Dec 10, 2016, 1:11 am
Last edit by: jspira
This is the discussion thread for the 2016 "Did You Do a Mileage Run or Mattress Run This Year" poll.
Please take the poll by clicking here - and then join in the discussion below.
Please take the poll by clicking here - and then join in the discussion below.
Did You Do a Mileage Run or Mattress Run in 2016? Poll
Nov 29, 2016, 11:29 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 17,490
Zero mileage runs and zero mattress runs in 2016.
I did mattress runs in 2015 for HH Diamond status. Never again will I chase airline status; nothing airline status offers that I value cannot be replicated by just buying first class.
I no longer care much about airline or hotel status. I will continue to buy first/business class tickets and I will stay in the hotels I like best, with loyalty program affiliation being only a tertiary consideration.
Loyalty (and mileage running) is for chumps!
I did mattress runs in 2015 for HH Diamond status. Never again will I chase airline status; nothing airline status offers that I value cannot be replicated by just buying first class.
I no longer care much about airline or hotel status. I will continue to buy first/business class tickets and I will stay in the hotels I like best, with loyalty program affiliation being only a tertiary consideration.
Loyalty (and mileage running) is for chumps!
Nov 29, 2016, 12:19 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SFO and SSA
Posts: 92
This year I did the final mileage run of my life. I finally made "Million Miler" status and will be happy to stay Gold for the rest of my life. No more unnecessary flights, no more being stuck on United for every flight. Now I'm going to spread out and enjoy the other Star Alliance member airlines. Free at last!
Nov 29, 2016, 12:43 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, IHG Plat, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,405
I used to do many Mile and Mattress runs. Probably should have stopped a few years ago, but hung in there until 2015. None this year and I foresee no more in the future.
Last edited by schriste; Dec 5, 2016 at 8:18 am
Nov 30, 2016, 10:32 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
From 2007-2014 I did at least a couple every single year. With revenue based programs and dwindling benefits for actually being elite, I just vote with my wallet. I've already booked on two new airlines for upcoming trips and I'm trying to use up all my remaining miles as quickly as possible too.
Chris
Chris
Dec 1, 2016, 10:54 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
The only thing close to a mileage run I've ever done is to do a multi-stop on UA versus a direct flight in LH in order to accumulate BIS miles. I've now traveled enough that I have LT GS on UA and LT Platinum at Marriott/SPG so no more worries for me or my wife, thanks to the UA wife (partner) status MM matching benefit.
Dec 1, 2016, 6:32 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
I did exactly this. I was going to end up short on PQD but not PQM so I took a couple of business trips I was already going to take and used my own $$$ to buy first instead of coach. No extra BIS time.
Dec 3, 2016, 7:21 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,261
Considered doing a MR on Air Canada in Oct that would have gotten me early
recognition for SE from Oct - Feb 2017, but would not qualify me for SE for 2017
( since I would have met 2016 requirements - no AQD - but not 2017 requirements - AQD).
Finally decided against it.
recognition for SE from Oct - Feb 2017, but would not qualify me for SE for 2017
( since I would have met 2016 requirements - no AQD - but not 2017 requirements - AQD).
Finally decided against it.
Dec 10, 2016, 2:46 pm
#27
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I'm one stay short of requalifying for HH Diamond. Next week I'm flying to MCI on Saturday morning early. The HGI RDU was $68 plus tax so I'll just stay there the night before the flight.
Dec 11, 2016, 5:05 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: United States
Programs: Hilton, marriott, IHG, Club Carlson, United Airlines,timeshare owner
Posts: 213
Yes, I did a few this year. Actually did enjoy them though, stayed 2 nights on each one and had a good time. After I reach million miler though I will be done with them.
Dec 13, 2016, 5:59 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 141
Thought I was going to need a mileage run this year, but I agreed to do a December speech in Germany for just a biz-class ticket. It was a good event and the miles put me over the top for a 4th year of 1K status.
I can't say I mind the occasional mileage run, though. Last year did a quick run to GRU & got an inexpensive day rate in a nice airport hotel. No need to pack business clothes, no work to complete before arrival, no stress over flight delays... weirdly relaxing.
I can't say I mind the occasional mileage run, though. Last year did a quick run to GRU & got an inexpensive day rate in a nice airport hotel. No need to pack business clothes, no work to complete before arrival, no stress over flight delays... weirdly relaxing.