Originally Posted by
bigintangibles
Every year, I make it to MPC GO (normally fairly comfortably, though last year was a bit of a squeeze), and my membership year expires at the end of April 2014. I normally travel between DXB, HKG, PEK and SIN, all on CX, but this year I'm taking a few other flights that could add to my total a fair bit higher than the 60,000-mile threshold.
So far, I have 19,098 miles. Here is a summary of general upcoming travel, all in Y.
DXB-HKG-PEK-HKG-DXB twice (total of 19,656 miles)
PEK-HKG-LHR-HKG-PEK twice (total of 28,800 miles)
LHR-JFK-LHR once (6,880 miles)
So, by the end of October, I project to have 74,434 miles.
That gives me six months to reach 45,566 miles, and in that time I will take at least two more DXB-HKG-PEK-HKG-DXB flights (19,656 miles) and two PEK-HKG-BLR-HKG-PEK flights (14,772), leaving me 11,138 miles short of DM.
This is all a long-winded way of asking:
-Is it worth taking, say, an extra flight to London (or some other long-haul destination) in order to upgrade from GO to DM? I am highly unlikely to fly this much in subsequent years, and will probably settle back to GO next year.
-Should I just ask for an early reset to get started on renewing GO quicker?
-Should I credit the miles to some other programme (this seems like a bad idea)?
- Is there something better I could do with these miles, to maximise their value?
Thanks as always for the advice!
I think you should to best of your ability nail down your travel from April 2014-2015. That's because if you do fly more than expected, DM treatment is far ahead of GO. Hopefully some folks who spent time on both levels can chime in. I can tell you that as a DM for 5 years I can't imagine going back. That said, I fly very frequently and and it always comes in handy when I run into a jam. Need to change flights, typhoon, tech delays, etc. you know you're getting off ahead of pretty much everyone else. And it's great for award upgrades because you're at the top of the waiting list.
Plus, I frequently fly in regional economy class and still don't have to worry about what happens if flight is cancelled, delayed, getting my food choice on board, etc. whereas if you're not DM I'm guessing it can be a total crapshoot. DM makes economy class more manageable. Sounds like you do a lot of medium/long haul economy travel so I think DM would have major value if you do end up flying more than anticipated next year.
The only reason you reset GO early is if you're concerned you don't make anything the year later. Remember, benefits you accrue now are only as good as much as you use the service later. Does that make sense? If you're not going to fly anyway the year following, I don't see a reason to re-set GO now, because maybe your scheduling needs will change between now and 2014 and you'll realize it would be a good idea to go for DM.