Will the United devaluation change your credit card strategy?
Nov 13, 2013, 12:29 pm
#76
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA PLAT FPC PLAT
Posts: 123
Yes. I have been very heavy on earning UR for the past 2 years. I now may move more to the cash / fixed value programs (Citi TYP, US bank, arrival, amex) and cash back malls. If one can average more than 2% it may be worth it. While yes, miles may have better value they are not as flexible as cash. Over the past few years i have found discounted J int'l tickets that made more sense than burning miles, even if they were not on my preferred carrier. Kayaking is looking more and more appealing.
I agree. Unfortunately I have gotten so into racking up miles that I have too much to lose with every devalue
AA 4million
US 800k
UA 1.2m
Delta 300k
UR 900k
MR 1.1m
SPG 600k
HH 400k
VS 85k
BA 250k
If this would all be 2 cents
I would have lots of cash!
Nov 13, 2013, 7:38 pm
#77
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA
Programs: All of em...
Posts: 1,265
9.5 MILLION points and miles?! That's gonna take some time to burn... Deval or not.
Nov 13, 2013, 8:05 pm
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
Spend them on hotels and cruises, you will be able to burn them quickly.
Nov 13, 2013, 8:22 pm
#79
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 771
seriously? !! omg how the heck you get that many points !!
Nov 15, 2013, 1:48 am
#81
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Priority, SPG - AA, Hawaiian Airline, United, US Airline
Posts: 608
OMG, it is a lot a lot and a lot. I am sure that you are the rich or you own a business.
Nov 15, 2013, 7:23 am
#82
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 223
Nov 15, 2013, 8:21 am
#83
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA PLAT FPC PLAT
Posts: 123
Nov 15, 2013, 8:43 am
#84
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,722
For those thinking of switching to another airline like AA/BA/US, aren't they just as likely to devaluate and it's just a matter of time? If you start low you will have to build up and by that time they may well have devaluated.
Anyway, this deval has little impact on this coach boy. It sure is uncomfortable on a 12+ hour flight but I grew up in the slum where we could only dream of getting on an airplane one day, so I can take it
Anyway, this deval has little impact on this coach boy. It sure is uncomfortable on a 12+ hour flight but I grew up in the slum where we could only dream of getting on an airplane one day, so I can take it
Nov 17, 2013, 8:15 pm
#85
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA
Programs: All of em...
Posts: 1,265
For those thinking of switching to another airline like AA/BA/US, aren't they just as likely to devaluate and it's just a matter of time?
Anyway, this deval has little impact on this coach boy. It sure is uncomfortable on a 12+ hour flight but I grew up in the slum where we could only dream of getting on an airplane one day, so I can take it
Anyway, this deval has little impact on this coach boy. It sure is uncomfortable on a 12+ hour flight but I grew up in the slum where we could only dream of getting on an airplane one day, so I can take it
Couldn't agree more! All miles are meant to be spent, so if you have travel plans, sometimes the "Am I getting humungous value by spending these miles?!" thought process needs to be thrown out especially if you're sitting on high 6 figure miles balances.
I'll also ride coach any day, as I travel to see the world and have wild adventures, so praise the Lord, the deval didn't hurt me much. I do feel bad for those saving for those dream first class redemptions though. Book now!
Nov 18, 2013, 2:17 pm
#86
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10
For those thinking of switching to another airline like AA/BA/US, aren't they just as likely to devaluate and it's just a matter of time? If you start low you will have to build up and by that time they may well have devaluated.
Anyway, this deval has little impact on this coach boy. It sure is uncomfortable on a 12+ hour flight but I grew up in the slum where we could only dream of getting on an airplane one day, so I can take it
Anyway, this deval has little impact on this coach boy. It sure is uncomfortable on a 12+ hour flight but I grew up in the slum where we could only dream of getting on an airplane one day, so I can take it
Nov 18, 2013, 2:41 pm
#87
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA PLAT FPC PLAT
Posts: 123
I think I am going to plan a 2 1/2 week trip around the world in Business class with my wife and 2 kids.
I was planning to do this way back for our honeymoon but the wife doesn't like traveling. I will have to make the case that it may be our last chance before further devalue!
I was planning to do this way back for our honeymoon but the wife doesn't like traveling. I will have to make the case that it may be our last chance before further devalue!
Nov 20, 2013, 10:44 am
#88
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 176
Quote:
Originally Posted by jalm1
Yes. I have been very heavy on earning UR for the past 2 years. I now may move more to the cash / fixed value programs (Citi TYP, US bank, arrival, amex) and cash back malls. If one can average more than 2% it may be worth it. While yes, miles may have better value they are not as flexible as cash. Over the past few years i have found discounted J int'l tickets that made more sense than burning miles, even if they were not on my preferred carrier. Kayaking is looking more and more appealing.
I agree. Unfortunately I have gotten so into racking up miles that I have too much to lose with every devalue
AA 4million
US 800k
UA 1.2m
Delta 300k
UR 900k
MR 1.1m
SPG 600k
HH 400k
VS 85k
BA 250k
If this would all be 2 cents
I would have lots of cash!
Originally Posted by jalm1
Yes. I have been very heavy on earning UR for the past 2 years. I now may move more to the cash / fixed value programs (Citi TYP, US bank, arrival, amex) and cash back malls. If one can average more than 2% it may be worth it. While yes, miles may have better value they are not as flexible as cash. Over the past few years i have found discounted J int'l tickets that made more sense than burning miles, even if they were not on my preferred carrier. Kayaking is looking more and more appealing.
I agree. Unfortunately I have gotten so into racking up miles that I have too much to lose with every devalue
AA 4million
US 800k
UA 1.2m
Delta 300k
UR 900k
MR 1.1m
SPG 600k
HH 400k
VS 85k
BA 250k
If this would all be 2 cents
I would have lots of cash!
Nov 20, 2013, 12:30 pm
#89
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,722
Nov 20, 2013, 12:32 pm
#90
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
That's foolish having no plans to spend them. I'm not impressed with those balances. <slap hand on forehead> You should've gotten a 2% cashback card since you had no liquidation strategy. I would have big balances if I didn't spend them. If the wife hates to travel, I would definitely stay away from points and miles when playing this game. When I get these points, I have trips planned already with the exception of a small balance for family emergencies.