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Should I Buy Airline Mileage Multipliers During Check-In?

July 31, 2016
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3 min read
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Should I Buy Airline Mileage Multipliers During Check-In?
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TPG reader Robert sent me a message on Facebook to ask about buying miles:

“I fly every week for work, mostly with Delta or American. Both airlines offer mileage multipliers whenever I check in for a flight; are those a good deal or just a sucker punch?”

Airlines like to portray frequent flyer programs as a way to give back to loyal customers, but they also happen to be highly profitable. Loyalty programs can bring in billions of dollars of revenue annually; much of that is from selling miles to partners (like credit card issuers and other travel providers), but some is from direct sales to consumers. Buying miles isn't necessarily a bad idea, but if the airline is coming out far ahead on those transactions, then you're probably not getting the best deal.

The American Airlines Mileage Multiplier offers redeemable miles for roughly 3 cents apiece. You can certainly find awards that return that kind of value (even after the recent devaluation), but 3 cents per mile is well above what you'll get for the average redemption. I list AAdvantage miles at 1.5 cents apiece in my latest monthly valuations; buying via the Mileage Multiplier costs roughly double that amount, so in general it's a losing proposition.

Delta's Mileage Booster offers somewhat better value, but it's still not great. You can buy miles for just less than 2 cents apiece when you select the largest booster package (3,000 miles for $59); that's well above my valuation of 1.2 cents apiece. Also, the Mileage Booster has some unfavorable terms if your travel plans aren't set in stone: Any voluntary change made to your flight causes the bonus to be forfeit, so you won't get the miles and you won't get a refund!

If you need to top off your AAdvantage account, you'd be better off waiting for a mileage sale, where you can often buy miles for less than 2 cents apiece. Delta hasn't offered a public discount or bonus for buying SkyMiles recently, so the Mileage Booster is a bit more attractive compared to the standard price of around 3.75 cents per mile. Still, there's no reason to buy in advance; wait until check-in to minimize the risk of forfeiture.

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Buying extra miles at check-in isn't a good deal.

I generally don't recommend buying airline miles unless you need them for a valuable and immediate redemption, and if you're out of other options. There are plenty of ways to get extra miles, including co-branded airline credit cards, transfer partners and other earning opportunities you might not think about normally.

For more ideas about how to boost your frequent flyer account, check out these posts:

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.