At what point does it become worthwhile?
Sep 23, 2010 | 9:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, RBC Avion
Posts: 150
At what point does it become worthwhile?
So,
Noticing the number of "I'm XYZ miles short of XX status what routes should I fly for cheap to do this" I was actually curious about the valuation of 'status'. At what point does it make sense to do the mileage run to make status? The cut-off clearly varies for E vs SE but what is it? What's the valuation per certificate.
In my opinion the mileage run cut-off is roughly 10-15% of the required mileage to make status at E and probably 5-10% for SE (e.g., 3500-5000 miles to make E and 5000 - 10000 to make SE). This is roughly based on the fact that one simple mileage run from coast to coast for a weekend to see friends can get you to E and a longer haul trip (e.g., long-weekend in Europe) can get you to SE.
If done properly both can be done for roughly $1K maximum and aren't particular troublesome trips to make status.
Thoughts?
Noticing the number of "I'm XYZ miles short of XX status what routes should I fly for cheap to do this" I was actually curious about the valuation of 'status'. At what point does it make sense to do the mileage run to make status? The cut-off clearly varies for E vs SE but what is it? What's the valuation per certificate.
In my opinion the mileage run cut-off is roughly 10-15% of the required mileage to make status at E and probably 5-10% for SE (e.g., 3500-5000 miles to make E and 5000 - 10000 to make SE). This is roughly based on the fact that one simple mileage run from coast to coast for a weekend to see friends can get you to E and a longer haul trip (e.g., long-weekend in Europe) can get you to SE.
If done properly both can be done for roughly $1K maximum and aren't particular troublesome trips to make status.
Thoughts?
Sep 23, 2010 | 9:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,169
The valuation is different for everyone. I value my status even though I'm only a lowly E. I shudder to think about going back to basic of P status. (Been there, done that.)
I go out of my way to maintain status.
On the other hand, I know lots of people who don't give a hoot about status. I know, for example, one person who missed E by less than 1000 miles. Even though I pointed this out ahead of time (in mid-November) this person made absolutely no effort to get the extra miles on AC, but instead flew KLM TATL in Dec because it was cheap.
I go out of my way to maintain status.
On the other hand, I know lots of people who don't give a hoot about status. I know, for example, one person who missed E by less than 1000 miles. Even though I pointed this out ahead of time (in mid-November) this person made absolutely no effort to get the extra miles on AC, but instead flew KLM TATL in Dec because it was cheap.
Sep 23, 2010 | 9:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC-SE100 2MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,827
So,
Noticing the number of "I'm XYZ miles short of XX status what routes should I fly for cheap to do this" I was actually curious about the valuation of 'status'. At what point does it make sense to do the mileage run to make status? The cut-off clearly varies for E vs SE but what is it? What's the valuation per certificate.
In my opinion the mileage run cut-off is roughly 10-15% of the required mileage to make status at E and probably 5-10% for SE (e.g., 3500-5000 miles to make E and 5000 - 10000 to make SE). This is roughly based on the fact that one simple mileage run from coast to coast for a weekend to see friends can get you to E and a longer haul trip (e.g., long-weekend in Europe) can get you to SE.
If done properly both can be done for roughly $1K maximum and aren't particular troublesome trips to make status.
Thoughts?
Noticing the number of "I'm XYZ miles short of XX status what routes should I fly for cheap to do this" I was actually curious about the valuation of 'status'. At what point does it make sense to do the mileage run to make status? The cut-off clearly varies for E vs SE but what is it? What's the valuation per certificate.
In my opinion the mileage run cut-off is roughly 10-15% of the required mileage to make status at E and probably 5-10% for SE (e.g., 3500-5000 miles to make E and 5000 - 10000 to make SE). This is roughly based on the fact that one simple mileage run from coast to coast for a weekend to see friends can get you to E and a longer haul trip (e.g., long-weekend in Europe) can get you to SE.
If done properly both can be done for roughly $1K maximum and aren't particular troublesome trips to make status.
Thoughts?
The valuation is different for everyone. I value my status even though I'm only a lowly E. I shudder to think about going back to basic of P status. (Been there, done that.)
I go out of my way to maintain status.
On the other hand, I know lots of people who don't give a hoot about status. I know, for example, one person who missed E by less than 1000 miles. Even though I pointed this out ahead of time (in mid-November) this person made absolutely no effort to get the extra miles on AC, but instead flew KLM TATL in Dec because it was cheap.
I go out of my way to maintain status.
On the other hand, I know lots of people who don't give a hoot about status. I know, for example, one person who missed E by less than 1000 miles. Even though I pointed this out ahead of time (in mid-November) this person made absolutely no effort to get the extra miles on AC, but instead flew KLM TATL in Dec because it was cheap.
Sep 23, 2010 | 9:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Earth
Programs: AC S100K (formerly AC*SE), AC 2MM, AMEX Plat, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,468
I believe that there is more to lose by not making E than SE (i.e. boarding, lounge etc.).
So, I would say that the value of making E using the percentages provided by FF_Traveller should be increased to 25-30% and SE to be kept as is.
If I did not make SE, at least I can console myself with the free booze.....
So, I would say that the value of making E using the percentages provided by FF_Traveller should be increased to 25-30% and SE to be kept as is.
If I did not make SE, at least I can console myself with the free booze.....
Sep 23, 2010 | 11:58 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: AE SE, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,867
Sep 24, 2010 | 12:56 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE (+1MM)
Posts: 240
One of the big incentives (for me) to reach SE was IKK.
IKK has been "watered down" to such a point that I don't see the value in going for SE when I have E already and can get mid tier status on at least one other, maybe two, airline/alliance with my remaining flying this year
Furthermore I don't see myself doing 3MM lifetime (I have 1.2MM to date) and while I could easily make 2MM before retirement, I don't see the value in doing so... the only one I would gift lifetime E to would be my wife and she would always be traveling with me in our "golden years" so where is the incentive in reaching 2MM?
So the bottom line is that I see no overall burning value in obtaining SE or lifetime SE. When you consider that I already have lifetime E (+1MM) then my best bet is to "spread it around".
AC/AE needs to "sweeten the deal" to get more of my business.
IMHO, AC/AE needs to fix IKK and return it to the premium benefit it once was. Otherwise SE just is not worth it.
IKK has been "watered down" to such a point that I don't see the value in going for SE when I have E already and can get mid tier status on at least one other, maybe two, airline/alliance with my remaining flying this year
Furthermore I don't see myself doing 3MM lifetime (I have 1.2MM to date) and while I could easily make 2MM before retirement, I don't see the value in doing so... the only one I would gift lifetime E to would be my wife and she would always be traveling with me in our "golden years" so where is the incentive in reaching 2MM?
So the bottom line is that I see no overall burning value in obtaining SE or lifetime SE. When you consider that I already have lifetime E (+1MM) then my best bet is to "spread it around".
AC/AE needs to "sweeten the deal" to get more of my business.
IMHO, AC/AE needs to fix IKK and return it to the premium benefit it once was. Otherwise SE just is not worth it.