Is purchasing miles to get to next level beneficial?
 

Example: UA sells miles for 0.027/mile. Is it beneficial to purchase miles to get to the next level that way you get the bonus earning rate on your flights and runs? It seems like a $300 investment(for example) to move up to the next FF level would be good so then you earn at a higher percentage. Though, it feels like cheating...thoughts?

I do not think these miles count towards status.

I know of NO airline that will let you PURCHASE miles and get STATUS. Any mile you buy are strictly like bonus miles -- they will NOT help you gain status in any way.

Virtually the only way to get miles: Your butt in a seat.

RAD

I didn't think they would make it that easy. Thanks.

Continental has in the past offered "Buy Ups" for OnePass Elites who have failed to requalify for the same level of Elite status.

These would require a combination of cash and FF miles to continue at the same level of status for another year.

p.s. Don't forget the Amex Centurion card, for a thousand bucks you get elite status on three airlines.

[This message has been edited by Old Gold (edited 07-04-2001).]

In Singapore it is no big secret that it is possible to buy the SQ PPS club membership for about $ 2000, there are quite a few people who get this. It does not give you any miles though, only status. It is actually quite a waste of money now, since even expatriates who arrive here probably already have status with star or oneworld.

There is the AmEx Centurion card that gets you gold elite status on a couple of airlines, so if you'd like to buy your way into the club, you can spend $1000 on the annual fee.

The how's and why's of "qualifying" for this card - in order to pay this annual fee - are a mystery, though.

I know there is some debate as to whether or not Southwest's Companion Pass consitutes an elite level. Although Southwest doesn't allow you to buy points directly from them, you can buy them from Amex up to 16 points per month. So, 7 months and $3125 later, you could theoretically have a Companion Pass without ever previously setting foot on a Southwest airplane.

But, with all that, would you still want to set foot on a Southwest airplane? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Only AA counts all miles toward lifetime Gold and Platinum status for 1 Million or 2 Million. Buying miles through all the means of accruing miles in a sense could be seen as buying status. How many boxes of Kellogg's twists would that be?

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DtG

At the Costco close-out price of $3.77 for 4 boxes in one bigger box, you can buy AA Gold for $9,425 plus your local sales tax if any. Oh, plus a significant amount of labor to cut the certificates out, fill them out, and mail 'em (need to add up the postage, too). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

And how many opinion polls over how many years for it to be "for free"

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DtG

Or...reach AAdvantage Gold status for less than $350, plus tax. 50 cartons of Eggo waffles, each worth 500 miles, at $6.97 apiece at Costco.

And it has been successfully accomplished...see 4miles Waffle Run Trip Report on the AA board!

I, on the other hand, am happily munching away at the 34 remaining waffles from my single carton which got me 500 miles and a partner credit toward AA's 20/20 promotion http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Aloha

It's an invite only card. The Amex AI software decides who gets an invitation.

Lokahi - Unfortunately, the Kellogg's miles do not count towards regular status... but if you get 1 million miles (purchased, flown, or whatever) AA will give you Lifetime Gold. 50 Eggo cartons would indeed get you 25,000 miles, enough for a free trip, but no status.