United Offers Triple Miles for Boston Flights

This would be a fine time to fly between Boston and San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego.

Earlier this month, [% 2845889 | | American %] launched a triple-mile promotion, for travel through May 31. And they have a fare sale in place for Boston flights as well.

American’s offer—plus the prospect of increased competitive pressure in the Boston market from Southwest, JetBlue, and [% 2832954 | | Virgin America %]—must have had an effect on United’s Boston service. The carrier has launched its own triple-mile offer for flights between Boston and San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego, completed by May 31. The only difference between the American and United offers is the cap: Whereas the American bonus can be earned an unlimited number of times, the United version applies to a maximum of six one-way flights.

Looking ahead, the promotions from American and United may well force Virgin America—which also flies between Boston and the West Coast—to offer an extra incentive to members of its [% 2749856 | | Elevate program %]. This is a textbook case of the competitive marketplace working in favor of the consumer.