Originally Posted by
Mimi4
Hi,
I am new to the MileagePlus game and need some guidance.
I notice if I book a particular hotel through the MileagePlusX app that the cost is about $200 more for a seven-night stay than booking directly with the property. However, booking through the MileagePlusX app earns about 6000 additional miles. What is consider a decent breakpoint in making these decisions?
Thanks for any assistance.
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
You can generally buy MileagePlus miles for about 2.5 cents each using Award Accelerator. (Sometimes it's less; 2.5c is what I've seen recently). So, 6K miles would cost about $150 using that method. I would never pay $200 for them -- plus, then if you need to make any changes, you have to go through United's contracted customer service team instead of dealing with the hotel directly.
In general, most people value MP miles somewhere between 1c and 1.5c each. If the cost were $50, I'd
consider it. (The calculus changes if, and only if, you have an immediate need for the miles, in that you see a compelling award and you're a few miles short; then, the marginal value of those miles might be higher than the 1-1.5c guideline).
Hope this helps!