New Redemption Feature - Flights Anywhere
Sep 5, 2009, 9:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: Airline Free Agent/MR Gold/ HH Diamond/National/MGM/Amex
Posts: 662
New Redemption Feature - Flights Anywhere
My apologies if this has already been mentioned but has anyone seen this? Flights Anywhere seems to be a great redemption opportunity! 86k pts from LAX to ATL? Um..yeah! +1 If it books into a bucket where we can earn miles on it.
Sep 6, 2009, 9:59 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: London
Programs: VS Gold, IHG RA/Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 763
Two big benefits:
1. You earn miles/points/tier on these flights
2. All tax and surcharges are included - this is particularly important in Europe as these can go up to 300 pounds for a long haul flight even in economy class
1. You earn miles/points/tier on these flights
2. All tax and surcharges are included - this is particularly important in Europe as these can go up to 300 pounds for a long haul flight even in economy class
Sep 6, 2009, 11:02 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EDI
Programs: BD*G -> BA Gold + A3*G (now dropped to BA Silver)
Posts: 1,083
The URL in the OP is US centric, but this service is also available in other areas, currently Canada, UK and rest of Europe.
http://www.priorityclub.com/flightsregions
I've has a play round with it (the UK version) and it appears if you want to pay a mixture of points and cash it only allows you to pay with Visa, Mastercard and Discover (can you even get discover cards in Europe?) - no Amex or debit cards accepted. Although it says that they're 'currently' unable to accept debit cards so this may be rectified later.
It looks like (for a couple of longhaul flights I've tested) 10,000 points = £23.53
Not the best use of points but then again not the worst either if you're swimming in points you could book your entire trip flights + hotel all on points (no taxes) and still earn airlines miles for the flight.
http://www.priorityclub.com/flightsregions
I've has a play round with it (the UK version) and it appears if you want to pay a mixture of points and cash it only allows you to pay with Visa, Mastercard and Discover (can you even get discover cards in Europe?) - no Amex or debit cards accepted. Although it says that they're 'currently' unable to accept debit cards so this may be rectified later.
It looks like (for a couple of longhaul flights I've tested) 10,000 points = £23.53
Not the best use of points but then again not the worst either if you're swimming in points you could book your entire trip flights + hotel all on points (no taxes) and still earn airlines miles for the flight.
Last edited by browserden; Sep 6, 2009 at 11:20 am
Sep 6, 2009, 11:08 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
It was reported on in the Master Promo Thread with some rudimentary discussion, but I don't think there was a dedicated thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12256068-post2208.html
In my opinion, new choices are never a bad thing, but I can't see myself ever using it.
Point costs are not based on routing; they are based on the itinerary's cash price.
Redemption value is in the range of .31-.35¢/point.
Sample searches:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12256068-post2208.html
In my opinion, new choices are never a bad thing, but I can't see myself ever using it.
Point costs are not based on routing; they are based on the itinerary's cash price.
Redemption value is in the range of .31-.35¢/point.
Sample searches:
Code:
USD PCR pts Cents/point 595 170000 0.35 606 173000 0.350289017 233 69000 0.337681159 245 73000 0.335616438 115 37000 0.310810811 128 40000 0.32 139 43000 0.323255814 2112 634000 0.333123028 713 203000 0.351231527 815 231000 0.352813853 314 92000 0.341304348 400 116000 0.344827586
Sep 6, 2009, 11:27 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BGO
Programs: SK EBG
Posts: 645
The URL in the OP is US centric, but this service is also available in other areas, currently Canada, UK and rest of Europe.
http://www.priorityclub.com/flightsregions
http://www.priorityclub.com/flightsregions
Sep 6, 2009, 11:42 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EDI
Programs: BD*G -> BA Gold + A3*G (now dropped to BA Silver)
Posts: 1,083
Sep 6, 2009, 12:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SOU
Programs: It's better to have loved and lost than never have loved at all
Posts: 869
I don't think it's got that bad just yet, I can read the whole page on my iPhone with scrolling. The BMI page cuts off to the screen size and all else is lost.
I do agree though, it appears that Kermit and his furry mates have got hold of this and put it through the same usability fudge-up as the BMI no marks.
I do agree though, it appears that Kermit and his furry mates have got hold of this and put it through the same usability fudge-up as the BMI no marks.
Sep 7, 2009, 3:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 26
Another way to book flights using points...
I almost used 92k PC points for a flight from Charleston, SC to South Padre Island, TX. After some deliberation, I ended up buying the flight outright for $313 and exchanging 59k PC points for a $250 "Any Hotel, Anywhere Reward" Amex gift card.
The Amex gift card details:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/.../anyhotel.html
In the end, neither was a 'great' use of points, however I got more value using the Amex card. My high school algebra teacher would be proud.
92000 pcpoint(s) = $313
pcpoint = 313 / 92000
pcpoint = .003402
59000 pcpoint(s) = $250
pcpoint = 250 / 59000
pcpoint = .004237
One caveat is, you must have a use for the $250 Amex gift card. In my case, I pay my own travel expenses and get reimbursed, so it was very easy to use the Amex gift card at my favorite ICH hotel.
The Amex gift card details:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/.../anyhotel.html
In the end, neither was a 'great' use of points, however I got more value using the Amex card. My high school algebra teacher would be proud.
92000 pcpoint(s) = $313
pcpoint = 313 / 92000
pcpoint = .003402
59000 pcpoint(s) = $250
pcpoint = 250 / 59000
pcpoint = .004237
One caveat is, you must have a use for the $250 Amex gift card. In my case, I pay my own travel expenses and get reimbursed, so it was very easy to use the Amex gift card at my favorite ICH hotel.
Oct 9, 2009, 9:40 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Citizen of the world
Programs: QF Plat./OW Emerald + Life Gold, IC Plat. Royal Ambassador, etc.
Posts: 2,891
What a superb new option from PC.
Earn points on one programme and then use them to buy something that then earns more points/miles in another programme. Brilliant!
For those of us with elite status in an airline programme (and that is a very large number of FTers in my exprience!) who earn double-miles etc when ever we fly etc this looks like - when all the maths is done - it could be a great option in a number of cases. (Ceratinly in regards my needs, travel patterns and spending patterns).
Just love the fact that I could fly on a redemption flight that actually earns miles (and credits that count towards status renewal etc) !
Earn points on one programme and then use them to buy something that then earns more points/miles in another programme. Brilliant!
For those of us with elite status in an airline programme (and that is a very large number of FTers in my exprience!) who earn double-miles etc when ever we fly etc this looks like - when all the maths is done - it could be a great option in a number of cases. (Ceratinly in regards my needs, travel patterns and spending patterns).
Just love the fact that I could fly on a redemption flight that actually earns miles (and credits that count towards status renewal etc) !
Oct 12, 2009, 8:10 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Posts: 982
It does seem to me that the redemption costs compare badly against transferring points into airline FT points directly.
e.g. looking at a LHR - HKG flight in F next year, this costs between 2,141,000 points (Emirates) and 5,303,000 points (on Singapore) with other carriers mainly a little bit higher in the 2 millions.
Transferring 2,141,000 points directly into Emirates would give me 428,200 points with a first award costing 225,00 points.
Big difference.
e.g. looking at a LHR - HKG flight in F next year, this costs between 2,141,000 points (Emirates) and 5,303,000 points (on Singapore) with other carriers mainly a little bit higher in the 2 millions.
Transferring 2,141,000 points directly into Emirates would give me 428,200 points with a first award costing 225,00 points.
Big difference.
Oct 12, 2009, 8:44 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I don't see it as a great deal - I did the maths on the UK site and the £200 / 82,000 point Amex giftcard came out as substantially better value.
That said, it may work for some people so we shouldn't knock it. Not everyone wants to redeem their hotel points for even more hotel nights!
That said, it may work for some people so we shouldn't knock it. Not everyone wants to redeem their hotel points for even more hotel nights!
Nov 28, 2009, 11:17 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
New Program - Flights Anywhere
It seems that PC is copying SPG on this one, but someone needs to do the math to see if this is better. It seems better to me at first glance. I got this in the post today, but there is also a link at priorityclub.com/euroflights
Maybe they have the same thing in other regions?
Maybe they have the same thing in other regions?
Nov 28, 2009, 12:29 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: IC.Spire Amb. Turkish Elite
Posts: 222
It seems that PC is copying SPG on this one, but someone needs to do the math to see if this is better. It seems better to me at first glance. I got this in the post today, but there is also a link at priorityclub.com/euroflights
Maybe they have the same thing in other regions?
Maybe they have the same thing in other regions?
. The route is on sale on regular booking for $378.00 on SAA and Arik . 106k points is almost 3 IC reward nights. My 106K points is probably worth $700.00. No regrets however since I have points to burn. 5300 DL FFmiles is a bonus. If you have cash to use, please use cash.
Nov 29, 2009, 10:22 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1.050MM, PersonalCar 0.275MM
Posts: 1,718
It's almost always a given that redeeming for hotel nights is the best value for hotel program points. I would compare this option (it's relatively new but has been around for some weeks/months, I think) to the price floor I use for valuation of my Priority Club points, redeeming 59,000 points for a $250 USD AnyHotel AnyWhere card. That's 0.424 cents per point. So, 106,000 points could be turned into $449.15 to pay any hotel folio (and earn whatever hotel program points would be applicable). Being able to book a $378 flight with those points isn't great by comparison, but it's not bad.
havepointswilltravel, is the $378.00 that you cite inclusive of taxes and fees? The precision ($.00) make me wonder if this is the pre-taxes&fees fare.
havepointswilltravel, is the $378.00 that you cite inclusive of taxes and fees? The precision ($.00) make me wonder if this is the pre-taxes&fees fare.
Nov 29, 2009, 4:21 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Previous discussion is here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...-anywhere.html
My investigation yielded redemption values of .31-.37¢/point.
In general, it's not a good deal.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...-anywhere.html
My investigation yielded redemption values of .31-.37¢/point.
In general, it's not a good deal.