Not sure if I shoud use FF miles for this
#1
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Not sure if I shoud use FF miles for this
We used 60, 000 miles for rt to Paris. Have to fly rt Boston to San diego for 2 of us. (seniors). We have about 91,000 miles available. Does it pay to use the mileage this way?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
#2
Depends on your airline program. Generally we try to use our FF miles for maximum bang for the buck, so Europe business class upgrades or straight award tickets are usually our preference. But BOS-SAN is a long way, so if it was me I'd buy the cheapest RTs I could find that would allow a mileage upgrade, and use some of your miles for that. That way you'll still get mileage credit for the flights, so the "net" cost in FF miles will be lessened by the miles you've earned on the paid trip.
Figure each FF mile is worth roughly a penny and a half, and do the math on cost/benefit.
Figure each FF mile is worth roughly a penny and a half, and do the math on cost/benefit.
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#8
The AA BOS-SAN service is on a 757, regarded by many (me included) as AA's least comfortable plane in coach; although now that they're adding more seats into coach in other planes and reducing legroom throughout the fleet, that distinction may be short-lived.
You can upgrade a cheap fare for 15,000 miles each for each leg, or 30K each for a RT (but gain back around 5000 miles for the paid ticket, so 25K net to move up into first class) or you can get free FC tickets for 45,000 miles each, but of course no mileage credit for the "free" flights. I would choose the former myself.
You can upgrade a cheap fare for 15,000 miles each for each leg, or 30K each for a RT (but gain back around 5000 miles for the paid ticket, so 25K net to move up into first class) or you can get free FC tickets for 45,000 miles each, but of course no mileage credit for the "free" flights. I would choose the former myself.
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Maybe we're making this too complicated.
In fact, it's pretty simple. You can:
1) Spend $400 and end up with about 5,100 more AA miles than when you started.
2) Spend 25,000 miles and a little bit on taxes.
In general, it's a better deal to spend the miles than spend the money. But do you have other plans for the miles? Perhaps that extra 5,100 will be valuable for you to go somewhere else?
In fact, it's pretty simple. You can:
1) Spend $400 and end up with about 5,100 more AA miles than when you started.
2) Spend 25,000 miles and a little bit on taxes.
In general, it's a better deal to spend the miles than spend the money. But do you have other plans for the miles? Perhaps that extra 5,100 will be valuable for you to go somewhere else?
#13
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I am really confused now. I thought I use 25,000 miles each on the 2 tickets (husband and I) and I get an upgrade.
I went on the site...don't know what they mean about purchasing upgrades. Is this a new thing? Or am I so old...?
I went on the site...don't know what they mean about purchasing upgrades. Is this a new thing? Or am I so old...?
#14
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Forget about "purchase upgrades". It cost $25 per 500 miles, and since it sounds like you're not an Elite AAdvantage member, you can only use them on full-fare economy (Y or B). You end up paying the same as buying a First Class ticket outright. Alternatively, you can also buy the full-fare ticket and then upgrade with miles (5,000 miles each way, per person).
Now, your choices to fly first class are:
1. Buy the ticket. I am seeing fares from around $1,200. There may be something cheaper, I don't know.
2. Use miles outright. As Gardyloo says, it's 45,000 roundtrip, per person.
3. Buy a cheap economy ticket and upgrade with miles. Again, as Gardyloo says, it's 15,000 each way, per person. So, it can be have for $400 + 30,000 roundtrip.
When talking about miles and money, it's easier to just talk about cost <b>per person</b>. It's confusing when you talk about per couple and others may be talking about family of 4, etc...
Now, your choices to fly first class are:
1. Buy the ticket. I am seeing fares from around $1,200. There may be something cheaper, I don't know.
2. Use miles outright. As Gardyloo says, it's 45,000 roundtrip, per person.
3. Buy a cheap economy ticket and upgrade with miles. Again, as Gardyloo says, it's 15,000 each way, per person. So, it can be have for $400 + 30,000 roundtrip.
When talking about miles and money, it's easier to just talk about cost <b>per person</b>. It's confusing when you talk about per couple and others may be talking about family of 4, etc...
#15
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The 15,000 per person upgrade sounds good. I will see if they are avaialble. I want to ask though why can't I see this info on the aa website. Nothing about upgrades ...or am I missing it?
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
#17
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Bigger question..now that I have you...I would like to toss the reeturn section of this ff ticket. I guess that is not allowed?..if so if doesn't make sense to use ff now does it?
Who are you?..It is so nice to meet an expert.
Who are you?..It is so nice to meet an expert.
#18
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Sure you can toss the return ticket. And in general, you can book the FF award ticket as open-jaw, if you're planning to go back to Boston from somewhere else. For example, you can do BOS-SAN, then LAX-BOS, for the same miles.
BTW, one-way first class on AA's non-stop is only $600. Not much more than buying a $400 economy roundtrip and throw the return away.
BTW, one-way first class on AA's non-stop is only $600. Not much more than buying a $400 economy roundtrip and throw the return away.
#20
loisco, if I recall correctly you wanted to go to Paris from San Diego and wanted to stop in Boston on the way. What I think I am understanding now is that you got FF tickets between Boston and Paris and are now figuring out how to get between San Diego and Boston. Is that right?
The 91,000 miles are they in your account or your spouse's. If both, then how are the miles distributed between the two accounts?