Originally Posted by
Happy
You also have to factor in the $30K spent on BA card to earn your 241 - it should have a minimum cost of $600 if it is put on a 2% cash rebate card.
30K AA miles worth more than 30K BA miles in my book, even the same amount is put on an AA miles earning card, or if it is on a SPG card you would earn 37.5K AA miles when transfer to AA at 20K block, plus earn you SPG GLD.
The 241 in my own analysis is only good in the cases for West Coast folk to travel to Europe in Biz - BA has far more gateways to use and the product is superior than AA's.
Or if you need to go to Middle East then you have to pay very high price even in coach ticket - so the 241 is worth it - like paying a coach ticket to sit in Biz because the cash outlay on each ticket would be about the same price for a coach ticket.
Happy, how would you analyze this when there is a current promotion like the US Airways bonus miles on purchase? I know you have researched this and would like to get your thoughts. Say west coast to india in business on BA using the 2 for 1. 160K miles plus around $2K in taxes (I guess). Compare this to being able to purchase around 250K star alliance miles for $3500 (approx). I pay around $1500 more than what I would pay to use BA miles, 2 people still travel in J but I still have the BA 160K miles left to use on AA, CX J whatever. Is the real question whether $1500 is worth 160K BA miles?
Thoughts? If my numbers are way off, let me know.