frequent flier

[Twisted K 2]

Ok, which is a better idea? i have over 60 thousand miles with american airlines. it is 45,000 for a one way ticket between india and the usa. so, my question is, should i use my miles to bring my husband home? or do we spend the money and buy the ticket?

the reason i ask, is since i have so many miles, i was thinking that we could use it and buy 2 roundtrip stateside tickets instead of 1 one-way ticket halfway across the world. either way, we would be spending money since we will take a vacation soon after his arrival.

[William33 110]

Why not use the miles for a class upgrade, on your next international flight? Sure makes a big difference on long haul flights.

If that idea does not work for you, be sure to check the expiration of the miles. I lost over 45, 000 American miles that were never supposed to expire....Lesson learned....

[HAL 9000 96]

And remember that the miles may devaluate even if still good for another few years. I'd just use them and save cash in the now.

[Twisted K 2]

good points guys. i just checked, and they say they expire november 2010.

and with today's economy, saving the cash is probably the wisest decision since it may be awhile before he finds a job.

Edited October 23, 2009 by kaushalia

[HAL 9000 96]

I'm just reminded of how I used 60K miles to bring my wife in F class. She couldn't complain.

[Twisted K 2]

on my february trip, i got bumped to business class, and felt like i was in heaven for 14 hours. nearly wanted to cry on the way back when i had to pass those seats and sit in the economy for 14 hours

[William33 110]

on my february trip, i got bumped to business class, and felt like i was in heaven for 14 hours. nearly wanted to cry on the way back when i had to pass those seats and sit in the economy for 14 hours

I know that feeling all to well, as it has happened to us several times. I would take Hal's advice and burn the miles, saving your cash.... You can rebuild your balance later.

[HAL 9000 96]

on my february trip, i got bumped to business class, and felt like i was in heaven for 14 hours. nearly wanted to cry on the way back when i had to pass those seats and sit in the economy for 14 hours

flyertalk used to give such great advice on scoring complementary upgrades like that. aahhhh... the good ole days.

last time I got one it was for being super nice- in other words, the opposite of certain posters here, in a crowd of people complaining and griping just like those same posters here.

[christeen 966]

I say use the miles unless the international flights for some reason are super cheap!

I always get the upgrades on domestic flights with Delta or Continental, but I have never gotten one for International flight!!! One day! I tried to use miles for an upgrade, but I had to buy in a different class which cost like double!

But I am afraid that if I ever fly business or first on an international flight, I will be so spoiled that economy will be unbearable after that!!!

[William33 110]

I say use the miles unless the international flights for some reason are super cheap!

I always get the upgrades on domestic flights with Delta or Continental, but I have never gotten one for International flight!!! One day! I tried to use miles for an upgrade, but I had to buy in a different class which cost like double!

But I am afraid that if I ever fly business or first on an international flight, I will be so spoiled that economy will be unbearable after that!!!

A reasonable concern, which I shared at one time. The solution: Ask for seating in the center section of the last row, preferably on a 747. In most cases, they book these seats last. If the flight is not full (select unpopular days and times), you have 4 or 5 seats available to you. We fold up the armrests and sleep across all the seats. Well, my wife sleeps on the seats and I sleep on the floor, after the lights get turned off. Some US airlines frown upon the floor activity, but international carriers usually don't care.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm just reminded of how I used 60K miles to bring my wife in F class. She couldn't complain.

LOL

good move

[Twisted K 2]

I say use the miles unless the international flights for some reason are super cheap!

I always get the upgrades on domestic flights with Delta or Continental, but I have never gotten one for International flight!!! One day! I tried to use miles for an upgrade, but I had to buy in a different class which cost like double!

But I am afraid that if I ever fly business or first on an international flight, I will be so spoiled that economy will be unbearable after that!!!

A reasonable concern, which I shared at one time. The solution: Ask for seating in the center section of the last row, preferably on a 747. In most cases, they book these seats last. If the flight is not full (select unpopular days and times), you have 4 or 5 seats available to you. We fold up the armrests and sleep across all the seats. Well, my wife sleeps on the seats and I sleep on the floor, after the lights get turned off. Some US airlines frown upon the floor activity, but international carriers usually don't care.

i would have never thought of that