Buying US Airways / AA miles for future use?

[fent6]

Hello,

I've got a query about buying US Airways or AA miles now for future use, and was wondering if anyone had any advice (I'm new to all of this ).

I'm looking to travel from Melbourne > Dublin (or London) in December next year for a month or so. Searching on AA awards, Qantas Awards and BA Avios award searches, I see that they have yet to open later dates for December 2015.

With the US Airways and AA bonus mile offers ending soon, do you think it is worth buying these miles in advance of the award search engines opening up their December 2015 dates?

After some investigation, it seems like I'll need 120,000 miles for round-trip using US Dividend Miles, and 120,000 AA miles for the same - for business class flights.

Would anyone advise for or against purchasing these miles before the search engine dates open? (I'm assuming I'll be able to book in Jan/Feb once the date opens)

Any advice is very welcome

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Pumbaa]

I would have no concerns buying AA or US points now if you are going to book and ticket flights as soon as it opens for Dec 2015. There is unlikely to be any devaluations before the both FF programs are merged early 2015.

Pro of AA points: You can book 1 way awards, which is useful if you cannot find any OW flights on the way back and you have points in other FF programs like KrisFlyer.
Pro of US points: They currently have a 10% off sale on top of the current bonuses.

I have just topped up my US account with another 125,000 points at just under 3k AU. Excellent value for a return business class to Europe!

 

[fent6]

Thanks Pumbaa.

Do you happen to know if you're able to buy AA miles in 2014 (e.g. 120k), and then on Jan 1st 2015 buy another 120k under the same promotion?

It says on the website that you're only allowed to buy 80 in calendar year....so interested to see if the above is possible maybe....

I would have no concerns buying AA or US points now if you are going to book and ticket flights as soon as it opens for Dec 2015. There is unlikely to be any devaluations before the both FF programs are merged early 2015.

Pro of AA points: You can book 1 way awards, which is useful if you cannot find any OW flights on the way back and you have points in other FF programs like KrisFlyer.
Pro of US points: They currently have a 10% off sale on top of the current bonuses.

I have just topped up my US account with another 125,000 points at just under 3k AU. Excellent value for a return business class to Europe!

 

[Pumbaa]

Thanks Pumbaa.

Do you happen to know if you're able to buy AA miles in 2014 (e.g. 120k), and then on Jan 1st 2015 buy another 120k under the same promotion?

It says on the website that you're only allowed to buy 80 in calendar year....so interested to see if the above is possible maybe....

Hi fent6, yes I believe you can. But you won't know for sure until it ticks over in the new year. In previous years, they always bring out another promotion in Jan to entice everyone to buy more times. I remember earlier this year they were particularly generous