Comments on: The value of frequent flyer miles http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:15:02 -0700 hourly 1 By: 2008 August 06 » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-22835 2008 August 06 » Upgrade: Travel Better Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:54:37 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-22835 [...] - The value of frequent flyer miles - Reader mail: Is it worth $20 to get 1000 bonus miles? - Is a new frequent-flyer point exchange a [...] [...] – The value of frequent flyer miles – Reader mail: Is it worth $20 to get 1000 bonus miles? – Is a new frequent-flyer point exchange a [...]

]]> By: Frequent Flyer Miles http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-18346 Frequent Flyer Miles Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:29:53 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-18346 [...] Coach Class post on credit cards and air miles together with two related posts from Upgrade:Travel Better got me [...] [...] Coach Class post on credit cards and air miles together with two related posts from Upgrade:Travel Better got me [...]

]]> By: Akit http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-16184 Akit Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:31:37 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-16184 What a great post! I use a United Milageplus Visa and I only get 1 cent for every mile redeemed. The initial bonus of 21,000 miles is only worth $210; but the nice offer is that for 25,000 miles, you can take an inter-US flight, regardless of (saver ticket) So if the ticket costs more than $250, don't use the 1 cent per mile benefit, and use the saver ticket benefit. I hope to save enough for a round trip business class flight to New York on United Premium Service, SFO-JFK. What a great post! I use a United Milageplus Visa and I only get 1 cent for every mile redeemed. The initial bonus of 21,000 miles is only worth $210; but the nice offer is that for 25,000 miles, you can take an inter-US flight, regardless of (saver ticket) So if the ticket costs more than $250, don’t use the 1 cent per mile benefit, and use the saver ticket benefit.

I hope to save enough for a round trip business class flight to New York on United Premium Service, SFO-JFK.

]]> By: Reader mail: Is it worth $20 to get 1000 bonus miles? » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-16120 Reader mail: Is it worth $20 to get 1000 bonus miles? » Upgrade: Travel Better Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:39:42 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-16120 [...] here for a breakdown of how miles are [...] [...] here for a breakdown of how miles are [...]

]]> By: LKH http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-15957 LKH Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:20:51 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-15957 Hi, I am trying to decide whether it makes sense for me to buy personal United miles to top off my 130K Mileage Plus to get a Round the World ticket. The United RTW ticket requires 200K. I am not sure if it is a waste or a good idea or a rip-off. And, a little scared to keep collecting United miles to be honest. Any advice? Also, does anyone know if the United RTW ticket purchased with miles is the same rule fares as the Economy Star Alliance Fare? The United people have been very hard to get straight answers from. Thanks! Hi, I am trying to decide whether it makes sense for me to buy personal United miles to top off my 130K Mileage Plus to get a Round the World ticket. The United RTW ticket requires 200K. I am not sure if it is a waste or a good idea or a rip-off. And, a little scared to keep collecting United miles to be honest. Any advice? Also, does anyone know if the United RTW ticket purchased with miles is the same rule fares as the Economy Star Alliance Fare? The United people have been very hard to get straight answers from.

Thanks!

]]> By: Thomas Otto http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-15152 Thomas Otto Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:30:29 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-15152 Great post. After reading it, I feel like sharing my proudest moment. Last fall before United upped their rates, I used 120,000 miles to book IAD-SYD in First Class. The retail price at the time was $17,000 per ticket. If I have done my math correctly that puts me at almost $0.16 per mile. (I just checked the price today, it is up to $21,787, that would be $0.18 per mile) Of course I booked them 331 days out so I would actually have a chance at getting the award seats... Great post. After reading it, I feel like sharing my proudest moment.

Last fall before United upped their rates, I used 120,000 miles to book IAD-SYD in First Class. The retail price at the time was $17,000 per ticket. If I have done my math correctly that puts me at almost $0.16 per mile. (I just checked the price today, it is up to $21,787, that would be $0.18 per mile)

Of course I booked them 331 days out so I would actually have a chance at getting the award seats…

]]> By: Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » When does paying more than the lowest price make sense? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-7146 Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » When does paying more than the lowest price make sense? Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:53:43 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-7146 [...] First, see how much cheaper the competition is. I tend to use Kayak or ITA Software for this. Second, see if there are any offers (such as double miles) running for the route you’re flying. MileMaven is a great way to check this, but it doesn’t catch all the options that are available to all purchases, such as online check-in bonuses. It’s best for route-specific offers. Finally, do the math: Assign a conservative value to the total miles you’ll earn, and compare this to the fare difference. I assigned an excessively low value of 1 cent per mile, making the 5968 total miles she’ll earn worth $59.68. $59.68 is greater than the $40 cost difference for buying the cash fare. [...] [...] First, see how much cheaper the competition is. I tend to use Kayak or ITA Software for this. Second, see if there are any offers (such as double miles) running for the route you’re flying. MileMaven is a great way to check this, but it doesn’t catch all the options that are available to all purchases, such as online check-in bonuses. It’s best for route-specific offers. Finally, do the math: Assign a conservative value to the total miles you’ll earn, and compare this to the fare difference. I assigned an excessively low value of 1 cent per mile, making the 5968 total miles she’ll earn worth $59.68. $59.68 is greater than the $40 cost difference for buying the cash fare. [...]

]]> By: Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » No frequent flyer seats on the day you want? Show up anyway! http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-7143 Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » No frequent flyer seats on the day you want? Show up anyway! Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:49:29 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-7143 [...] But more importantly: Is it worth it? If you end up spending $50 to $100 *each way* to do this, you’re no longer getting much value for those miles. Sounds like you might have been better off just buying the ticket you wanted, rather than wasting the miles and paying the fees. But it’s an interesting option, nonetheless! [...] [...] But more importantly: Is it worth it? If you end up spending $50 to $100 *each way* to do this, you’re no longer getting much value for those miles. Sounds like you might have been better off just buying the ticket you wanted, rather than wasting the miles and paying the fees. But it’s an interesting option, nonetheless! [...]

]]> By: Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Milking the banks for miles http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-7140 Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Milking the banks for miles Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:44:03 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-7140 [...] But AFTER you cross that point, I contend the cards are still worth it. (And my 1 cent/mile standard is too tough.) True, hoarding miles is stupid, since miles don’t earn interest and are a devaluing currency, but their value isn’t fixed, either: You can get 1 cent per mile if you cash in your points for a ticket you could buy with cash during a fare sale, or you could get 8 or even 10 cents per mile when you redeem an international premium-class award. (Unsure if it’s better to spend money or miles? Run through the Miles or Buy tutorial.) [...] [...] But AFTER you cross that point, I contend the cards are still worth it. (And my 1 cent/mile standard is too tough.) True, hoarding miles is stupid, since miles don’t earn interest and are a devaluing currency, but their value isn’t fixed, either: You can get 1 cent per mile if you cash in your points for a ticket you could buy with cash during a fare sale, or you could get 8 or even 10 cents per mile when you redeem an international premium-class award. (Unsure if it’s better to spend money or miles? Run through the Miles or Buy tutorial.) [...]

]]> By: Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Cashing in miles, but not on flights http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-7137 Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Cashing in miles, but not on flights Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:34:45 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-7137 [...] Take the Samsung 42″ plasma HDTV that United is willing to “sell” you for a mere 350,000 miles. The value of these miles, in my book, should be at least $5950 (at 1.7 cents per mile). At the preferred redemption rate of 2 cents per mile, that TV had better cost $7000. [...] [...] Take the Samsung 42″ plasma HDTV that United is willing to “sell” you for a mere 350,000 miles. The value of these miles, in my book, should be at least $5950 (at 1.7 cents per mile). At the preferred redemption rate of 2 cents per mile, that TV had better cost $7000. [...]

]]> By: Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Reader mail: Can I cash in miles for magazines? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-490 Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Reader mail: Can I cash in miles for magazines? Sun, 17 Dec 2006 17:21:15 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-490 [...] UPDATE: Using miles for a Financial Times subscription is terrific value, by the way. A one-year subscription to the paper costs $99.00 on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2F&tag=upgradetravel-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" rel="nofollow">Amazon.com</a>, or 2000 Delta or Northwest miles. That comes to 4.95 cents per mile. Fantastic value! (Not all subscriptions come in at such a good rate. Compare the cash subscription rate first…) « Would an anti-Tony Blair shirt get me in trouble in the U.S.? [...]<img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=upgradetravel-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> [...] UPDATE: Using miles for a Financial Times subscription is terrific value, by the way. A one-year subscription to the paper costs $99.00 on Amazon.com, or 2000 Delta or Northwest miles. That comes to 4.95 cents per mile. Fantastic value! (Not all subscriptions come in at such a good rate. Compare the cash subscription rate first…) « Would an anti-Tony Blair shirt get me in trouble in the U.S.? [...]

]]> By: Dave Owers http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/02/19/the-value-of-frequent-flyer-miles/#comment-436 Dave Owers Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:43:32 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=11#comment-436 nice response! I value my miles at 2 cents per mile... anyone who is valuing miles at 1 cent each is doing something wrong nice response!

I value my miles at 2 cents per mile… anyone who is valuing miles at 1 cent each is doing something wrong

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