You Can’t Beat Star Alliance Miles for 1.3¢ and SkyTeam Miles for 1.7¢
It is raining mileage specials this month and the offers are falling across the board—for the traveler who buys miles and transfers points. The promotions include 100% buy/gift miles for Star Alliance members, and 100% buy/gift/transfer miles for SkyTeam members, who also get a 40% point rebate when points are transferred.
Delta and 13 SkyTeam Partner Airlines
The Deal: Buy, transfer, or gift up to 60,000 miles and receive a 100% bonus, which makes the cost 1.7¢ per mile. Valid until Sept. 30.
Fine Print: Have a SkyMiles account for at least 10 days and have earned at least one mile since enrolling. The latter can be done in 48 hours or less via an Amex Rewards point transfer or by ordering something from one of the many SkyMiles partners. But be aware that SkyMiles partner miles can take up to eight weeks to post to your account.
Good:
- Buying, gifting, or transferring 60,000 miles nets you 120,000 miles each, which can be used for free Business Class award travel on Delta or one its partners, such as Air France, KLM and Singapore Airlines, to destinations including Africa, Asia, Europe, Hawaii and South America.
- Delta will also hold award space for up to 48 hours so you can book award space before buying the miles needed.
Bad:
- Delta’s new lock-in mileage rule (see page. 8), which stipulates that itinerary changes or cancellations within 72 hours of departure result in a forfeiture of miles.
- Neither Delta nor its partners offer international First Class redemption.
- You have to earn one mile before being eligible.
More info: Delta buy, gift, transfer miles
US Airways and 26 Star Alliance Partner Airlines
The Deal: Buy or gift up to 50,000 miles and get up to 100% bonus, making the cost per mile 1.3¢. Valid till Sept. 15.
Fine Print: Have a US Airways account for at least 12 days.
Good:
- Buying 50,000 nets you 100,000 which can be used for free Business Class award travel to Europe, Hawaii and South America on US Airways or its Star Alliance partners Air Canada, Continental, Lufthansa, United and 22 others.
- US Airways charges fewer miles than its partner United for some routes, among them (my favorite anomaly) San Francisco-New York. US Airways charges 50,000 miles for a First Class ticket, whereas United charges 70,000 miles. The First Class fare on this route is usually about $6,200, while the cost to buy the miles during the promo is $825 (plus taxes), a savings of $5,375 (87%)—see FCF Nov. 2010 for more.
- Some of US Airways’ Star Alliance partners offer a First Class cabin on international flights, among them All Nippon, Lufthansa and United.
- If you have miles in your account, US Airways (not including partners) will hold an award ticket for up to three days.
Bad:
- There’s a short fuse on this one. If you’re a new member, you have to act instantly, given the 12-day waiting period, before you can buy miles.
- Many international award tickets require more than 100,000 miles, especially for First Class travel. Getting those tickets will require a gift transaction, in addition to buying miles. That’s easily done by creating another account for a family member or friend and having them gift you the remaining miles you need.
- Miles needed for the free award ticket must be in your mileage account before making a reservation.
More info: US Airways buy and gift miles
40% Point Rebate on Amex Membership Rewards
The Deal: Amex Rewards is offering a 40% point rebate for every 50,000 points transferred to Delta (that’s 20,000 Amex Rewards points). Thus, the accrual cost is only 30,000 points for 50,000 miles.
Fine Print: Delta SkyMiles members must register for the promotion. Rebate given in the form of an electronic certificate emailed six to eight weeks after transfer.
More info: Amex Rewards and Delta