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Tag Archives for united.

United Airlines Matches Varig — or Most Airline — Status

by Gary Leff on February 26, 2007

Feb 26 2007

Continuing my kick of linking to just about anything Upgrade: Travel Better has to say, Mark points to the Star Alliance offer to match status held with Varig. Varig went bankrupt and lost its membership the Star Alliance, so other Star Alliance members are jockeying to pick up the elite frequent flyers in the now-defunct Varig “Smiles” program. The Star Alliance webpage lists the different status match programs that are available to Smiles members until April 30, 2007. Air Canada, Lufthansa, South African, Swiss, and TAP are all granting status matches to Varig’s elites. BUT: United goes one further. Their rules doesn’t specify that the status match is only open to Varig flyers, either on the Star Alliance site or on their own page. So this is where it gets interesting. This is a good…

1000 Bonus Miles on Your Next United Roundtrip

by Gary Leff on February 18, 2007

Feb 18 2007

United is offering 1000 miles for a roundtrip costing $350 or more domestically ($700 or more internationally) through May 15. Earn 1,000 bonus miles when you register, then purchase and fly qualifying roundtrip travel in the amount of at least $350 domestic, or at least $700 international,** anywhere United, United Express®, or Ted(SM) flies between February 16 and May 15, 2007. Registration is required.

Rhapsody in Blue on a Plane’s Videoscreen

by Gary Leff on February 5, 2007

Feb 05 2007

There’s something calm.. and peaceful… and home about this clip. If you’re a United frequent flyer you’ll certainly agree.

United Changes its Expiration Rules

by Gary Leff on January 19, 2007

Jan 19 2007

United announced today that its miles will now expire after 18 months of inactivity rather than the current 36 months. The worst part of the change, though, is that instead of giving useful advance notice of the change, it’s retroactive to July, 2006. Accounts without activity from July ’06 through December ’07 will be terminated at the end of the year.The press release contains some whoppers: By shortening the amount of time a Mileage Plus account can remain inactive, United’s most loyal customers will compete with fewer people for award seats, making it easier for them to redeem their miles. Sure, I compete every day for international first class awards with the median member with 17,000 miles in their account striving for 25,000. Heh. As though it’s the fault of members (rather than the airline…

United reduces online booking bonus

by Gary Leff on January 19, 2007

Jan 19 2007

United’s online booking bonus has been reduced from 1000 miles to 500 – though on the upside, one-way itineraries now earn 250 miles rather than being ineligible. A sad day, truly, though certainly in line with the direction of the rest of the industry.

United iDine Bonus: 5000 Bonus Miles for 10 Dines by March 31

by Gary Leff on January 2, 2007

Jan 02 2007

Register by February 15 and dine 10 times (minimum $25 spend) by March 31 at qualifying restaurants to earn 5000 bonus Mileage Plus miles.

United Bonus Miles … 5000 to 25,000 miles for ticket purchases

by Gary Leff on November 11, 2006

Nov 11 2006

United is offering: 5,000 bonus miles for completing one qualifying roundtrip 10,000 bonus miles for completing two qualifying roundtrips 25,000 bonus miles for completing three qualifying roundtrips Ticketing and travel must be between November 10 and January 31, and the first roundtrip must be completed by December 31. Only roundtrips qualify, but it looks like all regular paid fare classes count. Registration is required.

United Business Visa with No Fee First Year

by Gary Leff on October 24, 2006

Oct 24 2006

Maybe I’ve been under a rock for awhile, but this is the first time I’ve seen the United Business Visa with fee waived first year — hence in the past I’ve never churned these. They’re offering 21,000 bonus miles after $250 in purchases, and since there’s finally no fee to get those miles I’ll give an application a whirl.(Hat tip to Don.)Update: a helpful reader points out the business visa also comes with 25,000 points after $250 in purchases, fee waived the first year. I knew about this offer on the personal card, didn’t realize it applied to the business card…

Reasons to Avoid Northwest DC-9s

by Gary Leff on October 21, 2006

Oct 21 2006

The Upgrade Travel Blog says you should avoid Northwest DC-9s because these aging planes are increasingly responsible for delays, with a single plane causing 2564 minutes of delays so far year to date. I say you should avoid Northwest DC-9s because their first class cabins offer a tighter pitch (34 – 35 inches) than United’s economy plus on an Airbus A320 (36 inches). And the United Airbus offers channel 9 air traffic control, rather than no inflight entertainment at all. Who needs unlimited domestic upgrades when that just means first class on a Northwest DC-9?

New United Visa Offers

by Gary Leff on October 3, 2006

Oct 03 2006

It was only a matter of time before the signup bonus arms race made it up to the next level. The United Visa is offering 21,000 bonus miles and even 25,000 bonus miles with annual fee waived the first year. They took a page from a recent Citibank American Mastercard offer, though, and are requiring $250 in spending on the card before awarding the bonus instead of crediting it after first purchase. Still, an extra 5000 miles award for spending $250 seems quite worthwhile.