Limited time: Save up to 40% on award miles

[M@rcoPolo]

Just received an email from UA offering to buy miles at up to 40% discount... eg 100,000 miles for US$2,257

So say 1 way to Europe in C is 75,000 miles = US$1,693 (plus taxes of course).

Seems OK what do you guys think ??

 

[alieninperth]

Its a bit much when compared to US Airways, AA and Avianca.

 

[burmans]

Seems OK what do you guys think ??

Agree with alieninperth, any of these are better value. About $2250 return was my calculation for Avianca C and US similar. Of course you need the transfer bonus (Avianca) or 100% buy bonus (US) but this is on offer 90% of the time across the two.

 

[alieninperth]

I ran the number yesterday with the various bonii available and Avianca was coming in at about $2,600 rtn, USDM at about $2,400 and AA at about $2,500. there is a way to trick the AA route to reduce that to about $2,200 but I'm not sure that it is really worth it.

 

[aikman]

I got this email too. Each program has their pros and cons. With UA, you can get really creative with your routing and do it all yourself online without some agent telling you where you can and can’t transit through. A one way award can easily be stretched out over 3 or 4 days with mini stopovers in between.

 

[burmans]

I ran the number yesterday with the various bonii available and Avianca was coming in at about $2,600 rtn, USDM at about $2,400 and AA at about $2,500. there is a way to trick the AA route to reduce that to about $2,200 but I'm not sure that it is really worth it.

Did you use the points + pay option for Avianca (1.5c per point for the 40% points, 1.25 for the 60% pay), my calcs put this as ~$ 2300.

How do you trick the AA route though?

 

[alieninperth]

Yeah I used the min points and max pay opion, I seem to have to pay more to go to Ireland as opposed to the UK.

As for the AA thing, I saw something on the AA forum promoting the use of the middle east and then pts to UK and then looked around there. I also looked at some countries that are not a million miles from Europe (only about 40km). Think of a land with arabic and french influences. All flights route through LHR. Short check the bags or HLO and you will be sorted.

 

[burmans]

Yeah I used the min points and max pay opion, I seem to have to pay more to go to Ireland as opposed to the UK.

As for the AA thing, I saw something on the AA forum promoting the use of the middle east and then pts to UK and then looked around there. I also looked at some countries that are not a million miles from Europe (only about 40km). Think of a land with arabic and french influences. All flights route through LHR. Short check the bags or HLO and you will be sorted.

Ah yes, similar to some of those opportunities to Central Asia that route through Europe (though LHR is a decided bonus).

 

[alieninperth]

I hadn't cottoned on to the central asia routing. I suppose you could do the middle east via LHR/EU, but you would probably fall foul of MPM.

 

[bobcat123]

Do you know if you can just open a new account and start buying bonus miles? (unlike a 12day wait for US airways program)?
thanks

 

[alieninperth]

What do the Terms and Conditions say,

http://www.ualmiles.com/PM_OrderAgreement.jsp

Found by using google rather than the forum.

 

[bobcat123]

doh!
Conditon Number 5 - MileagePlus accounts less than 10 days old may not purchase or receive purchased miles.

Might have to wait for the next offer.

 

[clifford]

MPM seems to have died a death with Continental taking over UA.

That is, it's no longer an issue.

 

[Hubbins]

The special is back in again until 30 June 2013
Purchase miles at a 40% discount

 

[whatmeworry]

Might take this offer up! Mmm decisions decisions.
Miles buy a better view

 

[Nizar]

The special is back in again until 30 June 2013
Purchase miles at a 40% discount

Guys do you earn miles/SCs (or equivalent) when flying on flights purchased with miles that were purchased with $$ ?
(if that makes sense).

And excuse the off-topic, but can you redeem the miles on other airlines (on *A if talking about United, or on OW if talking about AA) if you've purchased them ?

It has only recently come to my attention that buying miles is a cheap way to fly in J

Cheers

 

[Alanslegal]

Hi guys, just a quick question from a brand new UA newbie, thinking of purchasing points so do bought points generally arrive instantly or does one need to wait the 48hrs as UA says?

 

[jozdemir]

Hi guys, just a quick question from a brand new UA newbie, thinking of purchasing points so do bought points generally arrive instantly or does one need to wait the 48hrs as UA says?

Mine came through within 24-36 hours