:eek: :eek: :eek:


“Could EXP or 1K be flown in a month?” I have seen it asked several times on FT. The answer usually points out that if flying long-haul premium cabins 66.6k BIS isn’t all that impossible in month. But I decided to double that pace…100K in 19 days.

Yes, I am doing this partly for bragging rights and partly for fun. The price was right and timing fit my schedule needs this year. 100% pure (pointless?:D ) MRs. The economics work and I kinda enjoy flying, even this intense. Making something like this happen is a puzzle. It is an art…I look forward to the finished product. What will my 100K in 19 days end up looking like?

I started out on Jan 13 about 1 AM leaving Yaoundé, Cameroon, where I had been for a Christmas vacation and major family event.

By Jan 31 I will have 100K BIS with AA. 100% AA flight #s, starting with an SN code-share, mostly AA metal, mostly domestic, with some AS code-shares involved.

Planning:
- I have a little more than 110K booked in this time-frame…a must considering inevitable disruptions.
- My itineraries allow adequate sleep along the way. The backbone of the itinerary are long enough domestic flights for good sleep…with upgrades (when they clear) into international business style seats…free to me as an EXP. And I stand a good chance of 3 row to myself when the upgrade does not clear.
- Cost: The backbone of my itinerary is a mileage run jewel:
AA 6779 PDX-LAX (AS 737), AA 30 LAX-JFK (762), AA 179 JFK-SFO (763), AA 8089 SFO-PDX (AS CRJ 700).
22:33 minutes total. 1:27 in PDX before the repeat.
$110.46 all in. Bought when the price was right and applicable 7 days a week through end of sched (about 10 months ago). $30 lost when cancelled (I already cancelled 2).
Almost all flights below are paid for with vouchers. :)


Flown so far:
Jan 13 NSI-BRU-ORD-DUB (NSI-BRU was actually ticketed as 11:40 Jan 12, left 1 hour late)
Jan 14 DUB-SNN-ORD (overnight in ORD)
Jan 15 ORD-LAX-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 16 JFK-SFO-LAX-JFK
Jan 17 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 18 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 19 JFK-SFO-PDX
Jan 20 PDX-SJC-LAX
Jan 20 LAX-LHR
Jan 21 LHR-ORD
Jan 22 ORD-LAX-JFK
Jan 23 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 24 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 25 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 26 JFK-SFO
78554 miles flown as of 3 PM 1-26-07 (http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=NSI-BRU-ORD-DUB+%0D%0ADUB-SNN-ORD%0D%0AORD-LAX-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX%0D%0APDX-SJC-LAX%0D%0ALAX-LHR%0D%0ALHR-ORD%0D%0AORD-LAX%0D%0ALAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO%0D%0A&RANGE=&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-UNITS=mi&SPEED-GROUND=&SPEED-UNITS=kts&RANGE-STYLE=best&RANGE-COLOR=navy&MAP-STYLE=)
Ticketed:
Cancelled for rest/FT meet: Jan 26 PDX-LAX-JFK Jan 27 JFK-SFO-PDX
Jan 27 PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 28 JFK-SFO-PDX (overnight in PDX)
Jan 29 PDX-SAN-ORD-DEL (VIP upgrade waitlisted)
Jan 31 DEL-ORD-AUS-ORD (VIP upgrade confirmed)
26573 miles to go (http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=SFO-PDX%0D%0APDX-LAX-JFK-SFO-PDX%0D%0APDX-SAN-ORD-DEL-ORD-AUS-ORD%0D%0A&RANGE=&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-UNITS=mi&SPEED-GROUND=&SPEED-UNITS=kts&RANGE-STYLE=best&RANGE-COLOR=navy&MAP-STYLE=)
Total (http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=NSI-BRU-ORD-DUB+%0D%0ADUB-SNN-ORD%0D%0AORD-LAX-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX%0D%0APDX-SJC-LAX%0D%0ALAX-LHR%0D%0ALHR-ORD%0D%0AORD-LAX%0D%0ALAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK%0D%0AJFK-SFO%0D%0ASFO-PDX%0D%0APDX-LAX-JFK-SFO-PDX%0D%0APDX-SAN-ORD-DEL-ORD-AUS-ORD%0D%0A%0D%0A&RANGE=&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-UNITS=mi&SPEED-GROUND=&SPEED-UNITS=kts&RANGE-STYLE=best&RANGE-COLOR=navy&MAP-STYLE=)
Travel Log:

NSI-BRU AA 7821 Arrived 2.75 hours ahead of departure time. It took 3 hours to get to the check in airline agent! Much longer than normal at NSI (from experience) and a very nerve wracking experience. Fortunately, they held the plane until everyone could get checked in and get through the checks. I got bumped up to business class in the end...they ran out of coach. My first time ever for an international op-up and I don't have status on SN! Never an international op-up on AA (EXP for 4 years), UA (1K), or CO (PLT) or any other alliance carrier. I was very happy for my upgrade, but I couldn't help but think: "Why didn't SN bump up their elites and give me coach instead." Ah, I know, I think too much about status...

BRU-ORD AA 89 A very normal flight in a full coach cabin. Arrived a few minutes late.

ORD-DUB AA 92 A much delayed flight (mechanical). Poor communication. Eventually AA came up with a new aircraft for us. Departed more than 2 hours late. Flight was full..no room to lay down.
A very interesting experience in DUB upon arrival in DUB from ORD. Was paged (along with another party apparently also doing a turn - anyone know who?) to make myself known at the front of the plane. Did and was escorted through check-in, security, etc by an agent...helped make the turn onto this delayed flight happen fast. We got back to the departure area with a few minutes to spare and the agent asked if we wanted a few minutes in the lounge before boarding (then took us to the Aer Lingus lounge, noting we were Emeralds). As we were walking, I chatted with the agent about Aer Lingus leaving Oneworld, Ryan Air buying them (maybe), etc....
DUB-SNN AA 92 A super short flight this is for a 767.
SNN-ORD Normal empty flight...got a row of 3! :D Arrived an hour late or so (same plane as had originally left Chicago late of course, making everything along the way late).

ORD-LAX AA 1247 Normal flight in coach...originally ticketed a longer routing to PDX via a couple places before LAX but decided to sleep longer instead then standby...hence coach. Jan 15 was such a mess at ORD...most flights were being delayed. This LAX flight was one of very few that got out on time that morning...we even arrived in LAX early. The flight had shown F0 Y0 the night before but with so much delayed I made standby without issue and we had a good number of empty seats left on the 757 (maybe 95% full).

LAX-PDX AA 6789 Normal flight in coach...AS 737.

PDX-LAX AA 6779 Normal flight in coach...AS 737. For some reason I got stuck in the very last row of coach; AA never assigned me a seat on the flight when I booked. Delayed flight, arrived in LAX after the last shuttle between terminals (10:30 PM) so I had to walk then re-clear security. Yuck. Shower and snack at AC.

LAX-JFK AA 30 Normal flight in crowded coach :( , 762. Slept most of the flight. Barely missed the upgrade. Was #7 on upgrade list, 1-6 got upgraded at the gate.

JFK-SFO AA 179 Normal flight in empty coach...nice row of 3 to myself :D . Also missed upgrade by one person on this flight (was #5 on gate list, 1-4 got upgraded). A well baked Steak Burrito for lunch at the SFO Mission Bar and Grill followed by 3 hours in the SFO AC.

SFO-LAX AA 7082 Modification: AA 8089 SFO-PDX was seriously delayed, so I turned AS SFO-PDX-LAX into AS SFO-LAX to continue my next itinerary from there. (Merged seg 4 of ticket A with seg 1 of ticket B by talking to AS GA - free of course as the delay was AS' fault and essentially I was flying non-stop instead of a connection due to a very delayed flight. My AS MVPG card may have helped.). This new flight was also delayed, but allowed me to make my overnight AA flight to JFK. I arrived on the LAX runway on time...but it took more than half an hour to get a gate. Sure enough, the last shuttle between terminals (10:30 PM) had just left a couple minutes ago, so I had to walk then re-clear security. Yuck.

LAX-JFK AA 30 Great flight in business class. :) Upgrade cleared a couple days in advance. Slept well.

JFK-SFO AA 179 Great flight in F class. :) Upgrade cleared a couple days in advance. Slept well. Got a Oven Roasted Chicken Breast double the meat 6" sub for lunch at Subway SFO...wow $7.57 for what costs half that at my local Subway.

SFO-PDX AA 8089 This flight left about on time, but once we got near PDX, the pilot announced we had an ATC hold. Circled PDX for about 45 minutes! Checked in for my next flight then got the special to go (pork rice something) at Capers Cafe PDX. They want a tip when just taking food to go?

PDX-LAX AA 6779 AS Coach. As usual, I didn't try to upgrade using my AS status and crediting this seg to AS (but the AA flights to AA for the AA upgrades) , as doing this on an AA issued ticket sometimes seems to really mess up your record and make AA agents type for 15 minutes to issue (or re-issue) your next boarding passes. The AS issued continuing boarding pass may no longer work if you mix accounts for some reason. This flight (737-70r)was a little delayed departing PDX. We boarded late due to mechanical checks. The GA promised we would still arrive in LAX on-time...and we did touch down around our scheduled arrival time, but sure enough, it took a while to get a gate. I got off the plane about 10:22 and managed to hop on the last shuttle right to AA mainline. No security...much better. ^

LAX-JFK AA 30 Upgrade cleared around 30 hours out. Nice AA; I like this. ^ Slept well after a quick shower in the AC. We arrived in JFK about 40 minutes early...nice headwinds.

JFK-SFO AA 179 The upgrade hadn't cleared when I arrived at JFK. I went to the lounge to get my boarding pass and the AC agent worked their magic to snag an X upgrade...go AC angels!

By this point in my travels, I was no longer feeling so tired. My body had now adjusted and was happy with 4.5 hours of sleep x 2 per day instead of 8 hours at once. I was feeling well rested after my JFK-SFO flights...ready for a 12 hours up before another 4.5 hours of sleep LAX-JFK.

SFO-PDX AA 8089 This flight arrived on-time for once! 100% full CRJ, but no bump offer announced. I got to sit down for a leisurely dinner at Gustav's Pub and Grill at PDX...decent food while reading this thread. :)

PDX-LAX AA 6779 On time arrival at LAX. ^ Could use the shuttle over to AA.

LAX-JFK AA 30 Upgrade cleared about 4 hours out. This flight was delayed 30 minutes, allowing for a more leisurely shower in AC beforehand. I slept until we started circling JFK....about 40 minutes early even though we had left late...strong tail winds. But JFK had snow that morning...meaning we didn't actually get a gate until about an hour later, now 20 mins late arrival.

JFK-SFO AA 179 Upgrade cleared about 30 hours in advance. Nice. I have been contemplating asking to switch to a free row of coach on this flight one of these days..the seat on the 763 is excellent but part of me prefers flat...3 seats are a flat bed (On my side with my legs a little bent). Coach seems to aways have free rows on this flight...but if I make this switch I will miss my post sleep pre-SFO arrival single glass of red wine ritual.
So far, I have kept my F upgrade. Between flights at JFK, I got breakfast to go (Eggs, Sausage, & Toast) from the Brooklin National Deli. The person packaged it up for me before handing it to me and I didn't think of checking inside. No silverware! A problem as I wanted to eat on the plane before take-off then get sleeping ...got to board now, to be continued. OK, have time now: We had at least 40 minutes on the ground waiting for other planes to take off from JFK...because of the snow. I felt awkward asking, but an FA quickly produced a fork for me so I could eat breakfast then get a start on my sleep all flight long. (Until the end, when I would wake up and ask for a glass of red wine and water before landing, as usual.)

SFO-PDX AA 8089 On time flight. Arrived in PDX, and for the first time, was not about to get on a plane again. I did however still walk to a gate and ask for a boarding pass, this time for tomorrow morning PDX-SJC. Sure enough when they tried to print this boarding pass PDX-SJC-LAX-LHR-ORD printed. "Oh, this can't be right"..."Don't worry, it is right" I counter. "I am in London for less than 24 hours so the next boarding pass will automatically print in your system (Sabre)."

(overnight in PDX) Stayed at the Sheraton PDX - on 3K SPG points of course. Not a bad hotel...and a decent supper before bed and about 10 hours of sleep.

PDX-SJC AS 312 I decided to upgrade on AS this morning by giving them my AS MVPG # at the gate for my first flight...got me some nice roasted nuts on this 1:17 flight. These are the first nuts I have eaten all week.

SJC-LAX AA 3199 Good o'l Eagle ERJ...I like them around California for the scenery and a little variety. They do get old fast, though!

I am feeling good...not jet-lagged, super tired, or anything other than quite well, happy, and enjoying what I am doing.

LAX-LHR AA 136 The flight went well...good food, half decent seat. Got some sleep, but not for more than about 4 hours because it did not fit my body's sleep sched.
(As I was typing here, waiting for my LAX-LHR flight today, Expert Flyer came through for me: I was waiting for an upgrade, AA 136 was showing F1, J1, Y7. I have been waitlisted for a month and no inventory was released; AA has only been selling J, not D on this flight, so they expect it to sell. Of course, I had set up a flight alert for C inventory using Expert Flyer and at approx 2 hours before the flight, while typing here, a new email from Expert Flyer flashed across my screen. C1. So I go to the lounge agent and ask if she would check C inventory; sure enough she confirms C1 but "we don't process upgrades here, you have to wait. Besides, you are number 2 on the list." Me #2 now...hmmm me thinks. I had been #1 when I was put on it a couple hours ago...and I checked in for this flight yesterday evening withe AS (all boarding passes printed then) so AA's system must not be correctly recognizing my time of check in with AS - but rather the time of re-issue. AA had to reissue my boarding passes for some reason. OK, time to call the EXP desk and inquire of upgrade inventory for my flight. EXP agent gets my record locator and confirms the upgrade...all done. I now have a new boarding pass.)

LHR-ORD AA 93 While still in the lounge in LAX before leaving for LHR, I noticed something quite important to me: AA 93 LHR-ORD went from lots of free rows in coach to almost 100% full. AA had cancelled Saturday's ORD-LHR AA 90 (probably mechanical) and needed to cancel a Sun LHR-ORD so cancelled the flight two hours before mine, moving tons of people to my flight. So all cabins became full on AA 93 and I lost my free row I was looking to secure with a friendly agent at LHR. Cramped coach...and left a little late and arrived a little late. Because I had two items, backpack + roller, I was forced to clear immigration at LHR and check my roller...then wait ORD for 50 minutes while baggage handlers figured out how to unload our plane. All in, it was 10 PM by the time I got home to my own bed in Chicago...a little later than anticipated. To make matters worse, a head cold virus started.
MORE Will BE FILLED IN AS I HAVE TIME!

ORD-LAX AA 545 I convinced an agent to let me standby for this flight as part of my way to PDX (instead of ticketed ORD-DEN-PDX). I got upgraded, even though I was only put on the flight 45 mins before departure. With the head cold, I decided to sleep long and didn't get to ORD until 3 PM (2 hours after ticketed departure). Now in LAX I will see if my gamble will work...will I be able to get myself on to my ticketed LAX-JFK flight (skipping standby LAX-PDX on one ticket and ticketed PDX-LAX on the next ticket). Will see what happens tonight...if I have to spend the night that is OK with me as need to take a break at a hotel sometime...it is only a matter of when.


^---------------------------^

To make a run like this work:
- Adequate sleep, preferably at the same time day after day. My schedule is as about as good as it gets on consecutive domestic runs for sleep.
- Some Vitamins, Zicam, Airborne-on-the-go, and 1/2 an aspirin (blood thinner - anti DVT) once/day.
- Foot powder/spray for shoes once a day to eliminate any odor. Take off shoes on flights.
- At least one shower a day - part of a good MR planning process.
- Moisturizing lotion once a day after shower - not something I normally use, but keeps my skin good when living on a plane.
- Good noise cancelling headphones (in my case, Bose).
- Good blindfold for sleeping....I bought a tempedic one for $40 (yikes) but it is way more functional that what you get for free on planes: does not touch eyelids, 100% blackout, comfortable, adjustable tension...
- Inflatable rests for certain circumstances; I only use them occasionally but they make a difference then:
- "First Class Sleeper" - helps relax back when leaning back - useful when stuck in cramped coach longhaul (over 10 hours especially).
- Forward inflatable pillow - forgot the name - it braces against the seat in front of you. Useful for second longhaul cramped coach flight giving you a different position to sleep in after leaning back for too long.- Food: Eating around the same times everyday really helps. I am relatively cheap (for airports anyway) but eat relatively healthy (low fat, high protein) when on the road.
- Low stress: I have to check myself sometimes but if I don't let myself tense up when things are late/misconects/weather/etc, I can live a relaxed untired life on a plane.

PDX Meet: I am starting to get a little better from my cold, so plan to continue flying a couple more days, then cancel my 26/27 itinerary. After getting in around 6 PM on the 26th, I will go to a friend's house to crash. On the 27th (Saturday), I would be happy to meet up with FTers for lunch. I do not leave again until 7:47 PM on the 27th.

My hat's off to you. Pure, unadulterated MRs. It doesn't get any better than this. :D

So, what does February hold for you? ;)

Well it is possible, but it would obviously get expensive. There was that one guy who bought the first AC North America Unlimited Pass ($7000CAD for 2 months) that, then, gave 100% status miles flown (as opposed to a fixed # miles/month as they do now). He went back and forth on 20 minute YVR-YYJ-YVR flights all day and did red-eye transcons. He ended up getting Super Elite on AC quite quickly and over 1000000 miles over the course of the 2 months. To book all those flights a la carte would be really expensive, so I guess you're stuck to long hauls which take more time per miles earned.

Pure addiction...go baby go.........

Just got done my first MR this morning - maybe someday I'll be doing 100k/month too!!!

Best of luck!

I am looking for one of these, so when it happens I will do the 30 or 60 day back and forths on any airline that offers it.

I have to say I am a bit envious, although I don't know if I could physically pull this off. I try to do in 10 months what you plan on doing in 2 weeks. Good luck.

beautiful ^

Fabulous...! I love it...:D

How do you have so much time to do this? Are you taking the month off? I wish I had more time...

Ouch. Best of luck to you!

I'm sure the Portland FTers would be happy to buy you a beer on a stopover. You certainly deserve it!

Let's hope you don't go crazy in the middle of these flights:


Jan 23 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 24 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 25 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 26 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 27 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 28 JFK-SFO-PDX

Be sure to buy a newspaper so you don't forget what day of the week it is!
:eek:

I'm jealous!

actually, I had thought of once trying to fly the 66,667k miles in business class on back to back flights to/from Asia, but then I wimped out.

I salute you! :)

Steve

So, what does February hold for you? ;)

Staying at home no doubt and recovering from a severe case of constipation ;)

To the OP: How often and where do you plan on showers?

The economics work and I kinda enjoy flying, even this intense.

...uh, yeah. I hope so.

You must be single.

Wow! Reading your travelogue will be interesting! Have a great time.

i'm speechless

uhhhhhhh...loss for words...

Have you thought about seeing if a business needs anything transported between these routes? Make some money on the side....make sure nothing illegal. Wouldn't that be icing on the cake!

My hat's off to you. Pure, unadulterated MRs. It doesn't get any better than this. :D

So, what does February hold for you? ;)

i heard a rumor that he going to fly 600.000 miles on LH to get HON in february

:D

Oh when oh when will I be able to get EXP by flying paid FC tix on QF from SYD to JFK?? or LHR-BKK-SYD/MEL... doesn't someone on the boards to do this? mr. pillows? the Aussie guy on BA?? when I can do this, i will have truly made it :)

Wow! :eek:

I thought I was something in getting CO Plat by 1/14 this year... but 100k BIS... hope your rear can stand it.

Good luck! :)

Wow! :eek:

I thought I was something in getting CO Plat by 1/14 this year... but 100BIS... hope your rear can stand it.

Good luck! :)

Simply in awe, all I can say is WOW.:)

Wow!

Having flown 18K BIS this past weekend, with 14 or 15K of it in coach, I don't think I could do 100K.

The business class seats may have made it tolerable for me. Got bumped and upgraded to J on a Delta 767 Intl with lay flat seats ATL-JFK. I wish it had been a longer flight, as this was the first time I had laid flat in 48 hours.

The thing that made it much easier for me was that 3 other people were flying some or all of the flights I was on.

I look forward to reading about your experience.

The fact that the status will last 2 years makes the experience more tolerable as well, IMHO.

If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing.

how much does this cost? i'm very curious.

i heard a rumor that he going to fly 600.000 miles on LH to get HON in february

:D

And the first part of March will be 300K on UA for that simulator ride.

I think the smell alone would get you row 3 to yourself by day two of this.

Best of luck!

peace,
~Ben~

Wow - uber-MR!!!

The logical extension of this is to then follow in each subsequent month in flying 100K (or whatever is required for top tier in a different FFP) - UA in Feb, DL in Mar, etc....

i heard a rumor that he going to fly 600.000 miles on LH to get HON in february

:D

You need to upgrade your mill.
;)

Staying at home no doubt and recovering from a severe case of constipation ;)

To the OP: How often and where do you plan on showers?

Constipation: Not an issue. I eat well (select airport food) and am just fine.

Showers: At least once a day, at an Admirals Club. Definititly LAX during my 1:45 connection and some days JFK during my hour connection if I feel like it.

how much does this cost? i'm very curious.
I wanna Know it too~

if the price is right, I have 2 of week vacation, and gonna do it, oh well.

I like to study on a plane, Too much things around on the ground :D (You all know that!)

Why stop with just one? Jan - AA, Feb - UA, Mar - DL, Apr CO.......;)

Jan 23 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 24 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 25 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 26 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 27 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK

Groundhog day?

Having just done 60k BIS miles in the course of two weeks. Jan 5th to Jan 17th most in F and 2 in Y, I came back home yesterday and slept for 18 straight hours. Wow 100k BIS is crazy.

I hope your trip is very rewarding.

- Cost: The backbone of my itinerary is a mileage run jewel:
AA 6779 PDX-LAX (AS 737), AA 30 LAX-JFK (762), AA 179 JFK-SFO (763), AA 8089 SFO-PDX (AS CRJ 700).
22:33 minutes total. 1:27 in PDX before the repeat.
$110.46 all in. Bought when the price was right and applicable 7 days a week through end of sched (about 10 months ago). $30 lost when cancelled (I already cancelled 2).
Almost all flights below are paid for with vouchers. :)
Excellent. Did you ticket these in person at an AA counter or by mail? I presume they pulled most of the taxes...

Staying at home no doubt and recovering from a severe case of constipation ;)

To the OP: How often and where do you plan on showers?

OP did not mention showers. He did say, however, that he expected to get three-across seats to sleep on in coach. :D

Wowwwwwwwwww!^

Have a great time and congrads :D

OP did not mention showers. He did say, however, that he expected to get three-across seats to sleep on in coach. :D

Unfortunately, perhaps, I do not have BO on my side for the three seats ;) . (Shower daily in LAX at AC, elsewhere if needed). I do have the fact that JFK-SFO is usually half empty in econ on my flight.

Excellent. Did you ticket these in person at an AA counter or by mail? I presume they pulled most of the taxes...

Ticketed at an AA counter...yes, taxes waived (using bump vouchers, primarily).

Yes, I am doing this partly for bragging rights and partly for fun. The price was right and timing fit my schedule needs this year. 100% pure (pointless?:D ) MRs. The economics work and I kinda enjoy flying, even this intense. Making something like this happen is a puzzle. It is an art…I look forward to the finished product. What will my 100K in 19 days end up looking like?

Almost all flights below are paid for with vouchers. :)
The thread you don't want your SO's to read!

Your comment summs it up in one sentence, for me. It's all a puzzle. I have the added complexity of being a hub-captive, and being very lean on NW DB210s right now. But I've just about requalified to Silver, at around $0.02/EQM... amazing (IMO) for a hub-captive.

Reading threads like this make me proud to be an MR'er... :)

Steve B.

Ticketed at an AA counter...yes, taxes waived (using bump vouchers, primarily).

Couple more questions:

* What was the ticketing agent's reaction?
* How many separate tickets did you buy?
* How did you accumulate that many bump vouchers? I didn't have a single VDB last year.
* How much clothing are you taking with you? As you live in ORD, looks like you'll be home twice during that time, so 7-10 days worth?

Ah good, someone is crazier than I am. Way to go wannaflyforless ^

Congratulations to you and good luck with the MR!

100K BIS miles in 19 days ... that's 456 hours ... that means you're averaging 219.2 miles per hour ... you should get a speeding ticket!

What's your cost per mile?

Also, did you look at doing more longer-hauls instead of the JFK-PDX turnarounds? Would you be more comfortable with a couple of SYD and SIN trips rather than all of the boarding and unboarding?

My hats off also to all the FTers who offer their kudos and support! Only on flyertalk would this be thought of as a sensible, noteworthy and laudable endeavor :-)

I'm sure to some non-FTers and lurkers

Ouch. Best of luck to you!

You must be single.

i'm speechless

uhhhhhhh...loss for words...

I think the smell alone would get you row 3 to yourself by day two of this.

Groundhog day?

Wowwwwwwwwww!

What they said!
:eek: (!)

Wow, this is awesome! I wish I were doing the same thing. Great idea getting EXP in Jan. 07; you can just repeat it again Jan. 09, right?

1. How much did it all cost?
2. What did you pack with you?
3. When you merged segment 4 from one itin to segment 1 of another, did it cost you?

Please keep posting updates!

- Cost: The backbone of my itinerary is a mileage run jewel:
AA 6779 PDX-LAX (AS 737), AA 30 LAX-JFK (762), AA 179 JFK-SFO (763), AA 8089 SFO-PDX (AS CRJ 700).
22:33 minutes total. 1:27 in PDX before the repeat.
$110.46 all in.
I'm in awe. :eek:

Well it is possible, but it would obviously get expensive.

What is expensive?

If I had chosen to do this using 16 PDX-LAX-JFK-SFO-PDX returns it would have cost me 16 X $110.46 = $1767.36
6445 x 16 = 103,120 miles

Instead, because I am AA voucher rich, I chose to make my life more interesting, doing 8 or 9 of those plus variety.

So I guess you're stuck to long hauls which take more time per miles earned.

This does not tend to be the case, although it can be true with certain programs/promotions.

There was that one guy who bought the first AC North America Unlimited Pass ($7000CAD for 2 months) that, then, gave 100% status miles flown (as opposed to a fixed # miles/month as they do now).

Yes, mtachi did a good job on that promo.

He ended up getting Super Elite on AC quite quickly and over 1000000 miles over the course of the 2 months.

I intend to top that earning 1,000,000 miles in a different Star program this year. But in one month (and it will be mostly long-haul 1rst class flying).

My first ever series of MRs earned me 747K AA miles.

My current run is different because the focus is not total RDM earned but rather BIS in X days.

I am looking for one of these, so when it happens I will do the 30 or 60 day back and forths on any airline that offers it.

These come around several times a year on various airlines...if you understand (and can effectilfy apply) routing rules. What are you waiting for?

(Note: In order to get consecutive avail on a premium routing, it helps if you can book way out like I did 10 months ago).

Fabulous...! I love it...:D

How do you have so much time to do this? Are you taking the month off? I wish I had more time...

Self-employed; I choose my gigs.

You must be single.

Yes.

I'm sure the Portland FTers would be happy to buy you a beer on a stopover. You certainly deserve it!

Is that an offer?

Let's hope you don't go crazy in the middle of these flights:

Originally Posted by wanaflyforless
Jan 23 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 24 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 25 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 26 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 27 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 28 JFK-SFO-PDX


Crazy! ME! :eek: ;)

Not a concern of mine; I will be dropping one or two of those and crashing at a friend's place if my schedule does not clip a ton of miles beforehand.

Be sure to buy a newspaper so you don't forget what day of the week it is!
:eek:

My watch does just fine.

i heard a rumor that he going to fly 600.000 miles on LH to get HON in february

:D

Physically impossible.

Oh when oh when will I be able to get EXP by flying paid FC tix on QF from SYD to JFK?? or LHR-BKK-SYD/MEL... doesn't someone on the boards to do this? mr. pillows? the Aussie guy on BA?? when I can do this, i will have truly made it :)

Not QF but I have something worked out that works economically for me longhaul int F. No, I will not share the details on this. It is complex and not shareable.

And the first part of March will be 300K on UA for that simulator ride.

Save that for July when I have 3X miles.

Actually...300K BIS is soo not worth a simulator ride! (And would barely be possible in a month but no way affordable I know!).

Wow - uber-MR!!!

The logical extension of this is to then follow in each subsequent month in flying 100K (or whatever is required for top tier in a different FFP) - UA in Feb, DL in Mar, etc....

I will probably earn 6 top-tiers this year, but not quite like that.

Rumor has it that after completion of this task (which can only be compared to the first successful climb of Mt. Everest) wanaflyforless is receiving:

- a free lifetime membership to Flyertalk
- a gallon of shower gel and mouth water donated by flight attendants
- an honorable mention in the peanut growers association for having successfully digested an enormous amount of warm nuts
- an invitation by the "Queen" for having the entire movie dialogs memorized
- 25 bonus miles from AA as reward for being the first passenger who read an entire issue of "American Way" from cover to cover

.....

Rumor has it that after completion of this task (which can only be compared to the first successful climb of Mt. Everest) wanaflyforless is receiving:

- a free lifetime membership to Flyertalk
- a gallon of shower gel and mouth water donated by flight attendants
- an honorable mention in the peanut growers association for having successfully digested an enormous amount of warm nuts
- an invitation by the "Queen" for having the entire movie dialogs memorized
- 25 bonus miles from AA as reward for being the first passenger who read an entire issue of "American Way" from cover to cover

.....

-- And a ten cubic kilometres of fresh ice water from the glacier his carbon emissions melted!!

I will probably earn 6 top-tiers this year, but not quite like that.

Please share with me about *A plan...

at least PM me.:)

For those who don't recall, the OP previously did another mega-mileage run back in January 2004 (which, upon reading the thread again, was his first MR):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277934

I think we are definitely all in awe of you. :) ^

The new SUPERMAN!

Physically impossible.

Flying 600k miles in a month to earn HON may be impossible, but earning 600k EQMs in a month to earn HON is not. Fly F on LH/OS/LX and earn 325% (once past 35k EQMs), so only need to fly 216k miles or less than 7,000 a day. (Can do it by flying even less thanks to generous minimum miles eg 2500 for intra-europe international business class on certain airlines.)

I am sure you could do it.

U R My Hero!

I did it in 55 days last spring on UA. Made it to 99.600 before they messed up and I got stuck. Hope the weather is on your side and you make the whole 100k in one piece. worse case is more vouchers :D ^

Insane but fabulous nevertheless!

Jan 23 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 24 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 25 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 26 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK
Jan 27 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK

HOLY SH*T!! You honestly have my respect just if and when you pull this off 5x! :eek: :eek:

Best of luck to you in the rest of this pure and gorgeously/insanely large MR! I look forward to hearing more! :D

I will probably earn 6 top-tiers this year, but not quite like that.
Any value in earning top-tier in two airlines in the same alliance?

Steve B.

wow :eek:

thats amazing ^ ^

you get a extra lane at TSA? - or getting arrested? ;)
or just - don't leave secured zone :p

Any value in earning top-tier in two airlines in the same alliance?

Steve B.

Yes - I have 3 on the same alliance (and others not in that alliance). Tend to be special perks on top tier when flying home airline. Plus ability to utilise differences in earning and burning on different itineraries to extract more value.

ok, I'll be the first one to say it......

GET A LIFE!

What's the point?



.....flame away

Is that an offer?

Sure, pick a date & we'll set something up.

Wow! :eek:

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy.

While I would enjoy being EXP, I can't hang. Kudos.

Go Wannaflyforless Go!:D

We are rooting for you!

OMG!! I just convinced myself that all my MRs this year are worthless. Why earn just 6-10K MQMs per trip? :D

This would probably be among the top 5 multi-mega MRs ever reported on FT!

I am just curious, what is the average miles you fly annually? Man, AA must have reserved a seat just for with your name written on it. :D Make sure you do a lot of legs/feet exercises to avoid DVT related to flying during those long haul flights.

Do you have a job?

Totally amazing.

The point? Being able to fly me in F to someplace warm. Rent a villa on the water, snorkeling, fishing, laying on a beach with a drink, sigh...

Get me out of Chicago.

Someone once left their account summary sitting on a computer in the ac, when I saw 120,000+ (additional) miles that month, I assumed it was from credit card transactions. After reading this thread I now see that bis miles could have contributed a big chunk of the 120,000+ miles. I am amazed.

My hat's off to you. Pure, unadulterated MRs. It doesn't get any better than this. :D
Thanks! :D ^

So, what does February hold for you? ;)
"600.000 miles on LH" of course!
i heard a rumor that he going to fly 600.000 miles on LH to get HON in february
:D
The economic equation does not work for that one!
And the first part of March will be 300K on UA for that simulator ride.
I am considering 300K EQM on UA (less BIS) but not for the simulator ride!
At the very most, it cannot be worth more than $1000.
Don't show this thread to Kinglobjaw or whatever his s/n is.. he may try to make u his new boyfriend!
Not quite sure where that came from! I only date the other sex!
Wow - uber-MR!!!
The logical extension of this is to then follow in each subsequent month in flying 100K (or whatever is required for top tier in a different FFP) - UA in Feb, DL in Mar, etc....
:D :D :D :D
Nice try.
how much does this cost? i'm very curious.
Answer was in original post; read more carefully.
Your comment summs it up in one sentence, for me. It's all a puzzle.
Reading threads like this make me proud to be an MR'er... :)
Steve B.
Yes, :) someone who understands. ^ :)
I have the added complexity of being a hub-captive...
And...? The best mileage run generally is not ever available from where you live. There is a reason I most never MR to/from CHI; the fares aren't good enough. But anyone can position to where the right fare is then use it.

And...? The best mileage run generally is not ever available from where you live. There is a reason I most never MR to/from CHI; the fares aren't good enough. But anyone can position to where the right fare is then use it.

Yup very true even for non mileage runs.

Wowwwwwwwwww!^

Have a great time and congrads :D
Thanks! :)
Couple more questions:
* What was the ticketing agent's reaction?
Friendly; actually ticketed this in HNL (while on a different run). The senior AA check-in agent told me about a different MR (highly desirable) that a UK AA member supposedly does every year...but I have never been able to price as described.

* How many separate tickets did you buy?
Originally 12 of that fare.

* How did you accumulate that many bump vouchers? I didn't have a single VDB last year.
I only got bumped 4 times...and choose my travel dates/times bump conscious/strategically all last year.

* How much clothing are you taking with you? As you live in ORD, looks like you'll be home twice during that time, so 7-10 days worth?
9 changes of clean clothes were packed in my bag today.
Ah good, someone is crazier than I am. Way to go wannaflyforless ^
;) :D :D ;)
Congratulations to you and good luck with the MR!
Thanks!
that means you're averaging 219.2 miles per hour ... you should get a speeding ticket!

This is rather poor (per hour) but it about as good as you can get (without hurting yourself) unless paying for longhaul premium cabins.
What's your cost per mile?
Rather high, at around 2 cents/miles (4/EQM) once I added the international trips more recently...only added because I had enough AA money to cover them without out of pocket. Note: I never deduct vouchers/airline money from CPM calculations as doing so is like saying they have no value/opportunity cost.
Also, did you look at doing more longer-hauls instead of the JFK-PDX turnarounds? Would you be more comfortable with a couple of SYD and SIN trips rather than all of the boarding and unboarding?

Longhaul, especially if upgraded, is ideal, but is almost never a great CPM. I like fares that are 1 cent/RDM or lower...and have been able to ticket and fly some of these internationally in previous years...but have not seen anything bookable in that range this year yet. Min stay often gets in the way on the best fares.
A major advantage of domestic is I don't have to burn a limited resource (VIPS) to upgrade, and, on my route, get the same seat as I would if burning VIPS internationally.
Wow, this is awesome! I wish I were doing the same thing. Great idea getting EXP in Jan. 07; you can just repeat it again Jan. 09, right?
Could do; but not my plan. I have been making EXP every year (4 years now). 8 VIPS and a bunch of my flying are not MRs. Next year though I don't know...will have to see if I will sill be flying a lot then. I will be EXP regardless.
1. How much did it all cost?
2. What did you pack with you?
3. When you merged segment 4 from one itin to segment 1 of another, did it cost you?

1. ~$4000 paid for in vouchers, because of the international I added to spice things up.
2. Does the last part of my OP answer this now?
3. Nothing paid; delayed flight and AS + AS, so no problem.
Rumor has it that after completion of this task (which can only be compared to the first successful climb of Mt. Everest)
That significant!!!! (And here I thought I was waisting my time!;) )
Rumor has it that after completion of this task wanaflyforless is receiving:
- an honorable mention in the peanut growers association for having successfully digested an enormous amount of warm nuts

I don't eat nuts on most of my flights; not good for me to eat that many!And my primary itinerary does not include nuts anywhere in the service!
Rumor has it that after completion of this task wanaflyforless is receiving:
- an invitation by the "Queen" for having the entire movie dialogs memorized

I watch my own movies when I want to: Use Movielink.com and store them on your hard drive. No DVD's to weigh me down and I can download more using T-Mobile if I run out.
Rumor has it that after completion of this task wanaflyforless is receiving:
- 25 bonus miles from AA as reward for being the first passenger who read an entire issue of "American Way" from cover to cover.....
That one I accomplished many, many, many MRs ago!!!
Flying 600k miles in a month to earn HON may be impossible, but earning 600k EQMs in a month to earn HON is not. Fly F on LH/OS/LX and earn 325% (once past 35k EQMs), so only need to fly 216k miles or less than 7,000 a day. (Can do it by flying even less thanks to generous minimum miles eg 2500 for intra-europe international business class on certain airlines.) I am sure you could do it.
Yes; I am well aware of the difference! I am sure I could earn more than that many EQMs!
The new SUPERMAN!
<Blush> :D
U R My Hero!
:) :) :)
Any value in earning top-tier in two airlines in the same alliance?
Steve B.
Yes, definitely.
My doubles will probably be:
UA and BD: UA (SWUs, domestic upgrades, E+), BD (Cash + Miles, One-way awards alliance wide)
AA and BA: AA (VIPS, domestic upgrades), BA (One-way awards, upgrades from WT+ to the best transatlantic product available, and access to 1rst lounge even when flying domestic AA)
AS MVPG will probably be #6, but only if it happens (no MRs to try to attain it!).
wow :eek:
thats amazing ^ ^
you get a extra lane at TSA? - or getting arrested? ;)
or just - don't leave secured zone :p
I have never had any real problem with security anywhere. A two hour delay in MIA once and a one hour somewhere else but have never missed a flight because of TSA or anyone else.
ok, I'll be the first one to say it......
GET A LIFE!
What's the point?
.....flame away
The point is enjoying the life I already have; that is what I am doing.
While I would enjoy being EXP, I can't hang. Kudos.
I am sorry to hear flying in an 763 F seat trancon resembles hanging to you.
Go Wannaflyforless Go!:D
Thanks! ^ :)
We are rooting for you!
:D :D :D

Name next to the rental car? Out here, the only place I've seen my name is on an electronic board tucked away in a corner.
It's figurative, but if you figure on the electronic board your name is next to the parking space number, then your name is next to your car.

In some markets there are no electronic boards (RDU was that way, last time we passed through). You have to ask the counter person for your packet, but it still beats waiting in full line.

Steve B.

And...? The best mileage run generally is not ever available from where you live. There is a reason I most never MR to/from CHI; the fares aren't good enough. But anyone can position to where the right fare is then use it.

I am sorry to hear flying in an 763 F seat trancon resembles hanging to you.

Just as your life permits certain liberties, and has certain limitations and your MRs meet certain requirements, the same is true for me. My requirements for MRs (right now) are red-eye turnarounds (or TATL, where the red-eye is outbound). I have my preferrered routing, and when the specials hit, I buy/fly. I can deviate from that somewhat, for unique situations, but you play the hand you are dealt... and my hand came up NW Plat this year... so I can't complain... too much... :)

Believe he meant "can't keep up". From a distance, you are doing something that takes a considerable amount of planning, and the execution can be physically challenging.

Steve B.

I'll certainly keep an eye on this thread to see how it all winds up. ^

One thing though - had you tried this on UA, you would certainly have encountered so many itinerary changes in the 10 months between ticketing and travel that it probably would have all fallen apart (or at least shower opportunities would vanish).

UA's frequent schedule changes have really caused havoc with my plans recently. However, I have been able to use them to turn ordinary trips into stretched mini-MRs by re-routing through some out-of-the-way stops. :p

One thing though - had you tried this on UA, you would certainly have encountered so many itinerary changes in the 10 months between ticketing and travel that it probably would have all fallen apart (or at least shower opportunities would vanish).

Yes...scheds do change. What I am flying is not exactly what I ticketed....what I ticketed was good but ofcourse no longer works. I kept getting sched change messages and ofcourse AA automatically changed me onto undesirable itineararies not possible to do consecuative days. I ignored all this until about Nov then called AA and asked for my current desired routing. Since my original was similar (AS + 767 transcon each way with similar departure/arrival times, but different connection ciites) AA hapily obliged.

Your story interests me. I have to say it sounds crazy from where I sit, but we all see things from a different perspective, so kudos to you for going for what makes sense for you with guns blazing.

Would it be rude if I asked for a little basic background though? What (in broad terms) do you or did you do for a living, and what stage of life are you in, retired, young and single, etc?

And would you say the primary reason for doing this is a cost/benefit calculation, like "my time is worth X and by spending it this way I can more profit than I would by working to earn money gaining cash instead," or is it something you do because you actually enjoy each day of the doing it, or is it the sense of accomplishment, the idea that you're doing something difficult and succeeding, ie fixing your own car rather than paying a repairman to do it?

I imagine it's a bit of each, but just curious to know a little more about why someone would choose to do this, what your values are.

And would you say the primary reason for doing this is a cost/benefit calculation

If I could duplicate the costs of his mileage runs, I could accumulate 250,000 miles for about $2175. 250,000 miles are worth 2 business class tickets to Australia with stopover in NZ which usually sell for $10,000 each. I would spend $2175 and time on a plane for those tickets. And then AA throws extra benefits in the deal like top status and its perks with 8 eVips and free domestic upgrades.

ok, I'll be the first one to say it......

GET A LIFE!

What's the point?Some people think a great vacation is sitting on a beach zoning out for three weeks. I think that's a complete bore and a waste. The OP's trip, on the other hand, strikes me as an extremely fun and interesting vacation, a wild ride. It makes perfect sense to me.

de gustibus non disputandum est.

If I could duplicate the costs of his mileage runs, I could accumulate 250,000 miles for about $2175. 250,000 miles are worth 2 business class tickets to Australia with stopover in NZ which usually sell for $10,000 each. I would spend $2175 and time on a plane for those tickets. And then AA throws extra benefits in the deal like top status and its perks with 8 eVips and free domestic upgrades.

Sure. But that time is equivalent to money, can't just skip that part. Most people work about 22 days a month and 1/3 of the day or so (8 hours). So 19 days of 100% working on this 24/7 is not that different from 2-3 months of an office job, in terms of hours. Many here I'm sure earn more than $5k a month, which is equivalent to $60k a year. That's why I was asking, I'm curious what his values are. If your salary is low or you're retired it makes sense for cost/benefit. If you could make that money staying at home and working there must be other reasons.

Sure. But that time is equivalent to money, can't just skip that part. Most people work about 22 days a month and 1/3 of the day or so (8 hours). So 19 days of 100% working on this 24/7 is not that different from 2-3 months of an office job, in terms of hours. Many here I'm sure earn more than $5k a month, which is equivalent to $60k a year. That's why I was asking, I'm curious what his values are. If your salary is low or you're retired it makes sense for cost/benefit. If you could make that money staying at home and working there must be other reasons.

He's self-employed. And actually while I'm on a plane I can get something done!no internet and no FT helps!:D

So I ran into wannaflyforless yesterday in SFO on his Jan 24 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK itinerary. I was in line for the Chinese restaurant and saw his flyertalk tags. I introduced myself and we sat down and had lunch together. He has a remarkable story. I feel like such a lightweight with only 15K miles this month. Nothing like getting requal out of the way early though. Then you don't have to sweat those late part of the year MRs where if you get WX cancelled, you are hosed for the year.

So, bottom line, FT tags work. Wannaflyforless is the first FTer I have run into.

Then you don't have to sweat those late part of the year MRs where if you get WX cancelled, you are hosed for the year.


You must be talking about -very - late in the year or having trips too tight together at the end of the year :)

I think wannaflyforless has certainly raised the competition for FT's Mileage Runner of the Year Award ;)

This is definitely insane, but for those who 'get' it, and 'love' it, it's an absolutely beautiful run.

As noted, I could imagine how exciting it must be trying to put the pieces on this difficult puzzle together, and even better, overcoming the challenges of untangling and keeping the pieces together for the grand solution, for that final picture. I'm sure you are having a blast, and many of us here, envy you (really, no kidding) ^ .

I wish I could join you on the 27th wannaflyforless. Unfortunately I'm embarking on my own puzzle. A mini, mini, mini, mini puzzle compared to yours ;).

My hat's off to you. I'm working in consecutive weekends of triple LAX-PVD runs on UA, and I'm pretty sure I'll be a total wreck at the end of that.

He's self-employed. And actually while I'm on a plane I can get something done!no internet and no FT helps!:D

Good point. I guess if you can work your normal job on a plane it's like working two jobs at the same time without too much extra effort and doubling your "salary."

Still not for me, but that makes more sense.

Travel Log:(bump) For those who haven't noticed, the OP is regularly updating the original milepost with a travel log reporting on all the segments.

BTW, wanaflyforless, when possible could you include dates with routing info in that log, that will make it clearer and more interesting.

I think that it is great that the OP is able to allocate the time/$/energy to this goal that is important to him. It is interesting to me but only for the entertainment value.

Incredible journey!! ^

Can someone repost wannaflyforless' MR please.

Some people think a great vacation is sitting on a beach zoning out for three weeks. I think that's a complete bore and a waste. The OP's trip, on the other hand, strikes me as an extremely fun and interesting vacation, a wild ride. It makes perfect sense to me.

de gustibus non disputandum est.

Agreed, glad to see someone else "gets it". And if he's in the right line of work -- say, software engineering, or writing -- it may so happen that tooling around on a plane in semi-solitude is one of the very most productive ways he could be spending his time... YMMV.

-KF

You must be single.

lol... or he is now!

I can only imagine the story if he wasn't single...

"Hi honey, I've got a few flights in the next couple weeks."
"Where are you going?"
"Not sure... but keep an eye out for my posts on FT."

How did it turn out at end?

Congrats on almost making all the flights you had booked. That must be pretty hectic. I fly international on business and have been a 1K for years, the past 4 being a Global Services card holder. UA has been pretty good with me in giving the comp upgrades to F and for excellent service when calling the GS 866 reservations staff. Usually after a 20+ hour flight I don't want to see another aircraft even in F for awhile. Most of all my trips are to where star alliance flies to so it is difficult for me to accumulate many other carrier miles. I wouldn't mine getting status on AA since we do latin america once in awhile. What is the best way to set up the MR runs for AA? I usually end up with 10-20K miles each year with AA but most of the time using their partner airlines. I did get a comp AA card several years ago because of my 1K status but wasn't able to keep it up. Do you work on the AA site and get these prices or go to a private company like Orbitz? I never travel domestically but would have the time on weekends when I am home. Sofar this year I only have business trips scheduled IAD-FRA-AMM, IAD-NRT-BKK-KTM and IAD-FRA-ACC. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Karl, 1K GS

wonderful! I tip my hat to you mate!
I loved your entire descriptive of it all and I think you should get extra miles just for that!

:)MM!

great stuff, try and get lifetime status before the end of the year, now that would be crazy impressive!

So I ran into wannaflyforless yesterday in SFO on his Jan 24 JFK-SFO-PDX-LAX-JFK itinerary. I was in line for the Chinese restaurant and saw his flyertalk tags. I introduced myself and we sat down and had lunch together. He has a remarkable story. I feel like such a lightweight with only 15K miles this month. Nothing like getting requal out of the way early though. Then you don't have to sweat those late part of the year MRs where if you get WX cancelled, you are hosed for the year.

So, bottom line, FT tags work. Wannaflyforless is the first FTer I have run into.

I met him in San Diego at the MR seminar and he is a very remakable individual!

As per the tags - I was on NW from MSP-MEM last week and grabbed a bag in FC that I thought was mine because of the FT tags but it was the guy's behind me (on the phone.) My bag was next to his... As I had 20 mins to get across the airport I could not wait until he finished. I heard him say he had 6,000,000 or so lifetime miles(?) and was sitting on 2,000,000 miles now. Maybe I will see him this thursday ... GO FT!

I'm rather impressed in him being able to build the run, much less fly it. I tried to create a scenario to make NW Plat in 10 calendar days, and it's not that hard, in regards to the flights themselves... the problem is finding just the correct combination of fares (mon/fri same-days are tough!). Having about (15) DB210s would definitely help, but just building the run would be a challenge... it would have to be a perfect-storm of mid-week west-cost and weekend TATL specials. And would consume a Fri/5pm to (next) Mon-5/am block of time.

Congrats to the OP!

Steve B.

How did it turn out at end?
wanaflyforless, you last update to the OP was at 78554 miles, with 26573 to go. Let us know how it turned out?

Wirelessly posted (LGE-VX8100/1.0 UP.Browser/6.2.3.2 (GUI) MMP/2.0)

Will do very soon

Sorry, but what is a DB210?


I'm rather impressed in him being able to build the run, much less fly it. I tried to create a scenario to make NW Plat in 10 calendar days, and it's not that hard, in regards to the flights themselves... the problem is finding just the correct combination of fares (mon/fri same-days are tough!). Having about (15) DB210s would definitely help, but just building the run would be a challenge... it would have to be a perfect-storm of mid-week west-cost and weekend TATL specials. And would consume a Fri/5pm to (next) Mon-5/am block of time.

Congrats to the OP!

Steve B.

Wirelessly posted (LGE-VX8100/1.0 UP.Browser/6.2.3.2 (GUI) MMP/2.0)

Will do very soon

wanaflyforless, have your family and friends "intervened" and sent you to the dreaded Mileage Run Rehab Center?;)

wanaflyforless, have your family and friends "intervened" and sent you to the dreaded Mileage Run Rehab Center?;)

What does that involve? Greyhound executives running art therapy classes? ("No, no, buses have wheels but no wings. Try it again.") Diving experts running decompression chambers? ("We'll start your first day in our Alpha simulator - which you can see resembles the interior of a Boeing 777-300 - with the pressure set at 8000 feet above sea level and all the humidty sucked out of the air. Then we'll ease you into our ground-based Bravo simulator that resembles a UA RCC.") Martha Stewart reminding us what a metal knife in hand feels like? Or a Vince Lombardi-esque director who, upon our admission to the center, begins his lecture by pointing to a square-shaped object and uttering, "this is a bed. Any questions?"

*shudder*:p

Mmmm...
I really do need to wite up my update here.

But my computer crashed a couple days ago while I was in SIN and really don't feel like writing something detailed from an interet cafe or lounge. Once I get my laptop fixed or have some time at home feeling almost caught up, I will come back and add a bunch to this thread.

Summary: It was a major success, 104K BIS posted to AA in a timely manner, but AA refused to tell me if is was a record making EXP in Jan. I had amazingly few flight delays and arrived home tired...but no more than I have been before. A couple days of long sleeps and all is normal again - yes, I am young - that helps.

As for rehab - I am puzzled trying to imagine what that might involve. Trying to branwash me "you do not like flying" "you do not like airplanes" "you do not like flyertalk" "you do not like flying" "you do not like airlines" "you do not like FT" "you do not like flying", or ? :confused: ;)

Actually, those who know me well understand my equeation and although I met some resistance at first, are now in support of my living on airplanes part of the time. Flying them in business class and taking them into F lounges helps. :D

Sorry, but what is a DB210?

A DB210 is a NW bump voucher. Good for a free ticket (yuck, no miles) or $250 toward a flight.

congrats, looking forward to the next update

So I'm thinking that you'll be able to afford another trip like this next year after someone in Hollywood pitches this story to someone else in Hollywood.

"Ok, so picture this: Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta Jones in a story about this guy living in planes for a month. Now, I know the whole story concept might sound familiar, but I think it can really be a winner..."

1. ~$4000 paid for in vouchers, because of the international I added to spice things up.

"spice things up"...

Man, you are my hero... Seriously... I am planning a MR this year, and I could never do this MR you have come up with, but it would be my dream... I love how you are so calm and nonchalant about it... "to spice things up"... hahha... Incredible! ^

This thread popped up on my search and I didn't realize right away it is from 2007. I was really confused for a minute.

Anyway, I've flown with wana and can verify he enjoys flying, is a genius, is a go-with-the-flow kinda guy, showers daily, eats well, is proactive in abolishing foot odor and uses various items as eyeshades when napping inflight. :p

I'm assuming the laptop is fixed now. Perhaps a detailed update? Curious minds need to know!;)

Absolutely beautiful! Wonder if getting lifetime status on all the airlines is the goal now?

Wow, felt tired just reading the OP's itinerary on the 1st page. I realize it's from 2007, was wondering if it was repeated for 2008?