Buying miles... worth it?
Aug 11, 2012 | 8:00 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: IHG-Spire, DL-Gold, MR-Platinum, HH-Gold, SPG-Gold, Hyatt-Diamond, BA-Silver
Posts: 277
I've never found buying to be worth the price unless you're topping off for reaching an award. The 100% bonus transfer offers DL used to have are probably worth it IMO.
For example (specific to DL): You can transfer 30K to 60K and 60K back to 120K for total of $990 (You made 30K miles to 120K for $990). So a Business Award return ticket to Asia for $990.
For example (specific to DL): You can transfer 30K to 60K and 60K back to 120K for total of $990 (You made 30K miles to 120K for $990). So a Business Award return ticket to Asia for $990.
Aug 11, 2012 | 10:51 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1mm, 1/31/26 last day as 1k since 2009, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,367
If you are valuing "miles" at 1 cent per mile, then you are using them wrong. Sky pesos are very low, whereas being an elite in UA for example they are valuable for redeeming for no fees, free redeposits, upgradeable for domestic tickets using UDU and no fuel surcharges on *A redemptions. So I value them quite a bit more than 1 cpm.
Aug 11, 2012 | 11:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Doing GS11, probably affiliated with every program out there
Posts: 188
If you are valuing "miles" at 1 cent per mile, then you are using them wrong. Sky pesos are very low, whereas being an elite in UA for example they are valuable for redeeming for no fees, free redeposits, upgradeable for domestic tickets using UDU and no fuel surcharges on *A redemptions. So I value them quite a bit more than 1 cpm.
Aug 11, 2012 | 11:57 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Doing GS11, probably affiliated with every program out there
Posts: 188
and for the record, I did jut bught ~100k (50k + 50k promo) because I was about that much short of redeeming 7x (yes 7 tickets) for biz rt to north asia using US miles. redeeming on UA this time. so ~1.8cents/mile 90k for one ticket. definitely worth it for me.
Aug 12, 2012 | 8:08 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,857
I buy miles a lot. I plan on topping up my US account with the 100 pct promo before the end of the month. For AA, last year they ran a 20% off plus extra 15% bonus for less than a week, I'm waiting for that to return before jumping in since AA limits to 40k purchased miles a year.
For me I compare cost of acquisition vs redemption. Since I redeem for international first, buying miles makes sense for me. If I was redeeming for domestic coach, it would make much less sense.
For me I compare cost of acquisition vs redemption. Since I redeem for international first, buying miles makes sense for me. If I was redeeming for domestic coach, it would make much less sense.
Aug 13, 2012 | 12:21 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Doing GS11, probably affiliated with every program out there
Posts: 188
I assume that you have actually logged into your account and checked to see if you are actually targeted? neither my wife nor I got the email telling us the offer but when I go to buy miles and enter the DM number it showed up.
Aug 13, 2012 | 11:00 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 42
I've purchased miles for specific redemptions. If you have the luxury to wait for a sale or promo and have a specific redemption in mind, it will certainly save you money. Not as much as using FF miles to cover the whole ticket, but when you need flights for several people, it can be a challenge to collect enough miles on a specific carrier or alliance.
Aug 14, 2012 | 9:24 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,857
Aug 21, 2012 | 12:05 pm
#28
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
If you are valuing "miles" at 1 cent per mile, then you are using them wrong. Sky pesos are very low, whereas being an elite in UA for example they are valuable for redeeming for no fees, free redeposits, upgradeable for domestic tickets using UDU and no fuel surcharges on *A redemptions. So I value them quite a bit more than 1 cpm.
Aug 21, 2012 | 12:16 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 940
Usually not worth it to buy points since you could just earn them by buying high points item (like magazines through most portal site).
Having said that, I have once purchased priority club points to top up an award that I need abroad. Two rooms and I didn't have enough points to cover for them at the time.
If you need to buy it to top up on an award or some concrete plans, then it's reasonable after considering what you need to pay out of pocket vs. topping up on the points balance.
Having said that, I have once purchased priority club points to top up an award that I need abroad. Two rooms and I didn't have enough points to cover for them at the time.
If you need to buy it to top up on an award or some concrete plans, then it's reasonable after considering what you need to pay out of pocket vs. topping up on the points balance.
Aug 21, 2012 | 8:04 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 30,343
Basic Math
There is no cut and dry answer - it all depends on how much you pay and how much you get back in return.
If you pay only $1000 but you get enough miles for a r/t business class to Asia, then you probably make at least 100% return and then some because a business class r/t easily costs you well over $2000 and much more.
This is a very simple BASIC MATH scenario. When the cash outflow is much smaller than the cash inflow (OK, not actual inflow but the value of the cash can buy), then of course buying miles is well worth it. On the opposite, only a fool would purchase miles in that situation.
If you pay only $1000 but you get enough miles for a r/t business class to Asia, then you probably make at least 100% return and then some because a business class r/t easily costs you well over $2000 and much more.
This is a very simple BASIC MATH scenario. When the cash outflow is much smaller than the cash inflow (OK, not actual inflow but the value of the cash can buy), then of course buying miles is well worth it. On the opposite, only a fool would purchase miles in that situation.