<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RKG:
You sure?
I use miles to upgrade international fares all the time.</font>
I think you jest. If not, I meant WP sucks when it comes to upgrading an int'l economy fare that has (to me) a reasonable cost.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BOS-NWA:
Absolutely.
International upgrades are some of the best deals from miles. I won't use 25,000 miles to buy a $300 domestic coach ticket, nor would I use 50,000 or 60,000 miles to buy a $400-$800 ticket to Europe or Asia.
A WBC upgrade using 40,000-50,000 miles round trip would get you a $3,000-$6,000 WBC seat.</font>
It's all relative....I wouldn't spend $3000-$6000 on an upgradable Y seat to get to Europe on what I consider to be a "relatively" short flight, if I understand you correctly. Consider - I spent $416 to go PHX-DTW-AMS & back. On the return flight, I checked out WBC, and in my opinion, it is not worth the cost of an upgradable Y seat or 80,000 award miles.
YMMV.
I agree with the poster who suggested flying their whole family in Y to get to an exotic destination. Lately I am coming to that same conclusion, since my wife is not into my ultimate goal of F on MH nearly as much as I. That coupled with finding babysitters for 2-3 weeks for our kids makes taking the whole family more attracive. Like you say, sometimes the flights are a means to an end for other family members besides myself.
But I still dream of MH F to Oz, and one day we'll do it, if it's still available when we are ready to go.
[This message has been edited by Western Airlines (edited 08-14-2003).]