About the only great use of United Miles that I can see now is using miles for a one way close in business or first class ticket on certain routes. For example, a friend recently booked a Las Vegas to Lima, Peru one way First Class on Copa Air for 30,000 United miles. Likewise LAX or SF to some Asian cities, booked very close in can be a great deal in business class with United Miles. But for myself and Mrs. Jonsail we have been using United Miles mainly at a value a little over a penny each. Therefore, unless you are buying miles for a special offering, I wouldn't buy them.