Never Buy Miles at Check In

My dad called and asked about buying miles at check in recently.  United offered to sell him miles for about 3c each.  He thought that was a good price, but I disagree.  First he has almost 1 million miles in his account; with a balance that size, you don't need more to reach a certain award.  Also miles are subject to inflation, so the more you hold, the higher the cost of award price inflation.  Finally miles can be purchased for cheaper if they are needed.  The United shopping offers, flowers and magazines usually, can yield more than 33 miles per dollar spent.  Unless you need the miles tomorrow, never buy then directly from United.

United Heavy jets at EWR

Starbucks Rewards Woes

Even my Starbucks Rewards status feels light.  I need to start flying soon.  Luckily I have a business trip this month.

28 More For Gold Status

UPDATE 2/2: I must be great at complaining because Starbucks is running a bonus Stars program.  "Start collecting Stars now through February 11 and earn up to 20 Bonus Stars. With so many new treats you’ll have enough Stars in no time.  Earn 8 Stars and get 10 bonus Stars,

Earn 12 Stars and get 20 bonus Stars."

Scandinavian Airport Design

Scandinavian airports are designed better than any others.  Here's a quick example of a clock in OSL.  I love it and want one in my house.  The clocks at DEN (my home airport) are digital and rarely turned on; the last one I noticed was wrong by 5:38 too.

Oslo Airport Clock

75,000 American Miles For Spending $3,000

I acquired two American Airlines credit cards from Citi this week.  The first one was their small business card with 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 and no annual fee the first year.  This seemed like an easy and fast way to add to my AAdvantage account.  The next day I received a direct mail piece offering 45,000 miles after spending $2,000 and no annual fee the first year.  This sounded like a good deal and I signed up.  I was accepted for both cards and will now have a nice pile of miles when my US Airways miles are merged into AAdvantage.  JAL and Cathay Pacific sound like nice airlines to fly and soon I’ll have the mileage balance to enjoy both in first class (award space is another matter).

JAL 777 at NRT

Yes, there is an offer for 100,000 AA miles from Citi, but it requires $10,000 spent in three months and a $475 annual fee (lounge access is included); I prefer my arrangement. 

It Could Always Be Worse

Next time you have a flight delay, just remember it could be worse.  Often you'll see those people who have it worse when you deplane.  

Bad

Worse

Using Miles For Flights In Australia

I booked my brother to Sydney on a trip that includes a stop in NRT and a 23 hour lay over in Seoul.  Luckily he's excited to tour the DMZ and the USO offers regular tours.  Once he gets to Australia, moving around is much easier.  Qantas has great domestic award ticket space, especially between Sydney and Melbourne.  American miles work on Qantas, but the pricing is not great (10,000 in back or 17,500 up front).  I'll be using British Airways miles instead because they price by distance, so SYD-MEL is only 4,500 miles in coach or 9,000 in business (includes lounge access too).  This has the makings of a fun trip.

Qantas 747 at NRT

I'm Grounded

I don't have any flights booked for the next few months. 2014 status will be difficult with only one or two trips a month.

I'd take a ride on a prop plane even