Worth to pay fee to transfer miles?
Jan 16, 2014 | 1:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: LAX, formerly SFO, PEK, PVG, NRT
Posts: 164
Not really.
If you value 1 mile at $0.01, 4,800 miles = $48
If you value 1 mile at $0.02, 4,800 miles = $96
At a $20/1,000 miles rate, you're paying $0.02 per mile so you're either breaking even or losing money.
If you value 1 mile at $0.01, 4,800 miles = $48
If you value 1 mile at $0.02, 4,800 miles = $96
At a $20/1,000 miles rate, you're paying $0.02 per mile so you're either breaking even or losing money.
Jan 16, 2014 | 2:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 400
I'd only do it if you only need a few miles for a redemption now
If you guys choose not to transfer them, consider donating them to charity: http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/re.../charities.jsp
If you guys choose not to transfer them, consider donating them to charity: http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/re.../charities.jsp
Jan 18, 2014 | 7:12 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,402
Another option would be to do something to postpone expiration. Enrolling in the AA dining program by registering a credit card, completing a short profile and dining in a participating restaurant extends the account from the date of the meal. Another option would be for her to obtain a credit card linked to AA. In many cases, bonus miles are offered and the annual fee is waived for a year.
Last edited by JPG3392; Jan 19, 2014 at 8:26 am Reason: Correcting typos.
Jan 18, 2014 | 8:29 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,860
In addition to the other suggestions to keep the miles alive through activity, you could consider an Apple iTunes song purchase through the AAdvantage Shopping Mall (less than $2 and no shipping costs since it's a download) or redeeming a small amount of miles for a magazine subscription (some go for as low as 400 miles). That would extend the life of the miles for 18 months from the date of the transaction--not 18 additional months from the current expiration date in May.
You never know, maybe Parker and the boys will decide to do a transfer bonus after the two programs merge, reducing the cost and making a transfer more worthwhile.
You never know, maybe Parker and the boys will decide to do a transfer bonus after the two programs merge, reducing the cost and making a transfer more worthwhile.
Jan 18, 2014 | 11:08 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: WN, DL, UA, AA, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 1,303
Another option if you just want to be done with these miles is to look at the hotel & car rental rewards available: www.aa.com/carandhotelawards
I would ONLY use them this way if it's for a trip that you're (or she) already taking and you can find a good value for them. A quick glance at Chicago area hotels showed the lowest one at about 8,000 miles, but there is a cash + miles option. Again, compare that option very carefully to what it would cost you to just book the hotel outright. Also be sure to check the reviews of the hotel.
As others have said, it makes no sense to pay the fee to transfer them to you. If there is no immediate use for them that is valuable, there are plenty of cheap & easy ways to extend the expiration, but I would take advantage of one of them NOW as some of the shopping malls can take a while to post (or at least, they don't guarantee that it will post quickly).
I would ONLY use them this way if it's for a trip that you're (or she) already taking and you can find a good value for them. A quick glance at Chicago area hotels showed the lowest one at about 8,000 miles, but there is a cash + miles option. Again, compare that option very carefully to what it would cost you to just book the hotel outright. Also be sure to check the reviews of the hotel.
As others have said, it makes no sense to pay the fee to transfer them to you. If there is no immediate use for them that is valuable, there are plenty of cheap & easy ways to extend the expiration, but I would take advantage of one of them NOW as some of the shopping malls can take a while to post (or at least, they don't guarantee that it will post quickly).