Originally Posted by
jsloan
For example, you can fly SIN-ICN, ICN-TPE, and then TPE-SIN, all in business, for 80K miles (example: Jan 17 SIN-ICN on SQ, Jan 29 ICN-TPE on OZ, and Feb 13 TPE-SIN on SQ). Purchasing the ticket with cash? S$4101 / US$3003. Most people would consider 3.75 cents per mile (US) to be an excellent value. (Even the coach fare on this route is S$1281 / US$938 -- so you'd still be getting a decent value even if you're comparing business class on miles to economy in cash).
This is the logic I do not subscribe when someone says value per mile is 5-8cpm because revenue ticket costs $$$$.
That logic implies that without award ticket one would go and buy revenue ticket in Business which obviously is far away from reality. Using the same logic one can say that using bus/public transportation one saves $2000/mo because he/she does not lease Mercedes S class. But you are not
obligated to lease Mercedes S class - there are plenty of other alternative options available.
SIN-TPE-SIN route you've mentioned one can buy roundtrip flights on budget airlines here in Singapore for SGD $200 (USD $140) return. If you don't believe me check Jetstar's website and select Aug 18 departure and Aug 22nd - return.
So for me ticket value is not S$1281, but rather $200. Why do I need to pay $1281 for something I can get for $200?