What's the minimum price ticket that you would spend 50,000 miles on? What about 100,000 miles?

I usually use FF miles when the ticket is $900-1000 or above....in most instances US to Europe. If I can find a cheaper fare, I buy it and earn mile.

Keep saving. I wait until I get the most expensive business class ticket I can. Europe, Australia, Asia.

For domestic travel 25,000 miles for over $400- 50,000 miles for international travel over $800.

In the past, we have used our AA FF miles to upgrade to Biz Class. On our last 3 overseas flights, we were able to upgrade on 2 of the outbound flights and 1 return flight DFW-FRA. It's 25k miles + $300 (was $250) each way but we've never paid more than $800 RT for our basic coach ticket so feel it's a good value.

Now we're thinking of trying to get free Biz Class tickets using miles to go to Maui. However, checking the AA website last night, it doesn't look too promising for the months we want to go.

I should have added that coach flights to Maui on AA can be as much as $900 - $1200 per person.

Biz class tickets are 75k each RT but cost around $3500 per person.

I use miles to upgrade to business class overseas - 25,000 miles gets me a $6000+ ticket for $900-1200, depending upon time of year. Flying in business class gets me a flat bed and also lots more miles, even on an upgrade. I don't use my miles for free domestic travel, ever. In October I'm using miles for free tickets Seattle-London-Istanbul-Tehran-London-Seattle in business class for my daughter, plus an upgrade ticket in business for myself, same routing.

Always use FF miles to uprade to Business Class - if I don't have enough FF's, I don't fly until I do.

I've only used them for upgrades also.

I try to get at least 3 cents per mile. So, a ticket would have to be at least $1500 before I used 50k miles, and at least $3000 before I used 100k miles. I would also adjust the number for the miles I am not earning. So, if a flight would earn me 10k miles, and cost me 100k miles for a redemption, I say it cost me 110k miles.

This normally precludes using them for coach tickets. And I always try to maximize the value, by using them for more complicated itineraries with multiple stops, as these can be more expensive when purchased. I've also used them for upgrades, which can sometimes be a good deal - I especially like this strategy for trans-Atlantic flights to the East Coast, where I only really care about the upgrade for the overnight leg, and can live with coach for the daylight flight.

Of course, I think a lot of this depends upon how many miles you earn. I don't think you will often get 3 cents per mile unless you are redeeming for an international, premium class ticket or an upgrade. To be able to do this often enough to make it worth your time to worry about it, I would say that you need to earn 50k miles per year, at a bare minimum. If it takes you 5 years to earn 100k miles, then holding them for that long risks them losing too much value in the interim. For low-mileage earners, I would just redeem them for a coach ticket as soon as you hit 25k miles.

Is there anyone here who can recommend either a thread or a webpage or another forum which explains the basics of this whole process for the uninitiated? Upgrades, how to use FF miles, etc.? Thanks. J.

You can try these two:

webflyer.com
flyertalk.com

Note that flyertalk can be intimidating to the uninitiated, perhaps even unwelcoming. But most of the forums have pretty good FAQs about their respective FF programs, and they would be a good place to start. If you lurk around, there is plenty of information there.

Thank you very much, travelgourmet. I do have FF miles, and have read some of those "ten ways to receive an upgrade" columns. However, the last time I approached Delta representatives at the airport, I was told that my ticket was not eligible for an upgrade. So obviously this naive old person has a lot of learning to do. Your input is much appreciated. J.

jmw444 - Repost your question on Fodor's airline forum and someone there will explain the different fare codes that qualify for upgrades (not all do). Each airline uses their own lettering system so you need to ask about a specific airline. You can do a mock booking to see codes by entering a flight on www.itasoftware.com. Click a flight price, then click details, then click show details. The fare code will be highlighted. You don't have to register to use ita.

The other way to upgrade is if you have status.

thanks, kyb, I'll follow your leads. J.

<i>You can do a mock booking to see codes by entering a flight on www.itasoftware.com</i>

Some airline websites will also let you choose a specific or minimum fare class. Delta, Continental, and Northwest definitely do. I'm less sure about the others.

I use mine up as soon as I have enough to get a ticket with FF miles. There's no telling when the airlines are going to decide to ditch the program entirely.

<i>There's no telling when the airlines are going to decide to ditch the program entirely.</i>

I don't think this will happen. The programs are highly profitable. They are pretty much the only profitable part of their business.

What might happen, however, is that the rules and restrictions become so onerous to make the miles nearly worthless. But, the only way they fully go away is if the carrier itself goes out of business.

I agree with Travenut, in that FF programs change all the time. For example, miles earned on BA are no longer one for one, but, I believe, half free mile for each full mile flown (on coach).

I use my miles to upgrade to Business, when flying overseas. At least with BA, I've found that you receive miles even on flights you redeem FF miles for, when paying part cash/part miles, which makes it a win/win. For intercontinental flights I use miles for free coach.