Hi everyone. Long time no see.
I've been away from Flyertalk for some time due to lack of computer access and lack of flights. Yes, I've been traveling but now that I'm no longer flying on business (and no longer gainfully employed) I've lost all my "power traveler" toys like laptops and 4g phones and that fat envelope full of upgrade certs that made my 100k/year in the air so much fun.
Heck, I didn't even make Prestige this year.
I've sure been using up my miles; even though Aeroplan does NOT make it easy!
But I miss the hunt for miles and points and have been thinking about incentives for mileage runs.
I've looked at the mileage run forum but it's almost impossible to find any AC discussions there. Nothing in the AC FAQ. A search for "mileage run" turns up stuff from 2005 and 2005 and reminds me of Mark's 1 million mile run but nothing recent or specific.
So does anyone have any current ideas about cheap mile accumulation?
I have the time.
I don't really have the money but...
I know that AC no longer has any "unlimited" passes but what are your views on the passes they do have?
I'm wondering if it's possible to put together a scheme to fly a lot at minimum cost to get myself back up to at least Elite status.
I miss that free lounge access!!
LH is about to announce a major seat sale in a few days. If the fares are as good as last year ($C425 all-in), and UA matches, you could do a couple of LAX-FRA-DUS/MUN/TXL trips (no minimum other than Saturday night) and easily earn Elite. Each trip will earn about 12K (flying UA flight number reduces chance of LH flights being discounted to 70% mileage for discounted coach). The most expensive component will be getting to/from YVR-LAX-YVR.
AC's Asia fares have been dropping, and both NRT and ICN have offered good deals at about $800 all in ex-YVR. It is often cheaper to fly AC ex-SEA via YVR too.
Had you asked this question in early December when AC had its best seat sale in years, you'd have done even better and could have booked enough travel to earn Instant Elite for this year and all of 2010/11 for about $3,500. Now you best strategy is to check out Europe fares ex-LAX on UA or LH. (Just check the AE site to ensure the fare booking class qualifies for 100% mileage rather than 70% or even 50%. This is one of the problems booking such sale fares on Asian STAR carriers.)
Good luck, it can be done and with the decline in travel likely, fares should drop to make it more practical too.
Unfortunately the best pass AC offered is no longer available after one of our number decided to take it to the limit and fly every day for the duration of the passes' validity...since then AC issued no more unlimited status mile earning passes!
So does anyone have any current ideas about cheap mile accumulation?
I have the time.
I don't really have the money but...
I know that AC no longer has any "unlimited" passes but what are your views on the passes they do have?
I'm wondering if it's possible to put together a scheme to fly a lot at minimum cost to get myself back up to at least Elite status.
Just as a reference point, what kind of money were you thinking of spending? Secondly, it sounds like you are prepared to travel in economy class on these mileage runs -- is that correct?
__________________ Live in your world. Fly in mine.
Oh please, not another post about cheap AC fares from the US. Don't you realize that there are about a million posts every 2 days from thousands of posters here about this phenomenon. Enough already, everybody knows about this, you sound like you just discovered the wheel.
Oh please, not another post about cheap AC fares from the US. Don't you realize that there are about a million posts every 2 days from thousands of posters here about this phenomenon. Enough already, everybody knows about this, you sound like you just discovered the wheel.
Actually, I thought it was a very helpful post. Which is more than I can say for others.
Just as a reference point, what kind of money were you thinking of spending? Secondly, it sounds like you are prepared to travel in economy class on these mileage runs -- is that correct?
I've been spending between $3k and $4k CAD/year on various trips, economy flights, charters and the like but little of it qualifies for any AC points. I was throwing the idea out there to get ideas from the many folks here who actually track the cost/miles advantages and often consider mileage runs to "make up the difference" at the end of the year. Perhaps (thought I) it would be possible, with a reasonable outlay of cash, to get back on the frequent-flyer lists and "back in the groove" by a bit of concentrated flying as opposed to destination vacations.
Thanks to all for some of the ideas so far!!
I am close enough to Seattle to fly out of the USA but it's certainly not convenient for frequent turn around. Sorry if that's a currently overworked topic but it's still of interest to me as I've been absent from Flyertalk for many months.
I'm going to check out some of the European long-hauls. I had the idea that with the current "recession", there might be some lowering of fares, some incentives to travel and some opportunities for those of us on a "fixed income" who are not losing jobs or money on the stock market.
Cheers,
Commander Bob
Still trying to find a route to Cuba on points for March.
OP's out in YVR but these international fares are almost -- though not quite -- as good as the ones back in December's sale. Suggest he consider an Asia and a Europe trip, then when another sale later this year comes along, that should synch it. However, also best to front load your travel and earn Instant Elite before mid-October, that way having the benefits of status for the balance of this benefit year (2009/10) and next (2010/2011), plus two kits of upgrades, etc.
Programs: Aeroplan SE, AAdvantage, HHonors Gold, Mariott Silver, SPG Platinum, PC Platinum, Idine Elite
Posts: 2,586
Fare rip-off!
Toying with the idea of doing an MR to HKG with this sale. Found a fare of $883 all in on the direct flight (YYZ-HKG-YYZ). So thought I would apply a 5% discount for broken IFE. On the same flights (leisure class, so upgradeable), the fare is now $1252 with my 5% discount!
Nowhere does it say that this 5% discount is not applicable on sale fares!
LH is about to announce a major seat sale in a few days. If the fares are as good as last year ($C425 all-in), and UA matches, you could do a couple of LAX-FRA-DUS/MUN/TXL
Can you really go from LAX to Germany to Venezuela and back for $C425? Please do tell. I'll take two
Mileage Run
