Originally Posted by
alchemista
Do you routinely travel to the same places or do you have some of your 2023 travel already planned? I think the best option for those of us in a similar situation is to try and book as far into 2023 as you can with your Works benefits by the end of the year. What does your hourly wage work out to if you're going to take that many flights simply for the sake of status? It never seems worthwhile to me if you value your time and you'd have to pay me a lot to be sleeping on F9 flights etc.
I am a photographer and I fly with clients around the country for portrait sessions. 100k status allows them to bring their checked bag for clothing and whatnot. Most of my trips are 4-8 people flying with me. 50k would work well since we have seats and personal bags. I get my carry on (camera bag) free.. but then we need to pay for the extra bags. Plus having flexibility allows me to book a flight and rebook it if it's cheaper. Just did that for a flight next week where it's now $57 and not $150 we paid 2 weeks ago. Also allows us to cancel for bad weather, even if flights don't get cancelled. I could certainly plan family vacatoons until April or so but I have no idea who is traveling with me for the business trips. I organically flew 33k miles this year. Got the 20k bonus from donation.
For me, I would be sleeping on the planes. Flights out are 630pm and landing back in MCO at 6am or so. I can sleep anywhere, so that is not an issue. But then it's 2hrs in a car for each trip and and gas.
I Figure I would spend almost $1000 to keep the status, but it would save me (or my clients) $400+ a flight. Wouldn't take long to break even.
And since I am not missing time in the office and really only missing sleeping at home, its not a huge inconvenience or revenue loss by closing down the office.