Miles versus Cash

Just been on with FC re booking an additional family member on Y flights we booked using miles and discovered that the cash ticket (which earns miles) costs $25 more than the taxes and fees for using 20K miles. When I enquired about why on earth anyone would book Y miles tickets if the cost was nearly the same, I was told that VS 'absorb' the fees for cash tix. When. wondered why BE a FC member (I have been one since the first flights out of BOS over 20 years ago) agent gave me customer service e-mail--which I will use.

I have had a look at booking PE using miles as one ways-- am I right in thinking the fees are considerably lower than RT?

Sorry to have to say, but Economy redemptions are often piss poor value for the reason you give, the cash cost of an economy ticket can often be barely more than the taxes & fees of an economy redemption. W and J redemptions are where the true value lies.

Absolutely agree with Slimpy on his comments about redemptions (in fact when don't we agree!? )

About the only benefit to Y redemptions in my eyes is the availability is often extremely helpful if you need to get somewhere and don't care about value. Not to mention it can be upgraded to W or J later down the line (including on day of travel) so it's a helpful way of bagging a seat.

I always compare the Y redemption to the Y cash fare. If the Y cash fare is bargain basement, it won't be upgradable.

And that’s the point. Y redemptions are rarely good value for a trip booked months in advance when cash fares are low.

But if you suddenly need to fly to the US tomorrow to see a sick relative, they can be a lifesaver.

Thanks for replies but while it may be acceptable to say miles are useless for Y tix, that doesn't make it good practice. If I change. my miles over to Delta, it costs me a fraction of the fees.