15,000 United MileagePlus miles bonus with their free UK credit card

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

• Simon says:

  19 Oct19 October 08:40

  It’s a shame the SPG tranfer rate is so poor for United, I took out this card last when the bonus was 12,000 and that combined with Rocket Miles stays and surveys means I’ve managed to get my United balance up from 3,000 to 53,000 but doing lots of surveys isn’t everyones thing!

  I don’t understand why there isn’t a sign-up bonus normally for the card even if it was only a few thousand miles, as you mention the earnings rate is pretty good .

• RIccati says:

  19 Oct19 October 09:23

  I am at conundrum about where to credit SAS economy tickets in discounted classes.

  M&M gives 125 miles for a European flight (max).
  http://www.miles-and-more.com/online/portal/mam/hr/earn/flight/offer?nodeid=2510338&l=en&cid=1000261

  Aegean gives 600 mies (min) but building a balance and redeeming is an untested item (taxes on par with Lufthansa they write).
  http://en.aegeanair.com/milesandbonus/program-description/earn-miles/#SAS

  United is the third choice with 100% miles, mostly useable for redemptions within the US ($2.50 tax) but when flying intercontinentally it’s cheaper to bundle domestic flight, find reasonably priced cash ticket that earns miles. United intercontinental upgrade to business is 20000 miles + 500USD one-way but the cabin is of low appeal.
  https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/Marketing/CustComm/Promotions/Pages/AirlinePartnerDetails.aspx?ItemId=317

  • Simon says:

    19 Oct19 October 12:18

    125 M&M points per flight sounds very poor to me.

• Danksy says:

  19 Oct19 October 09:23

  Think I’ll have a go at the etihad one instead!

• M says:

  19 Oct19 October 10:02

  Also a thing to note is that United is switching to revenue-based program in 2015.

  • RIccati says:

    19 Oct19 October 11:15

    As Raffles says, the points are not free. If one doesn’t want to spend the earned points on United business product then less point of crediting to United. The only benefit I see is Premier Silver (*A Silver) access to Economy Plus seating at check-in. But getting Silver means taking points away from reward seats in other programs.

    Revenue-based miles on United 016 e-tickets, no AMEX MR top up and punitive SPG transfer rate 2:1. Access to United Club is already by PP.

    If Lufthansa M&M and United are cutting earning opportunities and treating miles accumulation as a liability, then it’s no fun to play the points game.

• Lady London says:

  19 Oct19 October 11:37

  Gut feeling that if you are flying the kinds of routes that might work with UA, you could also look at Alaska Air. AS has some nice tie-ups across alliances and routes. IIRC reading recently about a devaluation of some sort but there still seemed to be a lot of worth in the program. I’d certainly consider it if I wanted to add another program.. A colleague is a fan and says they are pleasant to fly..

  • Simon says:

    19 Oct19 October 12:47

    I’ve done a couple of US domestic flights to and from Seattle with Alaska Air and had no complaints.

    I’m not that familar with their frequent flyer program but the main benefit I find with the US airlines is the low taxes, as RIccati mentioned a domestic flight on United booked using miles will cost $2.50 in taxes, LAX to LHR is $5.60 in first..

  • RIccati says:

    19 Oct19 October 16:06

    50% bonus earning miles for MVP Silver (takes only 20,000 miles to earn) on Alaska applies to partner airlines. Works on discounted BA classes such as O. Means collecting 50% more points than Avios.

    Hong Kong – Europe roundtrip is 85,000 in business on CX, compared to 120,000 Avios..

• Jimmyjimmy says:

  19 Oct19 October 11:59

  I believe the card is a good way of stopping mileage plus awards from expiry. Normal expiry is 18 months.
  A quick search suggests spend on the card keeps the points alive. Is this correct?

  • Alan says:

    19 Oct19 October 12:09

    Yes any points credit would do the trick – you’ll see your expiry date on the account move with each credit. eRewards credits do the same thing.

• Simon says:

  19 Oct19 October 16:27

  There will be a 20% bonus on converting hotel points to United miles coming up from October 28th as well. The bonus on this promo seems to be getting less each year, 2 years ago it was 30% and last year it was 25%. As well as the bonus getting less according to the T&Cs they’ve excluded anyone not living in the US which is very annoying!

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.