Credit card for united mileage plus

[Aegis]

Is there any card here that allows me to accrue miles on UA's mileage plus? I'm using UA's premier miles to credit to my delta account but the mileage requirements are horrible now so I'm dropping it.
UA allows me to fly in Asia for 30k miles in econ (used to be 20k in econ, 30k in biz) to most places on SQ so that is my preferred FF program.

I know most local folks have a preference for Krisflyer program. However if you do get to fly on UA (I do for work) or *A, United's program is quite good for those based in SG. Lower mileage requirements than Krisflyer itself but still get to fly SQ. For some strange reason, after the merger UA/CO I see a lot more seats available for SQ on UA's award program so I'm happy to continue staying with mileage plus.

 

[reddevil0728]

Is there any card here that allows me to accrue miles on UA's mileage plus? I'm using UA's premier miles to credit to my delta account but the mileage requirements are horrible now so I'm dropping it.
UA allows me to fly in Asia for 30k miles in econ (used to be 20k in econ, 30k in biz) to most places on SQ so that is my preferred FF program.

I know most local folks have a preference for Krisflyer program. However if you do get to fly on UA (I do for work) or *A, United's program is quite good for those based in SG. Lower mileage requirements than Krisflyer itself but still get to fly SQ. For some strange reason, after the merger UA/CO I see a lot more seats available for SQ on UA's award program so I'm happy to continue staying with mileage plus.

I believe you gotta redeem it using KF miles

 

[Aegis]

You don't need KF miles for SQ flights, *A partner airlines also can redeem SQ flight. Done it many times. Anyways, I looked through all the cc's for ff miles and it seems non can credit to UA's mileage plus.

 

[reddevil0728]

You don't need KF miles for SQ flights, *A partner airlines also can redeem SQ flight. Done it many times. Anyways, I looked through all the cc's for ff miles and it seems non can credit to UA's mileage plus.

somehow i think u misunderstood him

 

[hclee01]

Is there any card here that allows me to accrue miles on UA's mileage plus?

Sadly there isn't any credit cards in Singapore that will allow you to earn or transfer points to UA's mileage plus program. Years back, HSBC cards allow you to do that, but it has been discontinued.

You can refer to UA website for list of credit card partners that will let you to transfer points to miles:
United Airlines - Earn MileagePlus Award Miles from Credit card partners

 

[Thanatos_Wraiths]

somehow i think u misunderstood him

You have split personalities or forgot to post using your crone account?

 

[reddevil0728]

You have split personalities or forgot to post using your crone account?

huh????? what talking you. who is my clone

 

[Thanatos_Wraiths]

somehow i think u misunderstood him

Then its a case of split personalities.

 

[reddevil0728]

Then its a case of split personalities.

WHOOPS! LOL I NEVER SEE THE POSTER NAME BEFORE POSTING THAT HAHA!

 

[Aegis]

Sadly there isn't any credit cards in Singapore that will allow you to earn or transfer points to UA's mileage plus program. Years back, HSBC cards allow you to do that, but it has been discontinued.

You can refer to UA website for list of credit card partners that will let you to transfer points to miles:
United Airlines - Earn MileagePlus Award Miles from Credit card partners

Thank you, the link was very informative. I will probably change my primary card to some cash back one instead since premier miles are no good for me anymore. I miss the good old days of low mileage northwest flights on biz!

 

[celerius]

DBS Altitude's page misleads you into thinking that you can do that.
DBS Altitude Visa - Ways To Fly | DBS Singapore
When you actually try to redeem you're only given the option to redeem to KF or Asia Miles. And when you call them up to ask them they'll tell you that you can redeem any Star Alliance member airlines via KF.

 

[spearhawk]

DBS Altitude's page misleads you into thinking that you can do that.
DBS Altitude Visa - Ways To Fly | DBS Singapore
When you actually try to redeem you're only given the option to redeem to KF or Asia Miles. And when you call them up to ask them they'll tell you that you can redeem any Star Alliance member airlines via KF.

Why is that misleading? It is obvious to me it is only star alliance and Asia miles only.

 

[lcpteck]

Asia Miles can redeem for OneWorld flights and KF Miles can redeem for Star Alliance flights.

 

[ThinkPad70]

Read this, guess you may not prefer SQ KF any more. Too bad that SG Credit Cards does not offer UA mileages.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Vs. United Airlines MileagePlus

http : / / thusithamabotuwana . wordpress . com/2012/07/08/singapore-airlines-krisflyer-vs-united-airlines-mileageplus/

 

[zjjx1977]

Read this, guess you may not prefer SQ KF any more. Too bad that SG Credit Cards does not offer UA mileages.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Vs. United Airlines MileagePlus

http : / / thusithamabotuwana . wordpress . com/2012/07/08/singapore-airlines-krisflyer-vs-united-airlines-mileageplus/

But still have ways to get UA miles. Through rocketmiles book 2 nights on nov, dec. Me & wife got 10k UA miles each.

 

[Suleyman]

The only advantage with MP is no YQ. The blog is also fairly dated and do not highlight some of the serious disadvantages of MP as a FFP.

- You need 4 flights on UA metal each year to qualify for any status. Given a choice, I will never fly on UA internationally. Standard is slightly better (in many cases worst!) than budget airlines like Jetstar. Domestic US, it is acceptable only because their budget airlines are even worse! Basically, domestic US airlines are like our budget airlines.

- If you are forced to fly domestic US, even being a 1K will not get you lounge access UNLESS you are flying premium class. However, any non-UA, non-US *G member (including a KF Elite Gold) can get lounge access (talk about treating other elites better!). Granted, US domestic lounges are pretty crap anyhow.

- You will generally not have access to SQ premium cabin space except for those flights operating the 'regional' reclining business class seats. Moving forward, you will not even be able to book those through the website and will need tocall their helpline to book any SQ award flights, thus also incurring a booking fee.

- MP is in the midst of a massive devaluation of their program, requiring more miles to redeem international flights in premium cabins.

- While it is true they are more generous in terms of upgrades, the sheer number of MP elites in the US means that your likelihood of getting one is very low unless you are GS or 1K. A colleague mentioned that on a recent flight, there were 100+ seats, and the upgrade list (ie Gold & above) is more than 50 ppl.

- Many of the benefits that UA extends to their elites which were highlighted (such as free checked bags), are also extended to *G members, which includes other FFPs where Gold is much easier to attain.

So, frankly, no, I still don't like MP.

 

[Inix]

Thank you, the link was very informative. I will probably change my primary card to some cash back one instead since premier miles are no good for me anymore. I miss the good old days of low mileage northwest flights on biz!

PremierMiles is also a rebate card. Its effectively 1.2%.

 

[invisible999]

So, frankly, no, I still don't like MP.

That's understandable.

Disclaimer: I have been flying UA for last 10 years. I would move my business anywhere if there was something even comparable in terms of benefits but unfortunately no aval.

I'd like to once again mention that this post is not for defense of UA and/or their MP, it has a purpose to compare apples to apples.


However, you did not mention several benefits one can have on UA non existent with SQ:

- upgrade instruments, particularly RPU (regional premier upgrades) and GPU. Yes, on busy routes (like SFO-HKG) chances to use instrument is near 0, but it does not mean that it does not happen. Can you book SIN-FRA or SIN-IST in Y (BTW, not the full fare Y) and for free get upgraded to C? And having this chance 6 times per year?

- bunch of unpublished benefits for GS, particularly upgrade award international Y seats to C.

- partnership with Marriott so elite MP members are getting Gold status with Marriott as well

- RDM bonus for elite members and multiplier for fare class.

Regarding lounges, people need to remember that reality and attitude regarding air travel within States in quite different comparing to the rest of the world. Air travel is not considered a luxury, but rather a form of mass transit. I had a guy in office who was flying LAX-SFO-LAX 4 times a week - he was living in LA and was coming to office in Silicon Valley. As a result airline lounges are designed from purely practical experience - you would not any luxury there.

In general - more affordable air travel becomes, less exclusivity you will see.

 

[Suleyman]

However, you did not mention several benefits one can have on UA non existent with SQ:

- upgrade instruments, particularly RPU (regional premier upgrades) and GPU. Yes, on busy routes (like SFO-HKG) chances to use instrument is near 0, but it does not mean that it does not happen. Can you book SIN-FRA or SIN-IST in Y (BTW, not the full fare Y) and for free get upgraded to C? And having this chance 6 times per year?

Yes, this is one of the great benefits of MP but I think it was mentioned in the blog. I was pointing out the downsides that the blog author had glossed over.

- bunch of unpublished benefits for GS, particularly upgrade award international Y seats to C.

Yes, to be fair though, GS is not something most of us can attain. BTW, if you were ever GS, I have a colleague who would be very interested in speaking to you as she has been aiming for that for sometime now...

Regarding lounges, people need to remember that reality and attitude regarding air travel within States in quite different comparing to the rest of the world. Air travel is not considered a luxury, but rather a form of mass transit. I had a guy in office who was flying LAX-SFO-LAX 4 times a week - he was living in LA and was coming to office in Silicon Valley. As a result airline lounges are designed from purely practical experience - you would not any luxury there.

No, I get that. I was in the SFO United Club a couple of months back. I mean, the place made the T1 Skyview lounge look good. I walked out and bought a coffee at the coffee shop near the gate and I think it felt more 'luxurious' than being in the lounge. Even the SFO free wifi was working better than the spotty United Club wifi. I mean, if the lounge is worse off than the public area, something is wrong, right?

 

[ThinkPad70]

Oops, this is not a positive sign:

http : // boardingarea . com/frequentlyflying/2013/12/12/united-to-remove-online-singapore-airlines-award-availability/

Suleyman & invisible999, thanks for your views and such solid experience you have on SQ & UA

I am not a frequent flyer to/in US, mainly traveling in AP & SEA and on economy class. The convenience of booking and cheaper cost is the top focus for me to take MP: as I could use UA to book and fly to any city within North Asia (as long as covered by Star Alliance) - with the cost of 30K MPs + approx US$100.... and I could not get the same from SQ... That's the reason though I have 100K+ KF points in my account, I rather let it expiring month by month