Riding the bus could now give your United status a boost
Earning airline elite status usually requires a ton of "butt-in-seat" miles, or, at the very least, a savvy credit card strategy.
But if you're a United flyer, you'll soon have another way to boost your Premier status. And that's by taking the bus.
Starting March 11, all bus service purchased in conjunction with air tickets will accrue Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs), as well as redeemable miles. The change was confirmed to TPG by a carrier spokesperson and has already been loaded to United's website.
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But, you must be thinking, what's an airline doing selling tickets on a bus?
Turns out, United partners with Easton Coach to offer connecting itineraries to offer connecting itineraries to and from Allentown, Pennsylvania (ABE), via the carrier's Newark (EWR) hub.
If you search for United flights from Allentown to any of the carrier's destinations, odds are that you'll be offered the choice of connecting in Newark on the "UA Bus Service." (United Express flies to Allentown from its Chicago and Washington/Dulles hubs on a mix of regional jets, according to Cirium schedules.)
Google Maps shows that the drive to Newark should take around 90 minutes. Many Lehigh Valley-area travelers might consider Ubering or taking a private car to United's New York City hub, but the bus alternative will give you a boost to earning status. (Easton Coach also offers some flyer-friendly amenities, like complimentary Wi-Fi, SiriusXM satellite radio, armrests and footrests.)
The bus component of the itinerary will earn PQPs and redeemable miles, but note that it won't earn any Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). You earn the latter for every flight segment you take with United or its partners. Earning status requires a combination of PQPs and PQFs. There's also a higher PQP-only track, too.
More: Guide to earning United Premier status in 2021
Of course, it'll pay to compare the cost of non-stop flights from Newark versus one-stop itineraries involving the bus connection.
On a random date in February, it was cheaper to purchase a one-way biz flight from Allentown to Fort Lauderdale, via Newark ($331), compared to $336 when booking it as a non-stop from Newark. In other cases, it was significantly more expensive to originate in Allentown, so be sure to check the fares. You'd earn 301 PQPs for the aforementioned itinerary, representing the entire fare excluding taxes.
This latest move is similar to United's now-discontinued Amtrak partnership.
For years, the carrier and Amtrak had a codeshare partnership, allowing you to purchase a flight to or from Newark with a connection on the Northeast Regional train to or from your final destination.
Flyers could earn redeemable miles for eligible train segments, and Amtrak Guest Rewards members could credit United flights to Amtrak as well. Plus, the two transportation providers offered reciprocal lounge access for certain premium passengers and elite members.
However, as of Dec. 24, 2020, earning United MileagePlus miles through Amtrak and vice versa was cut. Reciprocal lounge access ends in just over a week on Feb. 4.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees