Do you avoid using miles for yourself?
Jul 21, 2009 | 8:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 314
Do you avoid using miles for yourself?
I've got all these miles saved up, which could afford me some nice F/J travel, or at least free Y travel.. but I'd hate to miss out on collecting more miles and the bonuses that come with it! Anybody else struggle with this?
Jul 21, 2009 | 8:38 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Not at all.
I know that I'm not going to pay for those F/J seats so I have no qualms about redeeming to take myself (and the wife, when she's got time off) some where fun, preferably in the pointy end of the plane. And I know that there will be plenty more opportunities to earn more points for the "next" trip so I don't need to worry about that on this one.
I know that I'm not going to pay for those F/J seats so I have no qualms about redeeming to take myself (and the wife, when she's got time off) some where fun, preferably in the pointy end of the plane. And I know that there will be plenty more opportunities to earn more points for the "next" trip so I don't need to worry about that on this one.
Jul 21, 2009 | 8:47 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,022
I avoid using miles for myself because, since I stopped traveling a lot for work, I need all my miles to maintain status - but I don't struggle with it one bit. When I travel with someone, I can get one paid economy seat, one upgrade award and one J/F award. Only problem is that sometimes the flights with good economy fares aren't the ones with award availability, but so far I've managed OK.
Jul 21, 2009 | 9:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Hertz 5*, Marriott PLT
Posts: 1,092
Once I've passed the status threshold I do not mind using miles for myself when fares are higher than I feel like paying. Mostly though I use them for the wife.
Jul 21, 2009 | 9:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,700
I will not use miles for Y tix for myself, as I would prefer getting those miles. Y tix from miles are for friends and family. I do redeem miles for F / J tix for me as I do not generally pay for Premium fares.
Jul 21, 2009 | 9:21 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2006
Location: LAS
Programs: United 1K, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 583
To be honest, I have been saving miles since I was 18 (granted i'm only 24 now), I have hundreds of thousands of miles between multiple airline accounts, and have yet to use a single mile. I know I should since they devalue just about everyday. Some of it is because it never really tends to work out for the dates/itinerary I want. Also, I am sort of waiting for that special person to come around to impress and go on some on some crazy vacation that I would never be able to afford if I was paying for it with cash.
Jul 21, 2009 | 9:53 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
Only because I'm platinum on AA do I buy the thickets with cash as PLT's earn double miles (and you earn ZERO miles on award tickets). If I fall back to gold and only earn the 25% bonus, the equation changes... and if I have no status at all, then more likely I burn the miles.
That said, one thing AA has going for it that still makes me want to buy the tickets with cash instead of using the miles is the Lifetime Platinum status you can reach when you get to 2M lifetime miles.
Granted... perhaps it's silly to not burn the miles, as Citibank seems to want to give you all the miles for lifetime status anyway.
That said, one thing AA has going for it that still makes me want to buy the tickets with cash instead of using the miles is the Lifetime Platinum status you can reach when you get to 2M lifetime miles.
Granted... perhaps it's silly to not burn the miles, as Citibank seems to want to give you all the miles for lifetime status anyway.
Jul 22, 2009 | 1:39 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Varies :-)
Programs: AS; AA; UA; DL; VS; BA; Nat'l Emer. Exec.; AGR
Posts: 2,251
Jul 22, 2009 | 7:06 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: GRR
Programs: DL HH Marriott Starwood Hertz
Posts: 12
Some of each?
it depends on the economy... when things were a bit tight I've used miles for work! when things are good I've bought tickets for personal travel if the mile price seemed high, but I tend to keep my miles drawn down.
Jul 22, 2009 | 7:10 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Marriott Titanium, , Delta 2MM & DM UA Gold
Posts: 299
depends on the cost of the ticket. Typically my break even price is $300 domestically. Got tickets for the family to go MSP ATL for 170 AI. Can't justify using miles.
Europe or Asia, will typically use miles for Bus
Europe or Asia, will typically use miles for Bus
Jul 22, 2009 | 7:11 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: IND
Programs: UA Million Miler (Lifetime Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,530
I learned here that it's better to buy tickets for the EQMs and to use miles for upgrades, so I haven't spent them on free tickets for myself since finding this site. I have used them for free tickets for faculty members for a conference I own to keep my expenses down.
Jul 22, 2009 | 7:19 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Glaschu
Programs: FB Platinum for Life; BAEC Gold Guest List; Accor Gold.
Posts: 2,550
When I'm still looking for status miles in a year, and I'm travelling with a friend (or two), then I get a revenue ticket for myself and award(s) for the friend(s); we then add the total cost up (awards still have the taxes) and divide by 2 or 3 - however many of us there are in the group. That way, I get some benefit of the award but still earn status miles and my mates get discount travel! When I've already reached the maximum status (and this year is the first time), I start looking for decent J/F awards for selfish me!
--Henry
--Henry