Points vs. Buying a cheap ticket
Dec 16, 2012 | 9:48 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AE, MP, DL, AA, Accor Platinum (But aren't we all?)
Posts: 268
Yes this is definitely a one way redemption. Just checked same ticket a few days back. My father has done that route in first, business and coach and Ive never seen a grown man so close to tears after the flight in coach. If u are just going one way, definitely try to arrive in style! Biz on SAA is fully lie flat which they codeshare with UA. Also chevk redemptions via Europe on Swiss, austrian, LH and u might be able to find business class easier.
Originally Posted by amolkold:19870354
Make sure that you're comparing round-trip to round-trip. 40K for coach and 60K miles for business sounds like a one-way redemption. I'm not really sure if you're looking for o/w or r/t but it's worth mentioning.
Dec 16, 2012 | 11:59 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,906
No, then there's no difference. I just wanted to make sure that you were actually looking for a one-way and not misreading the price of the award ticket. I agree with using 60K miles for business! It's so worth it!
Dec 17, 2012 | 6:27 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AMEX Plat, AAdvantage Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 963
I came across Milewize last week and have to say its a great tool for people like yourself starting out with this sort of question. After a while you start internalizing the best and worst redemption rates so not as useful, but still a good way to see what value you are getting for your points and whether cash is an option.
Dec 17, 2012 | 6:27 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,401
okay, now that I can wrap my head around!
The economy ticket divided by 40,000 came to about .029, and the business ticket divided by 60,000 came to about .05...so I see what you mean. I didn't understand that way of looking at it before, so thanks!
I will definitely keep using this forum, everyone has been so helpful :-)
Much appreciated!
Court
The economy ticket divided by 40,000 came to about .029, and the business ticket divided by 60,000 came to about .05...so I see what you mean. I didn't understand that way of looking at it before, so thanks!
I will definitely keep using this forum, everyone has been so helpful :-)
Much appreciated!
Court
Dec 17, 2012 | 7:52 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,682
A few posts in here have stressed that business is the better value because its cents per mile is higher. I can't stress enough that this is really the wrong way to look at it. What the airline charges is irrelevant. I could charge $2000 for a hot dog but that doesn't mean its a screaming deal at $500.
The much better question is how much extra are you willing to pay to sit up front? And really only the passenger can determine this. If its $1000 each way then yes business is clearly the way to go. If its $200 then business is not the way to go.
To many Ft'ers that number is like $3000 but I doubt that represents much of the country.
The much better question is how much extra are you willing to pay to sit up front? And really only the passenger can determine this. If its $1000 each way then yes business is clearly the way to go. If its $200 then business is not the way to go.
To many Ft'ers that number is like $3000 but I doubt that represents much of the country.
Dec 17, 2012 | 7:47 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,906
At the same time, South Africa is likely 2 long flights from US (one flight US -> Europe, another flight Europe -> S Africa). Would I pay 10K miles to upgrade a coach ticket to business on a 7-8 hour segment that's likely an overnight one? You bet I would.
Dec 17, 2012 | 7:55 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DEN
Posts: 177
I agree.... but many of us have a lot of points or have intentions of getting many, many more. ... or have the funds to pay for the ticket without issue.
I agree with hindukid. I booked some vacation flights that would have been more comfortable in business but economy hooked me so I didn't have to use as many points.
I agree with hindukid. I booked some vacation flights that would have been more comfortable in business but economy hooked me so I didn't have to use as many points.
Dec 17, 2012 | 8:40 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, HH Gold, SPG Gold, National EC Executive, AA Platinum
Posts: 611
Dec 17, 2012 | 11:04 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 57
I wa running this through on a different trip, and a couple other things for consideration are:
- would you prefer 2 business class trips to SA or 3 in coach? For me I'd pick business but for you if you are on a really tight budget I could see the appeal of coach.
- are you hard up for miles? Paying cash on a cheap flight (as long as it isn't a half miles ultra-discount fare) could yield 16k miles (I think united?)
- how do you sleep in coach? If you have an empty plane you could get a row to yourself
- would you prefer 2 business class trips to SA or 3 in coach? For me I'd pick business but for you if you are on a really tight budget I could see the appeal of coach.
- are you hard up for miles? Paying cash on a cheap flight (as long as it isn't a half miles ultra-discount fare) could yield 16k miles (I think united?)
- how do you sleep in coach? If you have an empty plane you could get a row to yourself