I bank the miles and use them for companion travel and upgrades

For a upcoming trip to HK next week, I paid my ticket with TY points and hers with miles. I earn 19K EQM and 38K total RDM with the bonus and paid 60K for hers. Downside of this approach is no upgrades.

Using miles for international upgrades is the best use (once you have status). When I first got status going back and forth to Japan, I stupidly burned miles mid year for a business upgrade and lost status mid year. I think you had to have 50k back then for any status.


I would never do that again. I will requal for 1P by 3/6. Thank you FT!