Renewed Buy/Gift Miles Offer: 80k=45k Bonus, Mile Cost Reduced

[exceladdict]

Not a second after the previous offer expired (literally, i refreshed the page), a new offer has jumped up, reducing the bonus to 45k when buying 80k miles, but the cost per mile has also dropped to 2.95 US Cents per mile, down from 3.5 cents per mile in the previous promotion.

This means 125,000 miles is now US$2572 after taxes, compared to US$3010 for 130,000 miles in the previous promotion.

Or, from my point of view, rushing to buy the extra 5,000 miles in the previous promotion cost me US$438, or 8.76c/mile. At least that's still the equivalent of a first class redemption fare, right...

 

[baggyred]

The new miles pricing of USDM aligns with the AA pricing I think!

 

[DC3]

Not a second after the previous offer expired (literally, i refreshed the page), a new offer has jumped up, ..........

Thanks for posting about the new offer.

These are just offers of course, and we are not forced to buy, and some may be better than others (e.g., the 100% bonus earlier this year). We never know if the next may be better or worse.

Anyway, now you can get an additional 125,000 miles by buying again, and adding to your 130,000 miles.

 

[baggyred]

The base miles price different is interesting

Before taxes, USDM have reduced from 3.5c to 2.95c and AA have increased to match at 2.95 (up from 2.75c)

All in all the old 100% bonusses used to cost 1.75c plus taxes, the new enhanced offers are about 1.89c - so up about 8%

Given the base line miles change for USDM, I think we can kiss the 100% promos good bye.

FWIW - the AA offer at max is identical - 80k plus 45k at the same cost.

 

[DC3]

However, if you are chasing the miles (say, for use next year after the programs are combined 1:1), and have already maxed out the current 80,000 miles per year with AA, you can still take up any/all of the US offers as I understand it.

 

[baggyred]

However, if you are chasing the miles (say, for use next year after the programs are combined 1:1), and have already maxed out the current 80,000 miles per year with AA, you can still take up any/all of the US offers as I understand it.

Yep - no limit with USDM, just a limit of bonus miles per promo.

I'm going to wait and hope there is a super Christmas special - but I will load up again before end of year - makes any awfully cheap return J flights to the eastern seaboard

 

[anat0l]

Are people buying lots of points in anticipation of the AA merger? With rules tightening (viz. AA redemption rules) and the costs increasing, it's a lot of money to commit away, especially if banking up for more than one person.

 

[exceladdict]

I'm only buying for the sake of an upcoming trip, but I'm considering banking some. Even on the AA chart it's amazing for per-east coast/NZ J.

 

[anat0l]

I'm only buying for the sake of an upcoming trip, but I'm considering banking some. Even on the AA chart it's amazing for per-east coast/NZ J.

Oh that's definitely a gem on the chart. I just thought committing $3k - $10k is a lot. I mean, I'm not saying you'll do better putting that money in the bank... but it's still a lot of money.

Not discouraging people from buying. It's all a tempting proposition.

 

[exceladdict]

Anyway, now you can get an additional 125,000 miles by buying again, and adding to your 130,000 miles.

Don't mind if i do.



If anyone's interested, i bought the first lot at approx 3pm, second lot at approx 10.30pm (WST); both credited almost instantly. Used a qantas cash card (don't ask) first time, amex the second.

 

[Alanslegal]

If anyone's interested, i bought the first lot at approx 3pm, second lot at approx 10.30pm (WST); both credited almost instantly. Used a qantas cash card (don't ask) first time, amex the second.

So why did you use your Qantas cash card? :shock:

 

[DC3]

Don't mention the Qantas cash card.

 

[cove]

My son used 30,000 miles and $30 US for a Qantas flight PER-SYD -PER. Skyped US Air and 10 minutes later he had saved about $3,100 off the retail list price for his business class flight. He is Gold status with US Air so he dodged a $40 US phone fee.
A simple and nice little deal.

 

[get me outta here]

In all the calls to US Air have not paid a phone fee, is this new?

My son used 30,000 miles and $30 US for a Qantas flight PER-SYD -PER. Skyped US Air and 10 minutes later he had saved about $3,100 off the retail list price for his business class flight. He is Gold status with US Air so he dodged a $40 US phone fee.
A simple and nice little deal.

 

[anat0l]

In all the calls to US Air have not paid a phone fee, is this new?

There is a $40 phone fee but for partner award redemptions this fee is not levied.

There is the $50 award booking fee which is waived for Dividend Miles Gold and higher tier members.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, understood.

There is a $40 phone fee but for partner award redemptions this fee is not levied.

There is the $50 award booking fee which is waived for Dividend Miles Gold and higher tier members.

 

[exceladdict]

So why did you use your Qantas cash card? :shock:

Quite embarrassingly hamstrung myself by reducing limits on my AMEX in anticipation of opening another card and forgot you can only pay the card off once every three days.

Don't mention the Qantas cash card.

Just wanted people to know that it was a method of payment with a (very) quickly settling transaction in case the method of payment makes any difference, but i think we've settled that now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are people buying lots of points in anticipation of the AA merger? With rules tightening (viz. AA redemption rules) and the costs increasing, it's a lot of money to commit away, especially if banking up for more than one person.

Worth thinking about. And am I correct in thinking that under AA rules (whenever those come into effect) travel on CX from Australia to the USA won't be allowed (via HKG)?

That's going to pretty much restrict award travel to QF for the purposes of the USA, which will be pretty much impossible?

 

[Limewood]

Worth thinking about. And am I correct in thinking that under AA rules (whenever those come into effect) travel on CX from Australia to the USA won't be allowed (via HKG)?

That's going to pretty much restrict award travel to QF for the purposes of the USA, which will be pretty much impossible?

I guess unless one gets flights to HKG, then goes onwards to USA or Canada from there using USDM or AA miles, well its what I intend to do (using QFF points to HK).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I guess unless one gets flights to HKG, then goes onwards to USA or Canada from there using USDM or AA miles, well its what I intend to do (using QFF points to HK).

Indeed, but once you start combining awards the cost can rise significantly.

Currently business class return Australia->USA is just 110K

under AA (via HKG) that jumps to 180K.

combined J/F jumps from 140K to 205K.

Using QF points (120K to HKG) and AA onwards brings the cost to 230K. For that price I'd be securing QF seats non-stop.

Under current AA rules getting to Europe from Australia may also be significantly more difficult unless you can commit at the 335 day mark (and if there are any QF seats left at that stage)