Will someone please explain to me how going from DCA-DEN (or should it be IAD) for $170 is a good "mileage run"? Yes, the fare is excellent compared to normal fares on that route, but as I see it you are getting only 2928 miles. If you are an elite member and qualify for 100% bonus miles, you would be getting 5856 miles. Even so, that works out to 2.9 cents/mile, not such a great deal when I can buy miles for 2-2.5 cents/mile from most airlines. I agree if you are one or two flights short of hitting a certain elite level this may make sense, but otherwise I don't understand why one would waste money in this manner. Please help me understand why these "mileage runs" are such a draw.