Mileage Run Discussion - I Need 50K miles in Whatever Airline for this weekend for under $200

The following is a rant (I apologize in advance...couldn't find a forum that would best fit this post)

Am I the only one who is getting frustrated at the growing list of posts where people are expecting to be spoon-fed a list of times and flight numbers for their unrealistic end-of-year MR? I realize that the airlines are having DEQM periods, but if you want an absurd number of miles on a weekend, with the flight leaving after 9 am on Sat., and coming back before 6pm on Sun...IT ISN'T POSSIBLE!

Seriously, instead of trying to cram thousands of miles of flight into the last 2 weekends of the year before prime season, just accept that you won't be a Super Duper Platinum Elite Infinte Club member for the first 2 months of 2010. You can space out your travel next year and ensure that you make that level without necessitating a visit to the hospital.

Thanks for listening to my rant! :D

I agree.

I just joined this forum but I notice there are a lot of lazy people in here, and too many nice people helping them.

It isn't that hard to figure out flights, I saw a deal on IAD-CAI but I'm in SEA, so what do I do? I try SEA-CAI. It isn't rocket science. For domestic flights just go and plug in some destinations and dates, only takes a few minutes to do.

The worse part is its all these people who get status by 1 segment or being 10 miles over due to these last minute flight are now crowding the lounges, making noise and not true travellers. Many airlines have First Class vs. regular lounges, soon we'll have to have to distinguish between *A-S lounges for all the rift-raft and a *A-G for the real frequent fliers who have etiquette.

+2

Not been a member for too long, but I laugh at the posts where someone who flies 3-4 roundtrips a year wants to do a 50k mr to get to whatever status...what's the point? Status is only meaningful if you travel a lot. If you're on the plane 50+ times a year, then status is critical. If you fly a handful of time each year, it is likely more for bragging rights.

What's wrong with bragging rights? :P

I agree.

I just joined this forum but I notice there are a lot of lazy people in here, and too many nice people helping them.




You apparently haven't been here long enough to feel the sense of community that we have on flyertalk. Yes, there are a lot of posts asking for help. It happens every year around this time and it will continue between now and the end of the year.

You don't have to read the threads and there is an ignore function to ignore certain flyertalkers.


Welcome to Flyertalk and stick around a while and you'll see that this place is about more than just miles.


Halothane

Yes, I chuckle around the first week of December when the desperation starts. Maybe this year with many of the airlines running a double DEQM promotion most people were able to get to the status level they seek without undue difficulty (the airlines could not make it any easier). On a positive note, I would have to thank all of the FTs that have posted MRs that have benefited me and I try to do same.

Four more to go this year for me, now for triple RDMs as I have already hit EXP with AA and the 125K bonus threshold. But in less than sixty days it begins again.:eek:

Yes, I chuckle around the first week of December when the desperation starts. Maybe this year with many of the airlines running a double DEQM promotion most people were able to get to the status level they seek without undue difficulty (the airlines could not make it any easier). On a positive note, I would have to thank all of the FTs that have posted MRs that have benefited me and I try to do same.

Four more to go this year for me, now for triple RDMs as I have already hit EXP with AA and the 125K bonus threshold. But in less than sixty days it begins again.:eek:

That's why I've started hedging miles into 2010... ;) 2 Rio weekends(One for Carnaval) + another regular run both via DFW and a LAN run to LIM helped me hedge some 36k booked miles in 2010, not the best CPM (4ish per mile) but the Rio trips are now confirmed via eVips in C :D

now to get ready for the FRA/DUB runs... but DUB seems to be a 75L so might be skipping that run... :rolleyes:

That's why I've started hedging miles into 2010... ;) 2 Rio weekends(One for Carnaval) + another regular run both via DFW and a LAN run to LIM helped me hedge some 36k booked miles in 2010, not the best CPM (4ish per mile) but the Rio trips are now confirmed via eVips in C :D

now to get ready for the FRA/DUB runs... but DUB seems to be a 75L so might be skipping that run... :rolleyes:

Only 2 Rio trips? I booked 4 with the discounted biz class fares. Those plus just a few fun trips across the pond should have me requalifying for EXP by middle of the year next year :)

I realize that the airlines are having DEQM periods, but if you want an absurd number of miles on a weekend, with the flight leaving after 9 am on Sat., and coming back before 6pm on Sun...IT ISN'T POSSIBLE!

Actually, it is possible. I've done it before. However you might have a bit of trouble finding it for a fare of $200. The best I ever got was $250 (actual number of miles was over 50K, but prorated to 50K the cost would have been $250). I think though that those sorts of MRs are extremely difficult to find as it likely requires a business or higher booking class to earn more than 100% of the base miles (before other bonuses).

But I agree with what you're saying, just trying to point out that technically it is possible.

Well, better here than in the MR DEALS forum.

And you certainly don't have to visit this forum.

You've got the people who want to be spoon-fed and then you've got the people who post the fantastic deals. Sometimes the spoon-fed people become the ones who share the great deals.

+2

Not been a member for too long, but I laugh at the posts where someone who flies 3-4 roundtrips a year wants to do a 50k mr to get to whatever status...what's the point? Status is only meaningful if you travel a lot. If you're on the plane 50+ times a year, then status is critical. If you fly a handful of time each year, it is likely more for bragging rights.

No, it's so that I don't have to pay baggage fees, I can ride in F for an economical rate, I get treated nicer and during ir ops I get priority.

I did an MR last year to maintain status and I'm currently planning an MR for either November or early December. And in my case, I'm only wanting a 3,024 mile MR, not 50,000. I've figured out that not having to pay baggage fees next year for planned travel will more than cover my cost of my MR. So in my case, it's worth both bragging rights and more than that.

+2

Not been a member for too long, but I laugh at the posts where someone who flies 3-4 roundtrips a year wants to do a 50k mr to get to whatever status...what's the point? Status is only meaningful if you travel a lot. If you're on the plane 50+ times a year, then status is critical. If you fly a handful of time each year, it is likely more for bragging rights.

I've actually never ranted on my MR. Nor have I posted a question in this forum resembling something like the rant, but...

I did do a 40KMR. and I'm doing another 15K MR. I just felt like the 58 segments and 40K miles I was doing wasn't going to be enough to combat the forces of UDU (UA), even on my relatively short 500 mile hops. And my MR I didn't complain when I did a $1,800 MR because I only had a limited chance to leave an come back, and well, that's the way it worked. The value added was worth it (and the 9 hours I spent in SYD-- See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-discussion/1003179-syd-layover-during-mr.html ).

Get off the soapbox. If you don't want to help, then maybe YOU should avoid the MR forum for Nov and Dec.

Get off the soapbox. If you don't want to help, then maybe YOU should avoid the MR forum for Nov and Dec.

And miss the continuing saga of FT Sparticuses vs. British Airways (Bombay tickets recalled) and other memorable threads?

The following is a rant (I apologize in advance...couldn't find a forum that would best fit this post)

I share the rant, though this is only your first end of Q mile earning calendar, Dave, so just imagine what's it's like the last few months every year. Year after year. Over and over. Year in, year out.

Thank you for enlightening us about our collective shortfalls.:rolleyes:

+2

Not been a member for too long, but I laugh at the posts where someone who flies 3-4 roundtrips a year wants to do a 50k mr to get to whatever status...what's the point? Status is only meaningful if you travel a lot. If you're on the plane 50+ times a year, then status is critical. If you fly a handful of time each year, it is likely more for bragging rights.

".. all these people who get status by 1 segment or being 10 miles over .."

10 miles !?!? Pfftttt. How we did it in the 'old days'. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/5004497-post18.html) :D

Actually, it is possible. I've done it before. However you might have a bit of trouble finding it for a fare of $200. The best I ever got was $250 (actual number of miles was over 50K, but prorated to 50K the cost would have been $250). I think though that those sorts of MRs are extremely difficult to find as it likely requires a business or higher booking class to earn more than 100% of the base miles (before other bonuses).

But I agree with what you're saying, just trying to point out that technically it is possible.

Business class and other bonuses don't help over economy for the count for elite status. I thought we're talking about MRs for status here.

Business class and other bonuses don't help over economy for the count for elite status. I thought we're talking about MRs for status here.

Well all the FFPs I'm a member of most definitely do give extra status miles for business and first class. I do though realize that most people discussing mileage runs are based in the U.S. and members of U.S. FFPs, which I know very little about, so maybe they're different. BD's program for instance gives 300% status miles for flying in First. So it doesn't take all that much flying to qualify for elite status if you're doing F MRs. More typically, 125% status miles for C and 150% status miles for F are somewhat common numbers for the Asian based FFPs I'm aware of.

No, it's so that I don't have to pay baggage fees, I can ride in F for an economical rate, I get treated nicer and during ir ops I get priority.



It costs like $200+ to get the unlimited (2 at a time) bag checks for the year. May as well spend that money on a ticket and go somewhere and get the miles though. Especially for pre-board, E+, etc...

Of course, it doesn't make a heck of lot of sense to spends lots of money to get status only to be idle for 9 months as it appears some do.

The following is a rant (I apologize in advance...couldn't find a forum that would best fit this post)

Am I the only one who is getting frustrated at the growing list of posts where people are expecting to be spoon-fed a list of times and flight numbers for their unrealistic end-of-year MR? I realize that the airlines are having DEQM periods, but if you want an absurd number of miles on a weekend, with the flight leaving after 9 am on Sat., and coming back before 6pm on Sun...IT ISN'T POSSIBLE!

Seriously, instead of trying to cram thousands of miles of flight into the last 2 weekends of the year before prime season, just accept that you won't be a Super Duper Platinum Elite Infinte Club member for the first 2 months of 2010. You can space out your travel next year and ensure that you make that level without necessitating a visit to the hospital.

Thanks for listening to my rant! :D

Thanks for your inconsiderate rant, I will keep in mind your needs during my 2010 travel.

...and for every 1 "I need 50k EQM's for 200 bucks" there are 10 of us asking for 2500 EQM's for 4cpm. You can not read this forum if it causes you such mental anguish.

The following is a rant (I apologize in advance...couldn't find a forum that would best fit this post)

And you certainly don't have to visit this forum.

Totally true.

You've got the people who want to be spoon-fed and then you've got the people who post the fantastic deals. Sometimes the spoon-fed people become the ones who share the great deals.

And no one's arm is being twisted to spoon-feed anyone. You can easily just scroll right by such threads if your blood pressure increases by opening them.

Well all the FFPs I'm a member of most definitely do give extra status miles for business and first class. I do though realize that most people discussing mileage runs are based in the U.S. and members of U.S. FFPs, which I know very little about, so maybe they're different. BD's program for instance gives 300% status miles for flying in First. So it doesn't take all that much flying to qualify for elite status if you're doing F MRs. More typically, 125% status miles for C and 150% status miles for F are somewhat common numbers for the Asian based FFPs I'm aware of.

I didn't know that. Good to know!

I know this has been done but is there a thread on the topic of themed mileage runs? I am in the middle of a cross-country Burger Run MR. (Grabbing an In-N-Out, Whataburger and 5 guys) (IAD, DFW, MSP, LAX, DTW, IAD) in 24 hours. This should be a challenge to others that might add a bit of spice to the mundane, looking for other interesting ideas as well.

BTW: I will clear Plat with normal business travel the rest of the year, count me among those who planned ahead :cool:

Think someone was following a hockey -or- ball team around ...

I've been threatening to do a 'Coyote Ugly' tour ;)
/.

I agree.

I just joined this forum but I notice there are a lot of lazy people in here, and too many nice people helping them.



I consider myself one of those nice people. If the request is reasonable and polite, and the poster is not a hit and run, I will go to bat. The reasoning behind this is two fold, part of my job is babysitting the "machine that goes ping", so I have excess time and an internet connection. Practice also makes perfect I have been here for years and have learned much but know there is still more to learn. I see these requests as opportunites to tweak my deal finding skills.

and the golden rule, because you never know, maybe one of those questions you will ask in the future is a stupid question.