Now 50 % Bonus Miles Until Feb 28 2013

[Gold Member]

I bought one lot of 90k for one of my two AA accounts but will be limiting any future AA and US points purchases until we see the conversion ratio of US points to AA. Personally, I don't believe AA will recognize US points on a 1:1 basis. Furthermore, with over 600k points among 4 AA and US accounts, combined with 500k QFF points, I have plenty of OW points and I will be fresh out of Star Alliance points upon AA and US FFP merger (reasonable assumption that AA FFP will take prime and migrate US into OW).

So, Avianca Lifemiles it is for all future Star Alliance point purchases/redemptions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Personally, I don't believe AA will recognize US points on a 1:1 basis.

How do you arrive at this view? Personally I think if AA doesn't honour US at 1:1 they will lose a huge customer base of FFers. No one is going to stand by and see their points devalued, they'll vote with their feet. merging FF programs would have been part of the merger discussions. If there were any plans afoot to change the conversion rate they would need to tell their members almost immediately, rather than continue to allow people purchase tickets to earn miles which are later devalued (= massive law suit)

 

[Gold Member]

How do you arrive at this view?

Most importantly, US regularly offer 100% buy/share promos thereby valuing their points at 1.75 cpp (ex taxes and fees). AA normally offers 30-35% (with the exception of the current 50% promo) Valuing their points at roughly 2.5-2.8cpp. That alone suggests the market has a very different valuation for the two FFP points (>50% for AA points).

Secondly, the award charts are much the same except AA offer one-way while US does not. But, in fairness to US they do offer an open-jaw or stopover in addition to your destination.

Finally, the award redemptions are fairly similar if you double the AA one-way award to compare a full return trip with US.

So while its still feasible that we will see a 1:1 points merger for the reasons you have stated, I wouldn't be surprised if wee se a lower conversion ratio. hence my apprehensive position moving forward until we get further clarification.

 

[casanovawa]

You would have a bunch of USDM customers on the war path for sure, be a pretty dumb first move...

So assuming (yes i know there is a risk) that they will be 1-1 buying USDMs now will allow you to get your totals up much quicker than the 40-60,000 annual limit plus whatever bonus offer AA usually restricts people to... I think the USDM miles are usually a bit cheaper as well are they on their 100% bonus offers...

Wonder how many more of those we will see, if any??

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Most importantly, US regularly offer 100% buy/share promos thereby valuing their points at 1.75 cpp (ex taxes and fees). AA normally offers 30-35% (with the exception of the current 50% promo) Valuing their points at roughly 2.5-2.8cpp. That alone suggests the market has a very different valuation for the two FFP points (>50% for AA points).

.

that is for the sale of points. the majority of people earn them through bis flying... you cannot get status from buying points, and aa cant afford to lose high value bis frequent flyers.

AA sold a billion dollars worth of points at about 1c each to an American bank IIRC, so all airlines do it. arguably US was smarter in selling them at 1.75c to pax rather than 1c to the banks.

given, as you say, the similarities between the redemption levels of the airlines, and the equivalent earning of those points (cabin bonuses etc), I'd expect 1:1.

 

[Hvr]

Well all purchased. Now to start planning some travel.

Total for 60,000 miles plus 30,000 bonus was [TABLE="width: 100%, align: left"]
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$1,808.75 USD.

 

[deejo77]

Decisions.......I have USDM and thinking this might be a good time to start......thinking is hurting my head

 

[ejd711]

Well I purchased 90,000 AA miles and have now booked a first class award flight to Venice via LHR on Qantas/BA for Christmas. Would have been happy for business but no availability so what the hell, I'll do first! Still have enough left over for a one way award flight MEL-DWN or MEL-AKL so I feel I've got my value's worth... Next step is a platinum challenge in July unless any rules change before then!

 

[get me outta here]

Well I purchased 90,000 AA miles and have now booked a first class award flight to Venice via LHR on Qantas/BA for Christmas.

May be a dumb question, but surely the 90K AA miles didn't cover that did it??

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well I purchased 90,000 AA miles and have now booked a first class award flight to Venice via LHR on Qantas/BA for Christmas.

May be a dumb question, but surely the 90K AA miles didn't cover that did it??

80K one way SWP-Europe in F.

 

[get me outta here]

80K one way SWP-Europe in F.

Does SWP mean Namibia?

 

[ejd711]

Actually yes. 80,000 AA miles first class on QF9 Mel-xDXB-LHR then BA LHR-VNC (venice?). I still find it crazy but looking forward to it! Of course at some stage I'm going to have to book a paid flight home... . Economy is like 45,000, Business is 65,000 or so and First is 80,000. Insane value compared to QFF redemptions.

It's amazing what some research can do (and some luck with availability).

 

[ejd711]

SWP stands I think for South-Western Pacific. Anyway includes Australia and NZ and a few other islandy places around the place.

I'll post the link in a moment (need one more post!)

 

[ejd711]

Here's the partner award link (ie. to use One World alliance members.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/disclaimers/aadvantageAllPartnerChart.jsp

 

[dalereardon]

Hi,

Great buy with the first class trip. I'm about to book some business class and will report back.

I reckon your partner or that long lost Uncle could open an AA account and buy another 90K miles so you can come home in first class as well!

Dale.

 

[grussellt]

Hi,

Great buy with the first class trip. I'm about to book some business class and will report back.

I reckon your partner (real or otherwise) or that long lost Uncle could open an AA account and buy another 90K miles so you can come home in first class as well!

Dale.

Yes that works fine. Today would be the day to buy them. The sale could be extended but then again.........

P.S. J from Europe-SP is only 60000 miles.

 

[get me outta here]

If I we join up another (real) person, and use the same cc number, will they baulk at that?

 

[cove]

That is not an issue.

 

[get me outta here]

When I bought my miles, it gives the option to 'buy more miles'. Did anyone have any luck buying 2 lots?

 

[grussellt]

I always book awards for my wife's account and then pay with my CC. AA is quite happy with that but, of course, we share a surname.

Note the current limit is 60000 miles to purchase.