Hey all,

I had thrown this question out on a reply in one of the CP threads but don't remember getting much feedback. The end of the year's coming somewhat close so I'm trying to figure out if I should go for it or not...

I'm currently SP, sitting at 33k/34 segs for the year. The only definite travel plans that I have for the rest of the year is a 5-segment trip to ROC in November, so that will leave me with 14.5k/21 segments left to get Gold.

My work schedule allows me to travel any time from Sunday AM to Wed night - this can be good as it avoids the weekend travel but also limits any type of weekend travel.

I think I've figured out a strategy to make it happen, if I should choose to. 4 UA 5-segment runs plus 1 6-segment run @ ~125 each (GoFare cities) will get me to 60 segments total for about $500. OR, 3 indirect transcons will get me over 50k miles for anywhere between $570-$625.

No GP challenge available when I called the DMSC about it; was told it was only offered through Marketing :confused:.

Anyone have better idea for qualifying or other suggestions?? I'm trying to make a decision soon due to the peaks of holiday season approaching soon and availability starting to drop.

Thanks in advance!

-JC

I think there is a sizeable jump in benefits from Silver to Gold, depending on your travel and reward patterns:
*100% mileage bonus;
*Better upgrade and standby. It strikes me this would help you out of PHL since that city has many preferred customers;
*Star Alliance Gold which gives you namely intl lounge access, and a few other intl benefits.

What do you expect to be the amount of travel in 2005? Less, same, more? What is your upgrade rate as a Silver now, and will you be on same routes? How well do you do changing flights on standby as Silver?

Are upgrades very important to you? Would you use the intl lounges? Do you have traveling companions you might want to upgrade?

You might also consider doing these mileage runs in 2005 so that you would have the status in 2005, 2006, through 2/2007. However, this would only apply if you think there would be a lot of travel early in the year, or otherwise you might be in the same boat in say Oct of 2005.

I'd agree that the run to Gold is worth it. I would not agree for a run to CP which, with fewer FC seats for upgrade, has become less important a level.

I'm making a MR in early December which, combined with my holiday travel, will bring me (back) to GP for 2005.

There are a number of reasons I'm doing this, including the significantly greater benefits as mentioned above. But I'm also doing this as a hedge, with the idea if US goes away, it'll be easier to get comped to another program as a GP than as a SP and on almost every carrier there are better benefits at the 50K level then at the 25K level.

As far as my travel habits, since currently I'm only flying for leisure, I can't fully predict my travel habits but if I had to guess I would say that they would be about the same as this year.

Travel - One difference that I will most likely have for next year for travel habits is that I will most likely always have a travel companion - my girlfriend has expressed a large desire in traveling and earning miles. Both of us have expressed interest in visiting Europe (she's gung-ho on Paris, I'd really like to check out Germany) so the *G bennies may be nice as well, especially lounce access.

Upgrades - I've had good luck with upgrades this year as a Silver, only missing one segment (PHL-CLT, 757) with alot of other CP's missing that flight as well. Sometimes I've cleared at windows with a companion, but I've also been the absolute last person boarding the flight waiting for my upgrade to clear traveling by myself. Since I will be traveling with a companion a majority of the time next year I would say this is pretty important.

Standby - I've had about 50/50 for luck with paying for standby for revenue flights, but typically I'm flexible and the flights I pick are the ones that I want. I HAVE used standby more on a number of award tickets and have had absolutely no problem and have enjoyed the flexibility when it was there.

Status Comp - I've thought about staying at Silver for this year and then requalifying Silver/upping to Gold in next year, but I think that the benefits of GP (Upgrades, 100% bonus) will make next year's experience alot better. Also, as noah had stated it may be nicer to get comped over as a 50k level rather than lower.

Bonus miles - An extra 50% bonus from SP to GP seems very nice - I've always wondered how some of you accrue miles so quick and are able to burn some of these *A FC awards so easily. Yeah, credit some of that to GOM but I can't imagine it all is.

So far 3/3 ^ for going for it.. Anyone else pitch in their .02?

Thanks!

-JC

No GP challenge available when I called the DMSC about it; was told it was only offered through Marketing :confused:.

Anyone have better idea for qualifying or other suggestions?? I'm trying to make a decision soon due to the peaks of holiday season approaching soon and availability starting to drop.

-JC
Ok, your posting like a rookie! :eek: What is the first rule you learn on FT? If you don't get the answer you want on the first call, hang up and try again. If that doesn't work try Carole Blazer. Heck, email Ben if that doesn't work, after you've got 40-50 years of flying in front of you. Might as well become a life time roach now.

Watch for e-savers to Europe. Sometimes those are in the $200 - $250 range. One or two of those and you'll be close. Besides a weekend in AMS for a young guy can be a lot more fun than Seattle.

I've always wondered how some of you accrue miles so quick and are able to burn some of these *A FC awards so easily. Yeah, credit some of that to GOM but I can't imagine it all is.

We fly alot. :D

And you know I'm just giving you a hard time........ :p

Ok, your posting like a rookie! :eek: What is the first rule you learn on FT? If you don't get the answer you want on the first call, hang up and try again. If that doesn't work try Carole Blazer. Heck, email Ben if that doesn't work, after you've got 40-50 years of flying in front of you. Might as well become a life time roach now.

Watch for e-savers to Europe. Sometimes those are in the $200 - $250 range. One or two of those and you'll be close. Besides a weekend in AMS for a young guy can be a lot more fun than Seattle.

I had pushed a little bit to the DMSC rep but not too hard - don't want to get flagged or have any notations added into my account.

A couple E-Savers to Europe wouldn't be a bad thing at all, but I'm not sure if that will work into the days that I need.... Correct me if I'm wrong but typically the E-Savers for Europe and Caribbean require a Sat night stay and are for weekday travel typically??


We fly alot. :D

And you know I'm just giving you a hard time........ :p

Man, taking crap from some guy that plays with furniture all day...sheesh! :D Nah, I know you guys are road warriors and spend more time in the air than at home - The status sometimes hardly reflects the time and effort spent.

Mental image: picture the villain from Gone in Sixty Seconds, all sensitive over his precious woodworkings. :D I couldn't resist!

-JC

Mental image: picture the villain from Gone in Sixty Seconds, all sensitive over his precious woodworkings. :D I couldn't resist!-JC
Good One ^

A more accurate one would be Rodney Dangerfield sleeping on a very soft cushy sofa that you would have a hard time getting into a double wide. :D

I haven't flown one of the e-savers in two years. When we did, we left on Thursday night and came back on Monday. For some crazy reason I remember looking at a flight last year going over on a Friday, getting off for an hour and coming back. It priced out at around $230 to London. I decided it was not worth the comped club memebership. :D I don't remember seeing them so far this fall, but we are just about to the time of the year they start offering them, so keep an eye open for them

Have you called back yet?

Good One ^

A more accurate one would be Rodney Dangerfield sleeping on a very soft cushy sofa that you would have a hard time getting into a double wide. :D

I haven't flown one of the e-savers in two years. When we did, we left on Thursday night and came back on Monday. For some crazy reason I remember looking at a flight last year going over on a Friday, getting off for an hour and coming back. It priced out at around $230 to London. I decided it was not worth the comped club memebership. :D I don't remember seeing them so far this fall, but we are just about to the time of the year they start offering them, so keep an eye open for them

Have you called back yet?

Nah, haven't called back yet.

I would love to be able to do the E-Saver but its not going to work with my current work schedule; Work Wed night until Sunday AM - sucks big time.

-JC

Well, after long and hard consideration :D I've decided to go for it.

Pure segments. I'm asking for punishment.

Here's my itin so far (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3342010&postcount=126) which includes my previously-booked trip to ROC so I've still got 10 more segments to book.

I had some good fun last night getting these to price and book... The 6-segment itin actually booked on united.com without any problems, but the 5-segment itin choked hardcore. I called united.com support and they couldnt figure it out; all they saw was the 91.01 fare and said "go book it with res NOW while its still good", and so I did. $5 phone fee waived too ^. All of the UA Res staff was awesome (even the outsourced guy in India), as well as the US Res chick that changed my seat assignments for the US flights.

I'd ultimately like to get the last 10 segments booked in the first week or two of December just incase there's any problems with mileage posting (never had problems before, just keeping my fingers crossed) or incase of misconnect (not sure how easy it would be to get credit for original UA itin when crediting to US).

-JC

"You've never seen a fat man 'run like this before" :D

"You've never seen a fat man 'run like this before" :D

You obviously haven't seen l4pi or myself run through an airport before! :D

My wife hates to travel with me because I like to get to the gate/club/wherever and crash... she likes to take her sweet ol' time.

Watching you and others making a "run" for it makes me jealous as doing a run often gives me a mini-vacation... and I could use one right now, maybe to SFO or LAS. I'm 45K from CP, and no real need to travel until after the first of the year. I did my gold run over the summer, so I got the "runs" out of the way early thanks to some cheap fares on UA with codeshares. ;)

Another thing to consider(although it is probably too late since you've already booked a few trips), is to buy one of the relatively inexpensive "B" fares to London. I booked one yesterday in order to upgrade immediately to Envoy using DMUTA4's, but instead of flying nonstop PHL-LGW we are flying PHL-CLT-LGW-CLT-PHL with 4 nights in London. B-fares are earning 150% EQM's thru the end of the year which means this trip will yield almost 13,500 EQM's. I've already made CP so it doesn't really matter to me, but the extra miles will push Mrs. Dukeman over 25K and she will get Silver. The fare was $586 all in -- not great for a mileage run (.04/mi), but you also could get a few days in London and you might be able to throw a few more segments in....

And if you book a "B" fare with your DM Visa you get an extra 50% EQM's -- so actually this trip to LGW will yield me 17,976 EQMs -- enough to put you over 50K and hit gold for $586.

Another thing to consider(although it is probably too late since you've already booked a few trips), is to buy one of the relatively inexpensive "B" fares to London. I booked one yesterday in order to upgrade immediately to Envoy using DMUTA4's, but instead of flying nonstop PHL-LGW we are flying PHL-CLT-LGW-CLT-PHL with 4 nights in London. B-fares are earning 150% EQM's thru the end of the year which means this trip will yield almost 13,500 EQM's. I've already made CP so it doesn't really matter to me, but the extra miles will push Mrs. Dukeman over 25K and she will get Silver. The fare was $586 all in -- not great for a mileage run (.04/mi), but you also could get a few days in London and you might be able to throw a few more segments in....

And if you book a "B" fare with your DM Visa you get an extra 50% EQM's -- so actually this trip to LGW will yield me 17,976 EQMs -- enough to put you over 50K and hit gold for $586.

NOT TOO LATE. I Just cancelled those itins so I'm wide open to go!

I'll definitely do that rather than segment hop all over.... cuz I do have 2 DMUTA3's ^.

I think I can do it if I take a quick weekend trip, per say leave Sat night and return mon-tues. It should add up as is:

(Preferred count, not overall)

Base + 50% B EQM bonus + 50% Visa EQM bonus
PHL-CLT 500 + 250 + 250
CLT-LGW 3994 + 1997 + 1997
CLT-LGW 3994 + 1997 + 1997
CLT-PHL 500 + 250 + 250

Total towards EQM balance: 17976 EQM <--- This would work!

Someone check my math. If its good, I'm booking ASAP.

-JC

NOT TOO LATE. I Just cancelled those itins so I'm wide open to go!

I'll definitely do that rather than segment hop all over.... cuz I do have 2 DMUTA3's ^.

I think I can do it if I take a quick weekend trip, per say leave Sat night and return mon-tues. It should add up as is:

(Preferred count, not overall)

Base + 50% B EQM bonus + 50% Visa EQM bonus
PHL-CLT 500 + 250 + 250
CLT-LGW 3994 + 1997 + 1997
CLT-LGW 3994 + 1997 + 1997
CLT-PHL 500 + 250 + 250

Total towards EQM balance: 17976 EQM <--- This would work!

Someone check my math. If its good, I'm booking ASAP.

-JC


My math is the same, but I'd wait for someone else to confirm. We are traveling on 12/8 and returning on 12/12. If you are going to be in London while we are there let me know -- we could meet for a drink. Based on your availability we might actually pass in the airport..... :D

I've checked all my math, and verified that the BoA Visa promo is a 50% Preferred COS Bonus so I went ahead and have a reservation held.

11/6 PHL-CLT 733 Confirmed in F
11/6 CLT-LGW 330 Waitlisted for Envoy (still many seats open)
11/8 LGW-CLT 330 Waitlisted for Envoy (still many seats open)
11/8 CLT-PHL 767 Confirmed in F

Is it normal to be waitlisted for Envoy when using DMUTA3's on a B fare? I know the cert says you can request the upgrade anytime in advance but when does the upgrade clear - same windows as lower-fares?

It looks like there's still a coupe Row1 seats open too :D

Total itin: 617.60 (not bad for less than 10 days adv. notice)

-JC

Is it normal to be waitlisted for Envoy when using DMUTA3's on a B fare? I know the cert says you can request the upgrade anytime in advance but when does the upgrade clear - same windows as lower-fares?
-JC

Yes, there are only a certain number of "R" class seats available for upgrade to Envoy. This is unlike domestic upgrades where your "B" fare could pull a "P" class seat or if you are on a lower fare you would need "E" availability. All upgrades to Envoy come from the "R" bucket. If there are "R" seats available at the time of booking a "B" fare they will upgrade you at that time. If not you will have to wait for seats to open up, probably on the day of departure. As even a CP using a DMUTA3 or4 can't upgrade a ticket at this point if there are no "R" seats. Does anyone know how upgrades work on the day of departure? Does fare class push US3 or US2 above US1 if on a "B" fare? Or is it all done by status?
jcooke -- I would keep calling every few days and see if anything opens in the "R" bucket. Please let me know what happens and also how the service is, as I haven't seen a recent Envoy trip report -- things seem to be changing daily at US.

What site is best for looking at an Envoy seat map on a flight, e.g. to see if/how many row 1 seats are avail? Are there 6 row 1 seats total?

Also for checking loads I would think it would always just show e.g. C9 even if 9 seats left for 25. Envoy on the A330 holds 40-42 right?

What site is best for looking at an Envoy seat map on a flight, e.g. to see if/how many row 1 seats are avail? Are there 6 row 1 seats total?

Also for checking loads I would think it would always just show e.g. C9 even if 9 seats left for 25. Envoy on the A330 holds 40-42 right?
ITN works well. Just act you are going to buy a ticket. Yep, just six seats in row 1. And yes it will just show C9 or C7, but the ITN seat map will show how many are assigned/unassigned.

Hope this helps

Yes, there are only a certain number of "R" class seats available for upgrade to Envoy. This is unlike domestic upgrades where your "B" fare could pull a "P" class seat or if you are on a lower fare you would need "E" availability. All upgrades to Envoy come from the "R" bucket. If there are "R" seats available at the time of booking a "B" fare they will upgrade you at that time. If not you will have to wait for seats to open up, probably on the day of departure. As even a CP using a DMUTA3 or4 can't upgrade a ticket at this point if there are no "R" seats. Does anyone know how upgrades work on the day of departure? Does fare class push US3 or US2 above US1 if on a "B" fare? Or is it all done by status?
jcooke -- I would keep calling every few days and see if anything opens in the "R" bucket. Please let me know what happens and also how the service is, as I haven't seen a recent Envoy trip report -- things seem to be changing daily at US.

I remembered about the R bucket for my roach->Envoy upgrade last November, but wasn't sure if that's where the higher fares were pulled from R also.

It looks like the domestic segments went P0/P1 as of this morning, but thankfully they were able to confirm the domestic segments in F before ticketing.

When I called to have the itin ticketed around 4A today I had them check on avail for clearing the waitlist, the rep was kind enough to call inventory but no avail. He said to keep checking everyday as something may open up.

I had a very nice gate agent clear my upgrade last time across the pond so I got to check out the PHL Envoy club; hopefully my upgrade will clear early enough to checkout the CLT Envoy club too! ^

-JC

hopefully my upgrade will clear early enough to checkout the CLT Envoy club too! ^

-JC

No CLT Envoy club - you just get into the regular club. Make sure you ask for drink coupons. If you need more (they usually give you more but sometimes limit you to 2), then go to the other club and start over. There will be no free food like in PHL.