I just came across this today:
IAH-LAS-EWR-SFO-IAH for $660 and can be done in two days (a redeye from LAS-EWR)

It's right at 7,649 miles which I am calculating comes out to ~$.08/mile. Is this a good deal?

I could do two of these trips and get Silver status (with the miles I already have). Is it worth it? Or should I use my status on AA and aim for Platinum?

I just came across this today:
IAH-LAS-EWR-SFO-IAH for $660 and can be done in two days (a redeye from LAS-EWR)

It's right at 7,649 miles which I am calculating comes out to ~$.08/mile. Is this a good deal?

I could do two of these trips and get Silver status (with the miles I already have). Is it worth it? Or should I use my status on AA and aim for Platinum?

I think that's a very poor deal. The conventional wisdom is that you should aim for somewhere around 2 or 3 cents per mile. Here, you have 8 cents per mile, plus the cost of a hotel room. Keep your eyes open - you'll find better deals.

I think that's a very poor deal. The conventional wisdom is that you should aim for somewhere around 2 or 3 cents per mile. Here, you have 8 cents per mile, plus the cost of a hotel room. Keep your eyes open - you'll find better deals.

Would not need the hotel room as the flight from LAS-EWR is a redeye and the rest of the segments take place the next day (same as the EWR arrival). But I understand the $.02-.03/mile... I'll keep looking.

Would not need the hotel room as the flight from LAS-EWR is a redeye and the rest of the segments take place the next day (same as the EWR arrival). But I understand the $.02-.03/mile... I'll keep looking.

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for Canada (or any thoughts of keeping prices down)? The GST and some of the other fees (or dual sets) will tend to increase the cost per mile.

I think that's a very poor deal. The conventional wisdom is that you should aim for somewhere around 2 or 3 cents per mile. Here, you have 8 cents per mile, plus the cost of a hotel room. Keep your eyes open - you'll find better deals.
I think most would agree that 8 cents per mile makes no sense as an MR, unless perhaps one is looking to pick up the last few miles they need to achieve status. But I think noobies ought not be led to expect that vigilance will regularly turn up opportunities for MRs at 2 to 3 cpm, because those are relatively rare these days, as the infrequency of new threads on the MR forum reflects. And as always, YMMV.;)

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for Canada (or any thoughts of keeping prices down)? The GST and some of the other fees (or dual sets) will tend to increase the cost per mile.

Depending on where you live in Canada, try to fly out of the nearest US airport.
If you are in the Toronto area, fly out of Buffalo, NY.

Casey.

Depending on where you live in Canada, try to fly out of the nearest US airport.
If you are in the Toronto area, fly out of Buffalo, NY.

Casey.

Unfortunately, the nearest is Bellingham, and the biggest is SEA. Neither are *A hubs (NW/AS are the two big ones from what I can tell). The hassle/cost factor of the border, parking, etc... compared to YVR (it costs me $5 to/from YVR since I can be cheap and use transit.) makes a mileage run from the US a problem. I always look, but the only one I can think of being worthwhile is an international mileage run.

I think most would agree that 8 cents per mile makes no sense as an MR, unless perhaps one is looking to pick up the last few miles they need to achieve status. But I think noobies ought not be led to expect that vigilance will regularly turn up opportunities for MRs at 2 to 3 cpm, because those are relatively rare these days, as the infrequency of new threads on the MR forum reflects. And as always, YMMV.;)

A fair and excellent point! Of course, with creative routing on a low-cost transcon flight, one can move much closer to the elusive 2-3 cpm target! ;)

And I've been known to pay much more than 2-3 cpm if (a) it's a location I needed to go anyway; or (b) it's a location I want to go to (in other words, not really a pure MR).

A fair and excellent point! Of course, with creative routing on a low-cost transcon flight, one can move much closer to the elusive 2-3 cpm target! ;)

And I've been known to pay much more than 2-3 cpm if (a) it's a location I needed to go anyway; or (b) it's a location I want to go to (in other words, not really a pure MR).

Of course, if the OP were already AA Platinum/Sapphire, status bonus would bring it down to .04 cpm - Look to some creative routings with SAN, WAS, CLT, Florida, LA/NYC/SFO area and west coast - NRT fares - good luck!

Of course, if the OP were already AA Platinum/Sapphire, status bonus would bring it down to .04 cpm - Look to some creative routings with SAN, WAS, CLT, Florida, LA/NYC/SFO area and west coast - NRT fares - good luck!
I only calculate my mileage yield in cents per mile of EQM, and I look upon any opportunity to earn EQM at 4 cents or less each as a good MR opportunity. RDM at 4 cents each makes no sense (no pun intended) to me, and I won't "buy" RDM at >1.5 tops.

Reading thru this thread has been helpful as i consider a MR. I have a question. Be gentle, I am a novice.

I know that a purchased 1st class ticket yields 1.5 pts per mile flown. I know it also adds 1.5 miles to my overall mileage for awards. But does it also add 1.5 miles per mile flown toward EQM? I'm sure this is stated in big bold letters on AA.com or this web site but haven't found the answer yet.