The cost for purchasing extra miles is increased
Mar 3, 2012, 8:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: UA
Posts: 257
The cost for Award Accelerator miles is increased
On .bomb, I had offers to purchase Award Accelerator for around 1.99 cpm for int'l trips and 2.3 cpm for domestic ones. I was about to buy some Award Accelerator miles for the int'l offer this Friday. Now all the offers are 3 cpm. 
Last edited by mike_L; Mar 3, 2012 at 10:47 am Reason: Update the title for clarification
Mar 3, 2012, 8:29 am
#2
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,136
I suspect this is because you're getting the Elite Accelerator exchange rates, and not the old PMUA Award Accelerator ones.
But you do now have the option of purchasing PQM, too. (I'm going to give that a
FWIW; I'm not a big fan of selling PQM.)
But you do now have the option of purchasing PQM, too. (I'm going to give that a
FWIW; I'm not a big fan of selling PQM.)
Mar 3, 2012, 10:18 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Platinum,
Posts: 661
I was quoted $4,500 for 30,000 each MP and PQM miles... Not in this lifetime...
Mar 3, 2012, 11:14 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: LON
Programs: UA; BA
Posts: 6
Indeed!
Mar 3, 2012, 1:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: LAS
Programs: UA Prem Exec MM Life, Marriott Planinum Life
Posts: 412
The elite accelerator seems to be missing from purchasing miles withe the mileage accelerator - only one for price for all passenger with different elite levels. Is this temporary or a new enahcement that I am gong to like,
Mar 3, 2012, 1:53 pm
#7
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,136
It was there when I looked earlier today. You have to pick the price level for the RDM first, then it will show the price for EQM.
Mar 4, 2012, 4:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 124
I am disappointed the prices did not drop. I won't buy either at 13 cpm. I really hope they drop at some point! Instead I am doing my first ever mileage run for about 5000 miles at 3.9 cpm. Why not- have a book I want to start and sounds like fun.
Mar 4, 2012, 4:44 pm
#11
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,136
Neither.
Well, the RDM price increase (to 3cpm, from 2-2.5cpm) is new to UA flyers who may have used Award Accelerator in the past--though they didn't have the option to buy EQM at all.
But the going rate for EQM (now PQM) from CO's Elite / Premier Maximizer has been pegged near 13 cpm since the start of the year.
Well, the RDM price increase (to 3cpm, from 2-2.5cpm) is new to UA flyers who may have used Award Accelerator in the past--though they didn't have the option to buy EQM at all.
But the going rate for EQM (now PQM) from CO's Elite / Premier Maximizer has been pegged near 13 cpm since the start of the year.
Mar 4, 2012, 4:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,508
Like the OP I had some UA int'l itineraries with a price of .019 cpm. Suspecting that prices would jump, I purchased a package of miles on Friday at that price (which I consider a good price). Sure enough, the new Premier Accelerator RDM price for that same itinerary is now .03 cpm.
Mar 4, 2012, 4:56 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott L-T Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,521
Like the OP I had some UA int'l itineraries with a price of .019 cpm. Suspecting that prices would jump, I purchased a package of miles on Friday at that price (which I consider a good price). Sure enough, the new Premier Accelerator RDM price for that same itinerary is now .03 cpm.
J. Smisek
Mar 4, 2012, 6:24 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,609
I have to admit that there were times I've flown on old UA when I'd rather have just bought the EQM (to maintain status) and stayed home (I have a toddler)! I never knew about Elite Maximizer concept until the merger - I could have used it during 2005-2009 each year.
Paying $3750 for 30000 PQM (EQM) could be worth it if I expect to be at 45000 PQM and want to bump to PPlatinum for 2013, without having to fly in int'l economy and paying (if lucky) $900 for SFO-FRA (13000 PQM) twice, since I'd probably then spend another $1800 for being in Germany for fun, or more likely I'd have to buy 2 more PAX for my wife and toddler
Mind you I've never made it past 1P, so PPlatinum is a new concept. 1K was never attainable for me, unless I buy it