What's the best way to use AA mileages? The dilemma of re-qualify for status
First of all, I don'f fly much for business. Last year, I made platinum with 4 international trips to reach platinum status, and this year 3 international trips + a MR. I understand the best way to use the mileages is to redeem for international business or first class. However, we probably won't make the status if we don't fly those trips on purchased flight. So what's the best way to use my mileage? I've used them for rental care and hotel when the mileages needed seem reasonable (to reduce the overall out of pocket needed for a trip) or occasionally some domestic flights when I was too late to purchase or in high season that I was just not willing to pay out of pocket for that price, even though not necessary a good cost/mileage ratio.
Will upgrade for international flight worthwile? Of course we purchase the discounted economy so that means 25,000 mile + $350 copay. I've thinking I might have to wait until the year that I know I won't be flying much to make the status and use my mileage for an international flight, or redeem it for someone else (e.g., parents). Do you also feel the need to fly on purchased flight to gain status, so can't really enjoy the mileage you gain?
Programs: AA EXP 1.9MM Admiral Club National Car E Hilton GLD Hyatt PLT Club Carlson GE Marriott GLD
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Hi
For us, the best use of miles is to book travel for friends and family to visit us, or come with us on a trip. I do not book award travel for myself, but every once in a while If I have to make a last minute trip I might do so when the cost of the ticket is too high.
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Location: South Texas -- AA EXP 3MM, Hyatt Diamond, Avis President's Club
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IMO the best use of miles is to provide experiences that would have otherwise been impossible and/or impractical. This might include the last-minute trip to see friends, family (or to attend an event), the gift of travel so someone can come visit you, and of course the international upgrades.
For many people, premium international travel is totally outside the budget. Miles can make it happen. Check out the cost of a business class international ticket and you'll see that mileage upgrades can be quite reasonable.
So the short answer to "what's the best use of miles?" is "to transform impossibility into reality".
Before you start using miles, could you fly enough (in paid classes) to get to EXP? In 2012 AA has/had two DEQM periods [with the aid of this years Jan DEQM promo, I reached nearly 90,000 by Aug--normally it takes me into Dec before I requalify for exp--and hence I've never used my RDM miles]
Once you are "comfortable" with your status level, using miles would come into play. There many periods where you can get INTL SAAver rate in coach for 20K each way (SAAver business is 50K each way).
Hilton Hotels has a discounted rate (using AA miles)for EXP's (I don't know about plat's, but you can experiment) [it used to be possible to do a direct transfer of AA to Hilton which seems not to work anymore].
I got 4 nights in Zurich Airport Hilton for 48,900 AA miles, the regular rate was nearly double.
EXPERIMENT with options on AA.com.
Before you start using miles, could you fly enough (in paid classes) to get to EXP?
Without the need to fly for business, I don't see myself ever making EXP. I just did my first MR to make Platinum for next year. I also don't think I would be doing multiple MR per year just to make EXP. Just don't have the time.
So the short answer to "what's the best use of miles?" is "to transform impossibility into reality".
I like this philosophy. This will make me consider more on upgrading international flights. Better to enjoy the mileages than letting them sit in the account. I am sure they depreciate over time!
Without the need to fly for business, I don't see myself ever making EXP. I just did my first MR to make Platinum for next year. I also don't think I would be doing multiple MR per year just to make EXP. Just don't have the time.
We earn EXP (both of us) on 100% leisure travel. We do this by taking a number of short trips. Not MRs as we do stay there. We take advantage of weekends, holidays, and the vacation time we do have. It is a challenge, but we enjoy it quite a bit.
As for the miles, we use them for hotel stays. This reduces the cost of the trips that we take.
We earn EXP (both of us) on 100% leisure travel. We do this by taking a number of short trips. Not MRs as we do stay there. We take advantage of weekends, holidays, and the vacation time we do have. It is a challenge, but we enjoy it quite a bit.
As for the miles, we use them for hotel stays. This reduces the cost of the trips that we take.
Cheers.
Aside from going back to home country once or twice a year, we like to travel far (thus those international flights) for week-long vacation (want to stay longer given how far we flew there!). Thus, no vacation time left for shorter trips. I guess that comes down to personal preference. But the SWU for EXP is so tempting! I give you a thumb up for the achievement.
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When my travel used to barely get me GLD, then later barely get me PLT, this same dilemma did bedevil me. I ended up almost never redeeming miles.
One of the best things about getting lifetime status was that this problem went away.
Some ideas:
- You already mentioned buying coach and upgrading. Depending on prices, this is sometimes a good way to both redeem and earn.
- Save up the miles until you have enough for several trips, then bundle them all into a single year. You'll lose PLT for a year, but will soft-land to GLD even without any earned miles (or buy-back PLT, if it's offered and makes sense for you). GLD isn't bad, the main difference is you don't get lounge access internationally, but if you're on a J award ticket, you get in anyway.
- Your post mentions "we", suggesting you're traveling with your spouse/partner/friend. For one year, purchase a ticket for one person, and redeem for the other. If the same person flies on the paid ticket each time, they will earn the status for the next year. The person on the award tickets won't, but that next year, as long as you travel together, both passengers will get the elite travel day benefits.
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Aside from going back to home country once or twice a year, we like to travel far (thus those international flights) for week-long vacation (want to stay longer given how far we flew there!). Thus, no vacation time left for shorter trips. I guess that comes down to personal preference. But the SWU for EXP is so tempting! I give you a thumb up for the achievement.
Yeah, that's the difference. We go to Europe from the west coast for 4-5 days. That's just not for everyone
- You already mentioned buying coach and upgrading. Depending on prices, this is sometimes a good way to both redeem and earn.
- Save up the miles until you have enough for several trips, then bundle them all into a single year. You'll lose PLT for a year, but will soft-land to GLD even without any earned miles (or buy-back PLT, if it's offered and makes sense for you). GLD isn't bad, the main difference is you don't get lounge access internationally, but if you're on a J award ticket, you get in anyway.
- Your post mentions "we", suggesting you're traveling with your spouse/partner/friend. For one year, purchase a ticket for one person, and redeem for the other. If the same person flies on the paid ticket each time, they will earn the status for the next year. The person on the award tickets won't, but that next year, as long as you travel together, both passengers will get the elite travel day benefits.
Yes, upgrading international flights seem to be the best way to enjoy the mile and also earn. You are right that I almost always travel with my spouse. This year I am Platinum and my husband is Gold. We can get the lounge access by my status. Being able to rack up 2x instead of 1.25 is nice for Platinum status. The only disadvantage for only one being Platinum is the upgrade priority. This year, I gave up two first class upgrade because there was only one seat available and I wanted to sit together. But will definitely consider this approach moving forward.
It is hard. We just let the miles pile up in our accounts for a few years, knowing that our situation would change and we would get to a point where we would use them. We are now there and will begin using miles (and not requalifying as EXP) next year. While requalifying, we used miles to bring friends to visit us and for hotels. Be sure to keep enough miles in the account to allow for award tickets for emergency use, last minute awards are a great use for miles, even with the last-minute fees they are a lot cheaper than purchased last-minute tickets.
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It is hard. We just let the miles pile up in our accounts for a few years, knowing that our situation would change and we would get to a point where we would use them. We are now there and will begin using miles (and not requalifying as EXP) next year.
I am also in this same situation. I have used some for international F travel, but mostly stockpiled them. Because of other changes in life, we are now in the position of possibly not requalifying, and the miles (and credit card points) will start to be consumed.
I am also in this same situation. I have used some for international F travel, but mostly stockpiled them. Because of other changes in life, we are now in the position of possibly not requalifying, and the miles (and credit card points) will start to be consumed.
Really opens up some interesting possibilities, doesn't it?
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Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then they beat you with experience.
Last year, I made platinum with 4 international trips to reach platinum status, and this year 3 international trips + a MR.
My pattern is almost identical. In a typical year I have four domestic flights and four international flights. My use of miles is exclusively for international upgrades (4*50,000=200,000 miles).
