US Airways Dividend Miles - Mile Run for Race To Preferred

I am currently CP and have not traveled as much as I normally do per year...i.e. 6-10 trips PHX-AMS, plus 5+ trips PHX-NRT-HKG.....I just came back from AMS and want to do a mile run to keep me on CP.....Price is not a problem, but want to be cost effective...1-2 trips max for 20k miles.....Any thoughts?

How many PQMs (Perferred Qualifying Miles) do you have right now?

PHX-CLT-FRA-CLT-PHX for 12,362 base miles and PHX-CLT-FLL, FLL-PHL-SEA, SEA-PHX for 6884 would almost get you there. Maybe you could throw in a shuttle for another 1000?

On edit: If you did PHX-CLT-FLL, FLL-PHL-BOS, BOS-PHX-SEA, SEA-PHX you'd get 8415.

Fly to a city only served by US Airways East in South Florida and back. Think MIA, RSW or JAX... Route via PHL to maximize the miles and still keep a lower fare.

You can do PHX-PHL-RSW-PHL-PHX for avg price of $320. Some options will even allow a same day return, or a one night stay. The above proposed trip yields 6,136 miles- so after 3 you'll get about 18,400 miles. Then, it's just a quick west coast same day via LAS. PHX-LAS-LAX-LAS-PHX or PHX-LAS-SFO-PHX. Done!

Europe is much more exciting (I know, I did DUB last year), but it's a longer journey, and you'll ride in coach (unless you have CP Certs left over), whereas domestic it divides up the trips to shorter segments and you can upgrade. Customs/Immigration on both sides of the "pond" will also question why you decided to traveled to Europe for just one day.

If booking a same day or even one day trip, I try to book one-way trips in each direction (if price is the same combined). This is so you don't look like a loon when calling agents about seats or upgrades when you have say an ABQ-PHX-PHL-TPA and you only stay in TPA for 8 or 9 hours only to do the same thing on the way back.

Happy mileage running. Feels good, I know. I'm doing yet another one this evening. :D

-Kinglobjaw

If booking a same day or even one day trip, I try to book one-way trips in each direction (if price is the same combined). This is so you don't look like a loon when calling agents about seats or upgrades when you have say an ABQ-PHX-PHL-TPA and you only stay in TPA for 8 or 9 hours only to do the same thing on the way back.

I like this idea for various reasons. I tend to book one way on all my trips if the cost is within $5. There's one problem with a same day return though. What if a flight on your outbound one-way ticket is canceled?

In June I had to scrap a same day PHX-CLT-PHX that was to put me over the next level during my trial. The PHX-CLT segment canceled and any available options meant I'd miss the return and have to spend a night somewhere. Got a complete refund. Had PHX-CLT and CLT-PHX been on separate PNR's I doubt I'd have gotten anything for not being able to get to CLT in time for the return.

How many PQMs (Perferred Qualifying Miles) do you have right now?
I have 41k, but only 10k during the promo....Left for FRA and AMS 2 days before promo started, but at least I got the return portion credited....

I like this idea for various reasons. I tend to book one way on all my trips if the cost is within $5. There's one problem with a same day return though. What if a flight on your outbound one-way ticket is canceled?

In June I had to scrap a same day PHX-CLT-PHX that was to put me over the next level during my trial. The PHX-CLT segment canceled and any available options meant I'd miss the return and have to spend a night somewhere. Got a complete refund. Had PHX-CLT and CLT-PHX been on separate PNR's I doubt I'd have gotten anything for not being able to get to CLT in time for the return.

I actually asked about this once in the PIT club. The Club lady was nice I toll her about mileage running. She told me it would count as the flat tire rule. You would have proof of missing the flight and once getting to your final destination on the outbound PNR, you'd obviously have proof you came in late and that it wasn't your fault. Being the same airline and all, they would rebook your return free of charge.

But you do make a good point. It depends where I'm going and I try to predict how much will I rely on agents to upgrade/seats. If I'm pretty sure I won't need assistance I book a r/t since it's easier.

In some situation, you will have to book two one-ways. Doing a same day turn PHX-STL-PHX, with only 1hr in STL and same a/c & crew back to PHX, USAirways.com will not let you book saying you need to be at the destination for more than two hours. I don't think that's an official rule, though.

-Kinglobjaw

I have 41k, but only 10k during the promo....Left for FRA and AMS 2 days before promo started, but at least I got the return portion credited....

The reason I asked was that some folks have had trouble understanding how this promo works. It's hard to blame them as it is certainly out of the ordinary as far as promos go. From what you said you obviously fully understand how it works. Best wishes re qualifying for CP!

One option is to use buy preferred mileage. 20,000 is about $1,000 which might make more sense than doing run

One option is to use buy preferred mileage...

That option would work during the normal calendar year to top-off the balance, but the Race to Preferred is a special promo Oct 1 - Dec 25 where flown miles (or segments) are required on US/USX to attain various Preferred levels, e.g. 30,000 BIS for CP level.

That option would work during the normal calendar year to top-off the balance, but the Race to Preferred is a special promo Oct 1 - Dec 25 where flown miles (or segments) are required on US/USX to attain various Preferred levels, e.g. 30,000 BIS for CP level.

I do believe question asked was topping off

I do believe question asked was topping off

Yes, for the Race to Preferred promo, where OP (see post 6) has flown 10k during the promo and is looking to fly 20k more by Dec 25 to requalify for CP status.

OP states he has flown 41k EQMs to date. If he ends up with that amount at year's end, he could Buy, as you suggest, the 59k Preferred Miles to requalify.

In short, he cannot buy the 20k Preferred Miles - he has to fly 'em - to satisfy the requirements of the promo. If he doesn't, he could still buy however many Preferred Miles he needs to reach 100k.

Yes, for the Race to Preferred promo, where OP (see post 6) has flown 10k during the promo and is looking to fly 20k more by Dec 25 to requalify for CP status.

OP states he has flown 41k EQMs to date. If he ends up with that amount at year's end, he could Buy, as you suggest, the 59k Preferred Miles to requalify.

In short, he cannot buy the 20k Preferred Miles - he has to fly 'em - to satisfy the requirements of the promo. If he doesn't, he could still buy however many Preferred Miles he needs to reach 100k.

I was not referring to #6 but original 1st question. I was not referring to promo and only to original question asked so please read what I said.

I was not referring to #6 but original 1st question. I was not referring to promo and only to original question asked so please read what I said.

...and the 1st question in post 1 by OP is under the heading of Mile Run for Race to Preferred (title of the thread).

I'm sorry if I misunderstood you.

Thanks to all.....I just booked a PHX-CLT-MIA-PHL-PHX run, 5514 miles on two separate PNRs due to the same day return for only $308 r/t....I guess I will have to do 4 of these, but should have at least one more buz trip before the end of the campaign....