JJinBGI

Does anyone know of travel agents that specializes in mileage runs?

I thoroughly enjoy reading about the creativity and ingenuity that some members apply to find brilliant deals for their mileage runs. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have the same knack for finding those super bargains. For the first time ever I’ve made it to AA Platinum and it looks like I’m going to end the year at around 75,000 miles, 78,000 points and 44 segments. I am very tempted to do some mileage runs to get me up to Executive Platinum. I’m going to have some time in September, October and December to do that. However, I’m struggling to find runs with a CPM of better than 8 cents so my AA EXP will cost $2,000 plus once I factor in the occasional hotel and other incidentals.

My home airport is BGI but I often travel through MIA. I’m happy to pay a few booking fees if it will bring down the CPM.

Thank you!

Gamecock

I suspect there aren't many out there. Folks who do MRs are such a niche market there would be no motivation to provide such a serve.

That being said if you sign up for updates on the MR forum you will get the most updated MR fares.

Good luck on your pursuit of EXP!

Oh, if you don't have one already get a passport. Sometimes international travel provided the most bang for the buck.

wandering_persian

Same here. It'd be fantastic to have a mileage run specialist in my address book!

Centurion

Not many travel agents for MRs because few airlines pay commissions anymore. And prior to cutting commissions most agents were terrified of a Debit memo. The debit memo would mean you would have the ticket to fly the airline would get their money and your travel agent would get the shaft

aBroadAbroad

Welcome to FlyerTalk. Since your query is specifically about mileage runs, I've moved your post to the dedicated Mileage Run Discussion forum.

Good luck!

~Moderator, Information Desk

skunker

I'm actually working on getting my TA license. Once I get it I would be happy to book MRs.

Centurion

I suggest you read up on Debit memos and in the past how airlines have put known errors on the TA ledger via a Debit Memo.

wandering_persian

It'd be fair to charge the passenger the commission not paid by the airline. It's an extra service, isn't it?

How many courses do you have to take and how long is the program? I am not planning in becoming a TA, but I'd love to learn the trciks of the trade. I saw that IATA had online courses on GDS, etc. Have you taken any of those?

keitherson

Mileage runs can be legitimate fares, not necessarily mistake fares. In fact, most mileage runs are legitimate fares: just look at the forum.

Dr. HFH

Another problem is that people who do MRs look at cpm. Paying a travel agent is going skew that slightly higher.

skunker

If it auto-prices how are they going to hit you with a debit memo?

Madone59

It's all about spending time right here.

There are little circles within this little circle. You will see clusters of people who know each other, who communicate before deals hit FT or even the internet. This comes from years of participating and being a member of this community.

I have made friends through FT, people I fly with and communicate with frequently. You will too......you never know who will end up in your "address book."

Happy MRing

Kagehitokiri

i wonder if agents doing this kind of thing would have to charge up front

wandering_persian

I certainly do hope so! I have been a reader for many years. I wish I had started participating earlier.

CAETravlr

I recently started my own travel agency. I have been looking for the right business model as well as for the appropriate marketing avenues for offering mileage run services. It certainly isn't my only niche, but I would be more than happy to look for and help plan a mileage run for anyone who is interested. I would have to charge slightly more than the standard TA booking fees since there is a bit more work involved, but I would be more than happy to do it. Anyone who is interested please PM me and I will be glad to help. Anyone with any ideas on how to properly structure that service that makes sense, I am open to that, too!