Several Discounted Mileage Offers Are Ending Tonight, Should You Take Advantage Of Them?

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Lots of airlines and hotels are all trying to sell their miles and points at a discount right now. Below are some of the current offers. Generally speaking though, it won’t make sense to buy unless you have a good redemption in mind or need a few more points to get to a redemption. Buying miles and holding onto them is rarely a good idea.

• Alaska: Targeted 40%, 50%, or 60% bonus=1.96, 1.83 or 1.72 cents/mile.
  • I’d value these at about 1.5-1.7 cents/mile unless there’s a specific use in mind.
  • Sample redemptions: JFK to Hong Kong for 50K miles in Cathay Pacific business class ($860 at 1.72 cents/mile vs. $5,000 paid rate). JFK to Tel Aviv with a stopover in Hong Kong for as long as you want for 70K miles in Cathay Pacific first class ($1,204 at 1.72 cents/mile vs. $24,000 paid rate).
  • Expires 5/31.
• American: 66.7% bonus=1.86 cents/mile.
  • I’d value these at about 1.3-1.5 cents/mile unless there’s a specific use in mind.
  • Sample redemptions: JFK to the Maldives for 70K miles in Qatar QSuites/Business class ($1,302 at 1.86 cents/mile vs. $4,000 paid rate). JFK to the Maldives for 115K miles in Etihad Shower/First class ($2,139 at 1.86 cents/mile vs. $28,000 paid rate).
  • Expires 5/31.
• JetBlue: 60% bonus=1.72 cents/mile.
  • I’d value these at about 1.1-1.3 cents/mile unless there’s a specific use in mind.
  • Sample redemption: There are no flight redemptions that will make sense at this rate. However if you have Mosaic status you can upgrade to extra legroom seats at a value of about 10 cents per point.
  • Expires 6/10.

• Southwest (45% discount=1.51 cents/mile. I’d value these at about 1.3-1.5 cents/point unless there’s a specific use in mind). Expired
• United (100% bonus=1.75 cents/mile. I’d value these at about 1.4-1.6 cents/mile unless there’s a specific use in mind). Expired
• Hyatt (30% bonus, 1.85 cents/point. I’d value these at about 1.4-1.6 cents/mile unless there’s a specific use in mind). Expired

• Hilton: 100% bonus=0.5 cents/point.
  • I’d value these at about 0.35-0.45 cents/point unless there’s a specific use in mind.
  • Sample redemptions: 5 night stay in an overwater villa with private pool at the Conrad Maldives or 5 nights at the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem for 76K points/night ($380 at 0.5 cents/point vs paid rates of $500-$1,500/night). 5 night stay in an overwater villa with private pool at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives or in a private plunge pool at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal for 96K points/night ($480 at 0.5 cents/point vs paid rates of $1,500-$3,500/night).
  • Expires 6/3.
• IHG: 100% bonus=0.5 cents/point.
  • I’d value these at about 0.35-0.45 cents/mile unless there’s a specific use in mind.
  • Sample redemption: Overwater villa at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso Spa or 5  for 70K points/night ($350 at 0.5 cents/point vs paid rates of $1,000-$1,500/night).
  • Expires 6/15.
• Marriott: 60% bonus=0.78 cents/point.
  • I’d value these at about 0.6-0.7 cents/mile unless there’s a specific use in mind.
  • Sample redemption: Transfer 60K points into 27K United miles or 25K Alaska or JAL miles. 330K Marriott would transfer into 135K JAL miles, enough for a round-trip Emirates Shower/First class award nonstop from JFK to Milan ($2,574 at 0.78 cents/mile vs. $12,000 paid rate). Or 5 nights in a S. Regis Maldives sunset overwater villa with private pool for 68K points/night ($530 at 0.78 cents/point vs paid rates of $1,500-$2,500/night).
  • Expires 6/30.

Will you buy any of these miles or points?