Should I buy FF miles?
Mar 3rd, 2008, 06:41 AM
#1
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Should I buy FF miles?
I need 2 tickets from Syr to Yvr in Aug. for our cruise. NWA award flights are 50,000 miles. I would need to spend $400 for the extra miles we would need to book the 2 tickets. The tickets would be just one stop, the shortest possible flights and pretty good times and perfect dates. BYW these tickets are about $1200 each right now!
I don't think I can get ANY tickets on any airline for much under $600 each even if I wait a bit.
It seems like a no brainer to me but maybe I am missing something??
I don't think I can get ANY tickets on any airline for much under $600 each even if I wait a bit.
It seems like a no brainer to me but maybe I am missing something??
Mar 3rd, 2008, 06:53 AM
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The MOST important thing here seems to be missing. NWA award flights are 50,000 miles but are there seats availalbe???
If not you just spent $400 for miles you can't use.
I would do this over the phone with NW if you go this route and don't pay for miles until you have a seat.
Now if it were me, I would book one free and one pay if possible. So I could get more miles LOL!
If not you just spent $400 for miles you can't use.
I would do this over the phone with NW if you go this route and don't pay for miles until you have a seat.
Now if it were me, I would book one free and one pay if possible. So I could get more miles LOL!
Mar 3rd, 2008, 06:55 AM
#3
You are probably caught in the time-honored trap of insisting on Vancouver rather than Seattle. In cruise season, it's not uncommon for fares to YVR to be $200 - $300+ more per person than same-day flights into SEA.
If you fly to Seattle and rent a car (around $150 tops for a one-way rental to Vancouver) you will probably save upwards of $450 all in, more than you'd pay extra for FF miles, and your existing mileage balance would remain intact.
Or if you can afford the time, fly into Seattle and take the train (around $30 per person) for a relaxing and very scenic four hours.
Also check out flights from Rochester - they can be significantly cheaper than from SYR it seems.
If you fly to Seattle and rent a car (around $150 tops for a one-way rental to Vancouver) you will probably save upwards of $450 all in, more than you'd pay extra for FF miles, and your existing mileage balance would remain intact.
Or if you can afford the time, fly into Seattle and take the train (around $30 per person) for a relaxing and very scenic four hours.
Also check out flights from Rochester - they can be significantly cheaper than from SYR it seems.
Mar 3rd, 2008, 07:30 AM
#4
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CarolA - Thanks for your reply...Yes, I thought I would have to call first to see if the seats were actually available.
Gardyloo - Originally we did plan to fly into Seattle and use Amtrak to Vancouver but with the extra nights in a hotel and all the other expenses with those extra days just does not seem worth it to us. We have been to Seattle and thought we would rather spend extra time in Vancouver.
Thanks for reminding me about Rochester. Although we are 1.5 hours east of Syracuse,it might be worth a look.I can also check out Albany. Both these locations would most likely require motel stays so the saving might not be very significant.
Gardyloo - Originally we did plan to fly into Seattle and use Amtrak to Vancouver but with the extra nights in a hotel and all the other expenses with those extra days just does not seem worth it to us. We have been to Seattle and thought we would rather spend extra time in Vancouver.
Thanks for reminding me about Rochester. Although we are 1.5 hours east of Syracuse,it might be worth a look.I can also check out Albany. Both these locations would most likely require motel stays so the saving might not be very significant.
Mar 3rd, 2008, 10:34 PM
#5
If you bought the ticket you'd earn some miles with that on some program(s). Let's just say that the convenience of the award ticket (if you can get it on the pretty good times, shortest time, perfect dates) is worth those miles.
In that case you are asking if 50,000 NWA miles are worth $800. I think it is, esp. if you can get the flights you want.
An option is to get a World Perks Visa and earn 20,000 miles.
In that case you are asking if 50,000 NWA miles are worth $800. I think it is, esp. if you can get the flights you want.
An option is to get a World Perks Visa and earn 20,000 miles.
