US 75/100% Buy Miles Promo - Effective Feb 16-Mar 31 2011
Feb 16, 2011, 11:10 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
So for $1,478.12 you get 100,000 miles which can usually be used for 1 business class ticket from the US to Europe. Then there are some other fees/taxes when you redeem the miles. My last experience that was only $140 but since taxes to many locales have gone up it probably is more.
Roughly $1600 for a R/T business ticket to Europe. Since I've never purchase one is that still a good bargain? I'm guessing business tickets would run in the $2500-3500 range?
I know you can use various specials to get cheaper business tickets but in general am I looking at this correctly?
Roughly $1600 for a R/T business ticket to Europe. Since I've never purchase one is that still a good bargain? I'm guessing business tickets would run in the $2500-3500 range?
I know you can use various specials to get cheaper business tickets but in general am I looking at this correctly?
redemption availability is tight. if you pay cash, you go as and when it suits. finding cheap fares is generally easier than finding redemptions
that said if you have a specific use in mind it makes sense
Feb 16, 2011, 11:54 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 782
Hmmm - does anyone get the sense that US is trying to see what the market will bear? Ever since the Share Miles program the "cents/mile" price is increasing.
Maybe the miles-buyers here on FT and elsewhere have become spoiled redeeming all those the C and F awards. Therefore, we're willing to pay more cents/mile to feed the addiction to flat seats and mediocre sparkling wine. US is just taking advantage of this opportunity to profit a bit more by filling some of its premium cabins (that would go unsold) and especially those of *A partners (that are more generous with awards but stingy with miles in their own programs).
As evidence, take a look at the mega thread, "Star Alliance Award Bookings Using US Airways Miles..." with 5317 posts. It has about 1600 posts in the 3 years b/t May '07 and Apr '10. Since the Share Miles program started there are more than 3700 posts in just 10 months!
Maybe the miles-buyers here on FT and elsewhere have become spoiled redeeming all those the C and F awards. Therefore, we're willing to pay more cents/mile to feed the addiction to flat seats and mediocre sparkling wine. US is just taking advantage of this opportunity to profit a bit more by filling some of its premium cabins (that would go unsold) and especially those of *A partners (that are more generous with awards but stingy with miles in their own programs).
As evidence, take a look at the mega thread, "Star Alliance Award Bookings Using US Airways Miles..." with 5317 posts. It has about 1600 posts in the 3 years b/t May '07 and Apr '10. Since the Share Miles program started there are more than 3700 posts in just 10 months!
Feb 16, 2011, 11:58 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
It's only a good bargain if you'd typically pay for J out of pocket. If you typically fly in Y, convincing oneself to pay perhaps double for an award ticket in J doesn't make sense to me.
It also depends on what part of the U.S. you're flying from. From the East Coast, I'd rather suck it up and pay for Y (and earn miles) than drop 100K miles to fly in J to Europe, which is relatively close to the East Coast.
Instead, for 110K miles, I can do what I just did over the holidays: a trip in J to New Zealand and Thailand (with a day trip to Shanghai). Now THAT'S a bargain.
It also depends on what part of the U.S. you're flying from. From the East Coast, I'd rather suck it up and pay for Y (and earn miles) than drop 100K miles to fly in J to Europe, which is relatively close to the East Coast.
Instead, for 110K miles, I can do what I just did over the holidays: a trip in J to New Zealand and Thailand (with a day trip to Shanghai). Now THAT'S a bargain.
And a lot if it really depends on where you want to go and what time of the year. Looking for early spring travel US-UK I found very few fare sales but tons of award options; looking in September going UK-US, I don't find good award redemption chances at all (but who knows what the fares will do).
I would have to agree that the transpac's are among the best values. 110k miles for my 8 nights in SYD and 5 in AKL with departure and arrival in YVR, on AC and NZ metal in J.... yeah that really does beat a trip across the Atlantic, but given that I go across the Atlantic about 4-6 times a year and only go to SYD once, I see the value in both.
Feb 16, 2011, 1:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Aeroplan, BMI, Hyatt, SPG, PC
Posts: 606
It depends on the redemption. For example, going to Australia as dcpatti suggested, is good value. Same with South Africa. If it costs $1500 to buy a ticket in Y there, it is marginally more to fly Business, albeit with more limited availability.
Feb 16, 2011, 2:14 pm
#20
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Feb 16, 2011, 2:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,304
Feb 16, 2011, 3:01 pm
#22
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Feb 16, 2011, 3:36 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
Programs: Too many to list. Status is a half dozen.
Posts: 9,236
No one's received more than 100% bonus for buying miles for themselves. Also, I know I read that the 25% preferred bonus was effective only through March or April 2011. That promo began at least one year ago, perhaps a little earlier. Might dig through my email to find it. At any rate, I can't find any mention of that bonus expiring any time soon though. And further, that 25% bonus used to be calculated and added immediately before you even clicked the final purchase button. Was nice to gift someone 112.5K miles for $1373.75. (Miles were 2.5cpm before Feb 2010, plus the 7.5% tax, and a $30 fee.)
Last edited by ArizonaGuy; Feb 16, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Feb 16, 2011, 5:16 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 39
I believe you still earn miles on award ticket: at least I did on TATL award last month
Feb 16, 2011, 6:28 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
Feb 17, 2011, 3:26 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: QF Plat, BD*S, Hertz 5
Posts: 311
Some one help me out. Is it still 10 days cool off before you can buy miles?
Feb 17, 2011, 4:32 am
#28
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Feb 17, 2011, 6:03 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Československ socialistick republika
Posts: 375
Anyone know how long it takes for "Toolbar" miles to post?
I don't want to buy miles and then have US tell me that I didn't do any searches or "eligible" searches and therefore I only get a 75% bonus
I don't want to buy miles and then have US tell me that I didn't do any searches or "eligible" searches and therefore I only get a 75% bonus
Feb 17, 2011, 7:05 am
#30
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Posts: 3,360
How about buying 1000 miles, then doing the tool bar searches, and if they post within the menrioned 5-10 days, repeat purchase with higher amount (upt 49k)?