As we've written previously, it can be a good deal to buy US Airways Miles with a 100% bonus, especially for premium tickets to North Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America and Hawaii. Not long ago, when US Airways was still running its 100% bonus buy miles promotion, I went ahead and bought 40,000 miles, at $0.0275/mile, for a 70,000 award from NYC to Hawaii, for next year. Since Business and Domestic First Class tickets from the East Coast to Hawaii are often over $2000, especially for the more comfortable Business First non-stop Continental flight from Newark, and the 70,000 miles cost $1035 including tax, it was about $1000 in savings. More on booking that Hawaii flight, which was a bit more trouble than I anticipated, in a future post.
Now though, when I went back to Dividend Miles today to check my account, I noticed that in the Buy Miles section, I noticed that miles have increased to $0.035/mile. Of course, US Airways isn't running their 100% bonus right now, but if they were, my 70,000 miles would now cost $1317 instead of $1035, or $282 more. So now, even if US Airways runs another 100% bonus when you buy miles, you'll be paying 1.88 cents (including tax and bonus) per mile, rather that the 1.48 cents per mile you paid previously.
Even with the increase, it will still be worth it for many to buy US Airways miles if they run another 100% bonus promotion, at least if you plan to use the miles for premium international and some Hawaii awards, at least if you care about getting a particular airline product, as I do, and not just Domestic Business/First in general. It may also somewhat increase your incentive to grab some quick hits in the US Airways Grand Slam, although my guess is that there isn't a lot of overlap between the people who are crushing the Grand Slam and those buying miles.
What's your take?
Need Award Booking Help? Our fee is as low as $75 per ticket if you book your hotel through us.
If you enjoyed this, join 150,000+ readers: please follow TravelSort on Twitter or like us on Facebook to be alerted to new posts.
Become a TravelSort Client and Book Your Hotel with Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred VIP Amenities!
Photo: JohnnyJet