<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SylviaCaras:
United is my fall-back carrier (SJC has no bridgeway to UAL flights). Though I don't often earn them, I now have under 100,000 United miles and am wondering what kind of minimum to keep. The uses might be international upgrades to business class, last minute US trips, and a cushion in case award miles needed now were increased.
Do you make sure you have a safety net of miles?
I'm evaluating spending some (15K I've been told but will believe at purchase time) on two NZ one way hops (< $200). Didn't ask what taxes/cash would be.
Sylvia</font>
I always suggest that you keep enough miles in your account to make an emergency trip in the class you usually fly. Three weeks ago friends needed to fly to the UK for a family funeral. They cashed in 40,000 miles instead of paying over $2,000 for the ticket.