MilesBuzz! - Ideas on how to fast-track to top-tier elite

I've tried to search this, and haven't had much luck, so here I go:

Can anyone suggest a fast, not-bank-breaking way to achieve Plat or equiv top-tier status with a carrier that has good F seats from NYC/EWR to OGG or HNL (e.g., UAs direct out of EWR, DL's ATL>OGG quasi-Int'l config, or even AA's DFW>OGG product?

I used to be Premiere Exec at UA when RT NYC>OGG was $1700, but those days are gone.

I've looked at possible MRs, but not sure if there's a way to knock off 100K EQMs super-fast, at MR prices (100K EQMs @$.06 is $6K, which I'd gladly pay if I can get upgrades to F, with a cheap ticket, which I don't know if I can or not.) If there was a super-long MR, say one which I could do 5-6x to get the 100K, I'd do it. Any thoughts?

Sorry for the long question, but strategies for getting to an airline's top-tier asap, say on United, AA, Delta, and a few other major airlines might even been an interesting topic for others too. (Hope this is the right place for this topic.)

(FYI: I have tried searching virtually all the sites mentioned in the stickies, e.g., Farecompare's map, etc. I'm just terrible at taking the results and finding the actual flights to match-up with what they say is available.)

I also remember United having ways in which to help accelerate things, but I can't recall what they were and things have changed a lot since the days when I was using them a lot.

Thanks, in advance, for any help.

First you are on a popular route for awards so even if you were top tier you will have trouble getting two awards in First. Second most of the airlines offer a domestic F type of service versus International First service so most will be disappointed with F to Hawaii. More than one airline offers a discounted F advance purchase and some offer F with a hotel.

And there are many ways to top tier even though American no longer lets credit card charges apply towards status. Direct a lot of revenue in the $x,xxx,xxx. amount to a certain carrier and you may end up with top tier. Purchase over $100,000 private jet charter and get top tier on another airline. Or spend a lot with Amex and hope for near top tier. Almost all of these put you in the Flyertalk hall of shame.

Some carriers offer status matches (becoming less common) or challenges, but these require you to already be an elite on a competitor.

If you're trying to get into FC for one Hawaii RT, it would probably be cheaper and more sure to just purchase a discounted FC ticket.

Otherwise, free upgrades tend to be very uncertain , even for top tier elites, and upgrades paid with miles or instruments can be difficult to confirm in these markets. Hawaii routes tend to be treated differently from regular domestic in terms of fare classes needed for the upgrade, etc.

Thanks. I have lived on Maui 21 years and average 5-6 RTs a year there in F. I am well-aware of the freighters that are used to haul people there. I think it is one of the biggest abuses of a ready-made market, but I was hoping that if I were 1K, for example, that I'd get automatic upgrades, no? (I remember there was once a way to pretty much buy the 1K, and I almost did, but it was too steep for me at the time.)

If it were a matter of just one trip, I'd Jet Blue it to the West coast and use miles on Hawaiian, which I've done countless times.

I know most here are still way better-informed than me. I can't spend $100K USD on a private jet package. Thanks just the same for at trying to address this Q.

I've tried to search this, and haven't had much luck, so here I go:

Can anyone suggest a fast, not-bank-breaking way to achieve Plat or equiv top-tier status with a carrier that has good F seats from NYC/EWR to OGG or HNL (e.g., UAs direct out of EWR, DL's ATL>OGG quasi-Int'l config, or even AA's DFW>OGG product?


AA Platinum Challenge

http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Challenge_%28AA%29

Can anyone suggest a fast, not-bank-breaking way to achieve Plat or equiv top-tier status with a carrier that has good F seats from NYC/EWR to OGG or HNL (e.g., UAs direct out of EWR, DL's ATL>OGG quasi-Int'l config, or even AA's DFW>OGG product?
Yes. BUild a time machine, then go back to January of this year. Change your address on record at AA (no need to physically move) to someplace in CA, IL, or TX. Then register for both the DEQAA and DEQ!! promos. Fly somewhere around 8 times round trip between ORD and LAX/SFO (adding a connection to NYC in your case), and earn triple elite qualifying miles on those round trip (ecept for only double on the connections to/from NYC), and you got to AA EXP (top) status in one month.

But DEQAA (the systemwide double elite qualifying miles) ended at the end of January, and DEQ11 (the double elite qualifying miles on LAX or SFO to DFW or ORD round tirps for CA/IL/TX "redisidents") ended at the end of June.

So the party 's over.

And, unfortunately, sucn temporary double (and very rarely triple) elite qualify miles promos are the key to getting status more affordably.

So, unfortunately, you have to be on the lookout for such opportunities, and be ready and willing to jump on them, when they appear on FT. (Rather than looking for them at random times and expecting them to be always available.)

I was hoping that if I were 1K, for example, that I'd get automatic upgrades, no? Even if you were 1K is that still the case? Still a good plan tho -- good luck.

See also this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz/1352728-airline-status-match-master-thread-2012-a.html

If there was a super-long MR, say one which I could do 5-6x to get the 100K, I'd do it. Any thoughts?
I am seeing UA NYC-HKG for ~$900 this fall. Do five JFK-LAX-SFO-HKG and back routings and you have slightly fewer than 100,000 EQM’s.

CPU’s to HNL are extremely difficult, but once you reach 1K you will have received 10 upgrade instruments (6 GPU and 4 RPU) which you can apply to your Hawaii flights.


SunLover

but I was hoping that if I were 1K, for example, that I'd get automatic upgrades, no?

As a 1K you'd be eligible for upgrades. They wouldn't be automatic though. There would have to be space available. Just being 1K won't guarantee you an upgrade to F.

And, you'd also be competing with everyone else being offered the TOD upgrades that UA/CO is now known for.

Even on AA, as an EXP, you are not guaranteed an upgrade. Depends on when you booked relative to other EXPs. And even Plat/Gold can 'jump the line' by cashing for a miles + co-pay upgrade to F on AA well before the 100hr EXP upgrade window opens (but, again, is not guaranteed. Just the earlier that you could get a comp upgrade).

You can buy EQMs on United to reach 1K. I believe you can also buy elite status on US Airways too. These are both somewhat expensive ways to reach top tier though.

I'm more confused than ever, but nothing new about that. Many thanks for all of your good advice and help.

Yes. BUild a time machine, then go back to January of this year. Change your address on record at AA (no need to physically move) to someplace in CA, IL, or TX. Then register for both the DEQAA and DEQ!! promos. Fly somewhere around 8 times round trip between ORD and LAX/SFO (adding a connection to NYC in your case), and earn triple elite qualifying miles on those round trip (ecept for only double on the connections to/from NYC), and you got to AA EXP (top) status in one month.

But DEQAA (the systemwide double elite qualifying miles) ended at the end of January, and DEQ11 (the double elite qualifying miles on LAX or SFO to DFW or ORD round tirps for CA/IL/TX "redisidents") ended at the end of June.

So the party 's over.

And, unfortunately, sucn temporary double (and very rarely triple) elite qualify miles promos are the key to getting status more affordably.

So, unfortunately, you have to be on the lookout for such opportunities, and be ready and willing to jump on them, when they appear on FT. (Rather than looking for them at random times and expecting them to be always available.)

If I were in this situation I would do the AA Platinum challenge and then hope another DEQM promotion comes along at the end of this year as it did in 2011. I think there's a pretty good chance that it will, as AA are trying to keep the cash registers ringing as they try to emerge from BK. If the promo does happen, take advantage and qualify for EXP.

AFAIK AA Executive Platinums have much better upgrade chances on cheap coach tickets than UA 1Ks; not sure how the upgrade experience compares to DL Diamonds. On a leisure route like DFW-OGG I would expect EXP to be upgraded almost without fail and I'd bet even PLT would have a good chance, but I have no personal experience on this route.

You can buy EQMs on United to reach 1K. I believe you can also buy elite status on US Airways too. These are both somewhat expensive ways to reach top tier though.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten about this. US Airways allow you to just straight up buy top-tier status for $3999. The downside for OP is that they don't give complimentary upgrades on flights to Hawaii.

If I were in this situation I would do the AA Platinum challenge and then hope another DEQM promotion comes along at the end of this year as it did in 2011. I think there's a pretty good chance that it will, as AA are trying to keep the cash registers ringing as they try to emerge from BK. If the promo does happen, take advantage and qualify for EXP.

AFAIK AA Executive Platinums have much better upgrade chances on cheap coach tickets than UA 1Ks; not sure how the upgrade experience compares to DL Diamonds. On a leisure route like DFW-OGG I would expect EXP to be upgraded almost without fail and I'd bet even PLT would have a good chance, but I have no personal experience on this route.



Oh yeah, I had forgotten about this. US Airways allow you to just straight up buy top-tier status for $3999. The downside for OP is that they don't give complimentary upgrades on flights to Hawaii.

Also could be done though USair trial, much cheaper, but you have to fly a lot in 90 days. Then tryo to match other airline.