FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - GUIDE: Help Understanding Status, Points / Miles & Segments: EQM vs EQP (merged thd.)
Old Mar 30, 2015 | 10:07 pm
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tkelvin69
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Originally Posted by transparent
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?

I've found EQM work best for me. A cheap fare and use SWUs. 4 international and a couple domestic trips gets me there.

I think you need to look at your individual travel and see what 100,000 EQM and EQP would cost and then subtract the value of the RDMs of each. This should give you the answer (your time value is a consideration).
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