US Airways 2011 Grand Slam Promotion - Can i get both bonus DM and 1 hit by buying DM?

Buy 10K miles and get 10K bonus miles ends on Sep. 15th. The GS starts on Sep 14th. So If i buy miles on Sep 14th and 15th, will I get both?

Yes, you will get the bonus and a hit for GS if you do it either 14th or 15th. Another hit for share..

Before a bunch of people buy 20K miles on the first day, I just wanted to offer some calculations ...

If you buy the 10K+10K, you'll end up spending $295.63 for 20K miles + a hit. At $0.01/mile, you'd be paying $95.63 for the hit. Also, it would be an "early hit" (first or second day of a 2-month promotion) so it's rare that it would be an "incremental hit" (i.e., the 32nd or 36th hit, which gain 20K points each -- one should theoretically put more value on a late hit that raises you one mileage tier. If it's the last day of the promotion and I have an opportunity to spend $95 for 20K miles, I see that as high value).

However, if you buy just the 1K, you'll spend $29.56. At $0.01/mile, that's $19.56 for a hit anytime during the promotion.


Of course, if you were planning to buy miles anyway, it's a good deal (to wait for the promotion to get the miles and the hit). However, I think I'll only buy 1K and only if it is the cheapest option to help push me up one level late in the game.

isnt it better to calculate like this?

buying miles cost 14,7$ for 1000miles.
at this buying rate from hits 12-24 ,a hit is worth 37$/1000miles.

after that 24-28 is worth 56.25$/mile and 28-36 is worth 75$/mile.

this is of course based on assumption that you would buy miles anyway if no GS,
and that you will get 4 hits to take into next mileage band..
(point above regarding marginal value of one hit to push into next band is correct,but i think better to plan to get 4 hits before buying just one of them)

isnt it better to calculate like this?

buying miles cost 14,7$ for 1000miles.
at this buying rate from hits 12-24 ,a hit is worth 37$/1000miles.

after that 24-28 is worth 56.25$/mile and 28-36 is worth 75$/mile.

this is of course based on assumption that you would buy miles anyway if no GS,
and that you will get 4 hits to take into next mileage band..
(point above regarding marginal value of one hit to push into next band is correct,but i think better to plan to get 4 hits before buying just one of them)

True, I see what you're getting at although I do not understand the numbers (shouldn't it be $29.56 for 1000 miles?).

I'm actually making a document right now planning out my guaranteed/free hits (already planned hotel stays, free things like the Toolbar searches/e-miles transfers, things I would buy anyway [like Biscoff ... yum]) and I will reach 14 hits. That means the next 2 hits would be worth $100 to me (15K > 25K miles) -- buying 1K would cost $19.56 (after subtracting the value of the miles), leaving me with ~$80 for the 16th hit (which can be easily done).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the price of the hit goes way up the more miles you buy (like 10K + 10K) because of the 7% tax. Unless you're already in the market for that many miles, I don't think a big mileage purchase is a smart move just for a hit. Also, given that the T&C state that miles from the promotion will post until March, it might be a while until you get all the miles deserved.

Shouldn't we also factor in fees and taxes?

It makes purchasing 1k miles very expensive per mile.

Shouldn't we also factor in fees and taxes?

It makes purchasing 1k miles very expensive per mile.

My first post did. A 7.5% tax exists (unless you're in Canada, in which case they collect HST/GST, about 5% maybe?).

And yes, considering the bonus, purchasing 1K miles is more expensive per mile (~$0.03 and purchasing 10K+10K miles would be ~$0.015), but in the context of the Grand Slam (which is to get as many "hits" for the cheapest amount of money), purchasing 1K miles would be better IF you weren't already thinking about purchasing miles during the bonus promotion. The price of the "hit" with a 1K purchase is about $20, while the price of a "hit" with a 10K+10K purchase is almost $100 (again, I'm valuing obtaining these miles at 1cpm -- others might have different values).

Like I said, if you are already considering purchasing 20K US miles for ~1.5cpm, then that thought process doesn't apply, and then it is best to purchase those miles on 9/14 when you get the bonus and the GS hit.

As I recall, last year US started a new miles purchase offer in the middle of the GS activity period; you got double miles on any purchase, even for the minimum 1,000 miles.

My own inclination is to wait and see what develops. Worst case is I find myself with 4N-1 hits and spending just under $30 (incl tax) to buy 1,000 miles.

True, I see what you're getting at although I do not understand the numbers (shouldn't it be $29.56 for 1000 miles?).



sorry if it was unclear what i should have said is that if you buy in 10,000 increments its 14.8 $ per 1,000,,
(as i was comparing with if you were going to buy a lot of miles anyway in the bonus promo)

you are right to say that if you want only 1000miles then its 29.56$..
as you wont get the bonus

if i live in sydney australia whats the time difference. What time does the bonus end on september 15th midnight US time , east coast west coast ?

if i live in sydney australia whats the time difference. What time does the bonus end on september 15th midnight US time , east coast west coast ?

To the best of my memory, US Airways clocks ticks on Phoenix, AZ time.

To the best of my memory, US Airways clocks ticks on Phoenix, AZ time.
And to my memory, I wouldn't trust US to be precise on timing things :) I certainly wouldn't try and get a points buy at 11:55 Mountain Time (where Phoenix is for the non-US people that might not know). Do it at least a couple hours early just in case...

Does anyone know if gifting miles counts as a hit?

Does anyone know if gifting miles counts as a hit?

Yes. It counts as a hit in your pocket for money loss.
Why didn't you read the rules FIRST? It is clearly written that only buy and share count.

Ouch, thanks for the wake up call that civility is dead.

Ouch, thanks for the wake up call that civility is dead.I think Max's point is that civility would have impelled you to check before posting a question trivially answered in the FAQ/rules. In that, he is correct.

Unfortunately, with the amount of posts that show up on these threads we need to police ourselves and push for reading of the rules and previous posts or things get out of hand, repetitive and way too time consuming.

This is a great thread to post to if someone buys miles and gets a Sept. 14th posting date. As I remember, buying miles posts within just a few minutes.

Good luck brave soul #1.

If I share w/ my wife, do we both earn a hit?

If I share w/ her and she shares with me, do we both get a hit?

If you share miles does that count as a hit for both you and the person you share with?

Before a bunch of people buy 20K miles on the first day, I just wanted to offer some calculations ...

If you buy the 10K+10K, you'll end up spending $295.63 for 20K miles + a hit. At $0.01/mile, you'd be paying $95.63 for the hit. Also, it would be an "early hit" (first or second day of a 2-month promotion) so it's rare that it would be an "incremental hit" (i.e., the 32nd or 36th hit, which gain 20K points each -- one should theoretically put more value on a late hit that raises you one mileage tier. If it's the last day of the promotion and I have an opportunity to spend $95 for 20K miles, I see that as high value).

However, if you buy just the 1K, you'll spend $29.56. At $0.01/mile, that's $19.56 for a hit anytime during the promotion.


Of course, if you were planning to buy miles anyway, it's a good deal (to wait for the promotion to get the miles and the hit). However, I think I'll only buy 1K and only if it is the cheapest option to help push me up one level late in the game.



Agree with you. Wanted to purchase the 10k+ miles now but I think it's not worth the money. Not impossible that there is another promotion before 12/14 without minimum purchase @:-)

Unfortunately, with the amount of posts that show up on these threads we need to police ourselves and push for reading of the rules and previous posts or things get out of hand, repetitive and way too time consuming.

I suspect you are wasting your breath given the two posts immediately below yours....

If I share w/ my wife, do we both earn a hit?

If I share w/ her and she shares with me, do we both get a hit?

If you share miles does that count as a hit for both you and the person you share with?

Which bit of this extract from the FAQs is unclear?

"If I share miles with another Dividend Miles member, will we both get a hit?

Yes. When you share miles, they are moved from one account and into another. However, you can only earn a hit once, regardless of whether you give or receive miles. "

I suspect you are wasting your breath given the two posts immediately below yours....





Which bit of this extract from the FAQs is unclear?

"If I share miles with another Dividend Miles member, will we both get a hit?

Yes. When you share miles, they are moved from one account and into another. However, you can only earn a hit once, regardless of whether you give or receive miles. "
Sorry, I've been reading all over the place but missed this. Thank you.

Louie, why so cranky! If someting offends you, don't waste your valuable time posting snippy replies...just keep moving!

But thanks! And have a great day!

For the sharing hit, does anyone know if both parties have to be participating in GS for one to get the hit? If only the recipient is participating, will the recipient get the git if the sharer isn't playing?

The other account belongs to a relative who will be closing their account soon because they never fly and it is tied to a MC they don't want to pay a fee on. The have been booking award travel for me, but there will still be a balance left. Just hoping I could get a little more bang for my buck when sharing the remainder of the points to my account.

For the sharing hit, does anyone know if both parties have to be participating in GS for one to get the hit? If only the recipient is participating, will the recipient get the git if the sharer isn't playing?

The other account belongs to a relative who will be closing their account soon because they never fly and it is tied to a MC they don't want to pay a fee on. The have been booking award travel for me, but there will still be a balance left. Just hoping I could get a little more bang for my buck when sharing the remainder of the points to my account.


Welcome to FlyerTalk, scaldeddog79

When your relative closes credit card account, the miles one with US Airways will remain active.

With the "share miles" option you will have to pay high fees for the miles your relative already paid for (or earned):
- 1c for each mile,
- plus $30 service fees
- plus 7.5% tax

There are no fees to sign up for and participate in the Grand Slam promotion.
There are quite a few "hits" that can be had for very little money, however they are limited to one per account. Utilizing several family accounts would be a good idea.

I suggest:
- ask your relative to keep the miles where they are;
- calculate how many more miles is needed in order to redeem another award;
- help your relative complete enough hits to get the miles required;
- consider keeping that account open for use with any future promos.

If you decide to utilize "share miles" hit:
- enroll your relative for Grand Slam;
- wait a few weeks to see if US Air offers a new bonus for sharing;
- share only the minimum 1000 miles, which will cost you $43 and gives a hit for both accounts.

Thanks for the good advice. The impression I got is that my relative was lead (by the Visa people) to believe the miles would be go away when he closed his CC account. So, this comes as welcome news.

Since my account is < 12 days old, I'm unable to buy miles during the 100% bonus promotion.

What's the chances of this returning during the GS promotion period? Sure I could grab a hit with a measly miles purchase, but woudl rather save that hit for a 100% bonus offer should it come up again?

What's the chances of this returning during the GS promotion period? Sure I could grab a hit with a measly miles purchase, but woudl rather save that hit for a 100% bonus offer should it come up again?Anyone who claims to know the odds is a liar, a fool, or both.

That said, US launched a 100% miles purchase bonus 2 weeks into Grand Slam last year (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2010/09/16/us-airways-100-bonus-on-purchased-or-gifted-miles-is-back-again/), so there is precedent. Personally, I'd sit tight for now & see what develops; if you need one more hit to put you into the next tier, buying miles is an easy one that can be done at the last minute.

Since this is the de facto master thread for buying miles as a hit, I note for the record that US has jacked up the prices. Details in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles/1266568-usairways-raises-price-buy-miles-now-035-a.html

Since this is the de facto master thread for buying miles as a hit, I note for the record that US has jacked up the prices. Details in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles/1266568-usairways-raises-price-buy-miles-now-035-a.html

Yeap :( Since I have a specific mileage goal in mind, that effectively changes the upper limit of what I'm willing to spend for a hit. Time to go change my excel calculation ...

Edit: From max $50 to max $75! :eek:

I'm hoping that this means that they think their miles are much more valuable and that they won't devalue the award chart, especially since I'm about 100K miles in.

By the new rates, assuming US does another 100% bonus at some point you would be looking at about $376 for 20K. If you are trying to decide whether it's worth it to push for extra hits at the top levels where each tier gets you 20K, that works out to around $94 per 5000 miles. So it may be worth it to do more car or hotel hits to push over the line.