Redeeming Miles- Do you calculate cpm?
Nov 21, 2014 | 11:57 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
We "sell" them within the family for 1˘ a mile. I only use them when outright ticket purchase is higher than that. Mostly to move grandkids about. Sometimes last minute things.
In the comparison calculation I do include the miles foregone with a mileage ticket.
Romelle
In the comparison calculation I do include the miles foregone with a mileage ticket.
Romelle
Nov 25, 2014 | 8:29 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Continental, SWAir, Air France, Air Canada, Delta, Choice Privilages, ANA, US Air
Posts: 2
I Do Calculate CPM
I subscribe to First Class Flyer newsletter and apply many methods that they suggest in getting award tickets. If I'm not getting at least .03/mi, it's a bad deal as you can buy the miles for that or less. I also look at the cost of fees to get the "free" ticket vs. buying the ticket. Except for Southwest for domestic flights, I only get International Business or 1st Class as that is where you can get anywhere from .05 to .15/ mi.
I just completed an around the world flight BOS-DUB-IST-KUL Business Class and return SIN-HKG-ORD-BOS 1st Class for 160,000 miles and $380 booked through UA. $200 of that was a change fee to get the 1st Class tickets when they became available. I valued this at .12/mi.
I just completed an around the world flight BOS-DUB-IST-KUL Business Class and return SIN-HKG-ORD-BOS 1st Class for 160,000 miles and $380 booked through UA. $200 of that was a change fee to get the 1st Class tickets when they became available. I valued this at .12/mi.
Nov 27, 2014 | 1:14 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA EXP, A3 S, AF S, DL S, Marriott LTP, Hilton D, Hertz PC
Posts: 282
I use the miles usually on saver business class, that way I feel like it's money (miles) well spent. when a ticket cost $8,000 and I can get it for as low as 100K I feel good about it and think it's a great deal. I also "use" them as much as I can, stopover/add a destination at the end of the trip to get more out of what I spent.
As far as sharing them, I'm flying solo and we don't have a money issue so the fam pay for themselves.
If that was something I should take in consideration I would based it on the case... If I think the trip is count for it, what is the other person options, how many miles I have vs. how much is the trip...
As far as sharing them, I'm flying solo and we don't have a money issue so the fam pay for themselves.
If that was something I should take in consideration I would based it on the case... If I think the trip is count for it, what is the other person options, how many miles I have vs. how much is the trip...
Dec 1, 2014 | 1:58 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,103
I do. At least it is a consideration.
Probably a larger consideration is that I will buy a ticket in preference to using miles that require an itinerary that doesn't make sense. About the time miles needs two connections and a non-stop is available for money, the miles stay in the account.
Using miles has a lot to do with searching out effective ways to use them. Sometimes it isn't worth trying to force it.
Probably a larger consideration is that I will buy a ticket in preference to using miles that require an itinerary that doesn't make sense. About the time miles needs two connections and a non-stop is available for money, the miles stay in the account.
Using miles has a lot to do with searching out effective ways to use them. Sometimes it isn't worth trying to force it.
I rarely will accept a connection when I can purchase a nonstop, just not worth my time, aggravation and potential problems from a misconnect.
Dec 1, 2014 | 11:54 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Rewards Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,406
Let me give you another scenario, based on the MasterCard “priceless” concept.
I am in EWR with my family (5 PAX) at 3:30 pm on the day the British police discover the “liquid bomb” plot/threat. All news is that LHR is virtually shut down, only a few intercontinental flights going out, and almost no intra-European flights. And we are scheduled to return to MAD via LHR.
I pick up the phone, call the Continental Elite line, and in 20 minutes have five award tickets direct EWR-MAD on the 8:25 pm flight that evening.
I have no idea what I paid per mile, but I know that I saved myself and my family hours or even days of agony.
I am in EWR with my family (5 PAX) at 3:30 pm on the day the British police discover the “liquid bomb” plot/threat. All news is that LHR is virtually shut down, only a few intercontinental flights going out, and almost no intra-European flights. And we are scheduled to return to MAD via LHR.
I pick up the phone, call the Continental Elite line, and in 20 minutes have five award tickets direct EWR-MAD on the 8:25 pm flight that evening.
I have no idea what I paid per mile, but I know that I saved myself and my family hours or even days of agony.
Last edited by spainflyer; Dec 1, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Dec 4, 2014 | 7:48 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BDL, JFK
Posts: 658
To me the most important thing about spending miles is to get enjoyment whatever the cpm. Wife and I just got back from Cancun where we stayed at an all-inclusive using Aadvantage miles. Only got 1.3 cpm but we had a great time. On the other hand we are going to Italy in Y next year and tickets are worth 3.2 cpm after fees. However I see no reason to hoard points just to use for TATL as there are constant changes in award programs and devaluations. I spend them down and then do another round of re-accumulation.
Dec 4, 2014 | 9:38 am
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,012
I always consider it when I'm doing a Y award. An ironic twist of the lack of airline competition due to recent mergers is that I actually get *more* per mile redeemed than I did a few years ago. Now I'm always above 2cpm, sometimes above 3cpm, on regular coach awards.
I don't bother with it so much on J because I don't actually buy those tickets with my own money when I don't have miles. Sometimes humorous to see that my three-continent F award is showing $18k-20k at max-rack retail (in Orbitz or the like), meaning that an actual buyer probably pays $10-12k for it, but I know *I* would not pay $10-12k for it, so I don't take it for anything more than entertainment purposes only.
I don't bother with it so much on J because I don't actually buy those tickets with my own money when I don't have miles. Sometimes humorous to see that my three-continent F award is showing $18k-20k at max-rack retail (in Orbitz or the like), meaning that an actual buyer probably pays $10-12k for it, but I know *I* would not pay $10-12k for it, so I don't take it for anything more than entertainment purposes only.
Dec 9, 2014 | 9:59 am
#24
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,177
I drag lots of people to far flung destinations, domestic weddings, etc. Hey, you can't take it with you! People and relationships are important to me, so sharing the experiences with the ones that I love is rewarding. I wish that they'd "get it," and tackle at least some modest point earning strategies or a well chosen credit card sign up or two. Unfortunately, more than half of them won't even try, then some "tried" halfheartedly and didn't get it, and some have embraced earning points as a new lifelong hobby.