Excellent analysis MileKing.

Even as a Platinum member on NW I'm unable to get award seats to Europe for the summer even though I am quite flexible on dates. My analysis is that the (cost of the ticket)/(award mileage needed + miles on paid ticket) is less than 2 cents per mile. Even though Northwest may sell miles for 2 cents per mile, they will not release award seats - its like the airlines want to eat the cake (namely sell miles) and have it too (not release award inventory for standard awards). And their agents are quick to point out that the award seats are available using twice the number of miles. So already the airlines are starting to devalue the miles.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 05-07-2002).]