Measuring the dollar value of an award?
 

I know this is difficult given options for upgrades, the opportunity cost of the FF miles etc, but at what point for a domestic ticket (assuming there is availability) would you use miles instead of dollars?

Ex... I'm looking at making a trip home before class starts again in the fall. Lowest UA fare is ~$475; mileage tickets are available and I'm not sure which one to choose. In my mind, once you break the $400 mark for an advance purchase ticket then it starts registering as being a pocketful. Taking this will put re-qualifying for premier at risk, which can play into the decision, but I'm trying to focus on the miles-to-dollar issue. Anyway, thanks much.

I'd say $350+ gets consideration for using a mileage award, but if over $400 (on all carriers) and mileage seats are available at the standard level, I would most likely cash in the miles if you have them available to use. At $475, I wouldn't even think twice. Granted this is highly subjective, it all comes to down what you feel is worth 25,000 miles to you. I'd save $475 and redeem the mileage.

As far as requalifiying for your current status level, then I can understand the possibility of wanting to buy the ticket. But I am certain you can get a siginificantly cheaper mileage run if needed to obtain the adequate amount of mileage to retain your Premier status.

If saving cash is your #1 priority in this instance, then book the mileage ticket. $475 is quite a bit for a domestic ticket. You can always spend $200 later and do a transcon mileage run to secure your 2P status.

Thanks much for the quick replies.

Another factor is that while my FF account may be a little bit slim (oh upgrades...), the parental units have about 230k accumulated through MP Visa which they wont be using in the foreseable future. United's future may also, unfortunately play into this decision.

- Dan

How and when to use your miles vs. cash is really a subjective call. Inmy case, I use a pretty easy way. If fares are cheap, pay the cash. When fares are high, use the miles. :p

For example, fares from HNL-DCA have ranged from $500 to $1100 over the years. Needless to say, when the fares are over $700, I try and use miles rather than pay. Of course, there are times when there are no saver awards available (increasingly so) and then you have to decide whether to use the 60K standard award. :(

I think in the end, it comes down to timing, opportunity and availability.

E Fares out of IAD?
 

Take the train from CVille to IAD or just keep an eye on efares for the sat to mon or tues weekend run. Your options will be better if you do not fly out of Cville.
I am in your town often and I drive or train it to IAD.
Just my 2 cents

You're right... flying out of CHO definitely tacks on a premium. But...

If you've taken the train, then you know how WONDERFUL Amtrak is out of C'ville hahaha... yeesh - has a similar on-time performance to the good old "Tower Air" - which makes planning in conjunction with flights difficult. The train also doesn't stop anywhere very near to IAD, so you have to add in Taxi. Two departures daily also severely limits options. Don't even get me started on greyhound; the last time I took them to DC it took me 7 hours.

I have a car (well, it's actually owned by the professor I'm research-assisting for but... nevermind), so that may be the best way to go. It still adds a good 2 hours on each end of travel time and if I want to stick with UA it still only saves me about $100-$150... the overall economic savings just doesn't seem to pan out once I plug in parking/gas/time.

I'm actually surprised to see the fares so high. The bulk of the fare comes from the CHO-IAD and IAD-CHO segments (a grand total of something like 180 miles round-trip). With ACA moving out though, 60 seats per day were added as the J41s magically turned into CRJs. That's a rather large increase (considering there were less than 140 seats originally).

Again, thanks all for your advice.

Ok,

Here is another situation.

I am flying mco-den-koa-mco.

Work is paying for mine. No problem $1000 fare. Amazing when it is someone elses money huh.

My wife is coming along.
No saver awards (econ or F) available.

Question Do I eat the 60000 miles out of my account for her or pay the $1000.

I am leaning towards the mileage route due to the fact that she does need elite mileage and well $1K is A lot of money.

Thoughts?

Jason

Before declaring there are no saver awards, did you check maybe OGG or HNL? Then another 5K for the OGG/HNL-KOA-OGG/HNL segments?

Find out exactly which segment(s) are causing your problem, and try to route another way before paying the extra miles. Then, book your ticket to be in line with hers.

Thanks for the idea.

I looked at those options. No HNL routes were availible on the dates I needed.

The problem is really the LAX or SFO-KOA flights.



Unfortunatly my itinerary is for work and requires certain routes due to meeting in multiple cities. I am pretty flexible on the return, but outgoing is pretty tight.

I might be able to split us up, but I am positive that will not make my wife happy and no amount of miles seems to be able to upgrade me out of that situation ;) .

I wish UA had companion coupons. USAir does, but I do not tink they cover Hawaii.

Jason

At $400 + for a domestic ticket, I always decide to use the miles rather then pay the $$$. With the partners United has (fidelity, Bank One), it is pretty easy to get those miles back.

Hmm...what about AQ OAK-KOA or SNA-KOA?

Not sure if this is allowed with both UA and AQ metal, but can you redeem on say DEN-OAK-KOA or DEN-SNA-KOA?