A3*G Challenge: who have the most creative routing to achieve *G in shortest time?
Dec 9, 2011, 11:09 am
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
A3*G Challenge: who have the most creative routing to achieve *G in shortest time?
As the title, I think we should hold a imaginary championship for the one who come up with the most creative routing to achieve *G in shortest time period, and most importantly, the least dollars.
If you would like to join this on going showcase of FT wisdom, please kindly post your touring here to see if yours qualifying for the top ten!
The requirement is:
Flight routing (s)
flight number
Operate carrier if any
booking class and A3 earning rate
ticket price all inclusive
Earning per cent US
Total travel time if any
The most important part is earning per cent but if there is a tie the total travel time would be considered. Let us see who have the secret!
If you would like to join this on going showcase of FT wisdom, please kindly post your touring here to see if yours qualifying for the top ten!
The requirement is:
Flight routing (s)
flight number
Operate carrier if any
booking class and A3 earning rate
ticket price all inclusive
Earning per cent US
Total travel time if any
The most important part is earning per cent but if there is a tie the total travel time would be considered. Let us see who have the secret!
Dec 9, 2011, 1:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 114
It is not easy to get 100% miles on Aegean. Low fares earn usually less. The most notable exceptions are US and AC so a run should route with these carriers.
The following run will bring 9111 miles (see edit) at a cost of $397.10 ai
SFO-PHX-PHL-SJU (US408-US258-US1071)
SJU-CLT-JFK-PHX-SFO (US1035-US1458-US400)
I wasn't able to stretch it over 9500 miles with this fare.
Example dates: Jan 17-Jan18 (red eye). Jan18-Jan19 (short overnight at JFK)
and a week later. Total time spent flying, at the destination and layovers: 43h 32m. This is a fairly efficient 4.4cpm.
With two such runs, one needs 19000-2*9111=778 miles extra. SFO-PHX-SAN-SFO on US/UA on Feb 1 will bring 1400 flown miles and 1205 status miles at $130.10
Total cost of all three runs: $912.30. Total miles earned: 19427 = 4.7 cpm. Total time 95h 38m.
Edit: The JFK-PHX-SFO is a direct flight with one stop so it will probably earn the JFK-SFO mileage of 2586 instead of 2804 (8893 for the run). It is not explained in Miles&Bonus terms, though. For two runs it is 436 miles less and 9 miles short of 19000. The third run can be OAK-PHX-LAS-PHX-OAK instead on US for $140.80 with 1798 miles earned. Total 19584 miles, $935.00, 4.8 cpm, time: 96h 37m. With a longer third run, the SJU run can be routed SFO-PHL-CLT-SJU-CLT-PHL-SFO on US metal earning 8874 miles. Slightly shorter flight but still one redeye and one overnight.
The following run will bring 9111 miles (see edit) at a cost of $397.10 ai
SFO-PHX-PHL-SJU (US408-US258-US1071)
SJU-CLT-JFK-PHX-SFO (US1035-US1458-US400)
I wasn't able to stretch it over 9500 miles with this fare.
Example dates: Jan 17-Jan18 (red eye). Jan18-Jan19 (short overnight at JFK)
and a week later. Total time spent flying, at the destination and layovers: 43h 32m. This is a fairly efficient 4.4cpm.
With two such runs, one needs 19000-2*9111=778 miles extra. SFO-PHX-SAN-SFO on US/UA on Feb 1 will bring 1400 flown miles and 1205 status miles at $130.10
Total cost of all three runs: $912.30. Total miles earned: 19427 = 4.7 cpm. Total time 95h 38m.
Edit: The JFK-PHX-SFO is a direct flight with one stop so it will probably earn the JFK-SFO mileage of 2586 instead of 2804 (8893 for the run). It is not explained in Miles&Bonus terms, though. For two runs it is 436 miles less and 9 miles short of 19000. The third run can be OAK-PHX-LAS-PHX-OAK instead on US for $140.80 with 1798 miles earned. Total 19584 miles, $935.00, 4.8 cpm, time: 96h 37m. With a longer third run, the SJU run can be routed SFO-PHL-CLT-SJU-CLT-PHL-SFO on US metal earning 8874 miles. Slightly shorter flight but still one redeye and one overnight.
Last edited by Plusflyer; Dec 9, 2011 at 3:07 pm Reason: Direct flight miscalculation
Dec 10, 2011, 2:17 am
#5
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
It is not easy to get 100% miles on Aegean. Low fares earn usually less. The most notable exceptions are US and AC so a run should route with these carriers.
The following run will bring 9111 miles (see edit) at a cost of $397.10 ai
SFO-PHX-PHL-SJU (US408-US258-US1071)
SJU-CLT-JFK-PHX-SFO (US1035-US1458-US400)
I wasn't able to stretch it over 9500 miles with this fare.
Example dates: Jan 17-Jan18 (red eye). Jan18-Jan19 (short overnight at JFK)
and a week later. Total time spent flying, at the destination and layovers: 43h 32m. This is a fairly efficient 4.4cpm.
With two such runs, one needs 19000-2*9111=778 miles extra. SFO-PHX-SAN-SFO on US/UA on Feb 1 will bring 1400 flown miles and 1205 status miles at $130.10
Total cost of all three runs: $912.30. Total miles earned: 19427 = 4.7 cpm. Total time 95h 38m.
The following run will bring 9111 miles (see edit) at a cost of $397.10 ai
SFO-PHX-PHL-SJU (US408-US258-US1071)
SJU-CLT-JFK-PHX-SFO (US1035-US1458-US400)
I wasn't able to stretch it over 9500 miles with this fare.
Example dates: Jan 17-Jan18 (red eye). Jan18-Jan19 (short overnight at JFK)
and a week later. Total time spent flying, at the destination and layovers: 43h 32m. This is a fairly efficient 4.4cpm.
With two such runs, one needs 19000-2*9111=778 miles extra. SFO-PHX-SAN-SFO on US/UA on Feb 1 will bring 1400 flown miles and 1205 status miles at $130.10
Total cost of all three runs: $912.30. Total miles earned: 19427 = 4.7 cpm. Total time 95h 38m.
Hopefully there is someone who can beat the total travel time...
Dec 10, 2011, 3:13 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney - Australia
Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G
Posts: 11,079
If you can get a LH longhaul from Asia e.g. CGK-FRA you may find that's a very cost-effective method. That was my method, using a BD redemption to get there and then a three day weekend of flying.
I nested a MR inside of a trip from Australia to Europe, so I was able to get status very quickly, using a discounted J fare.
I nested a MR inside of a trip from Australia to Europe, so I was able to get status very quickly, using a discounted J fare.
Dec 10, 2011, 3:14 pm
#8
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
If you can get a LH longhaul from Asia e.g. CGK-FRA you may find that's a very cost-effective method. That was my method, using a BD redemption to get there and then a three day weekend of flying.
I nested a MR inside of a trip from Australia to Europe, so I was able to get status very quickly, using a discounted J fare.
I nested a MR inside of a trip from Australia to Europe, so I was able to get status very quickly, using a discounted J fare.
Dec 10, 2011, 5:01 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 232
If you can get a LH longhaul from Asia e.g. CGK-FRA you may find that's a very cost-effective method. That was my method, using a BD redemption to get there and then a three day weekend of flying.
I nested a MR inside of a trip from Australia to Europe, so I was able to get status very quickly, using a discounted J fare.
I nested a MR inside of a trip from Australia to Europe, so I was able to get status very quickly, using a discounted J fare.
Dec 11, 2011, 4:33 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Dec 11, 2011, 9:19 pm
#12
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
TK HKG-LAX U fare ([email protected]/eur on the day i bought the ticket=811USD).
you only need 1 run. if you can bear the LAX turnaround (145min), then Departing HKG 2315, arriving LAX 1525+1. then fly out at 1745+1 and arrive HKG at 1540+3
23712miles (at 100% earn rate)
3.42cpm
64.5 hours (spare 5 mins)
you only need 1 run. if you can bear the LAX turnaround (145min), then Departing HKG 2315, arriving LAX 1525+1. then fly out at 1745+1 and arrive HKG at 1540+3
23712miles (at 100% earn rate)
3.42cpm
64.5 hours (spare 5 mins)
Last edited by kaka; Dec 11, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Dec 12, 2011, 12:43 pm
#13
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
TK HKG-LAX U fare ([email protected]/eur on the day i bought the ticket=811USD).
you only need 1 run. if you can bear the LAX turnaround (145min), then Departing HKG 2315, arriving LAX 1525+1. then fly out at 1745+1 and arrive HKG at 1540+3
23712miles (at 100% earn rate)
3.42cpm
64.5 hours (spare 5 mins)
you only need 1 run. if you can bear the LAX turnaround (145min), then Departing HKG 2315, arriving LAX 1525+1. then fly out at 1745+1 and arrive HKG at 1540+3
23712miles (at 100% earn rate)
3.42cpm
64.5 hours (spare 5 mins)
Dec 12, 2011, 3:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: HKG, TXL
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 566
I will achieve A3G in january.
current: 6188 miles
+ MXP-ZHR-JFK (C): 9838 miles
+ HKG-SIN (UA C): 3188 miles
+ SIN-HKG (UA Y): 1596 miles
= 20810 miles
which really is amazingly close to the minimum you need for A3*G
getting there:
#1 1000 miles registration bonus
#2 UA0896 Z SIN - HKG Singapore-Hong Kong 3188
#3 A30665 S MXP - ATH Milan-Athens 1000
#4 A30664 S ATH - MXP Athens-Milan 1000
#5 LX014 Z MXP - JFK Milan-Zurich-New York 9838
#6 UA0895 Z HKG - SIN Hong Kong-Singapore 3188
#7 UA0896 K SIN - HKG Singapore-Hong Kong 1596
cost:
#1 free
#2 it was a 179$ RT HKG-SIN where I upgraded SIN-HKG to Z against cash. Since it was only one of the two legs this makes it 90$ + 190$ for the upgrade = 280$
#3 & #4 RT MXP-ATH which cost me exactly 200euros (264$)
#5 RT at 1860 euros but only crediting the outbound = 930 euros (1226$)
#6 & #7 not booked yet but checked the website and the RT is at 200$ and im hoping of getting that Z upgrade for 190$ for the outbound.
total: 2343 US$ for A3*G
total travel time: approx 25 hours
CPM: 11
*G in just a day
current: 6188 miles
+ MXP-ZHR-JFK (C): 9838 miles
+ HKG-SIN (UA C): 3188 miles
+ SIN-HKG (UA Y): 1596 miles
= 20810 miles
which really is amazingly close to the minimum you need for A3*G
getting there:
#1 1000 miles registration bonus
#2 UA0896 Z SIN - HKG Singapore-Hong Kong 3188
#3 A30665 S MXP - ATH Milan-Athens 1000
#4 A30664 S ATH - MXP Athens-Milan 1000
#5 LX014 Z MXP - JFK Milan-Zurich-New York 9838
#6 UA0895 Z HKG - SIN Hong Kong-Singapore 3188
#7 UA0896 K SIN - HKG Singapore-Hong Kong 1596
cost:
#1 free
#2 it was a 179$ RT HKG-SIN where I upgraded SIN-HKG to Z against cash. Since it was only one of the two legs this makes it 90$ + 190$ for the upgrade = 280$
#3 & #4 RT MXP-ATH which cost me exactly 200euros (264$)
#5 RT at 1860 euros but only crediting the outbound = 930 euros (1226$)
#6 & #7 not booked yet but checked the website and the RT is at 200$ and im hoping of getting that Z upgrade for 190$ for the outbound.
total: 2343 US$ for A3*G
total travel time: approx 25 hours
CPM: 11
*G in just a day
Dec 12, 2011, 10:41 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
Im thinking crediting this weeks mini-mileage run to A3.
ICN-NRT-HNL/LIH-LAX-LAS-DCA-DTW-EWR-IAD-LAX-SFO-ICN
With the 1000 mile bonus credit it would put me Gold in for just a touch over 1000USD.
As I want to get away from Aeroplan next year, and sadly I only fly around 45,000-50,000 miles a year, so I also have the option to crediting to OZ. I am familiar with the OZ website, but I do like the idea of getting 3 year *G through A3. Im just worried, I read that if you use lounge access and don't credit to A3, they will cancel your card. Any truth to that?
ICN-NRT-HNL/LIH-LAX-LAS-DCA-DTW-EWR-IAD-LAX-SFO-ICN
With the 1000 mile bonus credit it would put me Gold in for just a touch over 1000USD.
As I want to get away from Aeroplan next year, and sadly I only fly around 45,000-50,000 miles a year, so I also have the option to crediting to OZ. I am familiar with the OZ website, but I do like the idea of getting 3 year *G through A3. Im just worried, I read that if you use lounge access and don't credit to A3, they will cancel your card. Any truth to that?