How do you decide if you should use miles or just pay for it?
Aug 14, 2010, 5:58 pm
#61
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
Sometimes once the miles accumulate you just have to start redeeming due to the inflation factor. I now get almost 500K AA miles a year between my flights and BankDirect, and the math doesn't favor redemptions enough to completely use this balance each year in the most optimal fashion.
Aug 14, 2010, 6:53 pm
#62
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
I simply reserve spending my miles on long-haul premium cabin flights for vacation, and nothing more.
Aug 16, 2010, 10:14 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 46
SFO-HEL paid or award tickets
I have a bit of a problem. Me and my girlfriend are traveling to sfo in late October. We are hopefully using our rtw tickets to fly hel-jfk-sfo. Coming back seems to be a bit of problem price wise.
I have seen return tickets from Finland to the west coast around 1800€ in J. But when I look the other way around they are 1500€ oneway and double return (I know life sucks and the prices are what they are
). We are returning to the states in April so I will need to take that in to consideration when getting the tickets as it seems now that it would be wiser to just buy two return tickets to the west coast and leave the rtw tickets to the spring.
As I haven´t been looking the prices from the States to Europe so much I was wondering if the 1500€ is good value for oneway SFO-JFK-HEL or could I expect lower prices before October? One option would also be to get one ticket with points and buy the other but it seems I can´t really see anywhere if Finnair got availability in J on the JFK-HEL part. So have any of you got any experience on that route with points?
Thanks for the help
I have seen return tickets from Finland to the west coast around 1800€ in J. But when I look the other way around they are 1500€ oneway and double return (I know life sucks and the prices are what they are
). We are returning to the states in April so I will need to take that in to consideration when getting the tickets as it seems now that it would be wiser to just buy two return tickets to the west coast and leave the rtw tickets to the spring. As I haven´t been looking the prices from the States to Europe so much I was wondering if the 1500€ is good value for oneway SFO-JFK-HEL or could I expect lower prices before October? One option would also be to get one ticket with points and buy the other but it seems I can´t really see anywhere if Finnair got availability in J on the JFK-HEL part. So have any of you got any experience on that route with points?
Thanks for the help
Aug 16, 2010, 10:50 am
#64
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
you might consider 1 way aa awards sfo-lhr or other aa europe destination....good luck...
Aug 16, 2010, 12:51 pm
#65
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 606
I have a bit of a problem. Me and my girlfriend are traveling to sfo in late October. We are hopefully using our rtw tickets to fly hel-jfk-sfo. Coming back seems to be a bit of problem price wise.
I have seen return tickets from Finland to the west coast around 1800€ in J. But when I look the other way around they are 1500€ oneway and double return (I know life sucks and the prices are what they are). We are returning to the states in April so I will need to take that in to consideration when getting the tickets as it seems now that it would be wiser to just buy two return tickets to the west coast and leave the rtw tickets to the spring.
As I haven´t been looking the prices from the States to Europe so much I was wondering if the 1500€ is good value for oneway SFO-JFK-HEL or could I expect lower prices before October? One option would also be to get one ticket with points and buy the other but it seems I can´t really see anywhere if Finnair got availability in J on the JFK-HEL part. So have any of you got any experience on that route with points?
Thanks for the help
I have seen return tickets from Finland to the west coast around 1800€ in J. But when I look the other way around they are 1500€ oneway and double return (I know life sucks and the prices are what they are
). We are returning to the states in April so I will need to take that in to consideration when getting the tickets as it seems now that it would be wiser to just buy two return tickets to the west coast and leave the rtw tickets to the spring. As I haven´t been looking the prices from the States to Europe so much I was wondering if the 1500€ is good value for oneway SFO-JFK-HEL or could I expect lower prices before October? One option would also be to get one ticket with points and buy the other but it seems I can´t really see anywhere if Finnair got availability in J on the JFK-HEL part. So have any of you got any experience on that route with points?
Thanks for the help
Aug 16, 2010, 1:15 pm
#66
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
For the OP -- International fares commonly have different prices depending on which country you start in, hence the 1500 vs 1800. No one really knows whether prices will go down or not. There was a recent thread where a blogger had stated they would but the crystal ball didn't agree.
Only you know whether or not the price is OK or the miles. The bigger question will always be -- is there award availability that is agreeable to you.
Aug 16, 2010, 1:42 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 46
Yep that´s the idea. Go to States in the Autumn and then go back home and return on April to continue the rtw to hnl-asia-home.
My basic question (sorry for the long story) is if the 1500 is "normal" price for a oneway SFO/LAX-HEL? It seems that return is roughly 2 times oneway US-Europe (3000). The same trip starting from Europe would be 1500 return and 3000 oneway roughly. Of course I would be more than happy with a 1500 return from the states as I need to come back in the spring
It seems DFW-FRA got some reward seats at the moment but I´m hopping to save one leg of the rtw ticket so west coast would be better. Also does anybody have any experience about the jfk-hel leg (the flight is also an AA codeshare) as I can´t seem to find the availability anywhere?
My basic question (sorry for the long story) is if the 1500 is "normal" price for a oneway SFO/LAX-HEL? It seems that return is roughly 2 times oneway US-Europe (3000). The same trip starting from Europe would be 1500 return and 3000 oneway roughly. Of course I would be more than happy with a 1500 return from the states as I need to come back in the spring
It seems DFW-FRA got some reward seats at the moment but I´m hopping to save one leg of the rtw ticket so west coast would be better. Also does anybody have any experience about the jfk-hel leg (the flight is also an AA codeshare) as I can´t seem to find the availability anywhere?
Aug 19, 2010, 12:43 pm
#68
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I look at what my current financial situation is like. Both this year and last year I've wanted to take last minute domestic trips for reasons I couldn't justify spending ~$500 on. However, as I had the miles and wanted to make the trips, I booked awards.
I would imagine everyone has their own formula, but usually I don't look at using miles unless the ticket is over $400 and it wouldn't earn me significant miles if it was a revenue ticket.
I would imagine everyone has their own formula, but usually I don't look at using miles unless the ticket is over $400 and it wouldn't earn me significant miles if it was a revenue ticket.
Aug 20, 2010, 10:58 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: C.A.
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 72
I tend to use my miles only for last minute high priced flights......
Aug 21, 2010, 12:50 pm
#70
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,609
The calculations change for me now that EXP's have free redeposit of awards plus 1-way awards.
Case in point - I had a trip to LAX planned where outbound leg was ~$270 while return leg was ~$160. Thanks to the new pricing structure in some city-pairs (like BOS-LAX) where the price is the same regardless if you book 1-way or round-trip, I decided to use a 12.5k mile award outbound and pay for the return ticket.
With free redeposit, I've been keeping an eye on fares (which I wouldn't have before since fees were so high) and saw that the outbound leg was now down to ~$140. Immediately canceled my award-itin, booked the paid-itin, and called EXP desk to redeposit.
Excellent deal all around for me, and will encourage me to use mileage tickets more extensively in the future because it's easier to hold my options open.
Case in point - I had a trip to LAX planned where outbound leg was ~$270 while return leg was ~$160. Thanks to the new pricing structure in some city-pairs (like BOS-LAX) where the price is the same regardless if you book 1-way or round-trip, I decided to use a 12.5k mile award outbound and pay for the return ticket.
With free redeposit, I've been keeping an eye on fares (which I wouldn't have before since fees were so high) and saw that the outbound leg was now down to ~$140. Immediately canceled my award-itin, booked the paid-itin, and called EXP desk to redeposit.
Excellent deal all around for me, and will encourage me to use mileage tickets more extensively in the future because it's easier to hold my options open.
Aug 21, 2010, 4:26 pm
#71
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX/NYC/LA
Programs: AA Plt, Marriott Gold, National EE, Hertz PC, El Mambero De Mucci, PWP Aide to Generalissimo Godot
Posts: 4,893
Heading to SDQ for Christmas. I'm based in JFK and the christmas fares are already looking horrible. I'm already seeing V fare buckets on the JFK-SDQ segment. Business is completely wide open yet no Business MilesAAver inventory despite only 4 of the 26 J seats on the 763 being taken. Should I pay the fare or potentially 60K each way for Business to SDQ unless milesAAver opens up where it would be 30K.
Aug 21, 2010, 5:51 pm
#72
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,827
The calculations change for me now that EXP's have free redeposit of awards plus 1-way awards.
Case in point - I had a trip to LAX planned where outbound leg was ~$270 while return leg was ~$160. Thanks to the new pricing structure in some city-pairs (like BOS-LAX) where the price is the same regardless if you book 1-way or round-trip, I decided to use a 12.5k mile award outbound and pay for the return ticket.
With free redeposit, I've been keeping an eye on fares (which I wouldn't have before since fees were so high) and saw that the outbound leg was now down to ~$140. Immediately canceled my award-itin, booked the paid-itin, and called EXP desk to redeposit.
Excellent deal all around for me, and will encourage me to use mileage tickets more extensively in the future because it's easier to hold my options open.
Case in point - I had a trip to LAX planned where outbound leg was ~$270 while return leg was ~$160. Thanks to the new pricing structure in some city-pairs (like BOS-LAX) where the price is the same regardless if you book 1-way or round-trip, I decided to use a 12.5k mile award outbound and pay for the return ticket.
With free redeposit, I've been keeping an eye on fares (which I wouldn't have before since fees were so high) and saw that the outbound leg was now down to ~$140. Immediately canceled my award-itin, booked the paid-itin, and called EXP desk to redeposit.
Excellent deal all around for me, and will encourage me to use mileage tickets more extensively in the future because it's easier to hold my options open.
Aug 23, 2010, 6:59 am
#73
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX/NYC/LA
Programs: AA Plt, Marriott Gold, National EE, Hertz PC, El Mambero De Mucci, PWP Aide to Generalissimo Godot
Posts: 4,893
Heading to SDQ for Christmas. I'm based in JFK and the christmas fares are already looking horrible. I'm already seeing V fare buckets on the JFK-SDQ segment. Business is completely wide open yet no Business MilesAAver inventory despite only 4 of the 26 J seats on the 763 being taken. Should I pay the fare or potentially 60K each way for Business to SDQ unless milesAAver opens up where it would be 30K.
Aug 23, 2010, 9:33 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: POS, MAD
Programs: AA EXP 5.07MM; Marriott Lifetime Pt; Hyatt Diam; Avis
Posts: 170
How does JFK-SJU look?
take the Mona Passage Puddle Jumper...
Aug 24, 2010, 11:04 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX/NYC/LA
Programs: AA Plt, Marriott Gold, National EE, Hertz PC, El Mambero De Mucci, PWP Aide to Generalissimo Godot
Posts: 4,893