Miles on Sale

[grussellt]

No bonus points yet but we've only just hit the 6-week mark (from end-July offer-end). Has anyone received bonus points, yet?

 

[lmere12]

Bought mine early July then they extended the promo and NO bonus points yet.. does say 6 - 8 weeks

 

[grussellt]

Bonus points arrived today so only just outside the 8-week window (59 days).

 

[lmere12]

Bonus points arrived today so only just outside the 8-week window (59 days).

mine have arrived also. No email to say so, just checked when I seen your post.

 

[rcn]

likewise. its about time!

 

[grussellt]

Good news. I went ahead and acquired the 60,000 miles (x2) by miles purchase/sharing (including bonus miles). I decided to try for an award from South Pacific - Europe and after a look at the alternatives thought SYD-CDG via Tokyo (NRT or HND - two choices in one city) looked best. Around October 20 there was limited availability seen on the QF booking engine for my dates in September next year (particularly via BKK,SIN and HKG) in J although Y seats were much more available. Fortunately I discovered awardnexus and saw a wider range of choices and by using a search for SYD-NRT and NRT-CDG (following day with an overnight stop in Narita) I found 2 seats. I just missed a codeshare on AF on the A380 from NRT-CDG direct (a JL award) but settled on SYD-NRT (JL) and NRT-LHR-CDG (BA). Booking through Aadvantage was fairly quick and pleasant, except for a slight glitch in the miles transfer (fixed without major problems). The only downside is the need to pay $444 per person in taxes and charges with the bulk going to BA YQ. However for the award received I am a very happy customer - thank you, AA and Australian Frequent Flyer helpers.

 

[Must...Fly!]

$1,100USD for 40k miles now?!

 

[NM]

$1,100USD for 40k miles now?!

With everyone trying to maximize heir lifetime tally before the end of the November deadline, there is little need for AA to offer much price/bonus incentive right now.

 

[Hvr]

Hopefully that means some bargains in December.

 

[serfty]

'til Dec 31 - Buy up to 60,000 Advantage miles - get up to 80,000

What better time to use your American Airlines AAdvantage® miles to travel? Between now and December 31, 2011, when you buy the miles you need to book your award travel now, you’ll earn a special bonus — for every 6,000 miles you purchase, you’ll earn 2,000 bonus miles, up to 20,000 bonus miles! And for the month of December only, the limit of purchasing 40,000 miles per account, per calendar year has been raised to 60,000 miles. Go ahead — give yourself the gift of travel this holiday!

https://buy.points.com/PointsPartne...uage=EN&product=BUY&CAMPAIGNCODE=AAHpFtrDec11

 

[Danger]

I'm still getting my head around AAdvantage. Is it safe to assume that AA is not as stupid as InterContintental such that the purchase of miles does not count towards elite status?

 

[Must...Fly!]

$1765.52 AUD for 80,000 miles (60k+20k bonus, converted @ xe.com just then)

2.206cpm

I'm not sure what the usual values are...paging the experts, is it worth loading up?

 

[Stephen65]

How do these miles compare in cost and usefulness with the USAirways DM miles when the latter are bought on the 2-1 sale?

 

[dfcatch]

It's the same deal as last year. Pity the dollar has moved the wrong way.

But I'll load up

 

[grussellt]

$1765.52 AUD for 80,000 miles (60k+20k bonus, converted @ xe.com just then)

2.206cpm

I'm not sure what the usual values are...paging the experts, is it worth loading up?

60000 miles gets you a J one-way from Australia to Europe for $US1265, which I reckon is hard to beat. It's [articularly good value if you can avoid the fuel charges on BA. I've booked SYD-NRT-LHR-CDG (JL/BA) for September next year and even after taxes, etc I'm still happy.

 

[casanovawa]

Hmmm, selling miles right after you have announced your going into bankruptcy protection... Not the greatest look, but understand it shouldn't pose a threat to the frequent flyers...

If your like the program i suppose its a half decent offer.. Fairly roughly equivalent to US Air's Dividend Mile offering if you can get the same cheap taxes and surcharges...

Return in Y to the US from Australia requires 75k miles with AA and in US$ this would cost $1,567.50, with US Air it will take 80k miles and at the 100% bonus offer 40k x US 3.5 cents = US$1400 (these don't either include taxes of buying miles) so US Air slightly ahead... Return in J to the USA requires 125k miles with AA, they're not offering this amount, but taken at the best return which is buying 80k miles with this offer, dividing by 80 then timesing by 125 = $1,650.00 USD/80*125 = US$2578 (slightly less for Europe US$2475) while US Air would require 110k miles to the US so with 100% bonus = 55k * 3.5 cents = US$1925 or for Europe 60k * 3.5 cents = US$2100...

These are just rough calculations, no saying you would be able to get the next 40k miles with AA at the same rate as what you will get if you buy 80k miles with this offer... But US Air still seems to come out slightly ahead and you do get the option of a stopover, but AA gives you the flexibility of buying in single award flight chunks where US Air forces you to only buy returns (or pay the same points for a return even if you choose to only fly one way)...

And also at least today didn't the A$ bounce back 3 US cents??

 

[Must...Fly!]

I'm going to wait on some employment news...if that comes back positive, I'm going to bite. Would mean with a purchase next year I'd have enough for return F to USA or Europe.

From Perth it's rather useless though..Melbourne side trip!

 

[lmere12]

Bugger.. I bought in July 40k plus 10k bonus...

 

[dfcatch]

Bugger.. I bought in July 40k plus 10k bonus...

That's fine. You'll be able to buy the extra 20k now (together with bonuses).

 

[Hvr]

Hopefully that means some bargains in December.

Well got some more miles anyway and that is always good.