Anonymous wrote:I have about 10,000 United frequent flyer miles, which I know isn't much. Is it worth it to get the Chase card for United miles? It's free the first year, then has a $95 fee after that. You get a $60,000 sign up bonus.

How else can I earn United miles besides through hotels and rental cars? Or is there a better deal out there besides United?

A really good way to get miles is to fly on the airline.

I have both American and United credit cards. I’ve found that American flights are better and cheaper. No question about it.

I just got the Chase Explorer card for the 60K miles bonus but also because our annual destination is either Lufthansa or United, and we are always on a Star Alliance carrier. I also plan to use the perk of $100 toward applying for the TSA Pre program and will get the first checked baggage free for two travellers, among a couple of other nice perks.

I've got the United card and now am Silver status on United (not much, but accrues miles faster). I'm not a huge spender, but put maybe $2000 a month on the card. Between that and flying, I've got about 300k in united miles over the last 5-6 years. They accrue faster than you think with the card, given you frequently get 2x or 3x miles on certain purchases.

If you want to use on flights and hotels and don't frequently fly one airline, I'd probably skip the united card and do the venture/sapphire card or something like others suggested. That way you can transfer the points/miles to a number of different airlines/hotels etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

It really depends on which airport you will be flying out of (DCA is a hub for American, IAD is a hub for United, and BWI is a hub for Southwest) as well as if there’s a destination you intend to visit repeatedly (ie, grandparents in Texas). So, it’s not which airline program is better, it’s which one is better FOR YOU.

We don’t fly much and don’t tend to have many repeat destinations. Seems to be about equal from DCA and IAD. BWI is a pain for us. Would like to acquire miles to use on flights and hotels, but probably not for upgrades.

You need flexible points like Chase or Amex or Cap 1. You need to read online about the various options and who their travel partners are. I would not open any new credit cards until you understand the complex system of points and miles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

United just devalued their frequent flyer program. I find American to generally require less miles for flights.

In what way did they devalue it?

Same way any points programs do. Raised points prices tremendously. Flights that used to cost 22.5k now cost 45k.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

It really depends on which airport you will be flying out of (DCA is a hub for American, IAD is a hub for United, and BWI is a hub for Southwest) as well as if there’s a destination you intend to visit repeatedly (ie, grandparents in Texas). So, it’s not which airline program is better, it’s which one is better FOR YOU.

We don’t fly much and don’t tend to have many repeat destinations. Seems to be about equal from DCA and IAD. BWI is a pain for us. Would like to acquire miles to use on flights and hotels, but probably not for upgrades.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

United just devalued their frequent flyer program. I find American to generally require less miles for flights.

In what way did they devalue it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

United just devalued their frequent flyer program. I find American to generally require less miles for flights.

American definitely requires fewer miles for flights and just puts more good flights into their award program. However American miles are harder to acquire as there are no programs that allow you to transfer miles to American (like Chase or Capital One or Citi.) You can get the American credit cards or you can fly American, that’s it. United miles are much easier to get, but good luck finding decent flights to use them on.

Anonymous wrote:Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

It really depends on which airport you will be flying out of (DCA is a hub for American, IAD is a hub for United, and BWI is a hub for Southwest) as well as if there’s a destination you intend to visit repeatedly (ie, grandparents in Texas). So, it’s not which airline program is better, it’s which one is better FOR YOU.

Anonymous wrote:Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

United just devalued their frequent flyer program. I find American to generally require less miles for flights.

Is United the best program, or is American or a different one better?

United Explorer card. You get a sign on bonus and then if you use the card they give you 1 or 2 miles per purchase, depending on what you buy.

Easier to get the Chase Sapphire card and Chase Ink Business cards, which earn Chase Ultimate Rewards and then with the Sapphire you can transfer 1:1 points to United (and many other travel partners.) You can do the United card too, but the sapphire and inks usually have higher sign up bonuses.

I have about 10,000 United frequent flyer miles, which I know isn't much. Is it worth it to get the Chase card for United miles? It's free the first year, then has a $95 fee after that. You get a $60,000 sign up bonus.

How else can I earn United miles besides through hotels and rental cars? Or is there a better deal out there besides United?