One bit of good news for members in the AAdvantage program changes that I haven’t seen get any play is that mileage upgrade award charts don’t appear to be changing.
Delta made upgrades a lot more expensive this year. United has many more upgrade price levels, including some more expensive than AAdvantage. But American hasn’t changed their upgrade prices.
American Airlines Boeing 787 Business Class
Upgrades were once the best, most leveraged use of miles. But awards became more flexible (mix and match various alliance partners) while upgrades became more expensive (tons of miles and the introduction of cash co-pays).
United Will Charge You Up to $600 and 35,000 Miles Each Way
In mid-2011 United raised the cost of mileage upgrades and increased cash co-pays as well. They went from three fare categories — business class (except for discounted Z fares), full (Y or B) fare coach, and discount fares — to nine separate fare categories each with its own price in terms of miles and cash.
Here’s a portion of the upgrade chart for United flights:
Upgrades cost as much as 35,000 points and $600 each way.
Delta Will Charge You Up to 115,000 Miles Each Way — and Won’t Let You Upgrade the Cheapest Fares
Delta doesn’t permit upgrades on the cheapest fares at all. You have to buy at least a mid-tier K fare if you want an international upgrade. Here are one way upgrade prices with Delta:
US-Europe
Y/B/M Fares: 60,000 miles
S/H/Q/K Fares: 80,000 miles
US-North Asia:
Y/B/M Fares: 60,000 miles
S/H/Q/K: 80,000 miles
US-South Asia, Micronesia, Southwest Pacific
Y/B/M Fares: 80,000 miles
S/H/Q/K Fares: 115,000 miles
Buy an expensive coach ticket and still spend 230,000 miles roundtrip between the US and South Asia for an upgrade. You’re paying cash for the ticket and spending a ton more than a saver award costs for a ‘free’ ticket. And yet international upgrades on Delta are still super hard to get.
American Charges Up to $550 and 25,000 Miles — and That Didn’t Go Up
American has four levels to their upgrade chart — from discount or full fare economy to business and from discount or full fare business to first.
They don’t waive cash co-pays on domestic mileage upgrades for elite passengers, so they aren’t as friendly as United on this. On the other hand domestic upgrades on all except for premium transcon New York JFK – Los Angeles/San Francisco are usually available.
I’ve always hated cash co-pays, but American’s are a bit cheaper than United’s and the mileage cost to upgrade is lower for American flights than United flights. In fairness to United, American’s international route network is more limited.
Confirmed upgrades at time of booking can be tough of course. But that American’s upgrade pricesaren’t changing as part of the AAdvantage revamp and new award chart going into effect March 22 seemed worth noting.
American Airlines is making international first-class award flights more expensive. Delta is making free upgrades to seats with more legroom more elusive for elites traveling with low-status companions. Marriott is acquiring Starwood, which will likely spell the end of a top hotel loyalty program.
As reward programs continue to be devalued, is it still worth being loyal?
“Times like these can be good,” said Brian Kelly, a miles expert and founder of Thepointsguy.com. “It forces people to be smart about their strategy.”
Here’s how.
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Changes coming to Delta are likely to affect travelers with elite status.CreditChris Rank/Delta Air Lines, via PR Newswire
Airlines
Occasional fliers need not commit to a single carrier. Miles hobbyists advise playing the field. Choose flights based on practical factors (cost, desirable airports and times), but continue to sign up for and use frequent flier numbers. It’s easy, free, you might amass enough miles for an award ticket, and, if all else fails, you can use the miles to get a magazine subscription.
If, however, you fly 25,000 miles or more a year, you may want to stick with one airline, said Gary Leff, the author of the miles-and-points blogView From the Wing. Travelers who fly 25,000 miles a year, which is typically the lowest elite tier (the highest is usually 100,000 or 125,000 miles or more), can still obtain a few perks such as free upgrades on certain flights and a free checked bag — although you can sometimes get similar benefits simply by signing up for an airline credit card. The American Airlines Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard, with a $95 annual fee, for instance, gives members traveling on domestic flights priority boarding (Group 1) and a free checked bag (for you and up to four companions).
Those who are already elite fliers on American will probably be most affected by some of the coming changes. They include new award prices (March 22) and, in the second half of 2016, the awarding of miles based on ticket price instead of distance flown. How many miles you receive will also depend on your status in the AAdvantage loyalty program. For instance, if you’re a “member” (the lowest status in AAdvantage), you’ll receive five miles for each dollar you spend. If you’re Executive Platinum (the highest status), you’ll receive 11 miles for each dollar spent. If you don’t have elite status, things won’t change much when it comes to redeeming award tickets. Some coach award trips will cost more; others will cost less. International business class award tickets will go up slightly. “It’s really international first-class awards that get much more expensive,” Mr. Leff said
The changes coming to Delta are also more likely to affect travelers with elite status. For those traveling on or after May 16, 2016, the airline will treat its Comfort+ seats in the main cabin (which include more legroom, priority boarding and free drinks), as a separate fare class. Mr. Leff said that for now most elite passengers traveling on their own shouldn’t notice a big difference, but in the future the change Delta made to Comfort+ could allow the airline to capacity control upgrades, preventing elites from getting a Comfort+ seat even if they are eligible for one. Additionally, elites who want to travel with family or friends will have greater difficulty. That’s because in the past up to eight people traveling with you on your reservation could be upgraded to a Comfort+ seat at the time of booking. Now Delta Diamond and Platinum members can take one companion on their reservation, not eight, and eligibility for an upgrade to a Comfort+ seat is based on the lowest status in the reservation and will be confirmed only 24 hours before departure. In other words, a Delta Diamond (the airline’s highest status passenger) traveling with a spouse who has no status would be sent to the back of the upgrade line.
On the bright side, there are still many ways to earn miles, even from your couch.
For example, do your holiday shopping (heck, all your shopping) through airline portals that link to various retailers’ websites and give members miles for what they spend. For example, American Airlines hasAadvantageeshopping.com, where recent offers included 10 miles for each dollar spent at Saks.com, and 5,000 miles for certain smartphones onVerizonwireless.com. On the United Airlines shopping portal,Shopping.mileageplus.com, offers included 10 miles for each dollar spent atPetSmart.com, and two miles for each dollar spent at Apple.com.
Remember, too, that you can earn miles in many other ways including signing up for an airline dining rewards program (you get miles for what you spend at participating restaurants), or by purchasing Broadway show tickets through an airline partnership with the Audience Rewards program.
To get a windfall of miles or hotel points at once, you need a rewards credit card. A recent sign-up offer from Chase Sapphire Preferred included 50,000 points and the annual fee was waived for the first year. Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, which gives users double points on dining and travel-related expenses, allow you to transfer those points to multiple loyalty programs including United MileagePlus and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, helping you get closer to international award travel in a premium cabin.
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Marriott members will soon be able to choose from an array of more luxurious properties when using rewards points.CreditAndrew Kelly/Reuters
As with airlines, you should join the rewards program of whatever hotel you visit. It’s free to sign up and big chains have many brands under the same umbrella. The Hilton HHonors reward program, for instance, includes the Waldorf Astoria, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, Embassy Suites by Hilton, and DoubleTree by Hilton brands.
What will happen to the Starwood Preferred Guest program remains to be seen. Points experts predict that it will be absorbed into Marriott’s existing loyalty program. Marriott members will be able to choose from an array of more luxurious properties. Starwood members will be able to use their points at many more hotels, though as Mr. Leff put it: “There’s no world where Starwood elites are better off from this.” Marriott doesn’t do as much for its elite members as Starwood, he said, adding that “Marriott Platinum is not even guaranteed late checkout” (Starwood Preferred Guest Gold members receive a 4 p.m. late checkout at most properties). If you’re a Starwood elite, he thinks it’s probably best to redeem your points before changes are made. He and others estimate you have at least a year.
The Takeaway
Devaluations are, alas, par for the course. But there are still perks. So continue signing up for reward programs. Flying at least 25,000 miles a year? Consider committing to one airline. If you’re just meeting the lowest elite level requirements of the airline’s loyalty program, compare its benefits to those on offer from the airline’s credit card.
Earn miles and points when you shop online by registering with an airline portal, and when you eat out by signing up for a dining rewards program. And don’t hoard the miles and points you earn. Airlines and hotels can change their worth at any time. If you’re wondering, “Should I use my miles?,” said Mr. Kelly, the answer is yes.
“Stop stressing about what could happen,” he said, speaking from the Etihad lounge at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York before flying off to Abu Dhabi. “Plan a trip.”
(AP) - Delta Air Lines Inc. says it will let frequent fliers book some one-way flights for as few as 10,000 miles this year.
That's a break from the usual cheapest one-way price of 12,500 miles. Trips must be booked at least 21 days in advance, meaning they will appeal more to leisure travelers than business travelers.
The flights are restricted to select destinations in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.
A Delta spokesman on Monday declined to say how many routes or which destinations would be available to members of the SkyMiles loyalty program at the 10,000-mile price.
Delta also says it will let members earn miles toward elite-level qualification on partner airlines.
With several airlines changing the way you earn miles — namely basing mileage on how much you spend for a ticket rather than how far you fly — you’ll want to make the most of what you do accumulate. Even if you don’t have enough points to redeem free award flights, there are many ways to reap the benefits of your hard-earned miles, onboard and off.
Make online purchases: Airlines have expanded their online stores, recognizing that it’s more difficult than ever to trade earned miles for a free ticket. The caveat is that you’ll almost always get a better deal by using cash instead of mileage, but it’s worth a look if you need to keep your miles active. (Some airlines require you to earn or redeem miles every 18 months or so to keep from expiring.) For example: In United’s digital media store, you can purchase the latest Taylor Swift song for the equivalent of $1.60, just 30 cents more than on iTunes ($1.29). That’s a small price to pay to maintain thousands of dollars’ worth of mileage.
Redeem gift cards: You can redeem your mileage for gift cards through Points.com and similar online services. Restrictions, such as a minimum balance or member status, may apply, and available cards can vary from airline to airline. Generally, though, expect to find all the major retailers — including Amazon.com, Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart, and Target — among the participants. Some airlines also allow you to use your miles for online service subscriptions like Ancestry.com.
Limited time offer: Now through January 31, 2015, United is putting a twist on gift cards this holiday season. In addition to using your mileage to purchase gift cards, you can do the reverse and exchange any unwanted gift cards for miles. A $25 gift card will earn you 1,000 miles.
Score event tickets: Hankering to go to a football game? Want to catch the next Britney Spears concert? Some airlines offer concert, sporting event, and theater tickets in exchange for mileage. Using Delta SkyMiles (or a combination of miles and cash), for example, you can get free tickets to Broadway favorites including Wicked, Mama Mia!, and Jersey Boys. Again, just know that purchasing these tickets with cash only may be a better deal.
Experience life: Take that sporting event or concert to the next level with what airlines are labeling “experiences.” American Airlines, United, and Delta host auctions for opportunities to walk the red carpet at award shows, gain VIP access to your favorite performer, attend a high-profile sporting event, like a Bowl game. Is it worth it? That depends on how desperate you are to meet Elton John or watch Notre Dame play.
Go out to dinner: Through United’s MileagePlus program, you can purchase dining cards to participating restaurants. The program has two options: a $50 Lettuce Entertain You dining gift card for 6,800 miles (roughly $68) and $25 Restaurants.com gift card for 500 miles (roughly $5). Restaurant choices may be limited and not always the best, so be sure to do your research on where you can redeem the gift cards first.
Upgrade your flight and airport experience: Almost every airline will allow you to cash in your miles for an upgrade from economy class to business or first class. You can also use mileage to purchase membership into airline clubs and lounges, such as Delta’s Sky Club.
Exchange, trade, or gift: To take better advantage of your miles, consolidating is useful. Points.com lets you trade miles with other members, at a small fee. (It also lets you exchange your own miles on one airline with another, but usually at horrible conversion rates that aren't worth it.) Alternatively, can’t decide what to give Dad for Christmas? Alaska Airlines allows you to gift your miles to friends and loved ones.
Sell your miles: Need cash? You can sell your miles online using services like FlipMyMiles.com. Simply request a quote, agree to the terms, and receive the funds instantly via PayPal or as a cashier’s check delivered by mail.
Donate your miles: Alternatively, you can use your miles to make a difference. Several airlines let you donate to a good cause such as the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Make a Wish, and The Salvation Army. One airline with its own take on donation is American Airlines. It allows travelers to donate to its own charities: Miles for All Who Serve (veterans’ needs), Miles for Kids in Need (children’s needs), and Miles of Hope (improving worldwide quality of life).
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