Is it wise to buy skyclub membership with skypesos?
Feb 23, 2013, 11:36 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ/BUF
Posts: 301
I paid for my SC membership...but I would've totally used miles if I had the chance (I didn't have enough as I was new to DL). Clubs are too crowded to justify paying actual cash IMO. Coming from UA, 40K miles is on par with what I would've spent as a 1K (when UA allowed membership dues via miles). So, I say go for it, especially if you know you won't make Diamond.
FWIW, I only use my miles for flying friends and family - if I'm flying, I'm earning. My $0.02.
FWIW, I only use my miles for flying friends and family - if I'm flying, I'm earning. My $0.02.
Feb 23, 2013, 4:07 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
I paid for my SC membership...but I would've totally used miles if I had the chance (I didn't have enough as I was new to DL). Clubs are too crowded to justify paying actual cash IMO...
FWIW, I only use my miles for flying friends and family - if I'm flying, I'm earning. My $0.02.
FWIW, I only use my miles for flying friends and family - if I'm flying, I'm earning. My $0.02.
I've purchased my SC membership with miles for three years in a row. I rarely use award tickets for myself (I need to be earning miles), only for family, and can afford to spend the miles more easily than dollars. I usually have at least 200,000 SkyMiles in my account, so it doesn't make a huge dent in my supply.
Feb 24, 2013, 10:55 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: XNA
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 52
ThePointsGuy has a recent post debating this question - http://thepointsguy.com/2013/02/payi...iles-worth-it/
Feb 24, 2013, 1:03 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,187
You are effectively selling your miles for 0.75 cents per mile. So it all depends on how much you value the skypesos. I personally value skypesos at around 1.2 cents so if I were in your situation I would pay 300$. If you take a look at the delta auctions, you will see that some people value skypesos at close to 0. Everyone is different. Good luck.
Feb 24, 2013, 1:17 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hertz Prez; Former UA GS
Posts: 313
I do value having access to the club. But, given how crowded and non-exclusive (read: quiet, peaceful) they are, I would prefer to use throw-away miles to get membership rather than paying actual cash. Offer a better product, and I'll have no qualms paying cash for it.
If I'm flying, I'm banking miles and reaching status...never spending miles for my own flights.
Not sure why this is perplexing to some.
YMMV.
If I'm flying, I'm banking miles and reaching status...never spending miles for my own flights.
Not sure why this is perplexing to some.
YMMV.
Feb 24, 2013, 2:29 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ/BUF
Posts: 301
Hopefully, the gods of logic and common sense will have mercy on your soul. Amen.
Feb 24, 2013, 7:06 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: XNA
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 52
If you don't need the points for your own travel (because you want to retain or increase status) then SkyClub seems like a decent way to reduce your point balance IMHO.
Feb 24, 2013, 7:32 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
I keep hearing that, but I have yet to find anyone who will either gift me Skymiles or trade them with me for next to 0. So I really don't believe you. Or are you saying that you are one of those "more and more people" who place such a value on them and would love to donate them to me??
I rarely consider any miles as "throw-away miles" so that is why it is perplexing. The only time I consider miles "throw-away miles" is when the balance is so small I can't even get a newspaper or magazine subscription with them. I love the 13-week Sunday newspaper subscription (I would otherwise pay $26) that costs me 600 miles. Since I would buy the paper at $2 each, that is a very real >4 cpm value.
If you are looking to "throw away" your unused miles, please keep me in mind. Thanks
If you are looking to "throw away" your unused miles, please keep me in mind. Thanks
Feb 24, 2013, 8:13 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ/BUF
Posts: 301
I keep hearing that, but I have yet to find anyone who will either gift me Skymiles or trade them with me for next to 0. So I really don't believe you. Or are you saying that you are one of those "more and more people" who place such a value on them and would love to donate them to me??
I rarely consider any miles as "throw-away miles" so that is why it is perplexing. The only time I consider miles "throw-away miles" is when the balance is so small I can't even get a newspaper or magazine subscription with them. I love the 13-week Sunday newspaper subscription (I would otherwise pay $26) that costs me 600 miles. Since I would buy the paper at $2 each, that is a very real >4 cpm value.
If you are looking to "throw away" your unused miles, please keep me in mind. Thanks
I rarely consider any miles as "throw-away miles" so that is why it is perplexing. The only time I consider miles "throw-away miles" is when the balance is so small I can't even get a newspaper or magazine subscription with them. I love the 13-week Sunday newspaper subscription (I would otherwise pay $26) that costs me 600 miles. Since I would buy the paper at $2 each, that is a very real >4 cpm value.
If you are looking to "throw away" your unused miles, please keep me in mind. Thanks
