View Poll Results: Which describes you?
I "hoard" my miles and points for later day use.
149
70.62%
I "use" my miles and points for instant gratification.
62
29.38%
Voters: 211. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: Are you a hoarder or a user?
May 31, 2005, 12:37 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary
Programs: A Few
Posts: 2,339
I used to be a hoarder, but I have reduced my Air Canada Aeroplan account from over 1,500,00 to a little over 100,000 points. Air Canada has sent me and my partner Business or First Class to every corner of the world over the past 3 years. I say use them now before they get devalued.
May 31, 2005, 12:47 pm
#17
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: 52,570
Major user. I've been burning like crazy this year. For a legacy six frequent flier mile, I will take anything over 1 cent/mile at this point. Stuff like $275 R/T MCI-DTW trips where I used to buy - now I'm burning. MCI-DEN $240 R/T - got 4 of 'em during ski season for 15k each.
My hoard/burn pattern is more in balance with hotel points.
My hoard/burn pattern is more in balance with hotel points.
May 31, 2005, 1:23 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
I earn them to get to levels where I can use them soon after. Everything is as planned as it could be. I figure one day this will all end and I wanna redeem everything first. If I decide to save up for Tahiti or something, I will have to pick some nails and lose some sleep a bit though to get there mile-wise!
MM
MM
May 31, 2005, 1:34 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
Until recently, I've been a user - the economics made sense in the days of $1800 transcons in Y w/o Saturday night stay. Now, tho, if domestic awards are available, it's likely that I can probably find fares of $300 or less, so I'm hoarding. For many years, I distributed my flying among lots of carriers so it was hit or miss with status; now I'm UA 1P so it's hard to turn down the lure of EQMs and double miles to take an award flight. Hope to be able to take the family to Europe in C or F next year by burning miles, but it's a real challenge to find available award flights.
May 31, 2005, 1:36 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LT Plt, Mets fan
Posts: 5,073
User.
In the past 7 years:
CO - 2 BizFirst RT EWR-LGW
CO - 2 Y EWR-LAX rt
AA - 2 Y JFK-LAX rt
CO - 4 upgrades to BF on HNL-EWR
DL - 4 Y JFK-CDG-WAW rt on Air France
and already ticketed for this summer
AA - 3 Y JFK-LHR rt
CO - 3 BF LAX-EWR-TLV rt
OTOH, my balances are now down to under 150k on AA, just barely 160k on DL, 100k on SPG and virtually nothing on Amex.
In the past 7 years:
CO - 2 BizFirst RT EWR-LGW
CO - 2 Y EWR-LAX rt
AA - 2 Y JFK-LAX rt
CO - 4 upgrades to BF on HNL-EWR
DL - 4 Y JFK-CDG-WAW rt on Air France
and already ticketed for this summer
AA - 3 Y JFK-LHR rt
CO - 3 BF LAX-EWR-TLV rt
OTOH, my balances are now down to under 150k on AA, just barely 160k on DL, 100k on SPG and virtually nothing on Amex.
May 31, 2005, 1:46 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 2P; AAGold;HHonors Diamond
Posts: 36
USER!
I average about 15000 miles in my account even though I've flown more than a quarter million in flight (that doesn't included bonus miles, cc miles, etc).
Once I have enough for my wife and I to go somewhere, I book the ticket within about a week!
I average about 15000 miles in my account even though I've flown more than a quarter million in flight (that doesn't included bonus miles, cc miles, etc).
Once I have enough for my wife and I to go somewhere, I book the ticket within about a week!
May 31, 2005, 2:42 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London, U.K.
Programs: bmi British Midland International Diamond Club
Posts: 3,370
There are benefits to hoarding as I found out when, after amassing so many points and pondering what to do with them, the price of award tickets was slashed in half during a summer promotion which I then I went on a mad spending spree.
May 31, 2005, 3:38 pm
#28
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
User, Hoarder and Giver
I've earned one million NW miles and have 155,000 left. When it reaches 200,000 my wife and I will fly FC to Europe.
Hoarder on AA. We worked hard to earn 150,000 miles each for an around the world award in business. Now, it's find time to go.
United- Hoard them for son #1 and then Giver. He's taking them to Australia next year.
Delta- Hoard them for son #2 and then giver. Whatever he needs them for.
Hoarder on AA. We worked hard to earn 150,000 miles each for an around the world award in business. Now, it's find time to go.
United- Hoard them for son #1 and then Giver. He's taking them to Australia next year.
Delta- Hoard them for son #2 and then giver. Whatever he needs them for.