Right...I've just flown one heck of a lot to try to make the Gold challenge (12,500 miles) that ends on the 31st of May. I returned from Europe on the 23rd, and I've done all of the flying between the 23rd and the 25th. My total miles are now 12,053!! I'm 447 miles short!! DOH!!

What to do? What to do?? Should I call US and see if they'll let me slide on the basis that 12,053 miles in three days isn't half bad? Or, should I look for a cheap segment to take within the next 36 hours??

If the latter is the only answer (and you can bet I'm going to TRY the phone call begging option in the morning), then does anyone know how I can do the segment for the 500 miles, whilst spending as little money as possible? I now happen to be in Erie, PA (ERI), and I could drive to CLE, BUF, PIT, or any of the nearby regional airports. Thanks for any tips! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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[This message has been edited by ThisFlightNoFuel (edited 05-30-2000).]

Unfamiliar with the rules for the promotion, but just take any flight otu of Pittsburgh. Like to D-C or NYC/JFK or beautiful Newark, stay a few hours, have lunch or dinner and come back.

500 miles each segment, right? 1000 mi totals. You meet your qualifying mileage and enjoy the new status.


[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 05-30-2000).]

Catman, any flight from PIT would cost nearly $500 w/o a Saturday night stay. Doesn't matter where!

BTW Just called the service center for my wife. She's currently 700 miles and 2 segments short. No go! Luckily, yesterday she flew 1000 miles and 2 segments that haven't posted yet so she's ok. But good luck TFNF!

Here's a hint on how to find good fares -- choose the smaller airports under PIT and fly to another small airport less than a 30 minute flight away. You'll find some good (but somewhat ridiculous flights) fares on puddlejumpers.


[This message has been edited by dg1 (edited 05-30-2000).]

Well, I called the service centre, and as dg1 said..."No go!" No exceptions...ever. So, my only other option is to look for a flight. dg1, I couldn't find anything under $350 using regional airports around PIT. I did find a $177 r/t on Metrojet, however. CLE-BWI outbound and returning on 31 May. My questions now are:

1) Do you think this is about the best I can do for airfares?

2) Is it worth it?? I'll probably not requalify for Gold in 2001, and the flights I have left this year are on US Airways ERI-PIT-STL-PIT-MSP-PIT-ERI, and about three or four ERI-PIT-BOS roundtrips. Although, if I were to get new systemwides in the Gold kit, then I'd probably squeeze in an e-saver to Europe. What do you think? Is Gold worth $177 and a day spent on a mileage run?? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I think it is worth it. I'm a Gold Preferred thru Amex but haven't really taken advantage of it. But, my coworker is a Gold Preferred who says he loves US Airways. He says upgrades are much easier as a Gold than as a Silver.

I'd say...go for the gold! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<deleted>

[This message has been edited by dg1 (edited 05-30-2000).]

Does Southwest serve an airpirt in the area? If so, fly the same route on US. Flights to BWI are usually cheap. Then there is always Orlando. It can be very cheap - but requires more time in the air.

[This message has been edited by mileshound (edited 05-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by mileshound (edited 05-30-2000).]

Well, I did it!! I'm Gold. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I even phoned the Service Centre, and they manually credited the flights and the status so I can use my new elite level to try for upgrades for flights this weekend. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Thanks for all the tips everyone.

That's nice -- they wouldn't do that for me <frown>... I'm still waiting for some flights from May 29 to post .. any minute now <grin>

Congratulations! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Hey TFNF- if you don't mind me asking... where did ya go? How much did ya pay? I have a feeling I may be nearing the same situation unless I do a 6 segment roundtrip from PHL-ATL that's coming up.

Chexfan

The promotion expired today (or in 90 minutes from this post, to be exact) .....