United to Italy in First Class
My wife and I are going to Rome in April, departing from Los Angeles or San Francisco. We wanted your thoughts on whether it’s better to use United or Amex miles to upgrade from Business to First.
Jim Lindner, La Jolla, CA
In the past, the best use of United miles was going for a First Class award ticket, because First Class ticket prices were so high (about $17,500), as were United’s upgradeable Business Class fares ($8,000+). At 135,000 miles for a First Class award, you’d be getting a return of 13¢ a mile, well above the 3¢ per mile we consider the minimum return. However, United’s new upgrade program, which went into effect on Jan. 12, changes all that. Relatively speaking, you’re now getting a better return on your miles for an upgrade to First, as the upgradeable fare plus surcharge is $4,800 and 40,000 miles; a return of 31¢ on your miles. I would personally rather spend 270,000 miles vs. $10,000 plus 80,000 miles, even though my return on miles is lower. My recommendation: Go for the award ticket. As far as transferring Amex points, the only programs that allow First Class award redemption with Amex (without having elite status) are airlines in the Star Alliance, which includes United.— MB
Use Delta Miles to Upgrade?
In July 2010 my wife and I will be travelling to Manchester, UK, where I will be participating in the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships. I have 130,000 Delta SkyMiles that I would like to use toward a Business Class ticket. Is Delta my best choice as it has a non-stop from Atlanta to Manchester?
Doug Hirsh, Warm Springs, VA
Whatever you do, don’t use your Delta miles to upgrade from coach to Business. Delta has very high upgradeable fares to Europe, plus it requires 60,000 miles. Right now, the lowest upgradeable fare on Atlanta-Manchester is about $2,200, but you can buy a Business Class ticket for less, at $2,100. You don’t need to waste your miles here, or struggle with availability, or give up on earning miles or elite credit at the same time. (Incidentally, other airlines come in at around $1,900 for a Business Class ticket on this route, and you don’t have to give up the 60,000 miles!) Even getting an award ticket on Delta is not a good use of your miles— the return is only about 2.2¢ per mile—but it’s still better than upgrading.— MB
SUCCESS STORY
Following your advice in the Dec. 2009 issue, my wife and I joined US Airways’ Dividend Miles and we each bought 40,000 miles (80,000 with bonus). We used the 160,000 miles to book two Business Class round-trips: Toronto-Vienna-Rome-Frankfurt-Toronto for a total cost of US $2,370. Even converting to Canadian dollars it was still a great deal in comparison to the best published fares of some $7,000. Thanks for another great tip.
Ian Anderson, London, Ont