Face it, mileage cards are useless now

I am on the cusp of deciding that mileage cards are useless now. Since I haven't been able to redeem a 25k reward on any airline in 2 years (always getting screwed with the 40k's because of availability) this means that on a value per mile basis I am receiving only about 1 cent. This stinks!

Therefore, I am considering shifting away from my Starwood card (which I love) and my Visa standby to the Cashback Blue from Amex and a 1% cashback Visa card as standby. I can get 1.5%-3% or more on the Blue, and 1% guaranteed on the Visa.

Anyone want to give me reasons not to switch? The way I figure, I'd rather get 1.5% or better guaranteed than get continuing to get bad value on my airline redemptions. (I admit, losing the hotel redemptions would be a negative, since I get value there). Plus, no annual fees!

Anyone?

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[This message has been edited by erlftex (edited 03-30-2003).]

Not sure what routes you are trying to redeem on or which airlines but my family and I have redeemed over 250k on AA over the past six months.

Also, we get the point of your irritation but please refrain from using certain "f" words even if you've swapped letters with *.

Thanks!

Well, I have changed my post to reflect your etymological preference, but I have to say I am very angry about what the airlines are doing and I think vulgarity is the only means to express frustration at their deceit. I have had five conversations with airline reps in the last two months where they have admitted to me that they have reduced miles seats by 50% on some flights. I think it is great that you have gotten flights out of Phoenix, but there is ZERO availability to get flights to high-traffic destinations from my point of view (Florida, California, Hawaii, New Orleans, Europe). I have redeemed 225k in just the last six months, only one ticket at the 25k mark.

I've always used Amex Cashback card first. 1.5% cash in my bank earning positive interest is always better than some miles sitting sitting at Airline's computer earning negative interest (beause of devaluation).

Since you are in Los Angeles, I am suprised that you have not tried Southwest more often.

You make a great point. I only wish I could fly on Southwest; all my flights for business are to the East Coast or Europe, so Southwest doesn't cut it...

Useless...? Er, I dont think so. As posted above, it all depends on your redemption patterns. Cash back is great, but if you redeem your miles for International F awards, you also get quite a nice bang for your mile/buck.

I have just redeemed a flight from ORD to DEN on 2 days notice, and reserved to 1st class tickets from DEN to LHR. While there may be a bit less availability of award seats of late, it stills seems very realistic if you have a bit of flexibility.

I also check on another airline for the aforementioned ORD-DEN trip. They had availability in first, but not coach. Still, not bad.

I think if you make travel plans this summer you should be ok, I hope

I'm not sure why you mentioned the SPG Amex with airline miles. Even if you could never redeem an airline mile (more on that in a minute), you can always redeem Starpoints for hotel rooms. And if you redeem 10K for a room that, with tax, is $300/night, your redemption value is at leat 3 cents/point.

As for not being able to redeem awards ... I just did what many here might say is impossible - four awards tickets to Hawaii in high season.

The bottom line is that you just have to keep trying.

I would agree with both you and Family Flyer. Airline miles are not what they use to be. Before MBNA increased their milesage requirements, I use to love that card becuase of the flexibility of traveling on any airline. In terms of your Starwood card, use the miles for hotel stays. With hotel rates continuing to climb, a Starpoint seems to be worth more (in many cases) than converting them to airline miles.

I think you both make a good point, that hotel value is all you can get now-- see my comments above in agreement with you.

However, while 4 tickets to Hawaii is fantastic, I bet you are travelling on a mon/tues and coming back on a thurs/fri. Or, maybe you just got truly lucky-- something that I haven't been in years. I would prefer they take back their miles at this point, and just lower fares.

I disagree My fat ... flys First class out of EWR all the time on my miles !!!!

more cookies please

I've flown SEA-Florida and New Orleans for around US$200 at times. Fares to Europe can be US$250 at times. Those are places I'd always try to turn into mileage generators.

After all, it's usually the low-traffic destinations that are expensive. Or save your miles for business/first class.

My parents earn several free tickets each year on their Citi/AA card and use about 6 25k mile awards each year without much of a problem. Peak flights aren't always available, but with some advance, it works fine.

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