Originally Posted by
chriskre
Do you guys use some formula for deciding whether or not to use points or cash for a redemption?
I just signed up for an AA credit card. I already had 43K points and with the 50K bonus for getting the citicard I'll have 93K points. I want to maximize my redemptions so how do you decide when to redeem?
I'm shooting for Australia with a Hawaii stopver in 2012 from Miami.
Any strategies?
TIA.
I use miles for International premium travel and for SYD unfortunately most of the F/J awards go to QF FFs so its a long ride back in Y. AA is 75K miles to Australia Transpacific. This means that AA will transport you to LAX or SFO and QF from there. Not sure how a stopover at Hawaii will impact it.
My suggestion is to call AA 330 days out and be flexible with dates. Since all partner award must be booked by phone (and if you aren't EXP you will also need to pay the telephone fee in addition to taxes) call soon as possible. Jetstar goes to Hawaii IIRC but Jetstar is not part of Oneworld/Award Travel.