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5/13: MileWise acquired by Yahoo and closed

5/13: MileWise acquired by Yahoo and closed

Old Aug 17, 2011, 10:43 am
  #1  
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ORD
Posts: 277
5/13: MileWise acquired by Yahoo and closed

Mod note: Discussion of closure is post 48 onward.

There's a new frequent flyer friendly search service out today called MileWise.

Like AwardWallet, you can enter in your frequent flier program credentials and it will scan your programs.

MileWise then allows you to search for flights and compare the costs and benefits of each (based on how much the ticket costs, your status, class of service, etc.), and will recommend which flight to take based on total value including miles earned.

Currently it is free.

I played around with it and so far it looks promising. Not all airlines and programs are implemented yet, so it is not a replacement for AwardWallet. It also doesn't support searches for premium economy. But it could make some mileage tasks easier.

Wondering what other people think of it?

Last edited by SanDiego1K; May 11, 2013 at 12:35 pm
falconred is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2011, 12:31 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 511
Thanks for the update on the new service. I like awardwallet but I feel like they are not a complete service.

It looks like MileWise drew on Hipmunk's style for their inspiration. When I tried to search for flights they were not completed due to "trouble talking to the server". I guess it is just opening day glitches but I can not provide any user feedback yet.

I look forward to trying it out over the coming days.

Do you know if MileWise offers tracking of pending mileage?
thetravelabstract is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2011, 1:58 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 51
So far really liking it. It is missing values for some things (my BA miles for example), wonder what is required to "value" those.

Also wondering if the values get more accurate over time.

My only beef right now is there doesn't seem to be a lot of customization. But love the idea!
mindbowels is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2011, 2:09 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA,DL,SPG,Hyatt
Posts: 141
They value your miles and points really high and that makes me happy. :-)
sunspotzsz is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2011, 2:29 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 51
Also awesome that the co-founders are the ones in the chat when you have questions. Don't think that will last but pretty cool while it does.
mindbowels is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2011, 2:56 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL-Gold, Starwood. Previously AA Gold and United Premier Gold, and OnePass
Posts: 179
Hmm, I saw the live help box the first few times I used the site but I can't find it anymore.

Anyway, I like this site a lot and the search is a very cool starting point for evaluating trip redemption options!

It's not a full fledged replacement for awardwallet though, as it doesn't support the broad account coverage that awardwallet has. It is missing a number of good travel point programs that should be evaluated in any kind of system like this, including penfed travel, capital one, etc. It also doesn't seem to be picking up my amex MR points.

Very cool site though, and I'm eager to try this out in the future.
InfoMofo is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2011, 12:29 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA, SPG
Posts: 6
Hey FlyerTalk!

Nick from MileWise here. Really appreciate the interest.

A couple people in here have mentioned AwardWallet -- we're actually working with them, so every program they support should be available in MileWise soon.

Also: yep we are the ones in the live help! We just switched the help over to only show up when you're logged in, traffic has been a lot to handle =)

Keep the feedback coming, we absolutely love hearing from you guys.

And feel free to startup a conversation in the live chat!
nickmeyer is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2011, 1:40 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Gold, SPG Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 354
Hi Nick. Since you're working with AwardWallet already, would it make sense to either combine the services or to use the balances from AwardWallet inside of MileWise (by linking accounts maybe)? It just seems from the outside that adding all our accounts again, and you reusing AW's methods/technology, isn't the best use of time/resources. Anyways, that's the only reason I've hesitated to join -- I don't want to add all my account info again to yet another site.
y2chen is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2011, 2:18 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 6
I learned of milewise yesterday but postponed joining because of concerns regarding account setup. In order to make this work they need to know my FF#'s and password credentials. There seem to be risks in providing this and I don't see this addressed on the site.
weinstoc is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2011, 2:20 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, United, BA, Delta, MR, SPG, PC
Posts: 190
Originally Posted by y2chen
Hi Nick. Since you're working with AwardWallet already, would it make sense to either combine the services or to use the balances from AwardWallet inside of MileWise (by linking accounts maybe)? It just seems from the outside that adding all our accounts again, and you reusing AW's methods/technology, isn't the best use of time/resources. Anyways, that's the only reason I've hesitated to join -- I don't want to add all my account info again to yet another site.
+1
AsanteSana is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2011, 3:03 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA, SPG
Posts: 6
If you already use another service like AwardWallet to manage your balances, re-adding them to MileWise can be a bit of a chore -- definitely something we've thought about.

The good thing is you can use the search functionality without necessarily adding all your programs -- you'll still be able to see available inventory across programs, fees / earned miles, etc -- we just won't be able to do great recommendations for you.

Then later you can add your programs when you're comfortable, or as we release features to make it easier (like just forwarding your monthly program statements to a special email address instead of entering username/pass..)
nickmeyer is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2011, 3:25 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: I was loyal to One Pass & Star Alliance before FT ... now I value all miles and programs
Posts: 219
Wow - I'm really liking it thus far. It would be great if it could also:
1) search results for nearby airports as well.
2) run one-way searches
3) allow for Multi-City searches
lrluis is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2011, 4:59 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA, SPG
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by lrluis
Wow - I'm really liking it thus far. It would be great if it could also:
1) search results for nearby airports as well.
2) run one-way searches
Glad you're liking it!

You can actually run one-way searches by leaving the return date blank.

For nearby airports: we do support some metro area codes like NYC, WAS, etc.

As for multi-city...that's a bit more complicated =) But stay tuned!
nickmeyer is offline  
Old Aug 19, 2011, 9:09 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 1,627
Seems to me that as more publicly available services such as these appear, the more likely frequent flyer programs are going to continue to degrade.
starflyer is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2011, 1:46 am
  #15  
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ANC, SAP
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,860
Originally Posted by nickmeyer
Keep the feedback coming, we absolutely love hearing from you guys.
I really like the service, and look forward to getting to know it in the future.

One problem I noticed with the system:

I did a random search to Europe. It told me that the best match was a DL ticket for $875; however, there was an AF itin for $815. It said the DL was better because of the value of the miles earned. It didn't subtract any value for AF miles. What it failed to recognize/acknowledge is that I am AS MVPG; both itins were valid for mileage earning, and I would earn base miles + 100% bonus on each itin...clearly, the AF itin is a better value for me.

So, perhaps the database should eventually become more sophisticated, and ask me to identify my primary program, or even evaluate the itinerary under multiple optional scenario - i.e. this itin credited to DL, or to AS, etc.

Also, will there be a hotel search with point redemptions eventually? I would find this immensely useful!
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