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Another post about the age-old battle between MR and UR...
Currently, dabble in both systems via the CSR and the Amex Gold. Not really looking to build up a collection of cards, but wanting to lean in heavy on trifecta/quadfecta that makes the most sense for me. Pros and Cons for both below:
CSR/UR
Pros:
Cons:
MR/Amex
Pros:
Cons:
After typing that out, I'm leaning towards MR (maybe combo of Gold, Green, BBP + CF to have a Visa?). Thoughts? Help is appreciated and thanks in advance.
@Batsamandrobin wrote:
After typing that out, I'm leaning towards MR (maybe combo of Gold, Green, BBP + CF to have a Visa?). Thoughts? Help is appreciated and thanks in advance.
I won't contribute to the basic discussion, but just want to say probably not CF if the point of a visa is for international travel, as CF has a FTF
@longtimelurker wrote:
@Batsamandrobin wrote:
After typing that out, I'm leaning towards MR (maybe combo of Gold, Green, BBP + CF to have a Visa?). Thoughts? Help is appreciated and thanks in advance.
I won't contribute to the basic discussion, but just want to say probably not CF if the point of a visa is for international travel, as CF has a FTF
Good point, didn't think about that. Maybe a BoA Premium Rewards card instead?
If you only fly delta, go with MR. It can get to 1.5-1.6 cpp if you plan carefully, even for domestic economy. If you need an card for intl travels, get a cap1 QS.
btw, if you are not allowed to pay flight with your own card, I am not sure what good MR/UR is for....
@Anonymous wrote:
btw, if you are not allowed to pay flight with your own card, I am not sure what good MR/UR is for....
Non-work travel. OP, if your spending makes sense, the argument can certainly be made for both systems. As a Delta flyer, URs and MRs (as well as TYPs, Marriott, and Hilton (although that last one at a horrible exchange rate) can ALL dump into Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). Since you live in a Delta hub, direct flights (domestic and international) on Delta booked through Virgin Atlantic can be extremely good value.
@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
btw, if you are not allowed to pay flight with your own card, I am not sure what good MR/UR is for....
Non-work travel. OP, if your spending makes sense, the argument can certainly be made for both systems. As a Delta flyer, URs and MRs (as well as TYPs, Marriott, and Hilton (although that last one at a horrible exchange rate) can ALL dump into Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). Since you live in a Delta hub, direct flights (domestic and international) on Delta booked through Virgin Atlantic can be extremely good value.
I agree. If a person can afford to dabble in both systems without spreading themselves too thin, then it can be very useful alternate where necessary.
While Delta doesn't work for me that well locally, I have found uses for them in the unlikeliest of places. Just recently I discoverd that I could book an award filght on Delta from ICN to NRT. I knew that they had 1,000's destination but never even considered this to be an itinerary.
Been trying to find a way to unload some of my points/miles while on my trip, Delta is at the top as I want to get out of that system.
@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
btw, if you are not allowed to pay flight with your own card, I am not sure what good MR/UR is for....
Non-work travel. OP, if your spending makes sense, the argument can certainly be made for both systems. As a Delta flyer, URs and MRs (as well as TYPs, Marriott, and Hilton (although that last one at a horrible exchange rate) can ALL dump into Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). Since you live in a Delta hub, direct flights (domestic and international) on Delta booked through Virgin Atlantic can be extremely good value.
What you're describing (redemptions on Virgin Atlantic) is part of what's led me to consider our plan moving forward. Most of what I've read seems to discuss Virgin redemptions in the context of MR transfers, which is why I was looking to lean more heavily into Amex. Good to know that UR is a transfer partner as well. Every once in a while it'd be nice to book a few seats in the front of the plane.
I also have a stack of Marriott points (Platinum last year, most likely will hit Titanium this year) - would you recommend transferring those to an airline as well?
I wouldn't, the redemtion rate is horrible 3>1.
@Batsamandrobin wrote:
@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
btw, if you are not allowed to pay flight with your own card, I am not sure what good MR/UR is for....
Non-work travel. OP, if your spending makes sense, the argument can certainly be made for both systems. As a Delta flyer, URs and MRs (as well as TYPs, Marriott, and Hilton (although that last one at a horrible exchange rate) can ALL dump into Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). Since you live in a Delta hub, direct flights (domestic and international) on Delta booked through Virgin Atlantic can be extremely good value.
What you're describing (redemptions on Virgin Atlantic) is part of what's led me to consider our plan moving forward. Most of what I've read seems to discuss Virgin redemptions in the context of MR transfers, which is why I was looking to lean more heavily into Amex. Good to know that UR is a transfer partner as well. Every once in a while it'd be nice to book a few seats in the front of the plane.
I also have a stack of Marriott points (Platinum last year, most likely will hit Titanium this year) - would you recommend transferring those to an airline as well?
UR does transfer to Virgin, althought MR system have a history of offering transfer bonus in the range of 25-50%. You can check the record of these bonuses at DoC.
You may want to also take a look at Virgin and check to see if you can actually book the delta routes you need. Virgin can book delta flights, esp. direct flights, but it can't book all delta flights.