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Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2011, 11:31
by Dougal
I am looking to book flights to Sydney later in the year and wondered if anyone could tell me if Miles Plus Money can be used on any flights or are the only a certain number available like reward seats or am I getting the wrong end of the stick?

Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere but I am new to the forum and couldn't find the topic.

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2011, 12:28
by Neil
Welcome to the site.

MPM are available on all routes, but they are limited per flight and also during certain times/dates some flights might not have any released at all.

They aren't the same as reward seats, so whilst a full reward seat might not be available, a MPM fare might still be.

Thanks,
Neil

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2011, 13:48
by Dougal
Thanks for your help Neil. I would presume the LHR-SYD in December will be a popular one so won't hold my breath!

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2011, 13:49
by Neil
Yes, it will be one of the busier times, but I have just got MPM tickets for my family to MCO at Easter, so it is possible. Do check also, that the MPM ticket offers a saving (or a decent one at least) over the lowest straight revenue ticket, as quite often there is little between them.

Neil

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2011, 16:04
by Dougal
Just to make sure I understand what you mean, some MPM flights are no better value than a standard fare then?

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2011, 16:20
by Nottingham Nick
MPM flights can be a good deal, but what Neil is saying is that isn't true in all cases.

You have to do the maths each time you book. Have a look how much the MPM fares are - then have a look how much the lowest points earning fare is.

If there isn't much difference, you may be better boosting your points balance. BUT, if the MPM fare is cheaper and you don't think you will ever get enough points to use them for a flight / upgrade, then go for it. 8D

Nick

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 13 Jan 2011, 20:37
by Dougal
Thanks to both of you for the info!

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 19:51
by vji6697
I have a query re MPM, may as well use this thread as it is correctly titled :)

I am looking to go LHR-LAX in UC in July.

At the moment, the sale fare is around £2246 per person. but with MPM its £1458 + 15000 miles

Now I am a complete newbie when it comes to miles/rewards etc, so have a few basic questions if I may

1. Is that a good deal re redeeming points
2. I have about 46000 points so far, so is it wise to spend a further £225 for 14000 more points and get all 4 seats at the MPM rate?

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 20:00
by Neil
It sounds a very good deal to me, a £700 odd saving is very good for MPM, quite often on econ and PE fares, the saving can be as little as £20.

In simple money terms, it makes sense to spend £225 to save over £700. Do double check that there are def 4 MPM seats available though, don't want you to spend £225 and then find there are only 3 MPM seats left. You can always put a hold on the seats with FC while you buy the extra miles to make sure someone else doesn't book them while IOU are doing the buying process.

Neil

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 20:00
by tontybear
Am not an expert on MPM fares but that looks to be a good deal.

Are there 4 MPM tickets on your proposed flighs I'd check with VS before spending the £ 225 jst in case there arn't

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 20:05
by tontybear
meant to ask is there a way to find out MPM availabilty other than searhing date after date?

Am looking to go to NYC in Upper

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 20:13
by Neil
tontybear wrote:meant to ask is there a way to find out MPM availabilty other than searhing date after date?

Am looking to go to NYC in Upper


Afraid not, just pop your dates in, click MPM and see if any availability.

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 20:17
by tontybear
Thanks Neil - thought as much ! GRRRRRRRRR

annoying to see there are PE MPM fares on my dates but not UC !

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 21:02
by vji6697
Thanks all.

In the end I purchased 3 MPM UC fares at £1480.20 (inc charges) per person on my FC account, using up 45K of my 46K...

Then just had to buy 4000 points on the wifes FC account for £75 to bump her up from 11K to 15K points and got her ticket for the same price too.

Well happy :)

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 14 Jan 2011, 21:15
by tontybear
Result!

y) y) y) y)

Now if only I could find some for NYC/IAD !

Re: Using Miles Plus Money

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2011, 04:57
by pvfpaul77
vji6697 wrote:I have a query re MPM, may as well use this thread as it is correctly titled :)

I am looking to go LHR-LAX in UC in July.

At the moment, the sale fare is around £2246 per person. but with MPM its £1458 + 15000 miles

Now I am a complete newbie when it comes to miles/rewards etc, so have a few basic questions if I may

1. Is that a good deal re redeeming points
2. I have about 46000 points so far, so is it wise to spend a further £225 for 14000 more points and get all 4 seats at the MPM rate?


I just bought an UC M+M fare for the same route (LAX-LHR) in July. Total cost was $2283 plus 15K miles. I think this is a great deal.

If I'd wanted to use miles to upgrade, I'd have to pay $1732 for the upgradeable B fare, plus 60K miles (though I'd accrue 10.9K miles after travel), PLUS the tax on the UC fare.

I've heard here that M+M fares aren't always this good a deal, and are hard to come by on some routes. Does anyone know the rationale behind their availability? I purchased a M+M fare on the same route back in Oct for travel at Xmas time (ie two months prior), but there are no M+M fares available right now for travel in two months' time. I can only seems to find flights in July and Aug, which I thought was high season compared to March.