Hi,

I need some advice. I am having a dilemma. I need to go home for the holidays, international flight.

I have 2 choices:

1. Buy a regular ticket. Cost $930.
Advantages:
-can maybe upgrade international leg, for sure domestic leg
-will earn 17,500 miles
Disadvantages:
-cost to change ticket is $200, and this is a real possibility
-I am pretty tight for money right now!

2. Use a international voucher I have. Cost $670 (this is what a friend offered me for the voucher, so if I use it that is my true cost).
Advantages:
-Can make free changes to my schedule, even cancel if needed, at no cost
-savings of $260
Disadvantages:
-cannot redeem for my dates, so will fly standby on them, however probably won't have a problem
-won't earn any miles
-probably won't be able to upgrade at all


I do not think these miles will actually affect my status for next year, so this is not a factor.

Can anyone help me make the decision? I am leaning in the direction of buying, since I might upgrade and earn so many miles...but money is a factor, plus there is a real decent chance I will need to cancel the return or change it.

Regards!!!!

If I had the money, I would buy, BUT your chances of getting an upgrade on the international section (I assume we're talking transatlantic here) are, I imagine, less than 0, unless you buy go envoy. Why do you think you might get an upgrade?

Because I have a paper upgrade I can use, unless it is sold out.

Anyone else have any advice?

Because I have a paper upgrade I can use, unless it is sold out.

Anyone else have any advice?

Before Go Envoy chances with paper upgrades were about 75%. Now probably much less.

Usually, vouchers have expiration dates (and so do paper upgrades), and that has to be factors in your decision.

Since money is a factor too, I would go ahead and use the voucher now. Upgrades based on seat availability would seem to be scarce over the holiday period (I'm assuming transAtlantic over Christmas), when you plan on traveling.

Better to have $1000 ($930 + $200 probable changes) in the bank than a voucher on the shelf :) , even if I have to fly coach!