Questions and Answers

So today American Airlines is having a Black Friday miles sales. Full disclosure, new to collecting miles and rewards travel. Next Christmas timeframe I’m looking to take a family of 6 on a trip to Thailand from San Diego. Ticket cost on average is $1000-$1500 and 37,500 miles round trip. What’s your thoughts on buying 150K + 120K bonus miles for $4,792 (include taxes and processing fee)? Or am I better off looking for tickets to go on sales?

That said, I have to review terms and conditions regarding the use of the miles. If those of you with more experience knows of any hidden pitfalls of miles travel, pls share.

Thank you in advance.

2 “pitfalls” you may want to consider: it may be difficult to find 6 award seats on same flight at the same time; and there is no guarantee that you will find the flights you want at the Saaver rate.

Generally speaking, it’s risky to speculate on award availability of future flights and even more risky when one factors in availability of six seats on the same flights, multiple segments, both outbound and inbound. This is not a purchase I would feel comfortable with given the information you have provided.

When these big sales occur, I generally look through award inventory and if I find flights that work for me, then I go for it, purchasing miles at the same time I make the reservation.

Christmas is a busy time so paid tickets are expensive. However, deals on flights to Asia seem to be more common now. Unless you are trying to get 6 seats in a premium cabin, I’d probably just pay cash. Use Google Flights to set alerts for the dates you can travel. It’ll keep you updated on price changes.