Mileage Run Deals - It's a disease, isn't it? And it's highly contagious

My father has been a FF for most of his career, and I did a fair amount of flying while I was growing up, and I've always enjoyed the whole airport and traveling thing, but didn't really pay attention to status. I got a new job about two years ago that required some travel (not too much... maybe a trip every month or two), but it was enough to remind me how much I liked flying.

Late last year I realized that I nearly made silver on US, and if I had been thinking about it during the year and had taken all of my trips on US I would have easily made silver. I decided to try to do better this year and happened to discover this forum. I think that's when I caught the disease.

I spent hours reading about people who flew just for the sake of obtaining status, and I read about the US Elite Trial program that would allow me to be silver elite for the whole year, instead of just at the end. The disease was quickly progressing.

I had planned to take a vacation in Florida in January and I realized that if I tried to get a few more segments in on that trip I could do the elite trial and secure my silver status with one trip, so I signed myself and my wife up for the elite trial program and booked an 8 segment round trip itinerary to FL (somewhat to my wife's dismay). We managed to get upgraded to first on four of those segments (All but one of the rest were on RJs) and I think my wife caught the disease at that point.

Next thing I knew my wife and I were talking about how we can't just stop at silver... we need to get gold... so when I needed to take a business trip out west my wife decided to fly with me and I was able to book a nice 12 segment trip to LA and Las Vegas which we'll be taking in a few weeks. Of course the disease is still running though our veins, and we realized that after this trip, plus the 8 segments from January we'll only be three segments away from getting platinum on the elite trial (one of our previous segments was a UA codeshare, so it doesn't count for the trial). We're already looking for a cheap little MR (or segment run) to take care of that if I don't have to travel for business again before our trial is over.

Originally I just wanted to make silver and maybe get an upgrade or two as I flew now and then for business, but it's quickly becoming an obsession for me and my wife... but is that such a bad thing? ;)

Anyway, sorry for rambling on, but I've been hanging out here for a couple of months now and posted a bit here and there, so I figured I'd introduce myself. I'd love to hear how some of you caught this disease;)

Brett

Yes, that is an incurable disease.

When you go to your counselor, he/she will easily infected.

Not an easy concept to understand for normal PPL.

But once they experience Lounges/Clubs, FirstClass, Priority Baggage, No Lines, they starts to admire you.

Please to meet you (virtually), BrettS.

I have a different perspective that I hope you would not mind me sharing. It is on the subject of your point regarding contagion. I reckon that the overhwelming majority of people would not flock to sitting in an aluminum tube just for the sake of leveraging the miles obtained for a free ticket.

My personal experience explaining the passion you and I share with others is that they are not convinced of its value. They don't see it as a good use of their time. I respect that point of view.

I do it because I enjoy traveling and I perceive the leveraging of miles for premium cabin awards as the only affordable way for me to travel in some modicum of comfort. Although of late, my frustrations of not being able to redeem miles has led me to question my rationale.

Therefore I might quantify this level of contagion quite lower than that of leprosy or tuberculosis which is estimated to cause clinical disease in only 10% of individuals exposed to the pathogen.

koppelman

A good friend of mine could sort of see the benefits of my circular travel and driving to SEA to catch most of my flights so they'd be on UA metal with all the added benefits, but she still thought I was a bit crazy - obsessive - whatever you want to call it.

UNTIL LAST NIGHT when due to a bunch of weird circumstances she was suddenly able to join me in Colorado Springs for a figure-skating competition this weekend. Problem was getting her there at a decent price. We couldn't, so I'm sponsoring an award for her (standard at 50K miles from Vancouver) so she can join us. All of a sudden the lights came on and she realized how beneficial my 'drive to SEA and fly multi-segment flights' were.

Yes, that is an incurable disease.

When you go to your counselor, he/she will easily infected.

Not an easy concept to understand for normal PPL.

But once they experience Lounges/Clubs, FirstClass, Priority Baggage, No Lines, they starts to admire you.
Nicely put!
But I'd probably discount the "priority baggage" perk. Unless you're a FC passenger at LH's FRA terminal, expecting your bags to come out in the first batch would be utter foolishness.

Well admitting it is a disease is the first step to a cure. Personally, I have gone nuts on these low ORD-Germany runs and have 3 flights booked in a 5 week period.
One weekend consists of...
2/22: BKK-SIN
2/23: SIN-NRT-LAX-ORD
2/24: ORD-MSP-ORD-FRA
2/26: FRA-ORD
Which totals 20879 miles. Another fare from ORD-FRA was such a good deal I considered it a $200 trip to Germany because my brother is using the miles earned to go to vegas. I love this stuff and I love UAL.

Well admitting it is a disease is the first step to a cure. Personally, I have gone nuts on these low ORD-Germany runs and have 3 flights booked in a 5 week period.
One weekend consists of...
2/22: BKK-SIN
2/23: SIN-NRT-LAX-ORD
2/24: ORD-MSP-ORD-FRA
2/26: FRA-ORD
Which totals 20879 miles. Another fare from ORD-FRA was such a good deal I considered it a $200 trip to Germany because my brother is using the miles earned to go to vegas. I love this stuff and I love UAL.

Holy cow man, what a span of 5 days!!

I'm sponsoring an award for her (standard at 50K miles from Vancouver) so she can join us. All of a sudden the lights came on and she realized how beneficial my 'drive to SEA and fly multi-segment flights' were.

If the award is on UA, remember to waitlist her for the saver award on the same flights. I'm not sure whether or not a 1P incurs a fee for this, but to save half the miles, it may be worth it. Or you could always waitlist her on a saver FC fare for the same amount of miles. :D

If the award is on UA, remember to waitlist her for the saver award on the same flights. I'm not sure whether or not a 1P incurs a fee for this, but to save half the miles, it may be worth it. Or you could always waitlist her on a saver FC fare for the same amount of miles. :D

Thanks so very much -- I was in such a rush to get this done for her that I never even thought of it. I'll check it out when I get to the airport this morning for my trip -- it would be a nice surprise for her.

Well admitting it is a disease is the first step to a cure. Personally, I have gone nuts on these low ORD-Germany runs and have 3 flights booked in a 5 week period.
One weekend consists of...
2/22: BKK-SIN
2/23: SIN-NRT-LAX-ORD
2/24: ORD-MSP-ORD-FRA
2/26: FRA-ORD
Which totals 20879 miles. Another fare from ORD-FRA was such a good deal I considered it a $200 trip to Germany because my brother is using the miles earned to go to vegas. I love this stuff and I love UAL.

Actually, something I found on the "net" (forgot where ;))

scientist have identified a dormant DNA gene called "FF/FT/MR" Apparently this gene does not activate itself until a person goes a mileage run or/and gets excited about frequent flying and/or flyertalk... once the gene turns itself on, it releases chemicals into the blood stream that makes a person crave upgrades/status/lounges/award travel etc...

they go on to say "it seems there may not be a way to turn it off, however we ARE looking into treatments that will curb the appetite..although none of the treatments administered so far have worked." they do admit that the downside to this gene is external factors such as late planes/missed schedules/gate lice/rude airline personnel etc... other than that there seems to be no bad side effects...except maybe be awake at 2:00 AM looking for that ticket to germany at $5.00 plus taxes"

when asked if they think FT is a factor in turning on this gene, they replied "we are currently investigating what effect FT has on the gene. our findings thus far indicate FT may be a critical factor" :D

Hi, My name is iCorpRoadie, and I am addicted.

yes it is a powerful addictions to just go for a few days to nowhere and just happen to get a few more thousand miles dropped into the account.

Yes we spend blocks of time traveling to cities for no other reason than to collect miles (for example flying from LGA to MSP in the middle of winter for $98 plus tax). In turn, we become addicted to earning stickers for upgrades and miles for International travel that we could not normally afford. Still, spending a Saturday in a F seat flying around the country with a good book is not a bad way to spend a day. Beats staying at home and cleaning your bathroom.

And better than being addicted to booze, drugs and/or gambling.

Addiction to making your money go farther is part of it for some folk; or your time; or your required travel anyways..

For me the benefits of it hit home on Fri. Do to a family emergency we needed to get 8 people in from around to country to a tiny airport. Fares were averaging over $700 a person. 175K UA miles ( all saver awards) and one 25K AA award ( given to me by a very gracious AA EXP); no last minute fees because I am 1K; and all were taken care of

I was trying to figure out MR from the threads here... But somehow, I am still not quite sure how it works... So hope to get a quick answer here...

Say if u want to fly from EWR to LAX... Instead of getting a direct flight, u book one that makes multiple connections say, flying from EWR to ATL to LAX and then on the return from LAX to DAL to EWR? So u are basically flying in zigzag to accumulate as many miles as possilble?

Do u have to fork out more to get flights with multiple connections? Or in fact, u pay less but it takes longer and u get more miles?

I was trying to figure out MR from the threads here... But somehow, I am still not quite sure how it works... So hope to get a quick answer here...

Say if u want to fly from EWR to LAX... Instead of getting a direct flight, u book one that makes multiple connections say, flying from EWR to ATL to LAX and then on the return from LAX to DAL to EWR? So u are basically flying in zigzag to accumulate as many miles as possilble?

Do u have to fork out more to get flights with multiple connections? Or in fact, u pay less but it takes longer and u get more miles?

Except for the fact that a connection in DFW/DAL between NYC and LAX won't give you many extra miles and is probably not worth the effort unless you qualify on segments.Read the sticky on top of the forum for MRs.

And better than being addicted to booze, drugs and/or gambling.
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I satisfy my booze addiction by u/g to F (or C int'l) :D
Then I fly to AMS, get stoned, and blow my money at the casino. :D :D

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I satisfy my booze addiction by u/g to F (or C int'l) :D
Then I fly to AMS, get stoned, and blow my money at the casino. :D :D

Don't give them ideas....it is addicting, life can be addicting.

I was trying to figure out MR from the threads here... But somehow, I am still not quite sure how it works... So hope to get a quick answer here...

Say if u want to fly from EWR to LAX... Instead of getting a direct flight, u book one that makes multiple connections say, flying from EWR to ATL to LAX and then on the return from LAX to DAL to EWR? So u are basically flying in zigzag to accumulate as many miles as possilble?

Do u have to fork out more to get flights with multiple connections? Or in fact, u pay less but it takes longer and u get more miles?

There are several different flavors, including the one you mentioned. Common habits are:

-for flights you're making anyway, connect through an out-of-the-way airport to bring up extra miles (e.g. SEA-ATL-DTW)
-for flights you're making anyway, depart from a nearby airport for extra miles (e.g. FNT-DTW-SEA instead of DTW-SEA)
-Look out for great deals where the miles earned virtually pay for the trip by themselves. These range from merely good deals (e.g. recent LAX-FRA for $400) where the mileage doesn't pay for the trip, but it reduces the cost enough to make it worth it if you're interested in the destination, to screaming deals (e.g. $200 for Vancouver-Bucharest in biz class), which are usually mistake fares and don't last long.

Many people consider only the screaming deals to be pure MR's, and those seem to come up only a few times per year.

PS -- read the stickies :)

(e.g. $200 for Vancouver-Bucharest in biz class)

To be fair, it's not in biz, but in "B" fare class.
Your scenario has happened elsewhere though (see LCA fares).

A MR purist will say that it is not a MR when one is simply taking the long way to where one wants to go anyway.

A MR is going nowhere simply for the miles. On a classic MR one never leaves the terminal (there shouldn't be that much time between flights; no miles are earned except for BIS). I find it amusing to get off a flight and walk straight to the podium and ask for a BP for the return flight.

For many of us it is not the RDM but rather the EQM that count.

Examples that I do regularly:
IAD-SFO-LAS-LAX-IAD (same day),
DCA-ORD-MIA-ORD-DCA (same day),
Last weekend:
IAD-ORD-FRA-ORD-IAD (out Sat, 2 hours in FRA, in Sun morning).

A good friend of mine could sort of see the benefits of my circular travel and driving to SEA to catch most of my flights so they'd be on UA metal with all the added benefits, but she still thought I was a bit crazy - obsessive - whatever you want to call it.

UNTIL LAST NIGHT when due to a bunch of weird circumstances she was suddenly able to join me in Colorado Springs for a figure-skating competition this weekend. Problem was getting her there at a decent price. We couldn't, so I'm sponsoring an award for her (standard at 50K miles from Vancouver) so she can join us. All of a sudden the lights came on and she realized how beneficial my 'drive to SEA and fly multi-segment flights' were.

haha... i thought i was the only one crazy enough to drive 3 hours to get start MR. DFW-AUS. My family and friends all think i am crazy, but EXP here I come!!!

haha... i thought i was the only one crazy enough to drive 3 hours to get start MR. DFW-AUS. My family and friends all think i am crazy, but EXP here I come!!!

So if I'm reading this correctly, you live in Dallas, but drive to Austin in order to fly Austin -> Dallas -> final destination?

So if I'm reading this correctly, you live in Dallas, but drive to Austin in order to fly Austin -> Dallas -> final destination?

yeah... $.03/mile pure MR was too good to pass up in my opinion. Other poster have gotten $.02/mile, but I couldn't find that flying out of Dallas. I suppose i could fly down to austin, but why pay extra $80-$100 and ruin my avg on top of hotel for the night:p

I did skip dallas so it's aus-X-Y-Z-Y-X-aus

I was trying to figure out MR from the threads here... But somehow, I am still not quite sure how it works... So hope to get a quick answer here...

Say if u want to fly from EWR to LAX... Instead of getting a direct flight, u book one that makes multiple connections say, flying from EWR to ATL to LAX and then on the return from LAX to DAL to EWR? So u are basically flying in zigzag to accumulate as many miles as possilble?

Do u have to fork out more to get flights with multiple connections? Or in fact, u pay less but it takes longer and u get more miles?

Well, basically, the whole idea of a MR (or maximizing miles on an itinerary when time is not an issue) is to fly for the sake of accumulating miles at the lowest cost per mile. If doing so allows maximizing the number of segments without killing the price per mile, then a MR'er will book it. Really hard-core MR'ers will exploit the fare rules for a given fare to maximize the number of segments and miles.

Why MR? Well, I'd suggest reading the stickies in the thread, but basically it is a means to accumulate status miles to achieve/maintain status and a way to accumulate redeemable miles for an award that far exceeds the out-of-pocket cost to earn the miles in the first place.

Goph

It's a disease alright! And it's costing me thousands!

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Although I am not quite as 'far gone' as some others -- I am certainly in the early stages of the disease. Do I want to be cured??? NEVER!! I unfortunately do not have the freedom, both financially and time, to pursue a 'pure' MR, I am learling how to get the most of my flying when I it is required.

I enjoy traveling and now, thanks to FT I am certainly getting the most out of my flying with UA.

On a side note, I have introduced over 10 people to UA MP and have erxplained all the benefits of loyalty and most (all except one) have remained luke-warm towards the whole thing. I guess 'most' people are still more interested in cheap tickets on any airline than the greater benefits of being a FF withing a particular program.

Thanks guys... I get a clearer picture now... I am amazed on what is being done to get those miles... Either toward a specific status or for the sake of mile-accumulation...

I can see a new form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder evolving...

OCMiR - obsessive compulsive mileage run

As with most OCD symptoms, I dont think it is a disease...
It is just a HABIT...
Take away the H, and u still have A-BIT
Take away the A, and u still have BIT
And taking away the B, u still have IT...

I guess the only sound advice would be "dont fight IT!!!"

PS: I need another 1600+ miles to get onto the next status... I doubt i can do a true MR... I will possibly make a weekend trip to visit a few friends... I think I am still OCMiR negative... :p

A MR purist will say that it is not a MR when one is simply taking the long way to where one wants to go anyway.
Like SAN-LAX-ONT-SFO-MRY-LAX-SAN in twelve hours? :D

Like SAN-LAX-ONT-SFO-MRY-LAX-SAN in twelve hours? :DExactly!

Except I'm a miles, not a segment, guy. In 12 hours I expect to earn far more than a paltry 3k miles!

You need to get your butt on over to FRA while the deals are hot. LAX-FRA, now there's some miles! Makes me sad to live on the right coast (well, that and the fact that DC is generally a miserable place to live):( !

Yes, that is an incurable disease.

When you go to your counselor, he/she will easily infected.

Not an easy concept to understand for normal PPL.

But once they experience Lounges/Clubs, FirstClass, Priority Baggage, No Lines, they starts to admire you.

People question me when I do this. Then when they travel with me, they get to experience all of the above. Then they understand why.

Having never done a MR, I still consider all of you insane. However, I am so intrigued by it all, and especially your enthusiasm, that I love reading the posts. And god help me if it doesn't make me at least think about doing it. :eek:

Having never done a MR, I still consider all of you insane. However, I am so intrigued by it all, and especially your enthusiasm, that I love reading the posts. And god help me if it doesn't make me at least think about doing it. :eek:

That's how it all starts... get out while you still can;) I guess I haven't done a 'true' MR yet, but reading all the posts here is what encouraged me to take 8 segments instead of 2 or 4 for my FL round trip, and 12 segments instead of 5 or 6 for my trip to the west coast. It's too late for me now... it's just a matter of time before I do a real MR;)

Brett

... and 12 segments instead of 5 or 6 for my trip to the west coast.


Hmmm, 4 total segments is all I can fit in for a one day, out (at 7am) & back (at 10pm) for a ROC-SFO M/R via MSP. Guess I'll have to practice more.:p

Welcome to the club, BrettS. :p Don't worry, we understand your affliction!

I should have never did a mileage run, I want to do more, I find myself looking for deals.

The problem is that I have no where to go and no reason to go, I just want to go for the sake of going. I am going to get committed.

I think there are three excellent airlines and they are AA, DL and US, So I am watching them for great deals.

I should not have said US but it does have good deals sometimes.

The real issue is trying to go "cold turkey". When I was Silver I was thanking my lucky stars that I made a FC upgrade. Then when I made Gold I was kind of expecting an upgrade, and would be happy if I got bulk head or a window, but upset if it didn't come through. Then I made 1K/Chairman's Preferred, and then I was upset if I didn't get upgrade and didn't get my isle seat.

And then....go back to having less status. Suddenly your back to doing the gate dance, willing to settle for any FC seat - a bulk head window seat - anything and sizing up the other gate dancers - wondering what status are they? what ticket fare are they flying on? And the whole time thinking, by god, a year ago this wasn't even an issue. Do they know who I was?!?!?

That, my friends, is really scary.

The problem is that I have no where to go and no reason to go, I just want to go for the sake of going. I am going to get committed.Just make sure you look at MR destinations with good mental health services.

Hmmm, 4 total segments is all I can fit in for a one day, out (at 7am) & back (at 10pm) for a ROC-SFO M/R via MSP. Guess I'll have to practice more.:p

4 segments probably isn't too bad for the same day... my 12 segment run is over a two week period (I'm flying four days of those two weeks) because I had to be out west for business anyway.

Brett

For me the benefits of it hit home on Fri. Do to a family emergency we needed to get 8 people in from around to country to a tiny airport. Fares were averaging over $700 a person. 175K UA miles ( all saver awards) and one 25K AA award ( given to me by a very gracious AA EXP); no last minute fees because I am 1K; and all were taken care of

Hope all is okay (or as okay as family emergencies can sometimes be)...

In my view, this is one of the more important benefits of flying a lot - last minute awards for emergencies using miles instead of cash. And, when times are happier, first class travel to exotic destinations - something I could never normally afford.

So today I was thinking while sitting here in Naples FL where I coudl go next, when I could go, how I would get there. There are SO many places that I want to go and it just gets addictive. Seems like I can't get enough time to get there.

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Then I fly to AMS, get stoned, and blow my money at the casino. :D :D


Thanks for the great idea Javan69. Now that I have my own 1 person company Ive been thinking, no possibility of random drug tests. Just needed to find a legal way to get some.

My father has been a FF for most of his career, and I did a fair amount of flying while I was growing up, and I've always enjoyed the whole airport and traveling thing, but didn't really pay attention to status. I got a new job about two years ago that required some travel (not too much... maybe a trip every month or two), but it was enough to remind me how much I liked flying.

I think that's when I caught the disease.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on, but I've been hanging out here for a couple of months now and posted a bit here and there, so I figured I'd introduce myself. I'd love to hear how some of you caught this disease;)

Brett

Welcome BrettS

Disease? Not Sure
Obsession? Yes
Addiction? Yes

The defintions below may support your comment that its a disease.

deviant behaviors?? Interesting!


A disease is any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person affected or those in contact with the person. Sometimes the term is used broadly to include injuries, disabilities, syndromes, symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts these may be considered distinguishable categories.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease

a term of health status; when something is wrong with a bodily function
www.jhsph.edu/publichealthexperts/Glossary.htm

Process injurious to health and/or longevity
www.weightlosssurgery.com.au/index.php

A condition of an organic being or of one of its parts that impairs normal living functioning.
www.iffgd.org/GIDisorders/glossary.html

A condition of being sick from a particular cause. Different plants and animals often suffer from certain diseases. Some animals are known to carry diseases that effect other organisms. For example, a beetle carries a fungus which causes Dutch Elm Disease in elm trees.
www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/glossary.htm


an abnormal bodily condition of a living plant or animal that interferes with functioning and can usually be recognized by signs, symptoms, and illness.
whyfiles.larc.nasa.gov/text/kids/Problem_Board/problems/biosphere/glossary.html

stress condition produced by the effects of a pathogen on a susceptible host.
scarab.msu.montana.edu/historybug/glossary.htm

Any condition that prevents the body from working as it should other that direct injury.
ricegenomics.plbr.cornell.edu/glossary.htm

A condition of an organism that impairs normal physiological function. Also see Infectious Disease.
fightaidsathome.scripps.edu/glossary.html

Any abnormality of bodily structure or function, other than those arising directly from injury.
www.canadapharma.org/Patient_Pathways/Glossary_Terms/

A deleterious change in the body's condition in response to destabilizing factors, such as nutrition, chemicals, or biological agents.
highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070294267/student_view0/glossary_a-d.html

Diseases may be caused by microorganisms or by environmental factors such as a lack of available iron in the soil or excess water.
www.ottawa.ca/residents/healthy_lawns/lawns/links/glossary_en.shtml

Illness, sickness. An interruption, cessation, or disorder of body functions, systems, or organs. Top of page
www.rationaltherapeutics.com/reference/glossary.htm

can be defined as a derangement in the function of the whole body of the host or any of its parts.
www.fao.org/Wairdocs/ILRI/x5436E/x5436e04.htm

A condition of the body in which there is incorrect function due to heredity, infection, diet, or environment.
www.mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/glossary.shtml

a pathological condition that is cross-culturally defined and recognized.
oregonstate.edu/instruct/anth370/gloss.html

a condition, caused by living organisms or environmental changes, that impairs the normal functions of a living organism.
www.ipmalmanac.com/glossary/index.asp

a state in which a function or part of the body is no longer in a healthy condition
lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/allergybegone/glossary.html

A medical concept, which serves for communication between doctors. Disease does not exist as such in nature. What medicine conceives as disease is a tolerance decline accompanied by WOB complaints
www.what-is-cancer.com/papers/newmedicine/glossary.html

a medically definable process, in terms of pathophysiology and pathology. Illness is what the patient experiences.
www.therubins.com/geninfo/Definit.htm

Presence of some pathology or abnormality in a part of the body. Bacteria and viruses cause many such diseases Tolerance – In pharmacology, the ability to tolerate larger and larger doses of a drug after each exposure to it.
www.uwic.ac.uk/shss/dom/newweb/General/Glossary.htm

It's a disease alright! And it's costing me thousands!
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I was telling my parents how I scored SFO-JFK-FRA-LEJ and back in F, plus u/g my AMS run, etc., all b/c I spent about $6k last year (BIS miles). Then I'll be bringing my g/f home from FRA this Fall in C thanks to 2 of my 6 UA swu's. :) AND, I like to fly, esp. jumbos (but I get the luxury of the SFO I-term!) ^

Thanks for the great idea Javan69. Now that I have my own 1 person company Ive been thinking, no possibility of random drug tests. Just needed to find a legal way to get some.
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I'm doing a run to AMS in a few weeks, but it is *not* for "Dutch treats" :D Yeah right, you all say. But why the heck spend $486 to fly to AMS just to get weed when I, living in S.F., can simply ask someone with a cannabis card to get me, oh, say 1.5 *oz* for the same money. (The ticket obviously does not include treats.) There's a great goth club in AMS and a really good comedy troupe (Boom! Chicago).

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I'm doing a run to AMS in a few weeks, but it is *not* for "Dutch treats" :D Yeah right, you all say. But why the heck spend $486 to fly to AMS just to get weed when I, living in S.F., can simply ask someone with a cannabis card to get me, oh, say 1.5 *oz* for the same money. (The ticket obviously does not include treats.) There's a great goth club in AMS and a really good comedy troupe (Boom! Chicago).

I'll be back to you when there are good fares to the Bay area. I'll ask my sister in Ebay to keep the fridge filled.

I am quickly becoming addicted to the UA miles program. It started when I was studying in Illinois, and I got a Mileage Plus Visa. I travelled for four months roundtrip from ORD to IAH, once a month. I saw those miles add up quickly, travelling and putting expenses on the Visa. Then I got on the dining rewards program (and collected that SWEET 25K bonus just recently!). Now, two years later, I am very intrigued by the mileage run concept. I talked to my husband about it last night, and he thinks I'm absolutely insane. I really want to do a MR, but he just doesn't get it. He thinks it is stupid to sit on a plane all day, just to rack up miles. Any of you have to convince your spouses of the benefits of the MR?

Any of you have to convince your spouses of the benefits of the MR?
Have to? No. It's my time and money. But I share the international First Class tickets (bought with miles) and all of a sudden I'm a lot less "nuts" for doing it. :)

Have to? No. It's my time and money. But I share the international First Class tickets (bought with miles) and all of a sudden I'm a lot less "nuts" for doing it. :)

Same strategy here.. always make sure to remind your spouse of how she is able to enjoy the first class seat she is settling into..^

This is not the greatest time of the year for me to travel. My kids are in school. BUt I bet you a dollar to a donut that the best prices are also this time of the year. Does anyone ever get good deals in the summer?

This is not the greatest time of the year for me to travel. My kids are in school. BUt I bet you a dollar to a donut that the best prices are also this time of the year. Does anyone ever get good deals in the summer?


Summer time tough for MR. This time of year great-the prices are low, the planes are less full, and the UPGs are easy (on the weekends). Will be sitting my butt in F seat tomorrow EWR to ORD for $98 R/T plus taxes.

...Does anyone ever get good deals in the summer?Yes. I often do the MIA MR I posted above in the summer. Who the heck wants to go to MIA in July!?

I'll be back to you when there are good fares to the Bay area. I'll ask my sister in Ebay to keep the fridge filled.
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:D :D :D Still a federal crime. Gonna have to troll Haight St. on your own. But enjoy the MR. :p

Any of you have to convince your spouses of the benefits of the MR?
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Talk to Couscous, or rather, Mrs. Couscous :D
She's in the office next to mine. I MR with her husband. She now accepts what he does (since he upgrades her on real flights).

Summer time tough for MR. This time of year great-the prices are low, the planes are less full, and the UPGs are easy (on the weekends). Will be sitting my butt in F seat tomorrow EWR to ORD for $98 R/T plus taxes.
Sounds like a fly06 promotion trip

I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV......

But I don't see it so much as a disease that only manifests itself physically or as a normal addiction, but more of a mental illness. According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_illness, mental illness is an abnormal mental condition or disorder associated with significant distress and/or disfunction.

For most diagnosed-MRers, there is significant distress at the thought of not being able to use elite lines at security, having to wait and board with the pack, not having "elite" on their boarding pass, having a special number to call, and worst of all, the prospect of sitting in the back of the plane with no chance for first class upgrades or even choice seating.

This significant distress causes MRs to engage in behavior that one not afflicted might not see as normal. For example, flying transcon multiple times, going to Europe for 3 hours, or changing a 1600 mile nonstop flight into a 6800 mile flight with 6 segments.

Yet the truth is that many of most intelligent and beneficial people have been deemed by society as mentally ill. So indeed we are the elite and the proud, even if society, friends, family, and significant others might see us as wack jobs at times. :) But they often benefit from our giftedness.

PS: It would be interesting to compare brain MRIs and EEGs to see if mileage runner brains are different.

Yeah, I think there's a compulsive-behavior component to it. My own introduction came circa 1992 and the great fare war of that year, back when transcons dropped to $100-150 and people had to spend an hour on hold to call the airlines. I was one of few who could do it online (through green screens and EAASY SABRE).

The fares were the big draw for me, as well as the chance to do mini-vacations to then-new places like Las Vegas (where you could play the car and room for savings nicely, too). Most flying was on CO then. I counted the miles eagerly but was oblivious as to the status and that angle until 1993, when I was unexpectedly getting upgrades for the first time ever. That and the unexpected bonuses got me to pay more attention to the elite perks. Those redoubled the habit-forming nature.

So it was a step-by-step thing.

I guess most MRers are obssessed with the perks that come with the elite status... And hence causing a compulsive behavior to collect those miles to alleviate the fear of losing the elite status... Translating most OCD symptoms to a case of a MRer, u're OCMiR positive if u have the following symptoms...

1. U regularly check your mile total, once a month, once a week or even once everyday... Even though u know the miles might not change, seeing them safely in the basket provide an instant relief...

2. U make double check, maybe more, that the miles are credited at the counter.. and the first thing u do when u get internet access is to check that the miles are updated in your account...

3. U feel difficulty in explaining to others why u are doing the MR... And feel that u are often misunderstood... And can be frustrated at times...

4. U couldn't help coming on here to tell fellow MRs how good it is to be doing MR... Coz u know FTers are the only group of people know what u are going thru...

5. U go into panic mode when the cut off date for the next upgrade is near and u are a few miles short...

I am sure a true MR could add on to the list... So are u OCMiR positive? :D

I guess most MRs are obssessed with the perks that come with the elite status... And hence causing a compulsive behavior to collect those miles to alleviate the fear of losing the elite status... Translating most OCD symptoms to a case of a MR, u're OCMiR positive if u have the following symptoms...

1. U regularly check your mile total, once a month, once a week or even once everyday...

2. U make double check, maybe more, that the miles are credited at the counter.. and the first thing u do when u get internet access is to check that the miles are updated in your account...

3. U feel difficulty in explaining to others why u are doing the MR... And feel that u are often misunderstood... And can be frustrated at times...

4. U couldn't help coming on here to tell fellow MRs how good it is to be doing MR... Coz u know FTers are the only group of people know what u are going thru...

5. U go into panic mode when the cut off date for the next upgrade is near and u are a few miles short...

I am sure a true MR could add on to the list... So are u OCMiR positive? :D


When did you and I talk? You got me pegged to the T on this obsession.

I've tried to convince myself and others that flying SAN-DFW-AUS, AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS, and AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS-LAX-SAN on three successive days was an economic decision regarding the points gained and the value of those points. But it sure looks obsessive in written form, and seeing it in real life isn't any prettier. :D

I've tried to convince myself and others that flying SAN-DFW-AUS, AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS, and AUS-DFW-AUS-DFW-AUS-LAX-SAN on three successive days was an economic decision regarding the points gained and the value of those points. But it sure looks obsessive in written form, and seeing it in real life isn't any prettier. :D

Is that for segments or 500 miles at a time? I would just die if it were just for the 500 miles!

Hi, My name is iCorpRoadie, and I am addicted.

yes it is a powerful addictions to just go for a few days to nowhere and just happen to get a few more thousand miles dropped into the account.

Are we staring FF Anonymous? :D

Hi, my name is DH and I can't control myself when cheap fares appear...

You definitely are obsessed if you spend more than 1 hour per day on FT.

You definitely are obsessed if you spend more than 1 hour per day on FT.

1h?!?Oh my God...I'm a desperate case then.Don't save me though...:D

iCorp, that was the infamous AA 30K bonus for 3 RT's through DFW/DAL. You could do it twice. I came out of the weekend with 78,000+ miles, a lot of re-qualifying miles, and a hangover from too many First Class cashews that I still have not been able to shake.

Arghh
I'm sitting here contemplating switching a held trip for March -for which I already have concert tickets-for an April trip-just so I have less than three months to my next transatlantic-it'll take me within 1k of Plat-lite if I do so I'm now looking at weird and wonderful routings to squeeze those extra points out of both trips.
I think I'm infected.