In the wake of the DCA-PEK fares, I'll easily make Platinum with a couple other trips.

However, thinking ahead to EXP, which I think I can make with a couple MRs, I've been thinking about EQP vs EQM, and when it might be worth it to pay more for a run for 100% EQP or even 150% EQP.

Given the DCA-PEK fare class gives 1.5 EQP earning, that gives a bit of a jump start.

So let's say when all is said and done, will finish at 53K EQM and 72K EQP.

That would be at least 2-3 MRs for EXP via EQM, and 1-2 via EQP (if it's 1.0 or 1.5 earning).

There will be time savings for not taking that extra trip, and depending on cost, may be a wash.

Only downside is missing out on RDMs.

Let's say the average MR of about 20K EQM is $900 (~4.5cpm), then I should be willing to pay up to 100% more or $1,800 for the same MR for 1.0 EQPs or 1.5 EQPs if it means 1 MR instead of 2.

Am I thinking about this correctly? Do others employ this kind of thinking, or just go for more of the 0.5 EQP MRs?