I never redeem the 25K award. You get a much better value going for international premium awards (especially on other airlines). Unless I am stuck paying $500+ for a domestic (or Canada) ticket, I always just buy it. If you've got more miles than you know what to do with and you're doing fine on achieving your desired status save the money and do the award ticket, but if you really want value for money save it and go for a First Class ticket intl.
(Example: First Class US to South Africa via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific in ultimate luxury, with a stopover if you want. The cost would be over $20,000 to buy this ticket, but goes for 140,000 miles. Your Toronto example = 1.2 cents value per mile. South Africa example = 14.2 cents value per mile.)
Anyone agree, disagree? That's my 'newbie' take on it.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SandeepS:
For an upcoming trip LAX to Toronto (which I am planning to take this May, and planning to fly economy), I am confused about:
1. To buy a discounted economy ticket (costing me $275 - $310), or
2. Use 25000 AA miles (of which I have many).
I did a search, and found that many readers here value miles at round 2c/m, a few at 1.25c/m. So the 25K award valued at 1.25c/m would relate to $312.50.
Am I thinking in the correct direction?
Thanks in advance.</font>
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