Mileage Run Discussion - Just what is a DFW resident supposed to do?

Seeing AA offer DEQM in other cities is becoming frustrating. Looks like I'm going to fall just short of requal this year - had I been able to take a DEQM trip, I would make it.

I knew it would be close, so I've tried to watch for an MR that would work. So far nothing close enough to seriously consider. Trying to position into one of the DEQM/Triple Miles cities costs too much to make the MR work.

Ignoring the DEQM, is the lack of a real AA value trip from DFW compared to other cities a normal thing or just the time frame I've been watching?

What do those of you in DFW do?

Ignoring the DEQM, is the lack of a real AA value trip from DFW compared to other cities a normal thing or just the time frame I've been watching?

It's the normal thing. According to this Wikipedia article, AA operates 85% of the flights out of DFW:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas/Fort_Worth_International_Airport

What do those of you in DFW do?As the Irishman said when asked for directions, "If I were you I wouldn't start from here".

Start with a cheap one-way from Love Field on SW etc to a lower-cost starting-point like MSY, HOU, MCO or MCI.

Not that I'd recommend hidden-city dodges but a return ticket from one of these places to where you want to go, via DFW, may be a lot less than the direct flight from/to DFW.

hope that aa offers the buyback next march or whenever.... the buyback of plt status used to cost $500 or so....

how many bis eqm's do you need?

good luck...

It's not just DFW. If you're flying out of an airline's hub, you're almost always going to be at a disadvantage in terms of fares and deals (lack of competition in any sort of market is bad for a customer). Do what those of us in hub cities do and fly out of nearby cities (drive to AUS, perhaps?) or use a positioning flight to get to RDU/PIT/BNA/STL and do a DEQM mileage run from there.

I'll look at using a different airline for positioning - thanks for the idea. Hate flying without earning AA but if it makes the total trip work out . . .

I just had to cancel a trip so now I'll be about 6k short.

It is obnoxious when a flight from A to B connecting via DFW is cheaper than DFW to B.

It is obnoxious when a flight from A to B connecting via DFW is cheaper than DFW to B.

Unfortunately this type of thing is very common in most hub cities. :(

I'll look at using a different airline for positioning - thanks for the idea. Hate flying without earning AA but if it makes the total trip work out . . .

I just had to cancel a trip so now I'll be about 6k short.

It is obnoxious when a flight from A to B connecting via DFW is cheaper than DFW to B.

Austin (AUS) is only 3 hours of driving and a cheaper place to fly from/to than DFW. Nice Admirals Club, too. :)

EDIT: can also fly to AUS on WN from DAL

Waco is only half that distance.

I'll look at using a different airline for positioning - thanks for the idea. Hate flying without earning AA but if it makes the total trip work out . . .

I just had to cancel a trip so now I'll be about 6k short.

It is obnoxious when a flight from A to B connecting via DFW is cheaper than DFW to B.

You could indulge in some nested ticketing, and that way you would not be flying anything but AA.

Austin (AUS) is only 3 hours of driving and a cheaper place to fly from/to than DFW. Nice Admirals Club, too. :)

EDIT: can also fly to AUS on WN from DAL

Seconding the flying out of "nearby" airports. I'm in Chicago and fares from MKE are much cheaper than from ORD (connecting in ORD). 90 minute drive, I save on airfare (even compared to the cost of driving+parking) and get an extra 1000 EQM and 2000 RDM per round trip.

Waco is only half that distance.

ACT is closer to the D/FW metroplex than AUS but:



ACT has only 8 AA flights per day (4 in, 4 out)
all flights (in and out) are from/to DFW
AT7 Eagle service (no F)
there's no comparing the two airports
higher cost to fly out of (and back into) than AUS (at least in the general case)


Killeen/Ft Hood Regional (GRK) is another option