blasky

Hi All,

I got a targeted email to buy lifemiles with up to a 150% bonus, if i purchase by Oct 2 (tomorrow).

Currently in Europe and contemplating purchasing enough miles for a OW biz class ticket to the US, instead of using up my limited United miles. Total price would be $924 for 64,000 Lifemiles, which to me seems like a decent deal for a OW biz class tix.

I dont have an exact return departure date or city yet. So i would be buying in advance for use sometime in the near future (Oct/Nov) on a Star Aliance partner.

Another option I am thinking is to buy 60% of the miles now at $561, and then doing a miles+purchase ticket for the 40% balance once I knkw my itinerary. I am not sure the rate they charge for points in this situation though. And I am not sure if its possible to do a miles+pay ticket if I bought the initial miles to begin with.

Thanks so much in advance. Any advice is appreciated.

Blasky

Tokyoite

what is the question? Nothing in your statement asks the question you have in mind.

If you are asking whether it makes financial sense to buy 100% of your required miles now at 150% bonus rate, versus only 60% of your required miles now at 150% bonus rate, I suggest you do two things:
1. Either a calculator or spreadsheet to calculate the cost difference.
2. Judge your own financial risk threshold/comfort level (having the 40% miles in cash in hand versus locked in miles purchased). If you are financially comfortable with it, I suggest you buy in. If not, then I suggest you only buy the 60%. Only you would know your own financial risk threshold/comfort level
*I am perfectly Ok having 24,000 extra Lifemiles in my account by spending the $363. You may not be so.

Remember, 150% bonus rate is the very best it has historically ever been.
(there was this one time there was a short lived 200% bonus 4 or 5 years ago, but that was a unicorn that has never been offered again.)
There will likely be another bounus offer (Black Friday sale) in late November.

erik123

Also calculate the ticketing fee and taxes, etc. in the total - sometimes buying one-way biz (e.g. P fare on United) with a return in the cheapest economy can be nearly as cheap. It also depends on where you are flying from - availability varies quite a bit depending on dept. city. If flexible with date it could make sense.

blasky

Thanks for.the replies. Yes, im.wondering if it makes sense, and if so, which route to go... buying all upfront or buying a portion and waiting tonsee on availability.

Good call on the taxes too. Ill make sure i dont get hammered. I am totally flexible in my schedule and i think late Oct /early.Nov should not be too bad to try to get a ticket back on Star Aliance. Ive tried with OneWorld before and you get killed with taxes going through London on BA.

I think ill risk it. If not, ill jjlust have some LM at a pretty fair price in the bank.

Scott Kiwi

I bought miles only to find that I cannot use them for the purpose I intended, which is Business Class to just about anywhere!
It's very frustrating.

blasky

Ive had decent luck, but just depends on routing and time of year. Both my biz class seats were transatlantic and in the off season. I had to go on the "less popular" carriers but it worked. Just requires some persistence and patience. If not, you can use on economy. I found plenty of options there.