1 million United Milage Plus points for AUD $33,000

[Temporiser]

I would be interested in people's opinion as to whether they believe 1 million United Milage Plus points for AUD $33,000 represents good value for money noting that I'm Aegean Gold status and that I need to travel to Vancouver in July 2014 and Christchurch NZ at Christmas 2013.

 

[markis10]

Normally I hear United mentioned and think in the context, I will only fly if they pay me

 

[Mal]

Isn't that offer expired? Or is it ongoing?

 

[anat0l]

Normally I hear United mentioned and think in the context, I will only fly if they pay me

Well, in this case it's UA Mileage Plus miles, which, just like US DM miles were rarely used for US flights and BD DC miles (in the days) were rarely used for BD flights, can be used on (better) Star Alliance redemptions. UA is one of the programmes which virtually has access to any inventory on *A.

1 million miles for USD 30,000 comes to 3 cents per mile. The opinion of this amongst the popular bloggers is split. There are those that clearly show that this is more than what you can buy for during promotional sales with UA (not sure about regular times, but they did make a note about promos), so this offer is a rip off for no other incidental benefit other than the miles (well, there is crowdfunding, but then your intentions may as well be completely altruistic than aiming for the miles).

On the other hand, if you're feeling generous, and wouldn't mind having a huge cache of miles right now, then this is not a bad way to do it. Getting 1,000,000 miles otherwise may require quite a bit of time - buying up on promos, mileage runs. With this you get it in a few days or a week or whatever timeframe. If you had designs on a premium holiday getaway of sorts that was going to cost you that much money, it could be fair value. Just know that it was possible to earn those miles quite a bit cheaper but using slower means.

It's probably not hard to turn 1 million miles into redemptions that would exceed a normal revenue value of USD 30k. Just can't think at the top of my head where to start, but definitely there's a handful of first class tickets there.

 

[oz_mark]

Personally, I had issues with the wording of what was being offered, but that's just me. Maybe the elite status that went with it would help, but I think its too late to get the headphones now...

 

[Mwenenzi]

AUD $33,000 in a bank account will earn a little money
1,000,000 miles will likely devalue, unless you can use them quickly (~ 3years?)

 

[whatmeworry]

Yes if can use the points within a year or two, you have the time to travel and can be flexible to maximize your J/F trips.

 

[dajop]

UA is one of the programmes which virtually has access to any inventory on *A.

Not quite true. They have very limited access to NZ premium inventory. hey also have no access (IT glitches excepted) to any SQ business or F products configured in 1-2-1 configuration. I also am sure I have read somewhere they have limited access to LH J/F inventory too.

 

[Alanslegal]

I bought 90K UA points under a 40% discount promotion three weeks ago which set me back AUD$2200. Assuming I could buy as much as I could then, 990K would have been AUD$24,200. That 90K was redeemed for an one way F award from SYD-xBKK-xZRH-MAD for my mate's wife, as he was already flying those sectors using USDM award and they could fly together.

 

[anat0l]

Not quite true. They have very limited access to NZ premium inventory. hey also have no access (IT glitches excepted) to any SQ business or F products configured in 1-2-1 configuration. I also am sure I have read somewhere they have limited access to LH J/F inventory too.

Well, I guess everyone's got limited access to NZ's premium inventory. I haven't seen a better one for that yet, except maybe NZ and VA (which the latter is non-*A).

And as for LH and LX premium inventory, the point is they have some access (admittedly a bit of BS is required to get such seats). US DM has nil in F and near nil in J.

As said, this is not the best way to get 1,000,000 points, but it's certainly the fastest, and if that's what matters to you (preferably for a use that is upcoming and soon), disbursing $30,000 is not exactly the most painful way to do so.

 

[clifford]

Well, I guess everyone's got limited access to NZ's premium inventory. I haven't seen a better one for that yet, except maybe NZ and VA (which the latter is non-*A).

And as for LH and LX premium inventory, the point is they have some access (admittedly a bit of BS is required to get such seats). US DM has nil in F and near nil in J.

As said, this is not the best way to get 1,000,000 points, but it's certainly the fastest, and if that's what matters to you (preferably for a use that is upcoming and soon), disbursing $30,000 is not exactly the most painful way to do so.

I think that dajop may be talking about the old United, not the Continental version. I have found the new United to have very good access to everything Star, including SQ business class. For example, I booked a SQ I class award a couple of weeks ago at 8 hours notice. No surcharges, or anything like that. It really can't be be beat! (but I am a real 2MM UA BIS flyer).

As for 1M MP miles for AUD 33,000, I don't think this is a very good rate, so why do it? You can get the same rate (or less) for much shorter amounts. Just buy what you need for your next trip.

 

[dajop]

I think that dajop may be talking about the old United, not the Continental version. I have found the new United to have very good access to everything Star, including SQ business class. For example, I booked a SQ I class award a couple of weeks ago at 8 hours notice. No surcharges, or anything like that. It really can't be be beat! (but I am a real 2MM UA BIS flyer).

I specifically said business class on 1-2-1 configured aircraft. Which type of metal, which route did you get business class ? To take MEL-SIN as an example, I can (often) see inventory on the 773 and now the 332, but never the 77W or A380. For SIN-Europe or flights I have never seen availability using UA miles to LHR, MXP, MUC, CDG, ZRH, BCN, MAN or AMS. However occasionally something pops up for IST, FCO or CPH on the 777-200ER. I wonder if that will stay now that they are being upgraded to the 1-2-1 product.

As an aside, SQ inventory (using KF miles) often opens up about 2-3 days out, so I am not surprised about getting flights with 8 hours notice!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Guessing is this offer (from a thread on FT) [US$]
https://w.wallandmain.com
Allows you to purchase United RDMs at $.03/mile.
There are 4 levels:
Bronze - $4,500 for 150,000 miles
Silver - $7,500 for 250,000 miles
Gold - $15,000 for 500,000 miles
Platinum - $30,000 for 1,000,000 miles

 

[whatmeworry]

A bit off topic. I didn't take up the 40% offer that expired last month but received a 30% off offer for points that expires this Tuesday.

My dilemma is that I would be 20K short for a J return to Europe. Can I use my mother's account to buy and gift me the required points?

 

[whatmeworry]

I just found on UA that I can get my mother to gift me miles. ~$3500 J return to Europe... Mmmm

 

[Alanslegal]

I just found on UA that I can get my mother to gift me miles. ~$3500 J return to Europe... Mmmm

The current (targeted?) promotion over at USDM would cost slightly less for J. Even if you bought the max 50K + 50K bonus + 20K full price, that works out to be roughly ~aud$2925 (assuming aud$0.9/usd$1) , add taxes, then say $3150 all up.

 

[whatmeworry]

USDM is too much of a pain in the cough to book compared to UA millage plus's online option.

 

[whatmeworry]

Plus with the UA program you add a stopover for a return flight or have two open jaws.
How to Book Free Flights using United Mileage Plus Miles | MARS Frequent Flyer

 

[clifford]

I specifically said business class on 1-2-1 configured aircraft. Which type of metal, which route did you get business class ? To take MEL-SIN as an example, I can (often) see inventory on the 773 and now the 332, but never the 77W or A380. For SIN-Europe or flights I have never seen availability using UA miles to LHR, MXP, MUC, CDG, ZRH, BCN, MAN or AMS. However occasionally something pops up for IST, FCO or CPH on the 777-200ER. I wonder if that will stay now that they are being upgraded to the 1-2-1 product.

As an aside, SQ inventory (using KF miles) often opens up about 2-3 days out, so I am not surprised about getting flights with 8 hours notice!

I suppose this configuration is akin to the 777's of TG (those that fly to HND), NZ and AC to name but a few airlines that openly provide access to their 1-2-1 seating arrangements? And you might wonder how I know this.

 

[dajop]

I suppose this configuration is akin to the 777's of TG (those that fly to HND), NZ and AC to name but a few airlines that openly provide access to their 1-2-1 seating arrangements? And you might wonder how I know this.

I did mean on SQ 1-2-1 seating arrangements, not generic 1-2-1 arrangements. One can share ample experiences on other carriers and other aircraft types, but I was just originally observing that UA do not have access to virtually any inventory in *A. (As a UA nobody) I simply do NOT see any availability in premium classes through Mileage Plus on SQ 77W, A380 or A345 aircraft. If someone was purchasing 1 million UA mileage plus points with the hope of using them on J or F to get from SYD-LHR on SQ A380's they will find it either very difficult or impossible, unless something changes. Of course I would happily be proven wrong on this matter! Instead, they probably will find it very easy to do as SYD-LHR journey on any sort of TG aircraft.