3.5 trillion miles
Apr 10, 2001 | 4:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8
3.5 trillion miles
There are an estimated 3.5 trillion miles outstanding among all frequent flyer programs.
I pulled this off of best fares web site. 3.5 trillion outstanding miles! Divide that 25000 for a flight to get 140 million flights and multiply that by say, conservatively, 300 dollars per flight, to get 42 billion dollars. Obiously, people blow more than 25000 miles on average per flight, but even if it was 50000, it would still be 21 billion in outstanding "dollars". That's quite a bit. Just my $0.02.
I pulled this off of best fares web site. 3.5 trillion outstanding miles! Divide that 25000 for a flight to get 140 million flights and multiply that by say, conservatively, 300 dollars per flight, to get 42 billion dollars. Obiously, people blow more than 25000 miles on average per flight, but even if it was 50000, it would still be 21 billion in outstanding "dollars". That's quite a bit. Just my $0.02.
Apr 10, 2001 | 5:29 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: SQ, LH, AMEX, Citi, Cap1
Posts: 4,113
That's why airlines love putting capacity controls in every way they can. 
So that they could even increase the amount of unredeemed miles. To say the least, they don't expire any more.
- Pat
So that they could even increase the amount of unredeemed miles. To say the least, they don't expire any more.- Pat
Apr 10, 2001 | 5:59 pm
#3
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,217
That is a lot of miles... I cannot remember where I saw it recently, but I believe I saw where Randy was qouted (and I am paraphrasing and apologize to Randy if it was not him) that if the travelling public was able to redeem all the saved up miles, we could all travel free for 37 days... or something like that.
Good thing about those restrictions... would hate to see the airlines allow us to all to fly free!!!
William
Good thing about those restrictions... would hate to see the airlines allow us to all to fly free!!!
William
Apr 11, 2001 | 12:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: WILD ANIMAL PARK (SAN), CA> GOLD-CO, MARRIOTT, HH, STARWOOD, HYATT,
Posts: 1,373
Are a lot of those points in accounts, that are TOO small to qualify for an award?
And in the old days, TONS of miles expired unused. I bet there are a lot of people with totals of less then 10,000-20,000 miles.
So how many total miles are there, that are a threat to the airlines pocket books?
And in the old days, TONS of miles expired unused. I bet there are a lot of people with totals of less then 10,000-20,000 miles.
So how many total miles are there, that are a threat to the airlines pocket books?
Apr 11, 2001 | 3:14 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Vancouver - UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 550
267,886 in UA plus orphans everywhere, maybe another 60,000 on AA, AC, CO, DL...
I don't count to well, I would need to take off my shoes to figure this out... Help?
Wait, does points from my Aeroplan Visa count? About another 100,000 there.
I don't count to well, I would need to take off my shoes to figure this out... Help?
Wait, does points from my Aeroplan Visa count? About another 100,000 there.
Apr 11, 2001 | 3:22 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: West Seattle, WA
Posts: 10,469
273,000 mostly on UA, US and AA. Then some orphans on DL, HP and NW).
Brings a total to 2,172,177.
And to help out for Village Idiot's lack of math skills,
his 327,886 bring the total to:
2,500,063
Brings a total to 2,172,177.
And to help out for Village Idiot's lack of math skills,
his 327,886 bring the total to:2,500,063
