$99 SEA-JFK in Jan and Feb
Dec 11, 2018, 11:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Hyatt Globalist, National Executive Elite
Posts: 272
$99 SEA-JFK in Jan and Feb
Just noticed there are plenty $99 Saver SEA-JFK in Jan and Feb 2019. I know it's too early but maybe a good time for mileage run?
Dec 11, 2018, 11:43 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
Maybe OP is willing to "suffer" a bit in the beginning to gain more benefits later, if he/she is at risk of not making tier later? We all do aspects of this, I'm sure. There are also Bay Area --> NYC, PHL fares around that level too in Jan/Feb.
Dec 11, 2018, 12:20 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,621
Hi -
I only do a TCON MR when I can confirm a 1st class seat before I had to the airport. AT T-2 (when I am ready to leave), if I have not been upgraded, I cancel, redeposit and use the funds later. So Saver is a total non-starter for me.
I only do a TCON MR when I can confirm a 1st class seat before I had to the airport. AT T-2 (when I am ready to leave), if I have not been upgraded, I cancel, redeposit and use the funds later. So Saver is a total non-starter for me.
Dec 11, 2018, 2:08 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
If he's not willing to buy-up and use the elite benefits on this (very long) flight, then it would stand to reason that he won't be buying up on his other flights either. Which makes that status kind of worthless, and therefore not worth mileage running for.
Note that the percentage of the buy-up is irrelevant. Whether the saver fare is $100 or $1000 should not affect your willingness to pay $30 to use your elite benefits. They have the same value, regardless of the saver fare.
Dec 11, 2018, 2:31 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Hyatt Globalist, National Executive Elite
Posts: 272
But probably all of his other flights are going to have similar buy-ups.
If he's not willing to buy-up and use the elite benefits on this (very long) flight, then it would stand to reason that he won't be buying up on his other flights either. Which makes that status kind of worthless, and therefore not worth mileage running for.
Note that the percentage of the buy-up is irrelevant. Whether the saver fare is $100 or $1000 should not affect your willingness to pay $30 to use your elite benefits. They have the same value, regardless of the saver fare.
If he's not willing to buy-up and use the elite benefits on this (very long) flight, then it would stand to reason that he won't be buying up on his other flights either. Which makes that status kind of worthless, and therefore not worth mileage running for.
Note that the percentage of the buy-up is irrelevant. Whether the saver fare is $100 or $1000 should not affect your willingness to pay $30 to use your elite benefits. They have the same value, regardless of the saver fare.
Dec 11, 2018, 2:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Dec 11, 2018, 2:37 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Hyatt Globalist, National Executive Elite
Posts: 272
Dec 11, 2018, 2:41 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I guess, if you are happy to "suffer" for this (very long) trip, I don't know why you value those EQM.
Dec 11, 2018, 3:09 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Hyatt Globalist, National Executive Elite
Posts: 272
I get status for the 100% bonus mainly—it means I get 200% miles guaranteed for AA/CX/BA PE product—none of the other programs give me that. Also, more think into it, I think the buyup is not too terrible—you pay 60 bucks for 5000 EQM and a better seat for 12 hours
Dec 11, 2018, 3:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,158
I wouldn't do it personally, but I don't think it's that unreasonable. If you're not tall, and you don't need to store a bag under the seat in front of you, there's not a very big difference in comfort between Premium and standard Y. And if you have an unoccupied middle seat — which is quite likely on a $99 TCON flight — then there isn't even a big difference between F and Y.
Dec 11, 2018, 3:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
I wouldn't do it personally, but I don't think it's that unreasonable. If you're not tall, and you don't need to store a bag under the seat in front of you, there's not a very big difference in comfort between Premium and standard Y. And if you have an unoccupied middle seat — which is quite likely on a $99 TCON flight — then there isn't even a big difference between F and Y.
Dec 11, 2018, 4:31 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: BART Platinum, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,158
In 2017 I was transitioning from UA to AS, and I didn't do the AS status match until October. I thus flew several trips in the rear half of the aircraft, after never touching a non-E+ or F seat for many years (save one or two IRROPS). I thought it would be terrible. It was...fine.