Originally Posted by
mvoight
Why?
As I see it, OP can get BA first for 37500 miles LESS, but spends $310 more for it.
As 37500 miles is usually worth a lot more than $310, this seems like a no-brainer, unless you don't have an extra $310.
Even if the classes were the same, I would take BA if I was paying $310 to save 37500 miles. In this case OP not only gets the equivalent of 37500 AA miles for $310, BUT he also gets to fly in a higher class.
Well, I have over 800K miles (and mrs. brp does as well). They pile up, and we convert a lot to HHonors points, but can only do so many. So, $310 costs $310 dollars. 37500 miles cost nothing.
I do have the $310, but it's a no-brainer for me to spend the miles and keep the cash. I can use the cash for other things. The miles, not so much.
The "no-brainer" aspect is not as clear-cut as you make it out to be. It's pretty much the definition of a YMMV situation.
Cheers.