Originally Posted by
jonk
i wonder, and i guess this isn't just re CM, but is it cheaper for them to buy the miles when we credit to partners, or use their own miles to get an award ticket on a partner?
There's an element of speculation here, but I'm pretty sure the actual cost is will be higher to purchase miles from another carrier. There's going to be a pretty significant breakage allowance for their own miles (i.e., allowance for miles that are never used). And their *A redemption chart is not particularly generous.