How much is a SWU worth to you?
Jan 7, 2013, 1:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG PLT, AA ExPlt
Posts: 90
How much is a SWU worth to you?
I know that you can't sell SWUs but I am flying with a friend who I plan to upgrade with me on a transpacific flight to Asia. I don't mind using my upgrade on him but he insists on "getting me back" at least some of the value of the upgrade. I don't mind using it on him because its a great way to use it and I'd rather have it this way than miss out on using it at a later date.
My question is, if you had to give an approximate value on how much an SWU is worth, what would you place it as?
My question is, if you had to give an approximate value on how much an SWU is worth, what would you place it as?
Jan 7, 2013, 1:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
I know that you can't sell SWUs but I am flying with a friend who I plan to upgrade with me on a transpacific flight to Asia. I don't mind using my upgrade on him but he insists on "getting me back" at least some of the value of the upgrade. I don't mind using it on him because its a great way to use it and I'd rather have it this way than miss out on using it at a later date.
My question is, if you had to give an approximate value on how much an SWU is worth, what would you place it as?
My question is, if you had to give an approximate value on how much an SWU is worth, what would you place it as?
The value of 25k miles to people who post on FT generally ranges from $ 250 to $ 750. Therefore, the fair market value of a SWU would be in the range from $ 600 to $ 1,100.
(SWU is more valuable than miles + copay because it can be cancelled without loss of co-pay, but less valuable because its expiration cannot be extended)
Jan 7, 2013, 1:27 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,527
[Dr. Evil]One billion dollars.[/Dr. Evil]
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jan 7, 2013, 1:27 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Generally, I consider them worth the amount of the co-pay ($350) plus 25k miles. The total dollar value depends on your per-mile valuation. Once you have that, it's a really simple formula. 
Jan 7, 2013, 1:31 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,877
Depends on the application/routing. $350 for shorter international routes (JFK-LHR, South America zone 1); $500 for TPAC, longer TATL, and deep SA.
Jan 7, 2013, 1:33 pm
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Some of us have given others SWUs and have received gifts - but be aware sales, trade or barter violate the conditions of the SWU and that can have untoward consequences for both parties. (So, any gift back is a nice thing...)
Jan 7, 2013, 1:33 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG PLT, AA ExPlt
Posts: 90
Jan 7, 2013, 1:40 pm
#8
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
is the swu expiring 3/1 & you will have no use for it?
has friend done something nice for you?
maybe pal can pick up the hotel/sherpa costs?
has friend done something nice for you?
maybe pal can pick up the hotel/sherpa costs?
Jan 7, 2013, 1:41 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 194
People here trade SWUs for about 10k miles or credit card points. So that's the market value if you're willing to do a bit more legwork.
Jan 7, 2013, 1:52 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
...more specifically, your friend could purchase 25k miles for $ 655.81 inc tax (purchase 21k miles with 4k bonus) which could be used to upgrade with a $ 350 co-pay; so the equivalent upgrade would cost him ~$1,000.
Jan 7, 2013, 1:59 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Jan 7, 2013, 2:28 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
It's equivalent to 25,000 AAdvantage miles plus $ 350 if it's being used to upgrade from a discount economy fare.
The value of 25k miles to people who post on FT generally ranges from $ 250 to $ 750. Therefore, the fair market value of a SWU would be in the range from $ 600 to $ 1,100.
The value of 25k miles to people who post on FT generally ranges from $ 250 to $ 750. Therefore, the fair market value of a SWU would be in the range from $ 600 to $ 1,100.
I thought the value of eVIP was $500-$700 by using the exact same formula above...
until someone told me that there were many people willing to sell eVIP at much cheaper than that.
To my surprise, the fair market value( i.e. the price actually traded at the market) of eVIP was at around $150 or even cheaper.
If you look at the craiglist at DFW or other major cities, you can easily find eVIP listed at less than $200.
Last edited by supergrandslam; Jan 7, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Jan 7, 2013, 2:38 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
I thought the value of eVIP was $500-$700 by using the exact same formula above...
until someone told me that there were many people willing to sell eVIP at much cheaper than that.
To my surprise, the fair market value( i.e. the price actually traded at the market) of eVIP was at around $150 or even cheaper.
until someone told me that there were many people willing to sell eVIP at much cheaper than that.
To my surprise, the fair market value( i.e. the price actually traded at the market) of eVIP was at around $150 or even cheaper.
Considering the potential consequences faced by those caught buying and selling SWUs, I think it is appropriate for the black-market ones to be significantly devalued.
Last edited by _kurt; Jan 7, 2013 at 6:28 pm Reason: Add quote so that my post doesn't look like a complete non-sequitur
Jan 7, 2013, 2:44 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, TK *Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 570
10k, really? if you ever have a SWU that you would trade for 10k, pls don't post it on CC. send me a PM and we'll get it sorted right away.
IMO, a SWU is worth 25k miles or $250 - $450 depending on expiration.
IMO, a SWU is worth 25k miles or $250 - $450 depending on expiration.
Jan 7, 2013, 3:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
Above is just a theoritical price/value, not a fair market price/value.
I thought the value of eVIP was $500-$700 by using the exact same formula above...
until someone told me that there were many people willing to sell eVIP at much cheaper than that.
To my surprise, the fair market value( i.e. the price actually traded at the market) of eVIP was at around $150 or even cheaper.
If you look at the craiglist at DFW or other major cities, you can easily find eVIP listed at less than $200.
I thought the value of eVIP was $500-$700 by using the exact same formula above...
until someone told me that there were many people willing to sell eVIP at much cheaper than that.
To my surprise, the fair market value( i.e. the price actually traded at the market) of eVIP was at around $150 or even cheaper.
If you look at the craiglist at DFW or other major cities, you can easily find eVIP listed at less than $200.