Your Advice on Using Miles...
 

I know that this gets discussed a lot and I am very familiar that miles are usually worth $.01---just wanted to get to know your thoughts on this:

Looking at flying a friend in town for my wedding June 28-July 2 from either, SNA, LAX or nearby to MSP. I have found a flight using the standard 25,000 miles. I also have a friend in the airline industry who is looking for cheap tickets. Just trying to get your thoughts on how much I should be willing to pay?

Thanks so much.

My rule of thumb has always been if the ticket cost more than $300, then burn the miles.

Besides, considering your travel involves returning on a Sunday in the middle of Summer, your ticket will be a bargain if it costs less than $250 (at least to/from MSP).

I see that you're a Plat, why don't you book the ticket with miles and if you find a cheap ticket later, redeposit your miles then. Your redeposit fee is still waived even if the ticket is issued to a different person.

Thanks for your advice. it's true that I am plat. with nwa. I also forgot to tell you that part of the reason I don't mind using miles to fly my friend is because I have 250,000 miles and my wife to be has 230,000 miles. We earn about 30,000 miles a month between us. We're both Plats.

I think you've answered your own question !

Besides miles don't earn interest, but money in a savings account does.

Bob H

I value miles at .015, but when you're flying a friend, there is an additional consideration that leans toward using miles: you're not giving up an miles-earning opportunity in the equation, which you would be if you were flying yourself. Verdict: In this case, you use miles to do the job.

Thanks everyone for their input. I think we're going to use miles. That's a great point above. If I can save say, $250 and use that on a trip for us, which earn US more miles than that's a plus too.