MVP/MVPG/MVPG 75K Qualification Roll Call (2020)
Sep 25, 2019, 12:11 pm
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,394
I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to try and upgrade to F on some flights and maybe book in international Business flight to get to 75k. If I upgrade my currently booked BA flights (domestic to F/international to business - which will cost me quite a few dollars), I'll be at c.77k miles. 12k miles is doable with a transcon and one more flight I might be planning to take.
However, I'm trying to evaluate how much 75k perks are to me.
For domestic travel, I hardly ever check a bag and already get it free with MVPG. As MVPG I already get the waived change fees. I hardly ever fly with someone else on the same itinerary, so companion tickets and upgrades wouldn't be that helpful. I could potentially give MVP to my sister, but I don't see that being used all that much. And lately I feel like the flights I am on have a bunch of F seats available and I get one as MVPG or like 1-2 seats and a waitlist with a bunch of 75Ks on it (so I would still potentially not get an upgrade). And for GGU I'm already having a hard enough time using them all. I'm not TOO fussed with PC upgrades as I usually get a exit row seat if I want it (and it's pretty easy IMO as MVPG to get a PC upgrade). So really it's just a better F waitlist and the extra 25% bonus miles (plus the 50K miles).
Am I missing any other real perks? Would anyone argue it's worth a couple $k to get 75K?
However, I'm trying to evaluate how much 75k perks are to me.
For domestic travel, I hardly ever check a bag and already get it free with MVPG. As MVPG I already get the waived change fees. I hardly ever fly with someone else on the same itinerary, so companion tickets and upgrades wouldn't be that helpful. I could potentially give MVP to my sister, but I don't see that being used all that much. And lately I feel like the flights I am on have a bunch of F seats available and I get one as MVPG or like 1-2 seats and a waitlist with a bunch of 75Ks on it (so I would still potentially not get an upgrade). And for GGU I'm already having a hard enough time using them all. I'm not TOO fussed with PC upgrades as I usually get a exit row seat if I want it (and it's pretty easy IMO as MVPG to get a PC upgrade). So really it's just a better F waitlist and the extra 25% bonus miles (plus the 50K miles).
Am I missing any other real perks? Would anyone argue it's worth a couple $k to get 75K?
I don't even value MVPG at more than a few hundred dollars in mileage runs/pseudo vacations, so I'm going to drop to MVP because my "natural travel" on AS in 2019 isn't putting me close to Gold (I'll end up at ~15k AS, ~26k AS+partners). It's in part because the bifurcation of Saver/Main means I'm paying tax on my upgrade benefits anyways. Once I am MVP instead of MVPG I have even less reason to pay tax, and frankly I'm gradually shifting my travel to other airlines on cheap tickets (my OAL travel would actually put me somewhat closer to 40k if it was ALL on AS- not THAT close, but closer) because I assume that's what AS wants- they either want people paying the extra $ for better seats, chances at upgrades, or for elites to go away and take their business elsewhere, because they would rather non-elites buy the cheap fares (there's less cost to AS to give a non elite less miles). Happy to oblige.
Sep 25, 2019, 3:16 pm
#107
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MM, MVPGold100k, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,475
That is definitely a lot of "hopping!" I understand your frustration and can somewhat relate with living internationally. You would be set with an HA partnership. 
I do admire those that slug out the repetitiveness of short distance flying. Attaining 75K on segments only, has it's "up & downs."
I earned 9,170 EQM on one direct flight this year (eqivalent to ~18 segments @ 500 minimum) without a COS bonus, 20,633 RDM.
I have also booked a few Partner flights for mid January and will accrue 25,146 EQM and earn 56,579 RDM (no COS) with just 3 PE flights.
James
I do admire those that slug out the repetitiveness of short distance flying. Attaining 75K on segments only, has it's "up & downs."I earned 9,170 EQM on one direct flight this year (eqivalent to ~18 segments @ 500 minimum) without a COS bonus, 20,633 RDM.
I have also booked a few Partner flights for mid January and will accrue 25,146 EQM and earn 56,579 RDM (no COS) with just 3 PE flights.
James
Sep 26, 2019, 5:29 am
#109
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska airlines 100k
Posts: 923
Finally hit 75K over the weekend with a SEA to PDX roundtrip which gave 1K EQM despite only 129 physical miles each way. 52 segments so far this year mostly midcon runs. Will likely fly 100K again this year. Spouse and kid currently 32K and several trips with me to reach 40K again by December.
Sep 26, 2019, 12:38 pm
#111
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
There have been datapoints where newly minted Elites have requested an exception but were denied as the Elite tier must show in your account before the flight. YMMV
James
Last edited by Flying for Fun; Sep 26, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Sep 26, 2019, 8:28 pm
#112
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 595
It usually takes a day or two for you new Status to reflect in your account after the qualifying segment posts to your MP account. With only 4 days before your next flight, it is unlikely you will accrue miles with the bonus Elite RDM.
There have been datapoints where newly minted Elites have requested an exception but were denied as the Elite tier must show in your account before the flight. YMMV
James
There have been datapoints where newly minted Elites have requested an exception but were denied as the Elite tier must show in your account before the flight. YMMV
James
Oct 11, 2019, 2:21 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 602
My flight Sunday got me to MVPG for 2020. Miles were credited on Wednesday, got the email notification about renewed Gold this morning. Still don't think I'll make 75k this year, but at least I get my change fees waived.
Looking forward to more chocolate in 2020
Looking forward to more chocolate in 2020
Oct 13, 2019, 8:56 am
#114
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Programs: United MM, Alaska MVP, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat
Posts: 562
Only going to make it to MVP this year. Mixed in more United flights this year with trips to Cancun and Bahamas. I went from MVPG75k (status match) in 2018 to MVPG (40k) in 2019 to MVP for 2020. I'll probably fly enough Alaska in 2020 to hit MVPG again.
Oct 19, 2019, 9:07 am
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,373
well there was a silver lining from the AS59 diversion on Wed night as that flight pushed me to 75714 miles
technically I'm at 74998, since I apparently got double-credited a COS bonus on SEA-SAN in April, but it will be moot after my Wed evening flight
technically I'm at 74998, since I apparently got double-credited a COS bonus on SEA-SAN in April, but it will be moot after my Wed evening flight
Last edited by jrl767; Oct 24, 2019 at 10:13 am Reason: make the fine print visible
Oct 24, 2019, 9:52 am
#118
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Split b/w SAN and NYC
Programs: B6 Mosaic; AS MVPG 75K; DL Plat
Posts: 14
Made 75k on Oct 21 (second year in a row). Would've gotten there sooner, but wasted a bunch of miles earlier in the year seeing if Delta was a better option for SAN - NYC flights (it wasn't).
Oct 27, 2019, 10:24 pm
#119
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Between SFO and STS
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, United Serf, Delta Gold
Posts: 731
Flight from Tuesday posted Saturday (finally) and pushed me to just over 40K AS miles to renew MVP Gold for 2020. That may be it for my AS flying for the year?
Oct 28, 2019, 11:45 am
#120
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SEA, SFO, formerly ANC
Programs: AS 1MM/MVPG, AS Lounge, DL SkyClub (Life), Hertz 5* -- AA, DL, UA
Posts: 124
As of last Sunday, MVPG for 2020 - 20 straight yrs. as Gold. I have no aspirations for 75k, but am looking forward to 1MM by end of 2020.