Mileage Run Deals - I think I'm getting it...

OK, after watching all these mileage run posts, I'm getting more addicted, I think I'm getting the hang of this multi city booking thing.

I have a free-or-at-greatly-reduced-prices weekend in Oct. to get some miles in, so Im thinking I might try to make EXP on AA for next year (about 20K short...). Here goes the first domestic mileage run attempt.

I try Travelocity multicity, it either steers me to United or tells me that AA doesn't fly the itinerary I want (SEA-DFW-MIA-JFK-SEA), which is based on miles rather than segments.

So I go on to Orbitz, and plug in the cities. I get back SEA-DFW-FLL-LGA (pause, overnite at big sister's) JFK-SEA. All for $321 R/T, 6276 base miles, 5.11/c a mile.

So, am I on the right track? This seems like a pretty decent deal to me...

I too am a novice at this.

Most people have a price/mile bogey of $0.02 or less.

To maximize miles try changing directions (like flying north/south on a transcon). Your FLL leg does this well.

Think about connections in cities served by WN.

Safe travels.

Fred:

You might think about Europe or South American fares. You can go out late Friday and back Sunday. I've found fares to EZE for about $550 and 17,000 miles. SEA-DFW-JFK-EZE-MIA-DFW-JFK-SEA I use aa.com and put in multi city pairs. SEA-JFK, JFK-EZE, EZE-JFK, JFK-SEA This also works for Europe. SEA-DFW will show routing via ORD wich is ~900 miles more than just SEA-DFW. Europe routes usually are ~ 14,000 miles.

The problem with domestic flights is losing the ability to exchange upgrade stickers for miles. Also, I like the international flights.

Good luck.

The other nice thing about int'l mileage runs is lounge access for PLT or EXP.

FRED

Here is your routing for 19000+ miles in December (4-?). Amtrak or AS to PDX, PDX-LAX-NRT-SIN-NRT-LAX-PDX (or perhaps try to open jaw it on this routing back to SEA). Total cost without SEA-PDX leg $632.50. SEA-PDX should be obtainable for approx. $100 (air) or $35 (train and MAX). Those are elite qualifying miles. Does not count elite bonus miles, 2k for booking on the new NWA.com nor you Amtrak miles.

Yes, it is sort of a vacation, but don't you deserve one?

I don't claim to know anything about American, but I was able to price the following on Travelocity (using Multiple Destinations and clicking View More Flights a whole bunch of times):

Fri. Nov. 1 AA 1964 SEA-ORD 11:35p- 5:20a+1
Sat. Nov. 2 AA 2301 ORD-DFW 6:20a- 8:47a
Sat. Nov. 2 AA 668 DFW-DCA 11:10a- 2:50p
Sat. Nov. 2 AA 4822 DCA-LGA 3:35p- 4:35p

Sun. Nov. 3 AA 4853 JFK-DCA 8:00a- 9:10a
Sun. Nov. 3 AA 1213 DCA-DFW 10:00a-12:26p
Sun. Nov. 3 AA 2352 DFW-ORD 1:55p- 4:13p
Sun. Nov. 3 AA 1605 ORD-SEA 4:45p- 7:13p

$352 including all taxes. If my calculations are correct, that's 8430 miles (4.18¢/Q-mile).

Trying to connect through south Florida breaks the fare.
ROUTING 2 FROM-TO SEA-AA-NYC*
FROM-TO SEA-AA-SJC-AA-NYC*
FROM SEA-AA-SJC-AA-LAX-AA-PHX-AA-
OR FROM SEA-AA-RNO/SJC-AA-
TO ORD-AA-DFW-AA-WAS-AA-NYC*
OR TO DFW/CHI/STL-AA-WAS-AA-NYC*
OR TO STL-AA-BNA-AA-NYC*

Addendum:

Fri. Oct. 25 AA 1964 SEA-ORD 11:30p- 5:13a+1
Sat. Oct. 26 AA 2201 ORD-DFW 6:00a- 8:26a
Sat. Oct. 26 AA 1610 DFW-DCA 9:24a- 1:15p
Sat. Oct. 26 AA 4498 DCA-LGA 2:00p- 3:15p

Sun. Oct. 27 AA 289 JFK-SEA 6:45p- 9:59p

$330.50 including all taxes. 6636 miles. 4.98¢/Q-mile.


[This message has been edited by EPS (edited 09-13-2002).]

Thanks for all the replies!

Drtravels, this sounds like a good way to go. Have never been to Beunos Aires, might have to try that SEA-EZE run with the non-direct legs thrown in for maxmiles. Probably can do this in a 3 day weekend with a day in EZE to get a quick look around.

Opus, thanks for the ideas; NW isn't a partner with AA, though. I alewady have AS MVPG through 2003 (got that in 3/2002).

Billiken, great idea, using FLL vice MIA is a good way to go, like BWI,ORD and OAK.

EPS, great itineraries, but I want it all! At least :50 between legs, a good overnight in a decent hotel, not the last flights of the day due to poss. weather, etc., etc. I hate redeyes, they make me a total zombo for a few days afterwards...I can sleep on a plane, but it ain't the same...

I think I need a tutor. I am still trying to figure this stuff out. hehee

Go to it, Fred! But watch out MR's can be addicitive. (but what the hay, there could be worse addictions, right?)