Thank You Miles - to buy or not to buy?
Feb 2, 2014, 10:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, SPG Gold, MR Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 49
Thank You Miles - to buy or not to buy?
Hey folks,
I've got a LOT of travel with Alaska coming up this year, and I was wondering - do you normally buy the 'thank you miles' that are offered in the checkout process for purchasing tickets?
Last I calculated I think they come to roughly 1.9c per mile, which makes for a pretty fantastic deal if you're planning on business / first class international travel with one of Alaska's partners.
I worry a little about exchanging money now for something which could be devalued down the road arbitrarily.
What are your thoughts?
I've got a LOT of travel with Alaska coming up this year, and I was wondering - do you normally buy the 'thank you miles' that are offered in the checkout process for purchasing tickets?
Last I calculated I think they come to roughly 1.9c per mile, which makes for a pretty fantastic deal if you're planning on business / first class international travel with one of Alaska's partners.
I worry a little about exchanging money now for something which could be devalued down the road arbitrarily.
What are your thoughts?
Feb 2, 2014, 11:47 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
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Posts: 42,953
I haven't.
I'd rather fly and earn the miles for around the same price (plus travel to some fun places!)
I'd rather fly and earn the miles for around the same price (plus travel to some fun places!)
Feb 3, 2014, 5:05 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
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Posts: 1,942
Hey folks,
I've got a LOT of travel with Alaska coming up this year, and I was wondering - do you normally buy the 'thank you miles' that are offered in the checkout process for purchasing tickets?
Last I calculated I think they come to roughly 1.9c per mile, which makes for a pretty fantastic deal if you're planning on business / first class international travel with one of Alaska's partners.
I worry a little about exchanging money now for something which could be devalued down the road arbitrarily.
What are your thoughts?
I've got a LOT of travel with Alaska coming up this year, and I was wondering - do you normally buy the 'thank you miles' that are offered in the checkout process for purchasing tickets?
Last I calculated I think they come to roughly 1.9c per mile, which makes for a pretty fantastic deal if you're planning on business / first class international travel with one of Alaska's partners.
I worry a little about exchanging money now for something which could be devalued down the road arbitrarily.
What are your thoughts?
Use them for for first class redemptions on Emirates or Cathay, or even business class on either one of those-worth a lot more than the 1.9 cents you pay to buy the miles. That is unless you have hundreds of thousands of miles from Alaska anyways, in which case may be the value per mile is less.
Feb 3, 2014, 10:42 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 759
Similar to beckoa, I personally found flying fares at <5cpm to be a better way to get miles. If you need more miles than you can get via flying or you need them more quickly then the purchase is a fairly reasonable price. I believe there's also a purchase bonus going on where you get miles for a similar rate (like 2.1c/mile or something - link is here) but you don't have to book a ticket to get that offer.
Feb 3, 2014, 12:27 pm
#5
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
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you can also take advantage of the Up to 40% Bonus Offer going on right now
Feb 3, 2014, 2:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,618
Hi -
+1.
My general rule of thumb is go on a MR when EQM<.05 or RDM<.02 (including elite, route, cc bonuses), then I pull the trigger.
If you are planning to redeem miles for F/J International, buying them for .02/mile is a very reasonable idea, either as an add-on when purchasing a ticket or buying them at 40% off.
+1.
My general rule of thumb is go on a MR when EQM<.05 or RDM<.02 (including elite, route, cc bonuses), then I pull the trigger.
If you are planning to redeem miles for F/J International, buying them for .02/mile is a very reasonable idea, either as an add-on when purchasing a ticket or buying them at 40% off.
Feb 4, 2014, 7:08 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, SPG Gold, MR Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 49
Thanks folks,
5cpm is a very aggressive target. The best I've found so far is 6cpm. I'll think about that - mileage runs, or at least, going to new exciting places to accrue miles instead of buying them is a great idea
5cpm is a very aggressive target. The best I've found so far is 6cpm. I'll think about that - mileage runs, or at least, going to new exciting places to accrue miles instead of buying them is a great idea
Feb 4, 2014, 7:45 pm
#9
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Posts: 23,194
Feb 5, 2014, 3:52 am
#10
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Beaufort, SC
Programs: Delta, Alaska Air, & BA
Posts: 535
Depends on what you may use the miles for
Use them for for first class redemptions on Emirates or Cathay, or even business class on either one of those-worth a lot more than the 1.9 cents you pay to buy the miles. That is unless you have hundreds of thousands of miles from Alaska anyways, in which case may be the value per mile is less.
Use them for for first class redemptions on Emirates or Cathay, or even business class on either one of those-worth a lot more than the 1.9 cents you pay to buy the miles. That is unless you have hundreds of thousands of miles from Alaska anyways, in which case may be the value per mile is less.