Convince me not to redeem miles for AMEX Gift Cards
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 259
Convince me not to redeem miles for AMEX Gift Cards
We have close to one million delta miles that my family has accumulated. We typically take two international trips per year. I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now. Baby 2 will likely be coming along in the next year so traveling will likely slow down for a bit.
Cash is low at the moment so I am looking at ways to get additional money. Frequent flyer points and hotel points have value and I can redeem 110,000 Delta miles for $1000. I am experienced enough to know that this is a horrible exchange rate. However, they are currently just sitting in the account and need some cash.
Please convince me not to redeem them!! I'm tempted to cash out some of them but know that they will be much more valuable using them for family trips in the future.
Cash is low at the moment so I am looking at ways to get additional money. Frequent flyer points and hotel points have value and I can redeem 110,000 Delta miles for $1000. I am experienced enough to know that this is a horrible exchange rate. However, they are currently just sitting in the account and need some cash.
Please convince me not to redeem them!! I'm tempted to cash out some of them but know that they will be much more valuable using them for family trips in the future.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: Mileage Plus, Rapid Rewards
Posts: 949
I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but if I were in your situation and had *Delta* miles, I'd be redeeming them for cash too. There are plenty of ways to quickly earn more miles and there will be in the future as well.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
We have close to one million delta miles that my family has accumulated. We typically take two international trips per year. I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now. Baby 2 will likely be coming along in the next year so traveling will likely slow down for a bit.
Cash is low at the moment so I am looking at ways to get additional money. Frequent flyer points and hotel points have value and I can redeem 110,000 Delta miles for $1000. I am experienced enough to know that this is a horrible exchange rate. However, they are currently just sitting in the account and need some cash.
Please convince me not to redeem them!! I'm tempted to cash out some of them but know that they will be much more valuable using them for family trips in the future.
Cash is low at the moment so I am looking at ways to get additional money. Frequent flyer points and hotel points have value and I can redeem 110,000 Delta miles for $1000. I am experienced enough to know that this is a horrible exchange rate. However, they are currently just sitting in the account and need some cash.
Please convince me not to redeem them!! I'm tempted to cash out some of them but know that they will be much more valuable using them for family trips in the future.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Ontario, California
Programs: PC Plat, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt plat,...
Posts: 370
If you need the cash I would take it.
Just like a cc balance. If you can float the balance great, otherwise it normally is not worth it.
In addition if you are accumulating miles faster than you can burn them then there is no point in just hanging on to the miles.
Like someone pointed out, it seems that you can easily earn more miles so you can replace them later on when money is not so tight.
Just like a cc balance. If you can float the balance great, otherwise it normally is not worth it.
In addition if you are accumulating miles faster than you can burn them then there is no point in just hanging on to the miles.
Like someone pointed out, it seems that you can easily earn more miles so you can replace them later on when money is not so tight.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,360
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now."
I don't know what DL's policy is, but most carriers do not transport a lap infant for free on international flights. The typical charge for a lap infant is 10% of a full-fare ticket.
"I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now."
I don't know what DL's policy is, but most carriers do not transport a lap infant for free on international flights. The typical charge for a lap infant is 10% of a full-fare ticket.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Kansas City
Programs: AA, BA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 13
I would not cash them out unless you are carrying large balances on high interest credit cards that need paid off. Even carrying $1-2k on these cards for a few months isn't that much in interest you will be paying.
If your quality of life is in jeopardy without cashing them in, perhaps that would be a better idea though.
If your quality of life is in jeopardy without cashing them in, perhaps that would be a better idea though.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 259
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now."
I don't know what DL's policy is, but most carriers do not transport a lap infant for free on international flights. The typical charge for a lap infant is 10% of a full-fare ticket.
"I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now."
I don't know what DL's policy is, but most carriers do not transport a lap infant for free on international flights. The typical charge for a lap infant is 10% of a full-fare ticket.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ICT
Programs: AA ExP
Posts: 1,860
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now."
I don't know what DL's policy is, but most carriers do not transport a lap infant for free on international flights. The typical charge for a lap infant is 10% of a full-fare ticket.
"I have a 9 month old so his ticket is free for now."
I don't know what DL's policy is, but most carriers do not transport a lap infant for free on international flights. The typical charge for a lap infant is 10% of a full-fare ticket.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 425
Traveling with two small kids is a whole lot harder than traveling with one. If you are planning on long international flights, I highly recommend buying a seat even for children under 2. You are going to need more miles to buy 4 tickets, and I would plan on traveling in coach until they are both at least 6. Even the best behaved kid can have a meltdown when they're tired, their routine is disrupted, and they are expected to sleep in a strange place. Excited kids speak in loud shrill voices even when you ask them 100 times to speak quietly. I think you'll find yourself holding off on those international trips a lot longer than you think once the reality of 2 kids under 3 hits you (mine are 4 and 6, and I'm still afraid to take them on a 10 hour flight).
So on one hand you are going to need more miles for international family vacations, but if you are accruing them fast and you have a while until you use them, you might as well burn some. But if you are short on cash now, maybe you should consider waiting a little longer before having another kid. Two are almost twice as expensive as one.
So on one hand you are going to need more miles for international family vacations, but if you are accruing them fast and you have a while until you use them, you might as well burn some. But if you are short on cash now, maybe you should consider waiting a little longer before having another kid. Two are almost twice as expensive as one.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Freeload Univ. Where are you sitting?
Posts: 14,818