Mileage Run Discussion - The AAbsolute Ultimate MR? Can it be done?

Hi FTers,

I discovered really late in the game that I could match my 1K status with UA for EXP, which was finally approved a couple days ago. Since then, I've been skulking around the AA and MR forums, but haven't found anything MR-worthy, as I'd like to try to requalify for 45,000 miles by Dec. 31. I haven't flown AA in a long time, but friends (and FTers) rave, rave, rave about AAdvantage, so, I figure why not?

I've been sitting at my computer for days (breaks for chores, work, and friends, of course) with ITA, other OTAs, aa.com, and AA's routing map, trying to string together the ultimate MR for vacation time I have around Christmas (Dec. 21 - Dec. 31), avoiding partners as much as possible to maximize possible EQM (I'm not versed enough with fare buckets to know what qualifies and what doesn't, and aa.com doesn't show me class of service on all legs with partner carriers anyway).

So far the best routing I've managed to construct has been:

NYC-->EZE-->HNL-->SCL-->PVG-->NYC for around 35,000 EQMs @ $5500, which is a li'l steep for a NYC middle school teacher.

I have a few days off here and there (working summers to help fund my wandering ways) in the fall and can take some side trips to offset the 45,000 miles, but tell me, is this (or any other I can build) an impossible itinerary? I'm beginning to sober up to that reality, but don't want to be stuck with UA forever. I know there's the platinum soft landing if I don't requalify, but flying with the 8 eVIPs would make earning EXP so much easier (on butt and back).

Any advice (or admonishment :rolleyes:) would be appreciated!

Belongs here

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-discussion-627/

Cheers.

Try reading trick it for low fares, many of them out of NYC.
I almost always have to position to CA.. :(

Hi FTers,

I discovered really late in the game that I could match my 1K status with UA for EXP, which was finally approved a couple days ago. Since then, I've been skulking around the AA and MR forums, but haven't found anything MR-worthy, as I'd like to try to requalify for 45,000 miles by Dec. 31. I haven't flown AA in a long time, but friends (and FTers) rave, rave, rave about AAdvantage, so, I figure why not?

I've been sitting at my computer for days (breaks for chores, work, and friends, of course) with ITA, other OTAs, aa.com, and AA's routing map, trying to string together the ultimate MR for vacation time I have around Christmas (Dec. 21 - Dec. 31), avoiding partners as much as possible to maximize possible EQM (I'm not versed enough with fare buckets to know what qualifies and what doesn't, and aa.com doesn't show me class of service on all legs with partner carriers anyway).

So far the best routing I've managed to construct has been:

NYC-->EZE-->HNL-->SCL-->PVG-->NYC for around 35,000 EQMs @ $5500, which is a li'l steep for a NYC middle school teacher.

I have a few days off here and there (working summers to help fund my wandering ways) in the fall and can take some side trips to offset the 45,000 miles, but tell me, is this (or any other I can build) an impossible itinerary? I'm beginning to sober up to that reality, but don't want to be stuck with UA forever. I know there's the platinum soft landing if I don't requalify, but flying with the 8 eVIPs would make earning EXP so much easier (on butt and back).

Any advice (or admonishment :rolleyes:) would be appreciated!

Why do you want to be EXP? What are trying to prove? Do you fly with a specific purpose other than accumulating miles? I would put the $5500 to better use. Also, keep in mind that depending on the route/date/times, the eVips may not clear. Just being realistic.

--J

I've been skulking around the AA and MR forums, but haven't found anything MR-worthy, as I'd like to try to requalify for 45,000 miles by Dec. 31.

Part of the problem here, at least for domestic and Europe, is that discounted fares are not offered in the summer. You might see some movement after Labor Day, but it's not common to see winter sale fares in July. It's pretty rare that I do any paid flying in the summer for that very reason and I'm usually not back in the air on paid tickets until October.

If the right fares came about, say $250-300 to SAN, LAX, SFO, SEA, or any of a variety of other west coast destinations, you could easily do 9 or less same day turnaround trips to the west coast and have your 45K out of the way for less than $3,000. That way could you save your December vacation time for award travel to somewhere you really want to go with all the miles.

avoiding partners as much as possible to maximize possible EQM (I'm not versed enough with fare buckets to know what qualifies and what doesn't, and aa.com doesn't show me class of service on all legs with partner carriers anyway).

What does your offer from AA say about qualifying fares?

You're best off waiting just a little while longer, as the best fall fares should start to appear during August. My advice (if you can do it, I don't know what your commitments might be) would be to do weekend transcon runs, taking a redeye back on Saturday night. If you prefer to get up early on Saturday, maybe a same day will work better. Keep an eye out, I usually look for MRs out of BOS but there are usually more out of NYC, and a lot of the BOS ones will work from NYC as well.

I did a BRU-JFK/LGA-ORD-PVG-LAX-BOS-LHR back in January for 3,600. It wasn't a mile run but I thought the routing looked like one. Used 2 SWU, J all the way but the LAX-BOS was the most horrific.

It seems the OP wants to fly Dec 21-31. Tough to find cheap fares then.

As noted, your breaks correspond with the costliest travel periods of the year. Unless you can take some long weekends during the school year your task is impossible for a reasonable amount of money.

From mid-September through the end of November, you could do two NYC-PVG flights for about $2K and earn 32K or so EQMs. You can stay in Shanghai for 48-hours without a regular visa so fly in on a Friday and back on Sunday. You'll need a Saturday overnight for the lowest fare.

Then do a pair of transcons for $500 each and that's another 11K. These are not ultra cheap MRs, but they'll get you your miles and status renewal. Fly out Friday night and back next day.

NYC-->EZE-->HNL-->SCL-->PVG-->NYC for around 35,000 EQMs @ $5500, which is a li'l steep for a NYC middle school teacher.

While there certainly are exceptions, my general rule of thumb is that you get the best deal by earning miles on domestic flights and spending on international.

In particular, you'd get better cpm if you simply flew a NYC-West Coast transcon every now and then. Right now, lots of same day turnarounds for $330, starting 9/4. The price could be improved with 5% codes and AA gift cards from Costco (hurry, they are disappearing). No hotel costs unless you actually want to spend the night over there.

Another advantage of domestic, as an EXP you're likely to receive complimentary UG on many of these flights. :)

I'd like to try to requalify for 45,000 miles

IIRC American assures a "soft landing". So if you were an EXP this year and did not fly at all on AA you would still be a PLT next year and at a minimum a GLD the year after. Not sure if they still do this but you may want to look in to it.

From mid-September through the end of November, you could do two NYC-PVG flights for about $2K and earn 32K or so EQMs. You can stay in Shanghai for 48-hours without a regular visa so fly in on a Friday and back on Sunday. You'll need a Saturday overnight for the lowest fare.

The 48 hours without a visa rule is only if you are transiting to another country. Turning around and flying back to the US does not count if you originate in the US.

But definitely, NYC-PVG or PEK from AA in the Fall/Winter is cheap. However, they will most likely be Monday through Thursday departures.

4 cents per EQM is a standard MR estimate, which will cost you 55,000*0.04 = $2200. That should be your target. Flying over the holidays will be very expensive, except for flights on Dec 24-25 and Dec 31-Jan1.

If you want a vacation over the holidays, take it, flying on Christmas Eve/Day and New Year's Eve/Day. But knock the edge off by flying some weekend trips at discount rates this fall. NYC-DUB is usually a cheap rate in the fall, and very manageable over a weekend. Recently, there were some transcon fares from BOS/PVD - SJC/OAK/SAN for a little more than $200 for a round trip. You just have to watch the MR Deals forum and pay attention to sales.

You do really have to consider if the EVIPs you earn by re-qualifying are worth $2200. At $2200/8 = $275 per EVIP, it's a tough call. It really depends on how much flying you plan to do next year.

4 cents per EQM is a standard MR estimate, which will cost you 55,000*0.04 = $2200. That should be your target. Flying over the holidays will be very expensive, except for flights on Dec 24-25 and Dec 31-Jan1.

If you want a vacation over the holidays, take it, flying on Christmas Eve/Day and New Year's Eve/Day. But knock the edge off by flying some weekend trips at discount rates this fall. NYC-DUB is usually a cheap rate in the fall, and very manageable over a weekend. Recently, there were some transcon fares from BOS/PVD - SJC/OAK/SAN for a little more than $200 for a round trip. You just have to watch the MR Deals forum and pay attention to sales.

You do really have to consider if the EVIPs you earn by re-qualifying are worth $2200. At $2200/8 = $275 per EVIP, it's a tough call. It really depends on how much flying you plan to do next year.

You didn't factor in the RDM, which could be used towards award travel.

You didn't factor in the RDM, which could be used towards award travel.

Or the other free EXP benefits - lounge, award change fees/expanded availability, free domestic upgrades, EXP phone, ...

IMO, the is no "standard" EQM formula but rather the value the individual places on the total package.

Thanks for the truly useful advice, everyone, particularly as I'm used to the attitude and flaming people often get on the UA forum. Lots of things to consider, and I'm certainly not trying to "prove" anything -- the AA match is a great opportunity; I know full well the benefits of elite status; and opens up a whole new world of travel options (and pricing) that, when you're stuck with only one alliance's options, can sometimes be a pain scheduling- and wallet-wise.

You've given me lots to consider, and at this point, EXP doesn't appear realistic (although Plat is), even with some already-planned trips this fall. EOY travel is just too crazy, but hey, perhaps I can capitalize on a mistake fare or price war. I'll be on the lookout for decent fun fares (pure MRs no longer hold the intrinsic fun-ness they used to for me, rather, vacation runs are more to my liking nowadays).

RPUs, GPUs, and potentially eVIPs are extremely valuable to me because they allow me to upgrade my non-status mom to the front for better travel experiences, particularly as she gets older.

Thanks again!

Why do you want to be EXP? What are trying to prove? Do you fly with a specific purpose other than accumulating miles? I would put the $5500 to better use. Also, keep in mind that depending on the route/date/times, the eVips may not clear. Just being realistic.

--J

+1.

OP- congratulations on working the system! Bravo!

AA - looks like you won over another high $value 1k from UA.

NYC-->EZE-->HNL-->SCL-->PVG-->NYC for around 35,000 EQMs @ $5500, which is a li'l steep for a NYC middle school teacher. :p

So, here is my recommendation.

First, take a one night trip to LAX from JFK during the weekend Sept-Dec. (JFK-SFO-LAX-JFK). $341 & 5,384 miles

Then, till 7/25 you can purchase flights to MAD and BCN at winter rates from NYC on AA,BA or IB. (All earn you 100% EQM on AA.)

So take one trip to BCN over Thanksgiving Thur-Sun. (LGA-MIA-BCN-MIA-LGA) $827 & 11,295 miles

Then during xmas break...

12/22 - 12/24 Sao Paulo, Brazil
$1,209 & 10,932 miles
(LGA-MIA-GRU//ASU-MIA-ORD-EWR)

*Note you must pay $180 for a visa. You should get a 5 year multiple entry visa.
*Note this open jaw requires award travel to be booked between GRU and ASU. This is available as of right now for 10,000 miles on GOL (must be booked by August 13).


12/25 - 12/29 Johannesburg, South Africia
$1,241 & 18,168 EQM
(EWR-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK)
*No visa required.


Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB
Total Cost: $3,618
Total Miles: 45,779
Total Miles Spent: 10,000
Total Miles Earned: 91,558
Net Miles: 81,558

Enough for a free RT Y class trip to SYD in the month of March. Saving you $2k in $ for that flight ($132 in taxes for the flight).

Net Cost: $1,750
Net Miles: 6,558
Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB, SYD :cool:

So, here is my recommendation.

First, take a one night trip to LAX from JFK during the weekend Sept-Dec. (JFK-SFO-LAX-JFK). $341 & 5,384 miles

Then, till 7/25 you can purchase flights to MAD and BCN at winter rates from NYC on AA,BA or IB. (All earn you 100% EQM on AA.)

So take one trip to BCN over Thanksgiving Thur-Sun. (LGA-MIA-BCN-MIA-LGA) $827 & 11,295 miles

Then during xmas break...

12/22 - 12/24 Sao Paulo, Brazil
$1,209 & 10,932 miles
(LGA-MIA-GRU//ASU-MIA-ORD-EWR)

*Note you must pay $180 for a visa. You should get a 5 year multiple entry visa.
*Note this open jaw requires award travel to be booked between GRU and ASU. This is available as of right now for 10,000 miles on GOL (must be booked by August 13).


12/25 - 12/29 Johannesburg, South Africia
$1,241 & 18,168 EQM
(EWR-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK)
*No visa required.


Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB
Total Cost: $3,618
Total Miles: 45,779
Total Miles Spent: 10,000
Total Miles Earned: 91,558
Net Miles: 81,558

Enough for a free RT Y class trip to SYD in the month of March. Saving you $2k in $ for that flight ($132 in taxes for the flight).

Net Cost: $1,750
Net Miles: 6,558
Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB, SYD :cool:

I would rather fly more and redeem in C/F.

If you're still considering routes, there are some excellent fares to BCN, and MAD. From NYC I'd take a redeye to LAX and from LAX head to MAD or BCN via MIA. This should net you a fair number of EQMs.

I'm also partial to the New Years Eve run, out on the 29th or 30th and return in the evening of NYE. I've done it with my significant other, and we usually have a blast trying to make the day last as long as possible. We've done HKG and HNL.

However, my version of a social life and yours may be different. Happy flying!

Business class from JFK to HND is quite inexpensive until August 31, as AA has been giving 40% off codes, and offering 15,000 EQMS.

OP- congratulations on working the system! Bravo!

AA - looks like you won over another high $value 1k from UA.
To be fair, he is trying to requal within 5 months. There's no telling how much he spent from Jan-Aug on UA. So, to call him out as a cheap 1k is a bit low and without merit. Not to mention the fact that AA is the one offering him the deal to hit EXP with only 45k EQM by 12/31/12. Hate the game, not the player.

To be fair, he is trying to requal within 5 months. There's no telling how much he spent from Jan-Aug on UA. So, to call him out as a cheap 1k is a bit low and without merit. Not to mention the fact that AA is the one offering him the deal to hit EXP with only 45k EQM by 12/31/12. Hate the game, not the player.

There was no hating the player in my post. I congratulated him/her on successfully playing the game. OP states they are a middle school teacher, so there is a high possibility of very low priced, planned transcontinental MR's to get to 1k at UA.

This is awesome So, here is my recommendation.

First, take a one night trip to LAX from JFK during the weekend Sept-Dec. (JFK-SFO-LAX-JFK). $341 & 5,384 miles

Then, till 7/25 you can purchase flights to MAD and BCN at winter rates from NYC on AA,BA or IB. (All earn you 100% EQM on AA.)

So take one trip to BCN over Thanksgiving Thur-Sun. (LGA-MIA-BCN-MIA-LGA) $827 & 11,295 miles

Then during xmas break...

12/22 - 12/24 Sao Paulo, Brazil
$1,209 & 10,932 miles
(LGA-MIA-GRU//ASU-MIA-ORD-EWR)

*Note you must pay $180 for a visa. You should get a 5 year multiple entry visa.
*Note this open jaw requires award travel to be booked between GRU and ASU. This is available as of right now for 10,000 miles on GOL (must be booked by August 13).


12/25 - 12/29 Johannesburg, South Africia
$1,241 & 18,168 EQM
(EWR-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK)
*No visa required.


Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB
Total Cost: $3,618
Total Miles: 45,779
Total Miles Spent: 10,000
Total Miles Earned: 91,558
Net Miles: 81,558

Enough for a free RT Y class trip to SYD in the month of March. Saving you $2k in $ for that flight ($132 in taxes for the flight).

Net Cost: $1,750
Net Miles: 6,558
Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB, SYD :cool:

I would rather fly more and redeem in C/F.

I agree AA_EXP, but a school teacher has to take time off during spring break like everyone else and SYD just seemed like the thing to do as opposed to pricing out a RT to Europe in C. (Which could be done for the miles earned on this trip.)

Hi FTers,


I've been sitting at my computer for days (breaks for chores, work, and friends, of course) with ITA, other OTAs, aa.com, and AA's routing map, trying to string together the ultimate MR for vacation time I have around Christmas (Dec. 21 - Dec. 31), avoiding partners as much as possible to maximize possible EQM (I'm not versed enough with fare buckets to know what qualifies and what doesn't, and aa.com doesn't show me class of service on all legs with partner carriers anyway).

So far the best routing I've managed to construct has been:

NYC-->EZE-->HNL-->SCL-->PVG-->NYC for around 35,000 EQMs @ $5500, which is a li'l steep for a NYC middle school teacher.

I have a few days off here and there (working summers to help fund my wandering ways) in the fall and can take some side trips to offset the 45,000 miles, but tell me, is this (or any other I can build) an impossible itinerary? I'm beginning to sober up to that reality, but don't want to be stuck with UA forever. I know there's the platinum soft landing if I don't requalify, but flying with the 8 eVIPs would make earning EXP so much easier (on butt and back).

Any advice (or admonishment :rolleyes:) would be appreciated!

Agree with others here that this price is kind of steep, not least because going anywhere near South America around Xmas will drive the price up. I haven't tried many destinations, but if you used multi-city to do something like JFK-SIN-BOS-SIN-JFK around Xmas it comes up at $3900. (Still not amazing value for money, but less than $5500!) I'm sure you can find something cheaper. The drawback is that the Tokyo-Singapore flights are codeshares you can't upgrade on, but the plus is that the Singapore add-on is not much more expensive than the flight to Tokyo alone would've been and of course you get the 7,000 extra miles. The total for the above itinerary is over 40,000 miles.

Business class from JFK to HND is quite inexpensive until August 31, as AA has been giving 40% off codes, and offering 15,000 EQMS.

Where do you find the 40% off codes?

Please continue to follow this thread in the MR Discussion Forum.

dstan
AA Forum Co-Moderator

Do the 40% off codes include YQ discount like the recent Europe-NA discount?

...um, I'm definitely not that kind of expert flyer (yet, but working on my skillz)...but have spent hours and hours to no avail. i'll learn the hard way like others have, unless i get an awesome PM with a discount code :rolleyes:

Do the 40% off codes include YQ discount like the recent Europe-NA discount?

Thanks, Pucnit!

I'm inspired by your search (and all the math, you've earned an A+ from me). Just got back from a great vacation in Brazil and I've been to Spain more times than I can count, but I'm inspired by the threads and have constructed some pretty decent VRs.

Found this for about $2700:

12/22 NYC --> LAX
12/24 LAX --> AUH (Abu Dhabi -- never been)
12/27 AUH --> HNL (visit my family post-Xmas)
12/30 HNL --> NYC

28,238 EQMs (more if I can route through MIA or DFW or something, I'm guessing)

I have a conference in LAS in Nov, probably a SoCal trip in Sept, and usually spend Thanksgiving in Madrid, which, along with a cheap weekend here and there over the fall, should net me just enough for the 45,000 -- it IS doable! :D

Thanks and keep 'em comin'!


So, here is my recommendation.

First, take a one night trip to LAX from JFK during the weekend Sept-Dec. (JFK-SFO-LAX-JFK). $341 & 5,384 miles

Then, till 7/25 you can purchase flights to MAD and BCN at winter rates from NYC on AA,BA or IB. (All earn you 100% EQM on AA.)

So take one trip to BCN over Thanksgiving Thur-Sun. (LGA-MIA-BCN-MIA-LGA) $827 & 11,295 miles

Then during xmas break...

12/22 - 12/24 Sao Paulo, Brazil
$1,209 & 10,932 miles
(LGA-MIA-GRU//ASU-MIA-ORD-EWR)

*Note you must pay $180 for a visa. You should get a 5 year multiple entry visa.
*Note this open jaw requires award travel to be booked between GRU and ASU. This is available as of right now for 10,000 miles on GOL (must be booked by August 13).


12/25 - 12/29 Johannesburg, South Africia
$1,241 & 18,168 EQM
(EWR-LHR-JNB-LHR-JFK)
*No visa required.


Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB
Total Cost: $3,618
Total Miles: 45,779
Total Miles Spent: 10,000
Total Miles Earned: 91,558
Net Miles: 81,558

Enough for a free RT Y class trip to SYD in the month of March. Saving you $2k in $ for that flight ($132 in taxes for the flight).

Net Cost: $1,750
Net Miles: 6,558
Places visited: LAX, BCN, Brazil (GRU,ASU), JNB, SYD :cool: