Buying Miles on Sale
Aug 20, 2020, 11:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Carlsbad,CA USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanuim/Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 1,534
Buying Miles on Sale
Southwest has a current promo for buying points at a 45% discount. 10,000 points are $151.25 to buy. Looking at flights a $153 flight is 10,764 points so close in value. You do need to pay the $5.60 and lose the points earning on the purchase but does the flexibility when using points make up for it?
Aug 20, 2020, 1:32 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
It certainly does warrant closer consideration if one lacks points and anticipates travel, especially on behalf of others who might not travel again within a year, for trips that might get cancelled outright. Cheaper version of travel insurance. Not as good for close in changes such as business travel as you'll be paying higher rates/points anyway. Unless A List and SDC can apply.
EDIT: Forgot about the current funds to points conversion opportunity until 12/15/20. Lots of hairsplitting to see which one could come out marginally ahead. Bonus points or 2% on the points purchases to consider too.
EDIT: Forgot about the current funds to points conversion opportunity until 12/15/20. Lots of hairsplitting to see which one could come out marginally ahead. Bonus points or 2% on the points purchases to consider too.
Last edited by joshua362; Aug 20, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Aug 20, 2020, 11:51 pm
#3
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,621
Aug 22, 2020, 8:22 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 57
Aug 22, 2020, 1:34 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Travel funds can be converted to points until December 15, 2020, but only travel funds that expire September 7, 2022. So far. I suspect Southwest will extend out that September 7, 2020 deadline (to create extended funds) at some point.
Aug 22, 2020, 2:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 57
Would be good if they would, but until it’s official people have to act within the current parameters, which effectively limits purchasing points under the conversion method to 9/6. Fingers crossed that it is extend tho as I have several flights I’ll likely be unable to take haha