80,000 miles for EWR to AKL, analysis paralysis

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80,000 miles for EWR to AKL, analysis paralysis

by Johannes A New Member October 12, 2019, 1:46 pm

80,000 miles for EWR to AKL, analysis paralysis

Johannes A New Member
October 12, 2019, 1:46 pm

Looking to go to Auckland NZ end of Feb 2020 for 14 days. I have one-way fare on hold, EWR to AKL, with business class on United dreamliner for SFO to AKL for 80,000 miles (I have 81,000). Dollar amount for same trip right now is approx $4900. You can also buy 80,000 miles right now for $1,505. Is this a good use of the miles I have or should I hold onto them? (not sure if they’ll decrease in value with upcoming changes to United program?). I am then looking to book Air NZ back for $1,400 which includes skycouch from AKL to LAX. Thank you in advance for any advice.
rickyw Community Ambassador
October 14, 2019, 6:36 am

If you can get a confirmed business class seat on a nonstop flight from US to New Zealand in peak season, on the date that you want, book it!! 🙂

If you’re not comfortable with completely depleting your United miles stash, then I could see value in purchasing the miles to cover your flight. But, you’d then be buying miles speculatively, which as you said, is a concern if they devalue.

I’d book the ticket asap with the miles you have.
OCTinPHL Diamond
October 14, 2019, 7:52 am

Book it! Chances are you’ll be able to buy some miles in the future if you need more – perhaps not at $1500 for 80k, but certainly less than the cost of the J ticket now.
MidSouthSkier Community Ambassador
October 14, 2019, 9:24 am

NZ is typically even harder to find premium cabin award space for than Australia just because Air NZ typically doesn’t open up J award space. I leave tomorrow for a trip there and ended up routing through SYD on Qantas just because I couldn’t find J award space from the US to NZ.

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80,000 miles for EWR to AKL, analysis paralysis