Emerging from my time capsule, where am I?

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epsc

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Hello all, a number of years ago (before the merger, before AA having a .com.au site) I was an occasional purchaser of AA points, using them on partner flights to Europe. Alas I've been out of the game for a while, and everything seems to have changed. I used to get emails from AA telling me of special deals on purchasing points, but they stopped coming quite a while ago. Can anyone point me to a handy one-stop shop which will guide me through, and, most important of all, is it still as good a deal to purchase points when on special for use on flights to Europe? Thanks for any advice.
 
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Hello all, a number of years ago (before the merger, before AA having a .com.au site) I was an occasional purchaser of AA points, using them on partner flights to Europe. Alas I've been out of the game for a while, and everything seems to have changed. I used to get emails from AA telling me of special deals on purchasing points, but they stopped coming quite a while ago. Can anyone point me to a handy one-stop shop which will guide me through, and, most important of all, is it still as good a deal to purchase points when on special for use on flights to Europe? Thanks for any advice.

The problem is availability. AA points aren't cheap anymore - they don't have 100% bonuses like US airways did. The best offer you might hope for now is some bonus miles + a discount on the purchase price... but still relatively expensive.

Pointhacks has a handy comparison chart of the cost of miles under recent offers - anywhere from 1.8-2.1 cents per mile (USD, so need to convert to Aussie): Learn how to buy miles for cheap Business & First Class flights

Australia to Europe is 85K each way in business class - so at (let's say) 1.9c per miles that comes to AUD2139 (approx) for the one way, plus actual taxes (no fuel surcharges). You could pick up a normal revenue fare on a 2nd tier carrier for around that price, and not have any availability issues.
 
Thanks Mel. I'm starting to refresh my very out-of-date knowledge bank - what is the best program currently for buying miles? I'm starting to look at LifeMiles, but have also seen refrences to Alaska Airlines. I will be retiring soon so I will be able to fly when I can get a seat, so availability will not be as much a priority for me as it used to be.
 
Thanks Mel. I'm starting to refresh my very out-of-date knowledge bank - what is the best program currently for buying miles? I'm starting to look at LifeMiles, but have also seen refrences to Alaska Airlines. I will be retiring soon so I will be able to fly when I can get a seat, so availability will not be as much a priority for me as it used to be.

Alaska is good - but I don't have a lot of experience with them. I think there's a dedicated thread elsewhere on AFF for alaska which would be worth checking out.

Lifemiles is 'ok' now. Downgraded because they will devalue their program from 15 May requiring more miles for many destinations out of australia. They also don't show a lot of connections on-line, so you have to take screenshots of individual flight segments (which you need to first find via another booking tool such as United's), then send them by email to the LM support team. They then call you back for payment. Some would argue it's not worth the trouble.

United Airlines is easy to book on line, and offers a whole bunch of connections. While their award prices are ok (and some real sweet spots for asia), their miles are expensive. Unless you take advantage of their twice yearly 100% bonus. The next one might be in May.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

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OTOH there are some good routes in Australia (domestic) that the AA miles (well at least the earned ones) offer good value. ASP comes to mind

Happy wandering

Fred
 
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