www.CostaRicaTicas.com

First, please read this analysis of such programs by the travel writer for the WSJ, Scott McCartney. Not saying "don't do it", just know the real cost of such programs. Put it this way--Would the airlines do it if it wasn't making them money?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 27948.html

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I don't know where this McCartney guy got his info but you most certainly can buy onepass miles on Continental. They'll sell them to you for $32 per 1,000 if you need some miles to reach an award ticket level. I know because I bought some to hit the magic level for a biz class ticket. Makes you wonder what other poorly researched, inaccurate info this guy is disspelling.

_________________
"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

I don't believe one mistake in writing a column should call into question everything someone's written. The Website he used as a research tool http://www.points.com lists Continental as being able to trade for but not buy from. CO's FF devotees would know otherwise, as you've indicated. You could make the case that he should have done more independent research. BTW, is your math correct on your purchases? They show that Conti is selling at the rate of .32 cents per mile or 1/10th of what other progams go for.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Continental is certainly not selling miles @ 1/10 the price of the other carriers. Anybody can check their website, under purchasing miles, it's $32 for 1,000 miles

_________________
"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

OK it seem that Brother SinCity and I are talking past each other similar to the way the Sunnis and the Shiites do. Here's verbatim on what Mr. McCartney emailed me--"Some confusion among Conti customers because of a policy that allows you to pay cash to reduce the miles needed for an award. Some see this as "buying miles". But you can't add miles to your account, only redeem the award for fewer miles plus cash. I don't consider that buying miles. Conti doesn't offer them as a free-standing product nor does it offer mileage bonuses for cash. Both Conti and http://www.points.com confirm that Conti doesn't sell miles." We straight now? Does Mr.McCartney stand a little taller in you consciousness? Can you admit you were mistaken? Inquiring minds want to know.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Thanks to Brother Srilm for the addendum giving a way to buy Conti miles if indirectly.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

whatever nomenclature anybody wants to use is fine with me. I just know that i had 98k miles, I paid them $64, I then had 100k miles, & I booked a biz class trip to rio.

_________________
"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

Words have meaning, and language shapes thinking.

Strictly for amusement value: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic_relativity

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED