This year, I began the exciting foray into MRs and have recently reached the marginally-famous world of Premier Status, including the fancy "1" printed on my boarding pass and the hordes of nubile women that accompany me to the gate. (though, one must argue the new Premier Lobby at SFO is pretty tony).

The problem is, however, now the I have 30,080 EQM, I taste 2P. I'm a college student on a budget, but, I'll gather 5200 more miles from a company flying me out from OAK to DCA for a job interview, netting me about 35000 miles EQM. Obviously, the question is, whether I can/will sink the money into three more 5000 mile MRs, but, I wanted to query the experts as to whether anyone had any ideas for maximize EQM intake without expanding the price - special promotions, twists, loopholes, and such. I only have 18 segments, so, methinks segments are out.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks so much for your time.

--gray

I think you mean 1P, as you should be 2P already if you have 25,000 EQM in 1 calendar year.

As for getting three more 5000 EQM MR's, that's not hard, just takes you some time. Read all the stickies, frequently check sites like farecompare and united.com, play with routings in ITA, and if you see a great MR opportunity, book it.

Depending on your tolerance for pain, which should be rather high as a college student :) ... you should be able to knock out the 15K you need in 2 MRs if you're trying to save $$.

Just check farecompare for low fares from your destination and play with ita to come up with runs that fit your schedule. For example, a run from OAK to PBI on UA, $188++, could easily net 7.5K and would cost about $250 all-in.

Not to rain on your parade but, why do you want 1P? Is it really worth the time and expense of 2 or 3 MRs to you?

I myself do it for the international lounge access and the double RDM. I barely book exit rows anymore because I know that there is essentially no chance of an empty middle seat. Knowing the average loads on the flights that I take most, I generally prefer to take a chance on an empty middle seat somewhere else in E+.

15K UA EQM's can be had for $600 to $700 when there aren't any "special" sales around. Whether it is worth in OP's case is entirely different case.

Oh . . . does 1P (which I meant) not give access to domestic lounges? I thought it gave *A Gold status - does that mean one can or cannot use domestic lounges.

Bags on priority seems pretty cool, tho . . . .

Oh . . . does 1P (which I meant) not give access to domestic lounges? I thought it gave *A Gold status - does that mean one can or cannot use domestic lounges.

Even 1K's cannot. $300 please for RCC access. Could be more for less than 1K's though.

Bags on priority seems pretty cool, tho . . . .

Rarely works. If possible do not check in luggage.

It it were me, the answer would be yes. You should be able to knock out 15k on 2 MR's. Like SFO-SEA-ORD-FLL- and the return or something like that for $400-600. The benefit if oyu plan on travelling the same amount next year is the double RDM's not the 25% you get now. Plus *G lounge access

So, 15k in MRs would earn you...

15k RDM + double RDM until 2/2009
RCC access on international itineraries
slightly better upgrade clearance and service
priority baggage handling? forget about it

If you plan to fly 25k+ miles in 2008, you'd earn an extra 19+k miles on those miles (worth roughly $200 or more). RCC access is worth a little bit, but even with 2 international trips it's not worth more than $100. The extra e-500's might be worth a little too.

I'm not sure these add up to enough to justify the cost, if we're talking pure MRs. It's definitely not worth it if you plan to fly less than 25k in 2008 with no international.