How much do you spend on mileage runs?
Sep 13, 2017, 8:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Saipan, MP
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Alaska 75K, United Platinum
Posts: 203
How much do you spend on mileage runs?
Simple question to everyone here..............I started doing mileage runs earlier this year and realized I had no idea what a typical FF will spend on these each year. By the end of 2017 I'll have spent a total of $4,022.72 to lock in the following:
Having status on three airlines is beneficial for me from all the work travel I have to do. Overall, I feel like the AS is where I've gotten the most value since I'll rack up an additional 250K RQMs in addition to the 90k+ EQM I need for their top tier. Also, the $4,000 spent is an overestimation because technically I worked in one of the longer mileage runs in with a family reunion trip which would have cost me 160,000 UA miles.
Will you guys share what you normally spend?
- AS MVP 75K
- Flying Blue Gold
- UA/*A Gold
Having status on three airlines is beneficial for me from all the work travel I have to do. Overall, I feel like the AS is where I've gotten the most value since I'll rack up an additional 250K RQMs in addition to the 90k+ EQM I need for their top tier. Also, the $4,000 spent is an overestimation because technically I worked in one of the longer mileage runs in with a family reunion trip which would have cost me 160,000 UA miles.
Will you guys share what you normally spend?
Sep 13, 2017, 8:58 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW; Allen, TX
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,083
I value my "status" at $1000. So if I were short on EQMs or EQD for EXP on September 1 for my expected end of the year, I would start looking for and booking something up to $1000 to get over the hump.
I sadly have almost no value on RDMs because I normally use these to book friends and family on trips, because I had to continue to chase EQMs/EQDs.
I sadly have almost no value on RDMs because I normally use these to book friends and family on trips, because I had to continue to chase EQMs/EQDs.
Sep 13, 2017, 9:57 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: BWI<MCI< PHL<DEN<SCL<EZE<CHO<PHL<ABE
Programs: UA Silver / FA
Posts: 939
This year I spent $374+$321= $695 for 34,336 EQMs in MRs this year.
But $375 was actually covered by ETCs.
$325 out of pocket for 34,336. Decent value.
Going to end around 63k EQM. At 6 ft 7, I'll take a E+ membership and lounge access for $325.
But $375 was actually covered by ETCs.
$325 out of pocket for 34,336. Decent value. Going to end around 63k EQM. At 6 ft 7, I'll take a E+ membership and lounge access for $325.
Sep 17, 2017, 7:16 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Depending on the year but I've never gone over $4,000.
I try to spread it out over trips I am already going to take like Thanksgiving with family. If I am going to spend $500 RT on Thanksgiving and spend $800 for a crazy routing that is only $300 MR dollars in my book.
I try to spread it out over trips I am already going to take like Thanksgiving with family. If I am going to spend $500 RT on Thanksgiving and spend $800 for a crazy routing that is only $300 MR dollars in my book.
Sep 17, 2017, 10:22 am
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
This year I spent $2100 (each) for 11k EQD's and 83k EQM's for AA (MH Z fares.) Then, the regular trips on AA (HKG-LAX RT,) a positioning UL BKK-HKG RT in business, and a QR BKK-DOH-LAX RT in business finished off the year on AA. Also, did a regular trip on OS in business, BKK-VIE-LAX RT, for the Sept/Oct trip-Europe and US- to get half way to *A Gold on OZ.
Sep 18, 2017, 3:09 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 67
I try to keep it around $2k, But that all depends on how much business travel do. This year, to requal for AA ExP, I did one run in Feb LAX-LIR in J/I for $650 (14K+ mi) and then am on one now LAX-SIN that ran me $1287 (LAX-NRT legs in PE for 1.5mi for total 23K mi). Between other biz and personal travel and EQM +EQD from Barclay Aviator Silver card and EQM from Citi Executive card, will just make it.
Sep 19, 2017, 9:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Philippines
Programs: CebGo 5J, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Alaska 100K
Posts: 4,696
This year I will travel 457,000 miles and spend $20,000 USD.
I have:
Alaska MVP 75K
SQ Krisflyer Gold
JL Mileage Bank Saphire
and not much else. I guess I should spread my miles to a program other than Alaska but it is such a good programme. I do find I am flying Air Asia and Cebu Pacific combined with Priority Pass as an alternative to paying $$$ to get from A to B.
I have:
Alaska MVP 75K
SQ Krisflyer Gold
JL Mileage Bank Saphire
and not much else. I guess I should spread my miles to a program other than Alaska but it is such a good programme. I do find I am flying Air Asia and Cebu Pacific combined with Priority Pass as an alternative to paying $$$ to get from A to B.
Last edited by davistev; Sep 19, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Nov 1, 2017, 1:23 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: A haze of disconnected thoughts
Programs: EK, VA, QF, AC etc
Posts: 121
Depends: if I'm close to keeping/gaining status AND I think I'm going to use the same airline or destination next year then I weigh the cost of the run vs cost of buying the perks, at least those you can buy.
Nov 3, 2017, 9:23 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AA Ex Plat, Alaska MVP Gold 75K, Hertz Gold 5*
Posts: 197
Last year I spent $4000 on MR's to get to Exec Plat. This year I only needed to spend $2500 to maintain it. Of course both numbers are what I spent above and beyond work and other regularly planned personal travel.
Oct 19, 2018, 2:35 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MIA
Programs: AA Exec Platinum, DAL Gold, Hilton Silver, Marriott Silver
Posts: 81
A few years ago, before the EQD for AA to take place, I spent over $3000 that brought me over 100K for the year.
MIA-DFW-NRT-HKG-CGK/SIN
Maybe I had a layover in ORD/JFK/LAX but the end goal was either CGK/SIN
On average, about 22K a flight for about $700. Didn't spend more than $711 for that leg and booked one for under $600. Then EQD came in and I had to be smarter
MIA-DFW-NRT-HKG-CGK/SIN
Maybe I had a layover in ORD/JFK/LAX but the end goal was either CGK/SIN
On average, about 22K a flight for about $700. Didn't spend more than $711 for that leg and booked one for under $600. Then EQD came in and I had to be smarter