100,000 Miles in 45 Days Renting Cars
Jan 11, 2008, 5:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, BA Gold, Virgin Gold, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, SK Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,357
100,000 Miles in 45 Days Renting Cars
Introduction:
Earlier today, I reserved the last of my car rentals to hit a unique milestone. I am not sure if it is craziness that is driving me or simply just the opportunity to amass tons of airline miles at a low cost. Maybe it's both. I am an active participant in the Mileage Run Forum and view my current "car hopping" as an extension of that pursuit of high miles at low cost. Additionally, I want to ensure my elite status in both Hertz and National is secured for another year.
The Challenge:
Can I accrue 100,000 miles in 45 days exclusively from renting cars. Why 45 days, you may ask? Well, Northwest Airlines started a promotion on December 10 and my first scheduled National rental was around December 15. Meanwhile, Continental started a promotion set to end January 31. The dates were defined, the challenge of topping up my BMI, Virgin Atlantic, and Continental Frequent Flyer Accounts was set, and I am ready to compete.
Offers I took advantage of:
Drive Your Way to 25K with National
Earn 9,999 Bonus Miles and Save up to 20% at Budget
BMI 1700 Miles Per Rental
Double (2000) Virgin Atlantic miles on Weekend Rentals
AAA $25 Off Weekend Rentals at Hertz
Delta Partner Bonus - Earn up to 25k RDM
Budget FastBreak offer (I got my miles
)
Additional coupons and discount codes were found in the Car Rental Programs Forum as well as on the fatwallet Updated Rental Car Discount/Coupon thread.
Problems:
I overslept one Saturday morning and forgot to return a car causing an additional $35 in charges. Parking has also been an issue as I do not want to pay for parking and also want to ensure that the cars are safe. Additionally, I was forced to create an extensive Excel worksheet to track all costs, pickup and drop off times, and which cars get parked where. I did lose an item in one of these cars and I am not sure which one I left it in. Finally, my personal health is a bit challenging as I am fighting off a cold and all these runs to the airport and park n ride are not helping me heal any faster!
Am I alone in this matter? Is anyone actively participating in the Budget/Delta 3,000 mile offer or the Double BMI Miles Hertz Promotion or any of the above?
Earlier today, I reserved the last of my car rentals to hit a unique milestone. I am not sure if it is craziness that is driving me or simply just the opportunity to amass tons of airline miles at a low cost. Maybe it's both. I am an active participant in the Mileage Run Forum and view my current "car hopping" as an extension of that pursuit of high miles at low cost. Additionally, I want to ensure my elite status in both Hertz and National is secured for another year.
The Challenge:
Can I accrue 100,000 miles in 45 days exclusively from renting cars. Why 45 days, you may ask? Well, Northwest Airlines started a promotion on December 10 and my first scheduled National rental was around December 15. Meanwhile, Continental started a promotion set to end January 31. The dates were defined, the challenge of topping up my BMI, Virgin Atlantic, and Continental Frequent Flyer Accounts was set, and I am ready to compete.
Offers I took advantage of:
Drive Your Way to 25K with National
Earn 9,999 Bonus Miles and Save up to 20% at Budget
BMI 1700 Miles Per Rental
Double (2000) Virgin Atlantic miles on Weekend Rentals
AAA $25 Off Weekend Rentals at Hertz
Delta Partner Bonus - Earn up to 25k RDM
Budget FastBreak offer (I got my miles
)Additional coupons and discount codes were found in the Car Rental Programs Forum as well as on the fatwallet Updated Rental Car Discount/Coupon thread.
Problems:
I overslept one Saturday morning and forgot to return a car causing an additional $35 in charges. Parking has also been an issue as I do not want to pay for parking and also want to ensure that the cars are safe. Additionally, I was forced to create an extensive Excel worksheet to track all costs, pickup and drop off times, and which cars get parked where. I did lose an item in one of these cars and I am not sure which one I left it in. Finally, my personal health is a bit challenging as I am fighting off a cold and all these runs to the airport and park n ride are not helping me heal any faster!
Am I alone in this matter? Is anyone actively participating in the Budget/Delta 3,000 mile offer or the Double BMI Miles Hertz Promotion or any of the above?
Last edited by Mrp Alert; Mar 18, 2008 at 1:12 am
Jan 11, 2008, 5:26 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, BA Gold, Virgin Gold, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, SK Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,357
Results
As of Febraury 1, 2008:
Estimated Total Miles Earned: 103,346
Estimated Total $$$ Spent: $ $1,206.10
Cost Per Mile in Cents (CPM): 1.18
Total Rental Days: 74
Total # Cars Rented: 29
Average Rental Length: 2.55 Days
Max Cars Rented At Same Time: 6 (this was a pain)
Average Cost Per Rental: $16.30
Most expensive cost per mile: 2.98 cents per mile
Least expensive cost per mile: 0.41 cents per mile
Mean cost per mile: 1.18
Estimated Total Miles Earned: 103,346
Estimated Total $$$ Spent: $ $1,206.10
Cost Per Mile in Cents (CPM): 1.18
Total Rental Days: 74
Total # Cars Rented: 29
Average Rental Length: 2.55 Days
Max Cars Rented At Same Time: 6 (this was a pain)
Average Cost Per Rental: $16.30
Most expensive cost per mile: 2.98 cents per mile
Least expensive cost per mile: 0.41 cents per mile
Mean cost per mile: 1.18
Last edited by Mrp Alert; Jan 31, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Jan 11, 2008, 5:27 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, BA Gold, Virgin Gold, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, SK Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,357
Cars Driven So Far:
Buick Lucerne
Chevy Aveo
Chevy Cobalt
Chevy HHR
Chevy Malibu Classic
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Honda Accord
Kia Rio
Kia Rondo
Mazda 3
Mazda 6
Nissan Sentra
Pontiac G6 Sedan, Convertible
Subaru Forrester
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Volvo S60
Buick Lucerne
Chevy Aveo
Chevy Cobalt
Chevy HHR
Chevy Malibu Classic
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Honda Accord
Kia Rio
Kia Rondo
Mazda 3
Mazda 6
Nissan Sentra
Pontiac G6 Sedan, Convertible
Subaru Forrester
Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Volvo S60
Last edited by Mrp Alert; Feb 1, 2008 at 1:31 am
Jan 11, 2008, 5:57 am
#4
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
You hooked me on the BMI deal
But I understand there may be a problem getting the double miles??? Any success contactin BMI with that yet?
Jan 11, 2008, 6:15 am
#5
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ABE or Cambridge, Mass.
Programs: AGR, CO
Posts: 223
Problems:
I overslept one Saturday morning and forgot to return a car causing an additional $35 in charges. Parking has also been an issue as I do not want to pay for parking and also want to ensure that the cars are safe. Additionally, I was forced to create an extensive Excel worksheet to track all costs, pickup and drop off times, and which cars get parked where. I did lose an item in one of these cars and I am not sure which one I left it in. Finally, my personal health is a bit challenging as I am fighting off a cold and all these runs to the airport and park n ride are not helping me heal any faster!
I overslept one Saturday morning and forgot to return a car causing an additional $35 in charges. Parking has also been an issue as I do not want to pay for parking and also want to ensure that the cars are safe. Additionally, I was forced to create an extensive Excel worksheet to track all costs, pickup and drop off times, and which cars get parked where. I did lose an item in one of these cars and I am not sure which one I left it in. Finally, my personal health is a bit challenging as I am fighting off a cold and all these runs to the airport and park n ride are not helping me heal any faster!
I do have one quick question... these are not elite-qualifying miles, are they? I mean of course they shouldn't be, but I just wanted to check.
Other question, just to put this in context: what do you plan to use the 100k miles for?
I'm just asking because it'd be nice to hear that all the parking and the early wakeups and trudging about while you're sick is worth it for some sweet business-class ticket somewhere.
Jan 11, 2008, 6:30 am
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA Platinum, AS, UA, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LTP, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,707
While I find this an interesting (and entertaining) idea, and applaud you for your resourcefulness, the promos don't provide enough value in my view. Your anticipated results of 1.14-1.25 cpm is more than I would pay outright for miles, not including the hassles and time involved in jockeying cars around. Good luck with the rest of your rentals!
Jan 11, 2008, 9:28 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AMEX Plat, FPC Plat, SPG Gold, NW Silver
Posts: 261
Damned impressive.... a little frightening, but DAMNED impressive.
Fight the good fight brother!
Fight the good fight brother!
Jan 11, 2008, 10:30 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: (not Montana. Nor is my name really Helena, nor am I female)
Programs: Delta, USAirways, Starwood, Priority Club, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 2,557
If you're flying Delta at any point in that period (how could you, with your busy car-renting schedule?), be aware that Delta is awarding 2500 Skymiles for booking an Avis or Budget car rental through Delta in conjunction with the flight booking. I wonder if that stacks with the 3,000 Skymiles Budget is offering. They're also offering 1000 Skymiles for booking reservations with other car companies.
Jan 11, 2008, 10:49 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: LAX/BUR
Posts: 2,012
Hats off to you! I did try renting once last week (thanks for the PM!) but ended up canceling it as it was a hassle for me.
But the massive amount of miles are definitely worth it given the low cost, just if you don't mind the hassle.
But the massive amount of miles are definitely worth it given the low cost, just if you don't mind the hassle.
Jan 11, 2008, 12:52 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 514
Great post!
Great Post OP. Losts to learn for me.
Jan 12, 2008, 2:03 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SFO, SJC, OAK, LVK AA Lifetime Plat 2MM, LUV A-List, Hyatt Gold, SPG Lifetime Gold, Commercial Pilot (not employed by airlines)
Posts: 1,531
Am I the only one here thinking OCD?
Jan 12, 2008, 3:07 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, BA Gold, Virgin Gold, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, SK Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,357
If you're flying Delta at any point in that period (how could you, with your busy car-renting schedule?), be aware that Delta is awarding 2500 Skymiles for booking an Avis or Budget car rental through Delta in conjunction with the flight booking. I wonder if that stacks with the 3,000 Skymiles Budget is offering. They're also offering 1000 Skymiles for booking reservations with other car companies.
Originally Posted by pushback
Am I the only one here thinking OCD?
Last edited by Mrp Alert; Jan 12, 2008 at 5:14 am Reason: URL typo
Jan 12, 2008, 8:52 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Posts: 451
I have no problem with the cpm here, the "hassles and time involved in" a MR would have been a lot more. Seriously, unless it's a leisure run, what does one get in return other than the miles? I think benefits of a rental car run are often overlooked. Besides the miles, you also get a car to drive, which you need to do anyway. Not having to pile miles on my own car has values to me.
Jan 12, 2008, 10:04 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,861
And I thought the Mileage Runners were a bit looney...
Jan 12, 2008, 10:35 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: FLL/MIA
Programs: UA1K, AA EXP, CO Plat, BD*G, NW, DL, Priority Club, SPG & Marriott
Posts: 473
For the BMI deal, is it necessary for me to book online at BMI website to get the double miles promotion? Somehow, for the same date and same car, booking via BMI website costs USD 43.85 while booking via Priority Club website costs USD 36.27. So you know what I am thinking, I will book thru PC and credit the points to BMI Diamond club. What do you guys think?