowly." Imo, anything but top tier status with anything travel (except a couple exceptions like SPG gold and I guess Hilton Gold) is useless. But if you really are able to get so much value out of it, good on you
Just curious - have you ever flown on some of the non-US/UK carriers? If you fly business more often than not on international long hauls, why waste your money on UA? Buy a star alliance J ticket and just credit miles to UA if you want.
ETA: Oh and the UA lounges are the worst compared to any other airline lounges. I am a big fan of AA admirals club lounges. They are not the best, compared to a lot of others, but they are a standard for me. And more often than not, they are airside, which I like.
I think you are misinterpreting what I am trying to say. I'm not trying to troll. This is why in my first post I gave you the info that will be sufficient in answering all your questions (fixed the link too) and then later gave you an honest opinion from my experience in the past up until now. Since it is an opinion, it is no surprise that yours is different than mine.
I fly UA more than I like to. I hate it. But I have to
Truth is that all 3 legacy carriers suck. If you are talking strictly quality of service and the planes, I hate to say it, but DL is probably the best. AA has the best long haul business class out of the three. Apart from that, I am spoilt by non-US carriers which I try to fly whenever I can. I fly international long haul 4-6 times a year on average, so I guess it is more important to me than it is to you. Mostly in Economy. About 20% of the times in Business. My worst flights have been with UA and BA so they will never get any love from me.
Truthfully, I find it hard to believe that you get upgraded so often as a "lowly" Gold out of a UA hub like IAH (where there are sure to be many top tier elites).
I am not trying to insult you by using the word "lowly." Imo, anything but top tier status with anything travel (except a couple exceptions like SPG gold and I guess Hilton Gold) is useless. But if you really are able to get so much value out of it, good on you
Just curious - have you ever flown on some of the non-US/UK carriers? If you fly business more often than not on international long hauls, why waste your money on UA? Buy a star alliance J ticket and just credit miles to UA if you want.
ETA: Oh and the UA lounges are the worst compared to any other airline lounges. I am a big fan of AA admirals club lounges. They are not the best, compared to a lot of others, but they are a standard for me. And more often than not, they are airside, which I like.
I think you are misinterpreting what I am trying to say. I'm not trying to troll. This is why in my first post I gave you the info that will be sufficient in answering all your questions (fixed the link too) and then later gave you an honest opinion from my experience in the past up until now. Since it is an opinion, it is no surprise that yours is different than mine.
This post was edited on 6/28/16 at 5:10 pm
Posted on 6/28/16 at 6:28 pm to AmeriKop45
I didn't think you were trolling, just getting a bit off track and giving advice without any context of my specific situation.
Most of my upgrades are on the return leg of business travel. Those are filled with infrequent fliers connecting at IAH, so gold is high enough to get me to the top of the upgrade list. And of course vacation travel is full of I frequent travelers as well.
The only non-US or UK airline I've flown is Lufthansa. My international schedule is virtually nonexistent, excluding personal travel.
Basically, the thread focused on the fact that I had a UA voucher that I was thinking to put to good use. If I can get the 17k miles for $200 to boost my status, that's a much better use of it than buying a flight to NY or something for a personal trip that isn't planned yet when I could use 25-30k miles for that. It just seemed off that you were suggesting otherwise due to your opinion of UA rather than seeing the intent to maximize value. Not using the voucher to maximize value wouldn't be spiting UA, it would be spiting myself.
If there is some way to use a $400 UA voucher to hit platinum or EP on AA with a minimal additional expense, I'm all ears.
Most of my upgrades are on the return leg of business travel. Those are filled with infrequent fliers connecting at IAH, so gold is high enough to get me to the top of the upgrade list. And of course vacation travel is full of I frequent travelers as well.
The only non-US or UK airline I've flown is Lufthansa. My international schedule is virtually nonexistent, excluding personal travel.
Basically, the thread focused on the fact that I had a UA voucher that I was thinking to put to good use. If I can get the 17k miles for $200 to boost my status, that's a much better use of it than buying a flight to NY or something for a personal trip that isn't planned yet when I could use 25-30k miles for that. It just seemed off that you were suggesting otherwise due to your opinion of UA rather than seeing the intent to maximize value. Not using the voucher to maximize value wouldn't be spiting UA, it would be spiting myself.
If there is some way to use a $400 UA voucher to hit platinum or EP on AA with a minimal additional expense, I'm all ears.
Posted on 6/28/16 at 9:45 pm to GRTiger
Are you going to hit the PQD requirement for Platinum?
Posted on 6/30/16 at 4:45 pm to GRTiger
Alright I finally have some free time to help. Looks like from Houston to Hong Kong it's actually quite a good deal for a mileage run. However, bigger question is do you have a visa for there?
If you don't have one, I think there's now a 72 hour visa free stay for China (someone will have to help us out with the info). Also, if you booked flights from one country connecting in China you are also okay.
The point of mileage runs is maximizing your mileage. Why go IAH-Tokyo-Hong Kong when you could go IAH-Chicago- San Fran- Hong Kong for the same price? My other suggestion for you will be to look at Jakarta, Indonesia. Always a lot of cheap options to there, looks like it's just over $700 for 20,538 miles as compared to Hong Kong with only 16,970 miles
If you don't have one, I think there's now a 72 hour visa free stay for China (someone will have to help us out with the info). Also, if you booked flights from one country connecting in China you are also okay.
The point of mileage runs is maximizing your mileage. Why go IAH-Tokyo-Hong Kong when you could go IAH-Chicago- San Fran- Hong Kong for the same price? My other suggestion for you will be to look at Jakarta, Indonesia. Always a lot of cheap options to there, looks like it's just over $700 for 20,538 miles as compared to Hong Kong with only 16,970 miles
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