tbilisi

Hi, I posted the original message on this thread.<BR><BR>I should have mentioned that it's been a psychological breakthrough to start (finally!) spending those miles. I'd spent some over the years for upgrades here and there, but don't have the type of personality to blow through my whole wad.<BR><BR>So here's how I've started: first class, RT to NYC for a long weekend. Going on United. Will report back how it went.<BR><BR>Now contemplating: Australia-New Zealand for fall if I can get ticket from a partner airline (thanks for the tips on partner airline code). <BR><BR>Is anyone else booking trips right now? Would love to hear your itineraries and how many United miles you're burning through.<BR><BR>-tbilisi

gocats2002

tbilisi, <BR>We're burning up 578,000 ff miles with our cruise for four to Alaska. It cost a little more than it said on the web site, as they add in taxes and port charges, so it was 144,500 miles per ticket. This gets us the least expensive cabins, but we are holding &quot;reservations&quot; and not actual cabins. The lady at United (or wherever she was) said they'd upgrade us before the cruise if the space was available. <BR>I was tempted to plan a trip to Europe (we went last year with our ff miles), but it still is expensive and we want something really relaxing right now. I can't wait to see the whales.

tbilisi

Thanks to all who've replied so far. The first leg of the adventure, a first class trip to NY was OK-fine. It happened to be the last non-stop between NY and Seattle until May, I was told; I'm going to miss that flight.<BR><BR>Another question: I'm trying to remember exactly when United's Mileage Plus program started...late 70's? early 80's? Does anyone know for sure? And was it the first, as my memory also says?

Flyboy

I don't recall the year, but the first frequent flyer program was on American Airlines. It was very strictly for FREQUENT flyers: fly 50,000 miles in one year and get a free, non-transferable ticket. Miles expired rather quickly, too. How times have changed, with non-expiring miles and so many different ways to get them!

Flyboy

Okay, our crack research team has unearthed the year: 1981. Here's a snippet from a long feature on www.webflyer.com (press area):<BR><BR>The first news covering frequent flyer programs was published on May 7, 1981 when The Wall Street Journal reported that United Airlines, which had launched a half-fare coupon promotion some two years earlier, was beginning a new program to lure frequent travelers. The story went on to recap the award schedule and even cite the fact that United was offering a sign-up bonus of 5,000 miles without having to fly. Mysteriously missing in this first article was the name of this new United program and any mention of American's similar program, which was launched days prior. In fact, United responded so rapidly to the American program that United has often been credited for launching the first program. In truth, though, the United Mileage Plus program celebrates 20 years of operation on May 6, just six short days, and many late nights, after the launch of American's AAdvantage program on May 1.<BR><BR>* * * <BR><BR>So, now you can save a lifeline if you end up being asked that question on Millionaire or something.

tbilisi

Thank you, thank you for your help getting this information.<BR><BR>Now, if I can only decide between Mexico City + Costa Rica and New Zealand. *sigh*