I've had this card since last summer and have been overall very happy with it. But some recent changes to their transfer partners is making me reassess the value of Bilt points somewhat.
Originally Posted by
777 global mile hound
I fully agree that American has become more expensive name that extortionate on economy and first class awards and I now redeem in other programs more frequently now. I’d say that isn’t dynamic pricing in play but a complete rip off shooting at fish in a barrel who may be stuck in their program.
It certainly doesn’t correlate with their revenue rates on average
While I share the disappointment over recent AA changes, they still seem to have retained signifcant low-cost economy and first redemptions for close-in bookings. This is unique to AA (particularly for first class) and was a primary factor in my interest in rebuilding my AA balance (ignored for 5-7 years) through BILT, along with the bonus categories and ability to flex across AA, UA, TK and Hyatt. For close-in bookings, UA definitely keeps F pricing high (and is stingier with Y last minute), and DL is consistent in applying a cash-based formula for determining redemptions (with last minute fares generally higher, this affects both F and Y bookings).
However, dynamic pricing seems to have really decimated the utility of Alaska (and other partners') currency on AA at decent rates/availability. For instance, AA has EWR-PHX next week for 23K miles in first on a flight I'm considering, but Alaska is charging 45K and BA is charging 38K for the same flight. Previously AA would have made saver space available and AS would have it for 25K.
So...perhaps a counter point/offset is that BILT is actually
more valuable in that it earns a flexible currency that can be applied to AA's lowest award costs at times other transferable currencies are subject to significantly higher pricing (because AA travel is only available through partner redemptions).
Originally Posted by
777 global mile hound
Cash rates are now frequently less expensive than redemption. On recent redemptions I ended up with a net loss compared to paying for the room.
Perhaps time to revisit assumptions re cash value of WoH points (could reverse your "net loss"...)? I am still fairly happy to have the HY option, but it does seem difficult to acheive the vaunted 2 cent/point value with much regularity.