What to do with the miles
 

hi!

i was considering how i could consolidate and use my miles optimally.
i am currently in the US, and travel mostly for leisure. travel within the US/europe or between us/europe is done...

a look at my approx mileage balances:

delta: 43500
swissair: 31500
turkish: 31500
northwest: 11500

for delta i have taken the amex delta card (10k) and am currently with MCI. but need to get this total to 50k for a free tic to europe. any ideas ????

what do i do with the NW miles ??? any chance of getting that upto 20/25k in the next few months ?

the TK miles are a bonus (transfer from SR), and i can use them for a free ticket in the US on AA, or a business class in europe.

your ideas on using/spending the above miles etc plz....

regards
IaLTO

IaLTO,

Sign up for the Northwest 10k mile promotion:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/001149.html

[This message has been edited by AndrewShih (edited 02-13-2001).]

what do i do with the NW miles ??? any chance of getting that upto 20/25k in the next few months ?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/000572.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/001160.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/001149.html

i am not sure how i could complete the 5 transactions, unless i am travelling somewhere...

it almost appears that i will need a couple of hotel stays to be able to make the 5... very unlikely..

Get a Diners Club card and use the 12K promo to top off Delta and add to others.

For your NW miles: Do you have a cell phone with Sprint? If so, ever $1 is a mile. Consider enrolling in the NW Sprint program for your long distance service. It is 10,000 spread out over 6 months. (They have an 18K & a 20K but its not advertised. I only found out when I called) Apply for a NW visa. Its 5,000 when approved and 2,500 for your first purchase. (I bought a stick of gum & a newspaper) Then they match mile for $1.

If you see any discount NW flight that you need to take, buy it online for 4,000 bonus miles.

I registered for the program last spring. I've never flown NW in my life, don't rent cars under my number or anything else. Just the Sprint program & the visa. I now have 40,000 miles without trying.

Just some thoughts.

Here's the link to the 20,000 miles Sprint offer as well as an Earthlink offer in case anyone needs them.
http://nwa.com/mall/communication.html

KiraNarise thanks... do you happen to have a URL for the worldperks visa ? the one on the site refers to a 4000 miles bonus only. i got one in the post yeterday, but that said 3000 miles...

IaLTO

You've been given a lot of good suggestions. But the best suggestion is to think about picking one program to focus on rather than spreading yourself so thin across so many different ones.

This might not help your current situation, but it could help you avoid getting into a similar one in the future.



------------------
/swaggie

Yes, but with all of the great tips that you can pick up on FlyerTalk http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, it doesn't hurt to broaden your base.

I was one of the lucky ones who got the sprint 25000 miles in 6 months about 6 months ago.I am currently over 25k just with that.For the nw 10000 promotion.,it is very easy if you do not want to switch carriers for your phone etc.Just sign up for the dining for miles with northwest-you just call the 1800 number link the credit card you would like linked to it-it is activated for you to use the program within 24 hours.then you just have to eat at 5 different restaurants in the next couple months.number is 1-800-818-2040------within a week I received a book that gives you all the rest in the program all over the country.there are over 80 within 20 miles of me in PHX from very cheap on up.Do not think there is an easier way to get the miles

It seems that the real value for your Delta miles, when you reach 50K is for two tix in the USA, especially long distance trips. You don't even have to stay the usual Sat night. Consider the cost of BOS to LAX or some other similar trip. Travel to Europe is relatively cheap during most of the year, except, of course, during the peak summer period. Try getting a seat in the summer. The accumulation of miles is only one part of the FF game, getting the most value for those miles is the real challenge.

WNF

IaLTO

Read the info carefully about the NW 10K bonus. You do not necessarily have to travel to earn the 5 credits.

Switch to Sprint
Dine for miles
Point to mile transfer
etc

with ref the delta miles... which is better - 2 free tix in the US or 1 to europe (considering taxes/charges etc) ?
i should be upto 46,000 in a month....

more generally.... what is the 'best' way to redeem miles ?

regards
IaLTO

I would use the miles for 2 RT tix in US/CAN rather than 1 to Europe, you stated earlier travel to/from europe is done (i assume you meant you've already done that and it's not at the top of your want-to-do list). Taxes and fees will be higher for the two tix vs one int'l- but you will allow yourself two Round-trips rather than one or take along a friend/compainion for free.

If I understand your question correctly for the "best" way to redeem miles: many people suggest using them for upgrades

[This message has been edited by ASCJSTEP (edited 02-18-2001).]