Originally Posted by
VRFast
My take on miles, I feel like it's worth more for upgrades across "the pond", at least as a Gold and below since no PPs. Flight credits is basically cash with a finite life (end of 2024 in your case), so I would spend them first. Also, I think the flight credits cannot be used for partners flights, but miles can.
Flight credits can be used for partner flights, but I still agree with this analysis. Use the thing that expires before the thing that does not expire.
(I'm also unclear on how one would have a flight credit good until 2024).
The only possible exception would be if you are a regular traveler, expect to book at least 2x the credit value next year, and have already reached your status goal for 2022. (i.e., you're already 1K and you don't plan to try for GS; you're already Gold and you don't have interest in Plat; etc.). In that case, you might use the miles first, since they won't contribute to your status goals. (The 2x multiplier is just a safety buffer to make absolutely sure that the credit doesn't expire unused).