I require ~ 2800 EQM (before DBLEQ) to re-qualify for Gold this year. I was trying different options and the cheapest (~$160) I could find was the following route: ORD-STL-LGA-STL-ORD. This trip will put me slightly above Gold EQM requirement. Do you think it is worth to spend this amount for AA Gold. Any suggestions on routing or any comments are welcome. Thanks.
I'd say the best benefit you'd get for GLD over no status is use of the priority lines for security, boarding before the herd (lots of overhead space before it gets used up), checking in with the business class lines, and most importantly (for me) is sitting in the exit rows.
If this is worth $160 to you, then you know your answer.
I know you get 25% more RDM, but I don't think of that as significant for me.
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certainly GLD is better than no status. it doesn't seem like much once you've hit PLT and EXP but there are definite advantages: getting better seats, seated sooner, and having a chance at those last few seats during IRROPS (after PLT and EXP are accomodated). you might even get upgraded occasionally.
beware, there is a slippery slope here. once you make GLD you might desire PLT and then it just snowballs.
Thanks. These suggestions really help. Can anyone suggest a MR from ORD that gets ~ 5600EQM? (after DBLEQ) The cheapest I was able to get was ORD-STL-LGA-STL-ORD for ~ $190 with a overnight stay. Is there anything that is better than this.
Last edited by Harrii; Nov 8, 09 at 5:50 pm.
Reason: Corrected EQM requirement after DBLEQ
You can get ORD-LGA nonstop for $175 and about 2900 EQM (after DBLEQ) on Nov. 23. leaving at around 3:30pm and getting back at 10:30pm.
Or ORD-LGA-STL-ORD for $186 on the weekend (Nov. 22) giving you over 3700 EQM and leaving at 6:50am and arriving at 4:40pm.
Thanks Looney. I am looking for 2800 EQM before DBLEQ. I know it is confusing and I have edited this in my post. TO be accurate, I am looking for 5600 EQM after DBLEQ.
Go west, young man . No seriously, rather than build a multi-leg trip through ORD-STL-LGA where you are risking weather problems (November/December weather has been known to interrupt travel at all of those airports a time or trillion times , consider flying to California or Washington. For example, on Dec 5, you can take direct flights ORD-SAN-ORD for $219.20 and get 3446 EQM (almost 6900 DEQM) -- even better, you leave ORD at 8:45 am and are back at ORD by 8:40 pm.
The other thing to consider is if you are ok with an overnight, you probably still want a different city than New York for your overnight because overnights in NYC hotels are generally more expensive than other nights in other cities. NYC well just isn't cheap and if you are planning on getting into Manhattan so you enjoy your overnight -- even more expensive.
This is my first posting but I think I may be of help. You can try the MR to SEA that I did last weekend. I flew out of MKE cause the price was cheaper plus I got extra miles that way. For example, you can try MKE-ORD-DFW-SEA-DFW-MKE on Dec 5th. It gets you 10946 DEQM for $237.50 which is about 2.2 cpm. This itinerary has you in the air constantly but there are options for spending an afternoon in Seattle before flying back or you can also spend the night and fly back on Dec 6th. It was my first MR and though it was a bit grueling on me I got to spend the afternoon with friends, have some good seafood and gained 10K DEQM for my troubles. You can even lower your costs by using a discount code like the one provided on aa.com/soccer since this itinerary is considered a round-trip ticket. This is my first posting so please let me know if my math is off.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Havek
This is my first posting but I think I may be of help. You can try the MR to SEA that I did last weekend. I flew out of MKE cause the price was cheaper plus I got extra miles that way. For example, you can try MKE-ORD-DFW-SEA-DFW-MKE on Dec 5th. It gets you 10946 DEQM for $237.50 which is about 2.2 cpm. This itinerary has you in the air constantly but there are options for spending an afternoon in Seattle before flying back or you can also spend the night and fly back on Dec 6th. It was my first MR and though it was a bit grueling on me I got to spend the afternoon with friends, have some good seafood and gained 10K DEQM for my troubles. You can even lower your costs by using a discount code like the one provided on aa.com/soccer since this itinerary is considered a round-trip ticket. This is my first posting so please let me know if my math is off.
Nice run, however, the OP only needs 5600 EQM. Why spend the extra money or time? Once OP makes Gold status they've reached their goal. Those extra segments and miles don't really help other than the 25% GLD RDM bonus.
If it was me, I'd do the ORD-SAN-ORD and be done with it.
This is my first posting but I think I may be of help. You can try the MR to SEA that I did last weekend. I flew out of MKE cause the price was cheaper plus I got extra miles that way. For example, you can try MKE-ORD-DFW-SEA-DFW-MKE on Dec 5th. It gets you 10946 DEQM for $237.50 which is about 2.2 cpm. This itinerary has you in the air constantly but there are options for spending an afternoon in Seattle before flying back or you can also spend the night and fly back on Dec 6th. It was my first MR and though it was a bit grueling on me I got to spend the afternoon with friends, have some good seafood and gained 10K DEQM for my troubles. You can even lower your costs by using a discount code like the one provided on aa.com/soccer since this itinerary is considered a round-trip ticket. This is my first posting so please let me know if my math is off.
Weclome to Flyertalk! That does sound like a good run for an ORD or MKE-based person who needs 10K -- wish I'd been as creative as that when doing my MRs earlier!
Havek...where are my manners? Welcome to FlyerTalk.
Feeling very welcome.... It was good to come out of the shadows. I look forward to all the tips and tricks I learn here and being able to contribute any new ones I come up with.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Havek
This is my first posting but I think I may be of help. You can try the MR to SEA that I did last weekend. I flew out of MKE cause the price was cheaper plus I got extra miles that way. For example, you can try MKE-ORD-DFW-SEA-DFW-MKE on Dec 5th. It gets you 10946 DEQM for $237.50 which is about 2.2 cpm.
Good find, but you're almost just as well off by doing MKE-DFW-SEA-DFW-MKE...you only lose about 10 EQM's by skipping ORD altogether.
. No seriously, rather than build a multi-leg trip through ORD-STL-LGA where you are risking weather problems (November/December weather 
has been known to interrupt travel at all of those airports a time or trillion times 
