Originally Posted by
Nihon_Ni
I calculate the value of my PP to be about $50 each over the past three years. I use my PP almost exclusively on TPAC/TLANT upgrades to Polaris.
That sounds a little high, but it is situationally dependent. I’m the same way in how i use my points, however. Never on domestic, as often as I can going overseas. Some examples:
- Recently flew DCA > LAX > MEL, SYD > IAH > EWR in economy for around 160K miles r/t. Then upgraded to Polaris using PPs for the TPAC legs for another 80 plus points total. J was going for around $23K r/t. (Add to this that by using miles, you’re not penalized for booking two o/w tickets.)
- Going IAD > ZRH > IAD next week. Booked in economy using 80K miles r/t. Upgrading to full sleeper overnight to ZRH, probably the same for the return. 80 PPs total, and J is going for $17K.
- Booked a trip to Paris for UA’s recent “sale.” So 28K miles each way. Even though the almost empty J section pretty much guarantees an upgrade, I could buy Premium Economy for only 40K miles o/w. Clearly cheaper to pay with miles vs PP.
I did not check the buy-up price, so the relevant comparison price may be lower. As always, YMMV.