What U do with your miles
Oct 17, 2002 | 8:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Baltimore; AA Plat
Posts: 315
What U do with your miles
I was wondering what most people do with their miles.
I know that I'm the odd bird because I'm not a business person and I fly for fun and exitement but I was wondering what do people that fly for a living and get miles from company money do with them. Mostly upgrades? vacations? tickets??
I have been gold and plat with AA for almost 10 years and since I am still student/training all I do wiht my miles is travel. I have used lots of free tickets to Spain, Italy, Sri Lanka, VietNam, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Indonesia, Ethiopia and more....... Sometimes I think that the airline don't like how many RT around the world I have redeemed......specially cause I do all my plat miles on cheap fares, I just know how to maximize!!!!
I know that I'm the odd bird because I'm not a business person and I fly for fun and exitement but I was wondering what do people that fly for a living and get miles from company money do with them. Mostly upgrades? vacations? tickets??
I have been gold and plat with AA for almost 10 years and since I am still student/training all I do wiht my miles is travel. I have used lots of free tickets to Spain, Italy, Sri Lanka, VietNam, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Indonesia, Ethiopia and more....... Sometimes I think that the airline don't like how many RT around the world I have redeemed......specially cause I do all my plat miles on cheap fares, I just know how to maximize!!!!
Oct 17, 2002 | 11:45 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: AA - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,513
I am banking all of my AA/DL/UA/CO (from credit cards/bonuses/shopping/non-travel) points for international biz tickets for my family. My wife uses her earned travel points with AA/CO/NWA for upgrades to FC domestically for flights over 2 hours where she doesn't think she'll get auto-upgraded.
Oct 17, 2002 | 2:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Olney, MD
Posts: 287
We primarily use them to upgrade flights - still get the base & elite miles plus we're guaranteed sitting up front!
We did "spend" the miles on coach tickets earlier this year to Aruba - didn't want to fork over $600/ticket.
We did "spend" the miles on coach tickets earlier this year to Aruba - didn't want to fork over $600/ticket.
Oct 17, 2002 | 2:18 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,033
1. Tickets for friends and family.
2. Upgrades, though less so recently since I've been able to upgrade all my recent flights through a combination of VIPOWs (AA term for system-wide upgrades), mileage-based upgrade credits (now worth much less if you trade them in for miles) and complimentary upgrades on full-fare tickets.
3. Last-minute flights when the fare would have been (to me) absurd.
2. Upgrades, though less so recently since I've been able to upgrade all my recent flights through a combination of VIPOWs (AA term for system-wide upgrades), mileage-based upgrade credits (now worth much less if you trade them in for miles) and complimentary upgrades on full-fare tickets.
3. Last-minute flights when the fare would have been (to me) absurd.
Oct 17, 2002 | 2:24 pm
#6
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: 53,010
I try and use them for international stuff - ideally, upgrades from cheap coach fares. If cheap coach fares aren't available, I spend them on business class award tickets.
I definitely use awards when I want to do a stopover or open-jaw. A lot of award tickets allow these things, whereas paid tickets generally don't.
Finally, I've used miles to get last-minute coach tickets on occasion.
I definitely use awards when I want to do a stopover or open-jaw. A lot of award tickets allow these things, whereas paid tickets generally don't.
Finally, I've used miles to get last-minute coach tickets on occasion.
Oct 17, 2002 | 3:56 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: 60601 AA/HH/SPG
Posts: 1,090
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
Award tickets for international travel in premium cabins.
Open-jaw and stopover domestic tickets which would cost a ridiculous amount of $$.</font>
Award tickets for international travel in premium cabins.
Open-jaw and stopover domestic tickets which would cost a ridiculous amount of $$.</font>
I redeemed my first airline award in May 2000. 25K apiece for tickets that were available for $135
And then I found Flyertalk.
My inception to date usage in all airline programs stands at 730K. That is a burn rate of over 300K miles a year
Oct 17, 2002 | 4:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: FLL
Posts: 1,679
What do I do with my miles? I let airlines cheat me by not always crediting me flights then I let the airlines change the rules so that my miles become worth less!
Seriously, I redeem them for coach seats domestically and occasionally, internationally. I don't upgrade on them. If the airlines are curious, they don't lose any money on them because I usually end up redeeming awards on tickets that are cheap anyway. When the tickets are expensive, they never seem to have seats.
Seriously, I redeem them for coach seats domestically and occasionally, internationally. I don't upgrade on them. If the airlines are curious, they don't lose any money on them because I usually end up redeeming awards on tickets that are cheap anyway. When the tickets are expensive, they never seem to have seats.
Oct 17, 2002 | 5:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Texas Hill Country
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Hyatt Explorist, UA 1MM
Posts: 2,118
Howdy, ql2112! Born in Stamford, but on the Left Coast since 1966. I now meet relatives in Florida during the winter. To answer the question: I like to earn and burn.
Happy Trails!
Happy Trails!
Oct 17, 2002 | 5:57 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CMI
Programs: AA EXP & 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz GLD
Posts: 954
Howdy,
Hotel Points from Hilton (my primary hotel) - I use for family vacations, my status frequently gets me upgraded to suites when I book standard award rooms (such as Hilton ALON awards).
Hotel Points from everyone else - convert into AA miles.
Airline miles from everyone except American - convert into Hilton Hhonors points.
AA miles - use for first class tickets for family vacations.
I fly a lot of short routes, most of my flights have no first class. Those few that do - if they are 2 hours or more in length and I cannot get 3 seats across to myself - then I upgrade to First.
Just my two cents.
Keep the faith,
Pakse
Hotel Points from Hilton (my primary hotel) - I use for family vacations, my status frequently gets me upgraded to suites when I book standard award rooms (such as Hilton ALON awards).
Hotel Points from everyone else - convert into AA miles.
Airline miles from everyone except American - convert into Hilton Hhonors points.
AA miles - use for first class tickets for family vacations.
I fly a lot of short routes, most of my flights have no first class. Those few that do - if they are 2 hours or more in length and I cannot get 3 seats across to myself - then I upgrade to First.
Just my two cents.
Keep the faith,
Pakse
Oct 18, 2002 | 3:44 am
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
Mileage Plus miles
* I 'used' my balance of 431'000 miles (nov-2001) to get these miles (431'000) and my 1K status comped by KLM Flying Dutchman (I now have also a balance of 431'000 points in their program).
* in 2002 booked award tickets for business-class tickets with Singapore Airlines Zrich-SIN-Melbourne (january 2003)
* an award ticket SFO-MIA in first (3-class flight) for Matt Wald's Virginia Tech football game in MIA (dec-8-2002)
* an upgrade eco-first on UA HNL-SFO (sep 2002)
* an eco ticket SEA-MIA for somebody needing urgent medical care there.
miles&more
* several upgrades eco - first fro transatlantic flights (m&m upgrades are good on any fare) in march, april, sept, nov 2002, to see my 49ers play (includes FlyerTalk DIM SUMS, side-cars, etc in the bay area,)
* a Zrich-Dsseldorf, partner award (2 people cost only 150% of the normal miles) for Gisela and me to the Dsseldorf carneval event in feb-.2002, organized by bernie; another one for the upcoming (summer 2003) Dsseldorf event.
Flying Dutchman:
* one-way business-class award tickets Zrich-Amsterdam-San Francisco (nov-2002) // Miami-Amsterdam-Zrich (dec-2002)
Qualiflyer (miles only earned with no-flight activities like tf, credit cards, etc):
* every december/january a business class award ticket (costs 25'000 miles) for my mother in law, living in Mallorca, Spain (for her early XMAS shoopings and a stay with us over XMAS and New Year in Wengen): Palma di Mallorca - Zrich - Vienna (point of return) // Vienna - Zrich (stopover) - Palma di Mallorca
* I 'used' my balance of 431'000 miles (nov-2001) to get these miles (431'000) and my 1K status comped by KLM Flying Dutchman (I now have also a balance of 431'000 points in their program).
* in 2002 booked award tickets for business-class tickets with Singapore Airlines Zrich-SIN-Melbourne (january 2003)
* an award ticket SFO-MIA in first (3-class flight) for Matt Wald's Virginia Tech football game in MIA (dec-8-2002)
* an upgrade eco-first on UA HNL-SFO (sep 2002)
* an eco ticket SEA-MIA for somebody needing urgent medical care there.
miles&more
* several upgrades eco - first fro transatlantic flights (m&m upgrades are good on any fare) in march, april, sept, nov 2002, to see my 49ers play (includes FlyerTalk DIM SUMS, side-cars, etc in the bay area,)
* a Zrich-Dsseldorf, partner award (2 people cost only 150% of the normal miles) for Gisela and me to the Dsseldorf carneval event in feb-.2002, organized by bernie; another one for the upcoming (summer 2003) Dsseldorf event.
Flying Dutchman:
* one-way business-class award tickets Zrich-Amsterdam-San Francisco (nov-2002) // Miami-Amsterdam-Zrich (dec-2002)
Qualiflyer (miles only earned with no-flight activities like tf, credit cards, etc):
* every december/january a business class award ticket (costs 25'000 miles) for my mother in law, living in Mallorca, Spain (for her early XMAS shoopings and a stay with us over XMAS and New Year in Wengen): Palma di Mallorca - Zrich - Vienna (point of return) // Vienna - Zrich (stopover) - Palma di Mallorca
Oct 18, 2002 | 4:09 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum, UA 1k, AA EP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 12,317
I use them only for last minute tickets which would cost an arm or a leg. You should be aware that a UA 1K has NO blackout dates and no advance purchase restrictions when it comes to using miles. So I can use the miles on a whim's notice as I please.
So far I've used them to fly myself and friends around cross country a number of times. My good 1K buddies use them to go catch the US Open at NY, see new family members in FL, etc...
I have also donated some to help a local acquaintance book a last minute flight to see a dying family member, as well as donated some miles...
[This message has been edited by UALOneKPlus (edited 10-18-2002).]
So far I've used them to fly myself and friends around cross country a number of times. My good 1K buddies use them to go catch the US Open at NY, see new family members in FL, etc...
I have also donated some to help a local acquaintance book a last minute flight to see a dying family member, as well as donated some miles...
[This message has been edited by UALOneKPlus (edited 10-18-2002).]
Oct 18, 2002 | 11:11 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,467
The biggest chunk of my award tickets recently was for my wedding, both bringing people in and our honeymoon flights, 1st class tickets to South Africa. I've also redeemed a coach award to Australia and an award from Europe (waste, only used one-way of the 60k award). Also used some miles to upgrade back from Milan and to Taipei.