US Airways often have their thing where they sell miles at half their face value. It’s a smart way to generate some quick revenue, but will come back to haunt them in liabilities in the future. So over time perhaps US Airways saw how unsustainable the practice was and made some changes, but nevertheless it’s back.
Just after the last promo period US Airways upped their priced to 3.5 cents per mile- or 1.75 cents per mile during the promo period. Most importantly, whereas previously members were allowed to purchase 100,000 miles at the discounted rate, this time members are only allowed to purchase 80,000 miles. So crucially, whereas members could buy miles and immediately “flip” them for a business class ticket to Europe, 80,000 miles doesn’t allow that to occur, meaning that one would need to purchase the remaining 20,000 miles at the full price or otherwise save up the rest of the miles. Nevertheless it remains a great deal that most people should take advantage of.
Roland is an student, travel blogger, award travel expert and frequent flyer consultant based in Sydney, Australia. He runs an award travel and mileage run consulting service, which can be found at Flight Concierge and regularly posts on FlyerTalk under the handle "belfordrocks".
