How Do You Use Frequent Flier Miles?

jyl · jyl's Garage

I have 150,000 frequent flier miles on United. Not much but seems like I should be able to do something with it.

Can I get a RT ticket to Europe next summer, anything like that?

Problem is, everytime I think about trying to use the miles, I get so confused that I give up.

What is the best way to use your FF miles, and to figure out how to use them?

(FYI, I am no longer interested in getting miles. I refuse to fly United or American unless absolutely necessary, and occasionally to keep the existing miles current. I almost always fly Southwest, JetBlue, and similar. So I just want to get rid of these United miles.)

Jamie79SC · 06-02-2006, 08:56 AM

?? log into your FF account and purchase ticket w/ miles.

Easy as pie on United (as long as there are seats available on your desired flight - another story altogether.)

wludavid · wludavid's Garage

I'll give you $100 for them.

Like Jamie says, it's easy on the website if there is room on the plane and it's not a blackout date. 150k should get you at least one first-class round trip anywhere or two economy or business class to most places.

LeeH · 06-02-2006, 03:42 PM

Plan far in advance. The airlines limit the number of FF mile awards available.

Shuie · 04:37 PM

Im not real familiar with the United or AA rewards programs, but it probably works the same as most of the other airline/hotels. You can probably use them for hotels or car rentals in addition to airfare.

150k miles might pay for an upgraded roundtrip ticket to Europe if you get it in advance. Seems like it should. I'd try to put them towards a vacation package. I think 150k is the round number for a week in Hawaii from Marriott or NWA. Maybe United has a similar package. 150k would probably cover a cruise also.

Go ahead and use them as soon as possible, tho. If the airline industry cant be trusted to honor employee pensions, they probably can't be trusted to honor your banked frequent flyer miles for very long.

edit:
I just looked at the United website and they have a link right on the front for 'Book Awards Travel'. I'd use this 1st and call them if that didn't work out or if you were not able to find what you want. Might be easier to call if there is any doubt. If you have 150k miles banked, you probably have status, and a special customer service number to call.

cantdrv55 · 06-02-2006, 05:23 PM

I flew to Chicago recently on the company's dime. They'll only buy an economy seat so I used my FF (205K left) to upgrade to First Class. Best use of FF since we couldn't land right away due to bad weather.

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

I gave up trying to use mine for a flight, only managed to find one that would match up with when/where I wanted to go.

I use them now to pay for the perks like the various airlines club lounges. Might as well get something for them.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

I fly AA and America West (now US Airways). I've got LOTS of frequent flyer miles and AW charges 25K FF miles for a RT coach ticket within the 48. I'm flying the family to DC in the fall for vacation.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I've earned over 2.5 Million miles on AA and half a million on United. Of all those AA miles, I'm down to 175K because we've used them aggressively for family vacation travel - and mostly first and business to make it a real treat for the kids.

I just tried to do a last minute trip to Europe, and on both UA and AA I could with many miles (100K per ticket economy). A couple years back I switched from an Aadvantage credit card to a Citibank "Thank You Rewards points" card. Never before used it. Monday I called up and was able to get a pair of 50K tickets to Europe on any day I picked even within 15 days. And I actually earn miles on the trip!

Using your UA miles, you could get a pair to tix to Europe next year. Here's the the Saver Award Chart for reference. You can get a Saver Business Class ticket to Europe for 80K miles.

Bottom line: Accumulate the miles/points then enjoy them!

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

I also use AA frequent flier miles and accumulate using their dining/hotel/credit card programs. Last year, got two tickets with continental US and everything was great and working now for my next vacation.

1973911s · 06-03-2006, 08:05 AM

I use mine to fly family around the country. Need to remember if you want to go some place like Hawaii or Europe, plan ahead you can book one year in advance.

Michael

campbellcj · 06-05-2006, 12:23 AM

I use 'em too -- why the heck not! We've been to Cancun for free (stayed at a friend's top-notch timeshare condo) and right now we are in Kauai and decided to pay coach fare since it was pretty cheap but upgraded the family to the front of the bus using miles...for a nearly 6 hour flight it is worth it IMO.