FlyerTalk Forums

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   MilesBuzz (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz-370/)
-   -   Purchasing Points - Best Offers? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz/1482588-purchasing-points-best-offers.html)

AirMileMillionaire Jul 6, 2013 4:16 am

Purchasing Points - Best Offers?
 
I recently purchased 60,000 Miles-and-More points through the Melia Hotels 25% bonus offer; came to $1000. That was about 1.67c per point. I know buying points is anathema to many around here, but for me, this is a very good value as I'll use these points to book Lufthansa or Swiss Int First class, which is a very expensive product. I'm happy to rack up the free points, but also don't mind adding to the balance with some value purchases.

This has me wondering, aside from the targeted US buy right now, are there other below 2c/pt methods for buying, maybe through other hotel loyalty programs?

While I'm at it, does anyone else find value in purchasing points like this?

workandski Jul 6, 2013 5:25 pm

I buy points from time to time when they are on sale. I know it's not a popular thing to do around here, but I use them to fly business or first class and I would never be able to afford those tickets at normal prices. I sign up for every frequent flyer program to get the targeted offers, and then I look carefully at what I could do with the miles. I used AA miles that I purchased to fly first class on Cathay Pacific and that was worth every penny. I'm afraid that I don't know of any great offers right now, though.

sj22 Jul 6, 2013 6:10 pm


Originally Posted by AirMileMillionaire (Post 21048729)
This has me wondering, aside from the targeted US buy right now, are there other below 2c/pt methods for buying, maybe through other hotel loyalty programs?

While I'm at it, does anyone else find value in purchasing points like this?

I buy miles all the time. Recently grabbed 150k wyndham points which converted into United at 1.3cpm.

I buy and redeem over 300k miles an year on average, mostly united and spg.

oneworld82 Jul 6, 2013 6:57 pm


Originally Posted by AirMileMillionaire (Post 21048729)
I recently purchased 60,000 Miles-and-More points through the Melia Hotels 25% bonus offer; came to $1000. That was about 1.67c per point. I know buying points is anathema to many around here, but for me, this is a very good value as I'll use these points to book Lufthansa or Swiss Int First class, which is a very expensive product. I'm happy to rack up the free points, but also don't mind adding to the balance with some value purchases.

This has me wondering, aside from the targeted US buy right now, are there other below 2c/pt methods for buying, maybe through other hotel loyalty programs?

While I'm at it, does anyone else find value in purchasing points like this?

I bought 90k AA miles when there was a big promo in December... with 1880 USD I will fly EY F AUH-SYD one way and have 30k to spare... pretty good deal if you ask me.

TravelerMSY Jul 6, 2013 11:01 pm

Buying them is great. It's just a matter of price and quantity.

bigbuy Jul 7, 2013 3:27 am

I "buy" points paying federal and state income tax, usually at half price by using the Amex Starwood card for the 5k bonus and the Chase United card to reach the 25k minimum in order to get the 10k annual bonus. The new rate for Federal payments of 1.88% or 1.89% for Amex combined with my tax deduction bracket for the fee effectively puts my cost at under 1.1 cents per mile for the United Visa miles and slightly more for the Starwood points when used for the 5k bonus on airline miles transfers.

ned Jul 7, 2013 9:53 am


Originally Posted by bigbuy (Post 21053918)
I "buy" points paying federal and state income tax, usually at half price by using the Amex Starwood card for the 5k bonus and the Chase United card to reach the 25k minimum in order to get the 10k annual bonus. The new rate for Federal payments of 1.88% or 1.89% for Amex combined with my tax deduction bracket for the fee effectively puts my cost at under 1.1 cents per mile for the United Visa miles and slightly more for the Starwood points when used for the 5k bonus on airline miles transfers.

Does this 10K bonus apply to the MilesPlus Select card or just the explorer card?

SuperKirby Jul 12, 2013 11:27 am


Originally Posted by sahiljain22 (Post 21052185)
I buy and redeem over 300k miles an year on average, mostly united and spg.

Wondering, where do the SPG pts offer usually come up? What has been the best CPM you've seen for buying UA miles?

sj22 Jul 12, 2013 11:44 am


Originally Posted by SuperKirby (Post 21085712)
Wondering, where do the SPG pts offer usually come up? What has been the best CPM you've seen for buying UA miles?

Spg goes on sale once or twice an year. You can buy at around 2.5cpm. You can buy across multiple accounts and transfer into one as long they share the same physical address

UA you can buy through mileage accelerators all the time at 2cpm. Wyndham just had a points sale recently and I bought some points which transferred to UA at 1.3cpm.

PM if you have questions.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 1:33 pm.


This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.