Burn Miles of $$$?
Oct 7, 2003, 9:53 am
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
Burn Miles of $$$?
Here is the dilemma. I have already qualified for Platinum for March 2004 through Feb 2005. I am over by a couple of thousand miles. I am postponing unncessary personal travel into 2004. All of my travel this year was personal. I need to take at least one more trip home before the end of 2003. I can get an award ticket for 25000 miles MOB-DCA or purchase a ticket for about $180-190 MSY-BWI(NO World Club at BWI). What do you guys think?
Edited for typos
[This message has been edited by Yaatri (edited 10-07-2003).]
Edited for typos
[This message has been edited by Yaatri (edited 10-07-2003).]
Oct 7, 2003, 9:57 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Roanoke, VA
Programs: DL Gold Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,436
Here's what I'd do...
If cash flow is somewhat of an issue at this time, don't hesitate to use the miles, even though it doesn't appear to be a good usage of miles. The fact is that $180 can mean more or less to you at any given time in your life!
If the cash flow is not a significant issue at this point in time, then go ahead and buy the tickets and save the balance of miles for travel you might not make otherwise!
If cash flow is somewhat of an issue at this time, don't hesitate to use the miles, even though it doesn't appear to be a good usage of miles. The fact is that $180 can mean more or less to you at any given time in your life!
If the cash flow is not a significant issue at this point in time, then go ahead and buy the tickets and save the balance of miles for travel you might not make otherwise!
Oct 7, 2003, 3:22 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,095
Pay the $$$ just because it's relatively cheap. If it was 25,000 miles vs. $400, then just use the miles.
- Pat
- Pat
Oct 7, 2003, 3:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Programs: NW Platinum Elite * UA Premier * Marriott Platinum * Hertz #1Gold Five Star
Posts: 116
I agree - my break point is about $350 (with taxes, etc.) vs. 25,000 miles.
$180 - on NW to earn Elite (and 150% bonus) plus, some pts to Mile-a-Rama, etc.. seems like a nice option - on NW. If it was another airline - a little less value in "wasted miles" (which I feel I am doing on a non-NW/partner flight).
If it was $450-600 or more - use the miles. Since it is cheap and still available on award tickets - flights might not be too full.
Congrats on Plat for 2004 already! - I am planning out rest of yr - think I will just clear Gold. From MSP no dom flight is over 1600 miles.. Sometimes I wish I could "connect" from a small city and get extra EQM.
$180 - on NW to earn Elite (and 150% bonus) plus, some pts to Mile-a-Rama, etc.. seems like a nice option - on NW. If it was another airline - a little less value in "wasted miles" (which I feel I am doing on a non-NW/partner flight).
If it was $450-600 or more - use the miles. Since it is cheap and still available on award tickets - flights might not be too full.
Congrats on Plat for 2004 already! - I am planning out rest of yr - think I will just clear Gold. From MSP no dom flight is over 1600 miles.. Sometimes I wish I could "connect" from a small city and get extra EQM.
Oct 7, 2003, 3:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,219
At that price, I agree with the others, $180ish is too cheap to waste 25,000 miles. If it doesn't cause any financial hardship, I would just buy the cheap fare.
Congrats on Platinum!
Congrats on Platinum!
Oct 7, 2003, 7:48 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Location: NYC & BKK- Delta Diamond -- JFK all the way!
Programs: Skyclub lifetime, Priority Pass, HH Gold.
Posts: 550
Try to pay money for the ticket..
Oct 7, 2003, 9:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: between DCA and BWI
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, UA Premier, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,652
Pay cash. 25000 miles is worth more than $180
Oct 7, 2003, 10:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: BIS/DAB
Posts: 301
And since you will probably get about 5K miles if you pay, you will have a 30K larger balance then if you burned the 25K.
Oct 9, 2003, 8:58 am
#9
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
Well, thank you all fdor yor comments. My yeield management thinking was along your lines too. But the window for $180 fare was gone. I was able to snatch a $211 fare GPT-MEM-DCA as opposed to MOB-MEM-DCA for the award ticket. MOB is a lot further away from my apartment than GPT is for me. The $180 fare was from MSY-BWI. BWI is also a lot further from my home in MD. And Mesaba is back in Gulfport halftime. Looking forward to the AVRO's and First Class again.