Need 25K miles by 12/31 to get MVPG , suggestions please
Jun 28, 2019, 4:08 pm
#16
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Maybe you can find a cheap Condor flight in J to FRA. I have seen them for less than $1000 each way, I think (though not when I booked recently). That would get you a good chunk of miles (2x elite, 3x RDM, I think).
Jun 28, 2019, 5:17 pm
#17
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
LAX-SIN is about 17k RT and can be had for as little as $1100 in SQ PE. Sounds like that still leaves you 8-13k EQM short however.
But, with the exception of the 4 GGUs, all of those benefits are also available with MVP, just sometimes to a lesser degree. As for the change fees, you should ask yourself whether you'd actually pay $125 to make every change that you made, or whether in some cases you made them simply because they were free. If the latter, then you shouldn't value the change fee benefit at ($125 * # of changes).
But, with the exception of the 4 GGUs, all of those benefits are also available with MVP, just sometimes to a lesser degree. As for the change fees, you should ask yourself whether you'd actually pay $125 to make every change that you made, or whether in some cases you made them simply because they were free. If the latter, then you shouldn't value the change fee benefit at ($125 * # of changes).
I am keeping my eye out for the next SQ sale. I have seen some great fares come up in the past. I will jump on any LAX>SIN or similar that pops up. I also have a few US flights that will put me at 17-20K by the end of the year so I will need 20-23K. I can easily add a RT to LA for $150-180 to get another 2-3K if I go through SEA.
Re: change fees etc.I have asked myself those questions and the answer is yes. Being able to change dates/cities when traveling to Asia/Australia is priceless when two or more are traveling. We start with a couple cities we want to go to and will be happy with since we are in J. If all of a sudden, a better routing and cities we would like to add or stopovers in HKG or various AUS cities present themselves then we add/subtract. In 2014 I was able to tweak my itinerary to include 4 stopovers in Australia in J and flew in and out of the US.in Qantas F. Originally I was in PE and no availability n J on any of the other flights. I must have changed 6 times over the course of 3 months. another trip I did the same thing including a several day stopover in HKG and grabbed a F seat last minute. The milage game as we all know has all sorts of twists and turns and not all perks are useful. We have to decide where the value is for ourselves. If I can spend 1200-1500 this year and get gold, I believe in 2020 I will be able to reap north of 4K dollars in perks out of it which over the course of a year is worth it to me. Whether or not I would do it again next year is anybody guess. It all depends on what that is going to look like travel wise.
Jun 28, 2019, 10:05 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2017
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Just a reminder that if you’re using partner miles, you’ll need a total of 50k, so it’s probably 30-33K needed, not 20-23k
Jun 29, 2019, 8:19 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
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Bit of a risk, but you can wait for a buy-up offer if short miles at the end of the year: Elite (EQM) Buy-Up Offers for 2019
Jun 29, 2019, 9:43 am
#20
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
Bit of a risk, but you can wait for a buy-up offer if short miles at the end of the year: Elite (EQM) Buy-Up Offers for 2019
I am not sure the buy up offer is for more than a few thousand- five thousand miles and if I recall correctly the buy up price is very expensive.
Jun 29, 2019, 10:13 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Your best option is just to forget about it for the rest of this year. If you think your travel will increase next year, you can always do a mileage run in January when prices are cheaper and give yourself a head start for the year. Remember that it is going to be far more comfortable to relax at home than to be on a plane no matter what class you fly. 
Jun 29, 2019, 7:59 pm
#22
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
Your best option is just to forget about it for the rest of this year. If you think your travel will increase next year, you can always do a mileage run in January when prices are cheaper and give yourself a head start for the year. Remember that it is going to be far more comfortable to relax at home than to be on a plane no matter what class you fly.
Time is not an issue, and I have plenty of time to relax at home. I think doing a MR to the far east will get me most of the way there and coupled with my 2 remaining transcons plus a couple planned west coast trips this fall, should put me over the hump. Thanks for the suggestion though. Cheers.
Jun 29, 2019, 8:56 pm
#23
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You will need two TPAC roundtrips to get you 30K-33K elite miles, assuming no reductions in earning rate on certain fare tickets. You will also need to up your budget, mistake fares aside, PE will be at least 2K USD (for two trips), and J will be more.
Jun 30, 2019, 2:39 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
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James
Jun 30, 2019, 12:33 pm
#29
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
It's not totally unrealistic which is why I asked for suggestions. I have read plenty of posts on FT over the last few years where people get darn close if not above what I am asking on milage runs and in my general price range. I also said I am willing to go higher dollar wise. I am not stuck on 25K for $1200.
Right now I am at 10K miles and have 1 and probably 2 more RT Transcons by 12/31 which will put me just below 15 or 20K. I also have a couple LA and LV trips by years end. Routing through SEA I should be up to 20-25K.
Jun 30, 2019, 12:35 pm
#30
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
I did an 8 segment mixed-cabin RTW, first 3 in Y, last 5 in J on KE, QF, LA, EK & CX earning 34K EQM for $1.6K. I also flew FJ Y SYD-NAN-LAX return earning 14,978 EQM for $693. There are often good sub $1K QF fares to Australia (100% EQM) that allows unlimited connections in Australia. I wouldn't say it is totally unrealistic, especially with a little creativity and knowing the partner charts.
James
James
If I can find a similar fare as your 8 segment RTW, I will jump on it for 34K EQM @ $1.6K
Cheers!