Any Good Ideas for Mileage Runs?
Feb 22, 2021, 12:33 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
The SEA-FLL runs are really one of the best mileage runs out there from a cents per mile (cpm) standpoint, but I've been scoping out other options lately since they seem to have gotten so elite-heavy that it can be a challenge even as an MVPG to get a Premium Class seat at T-72.....it's really interesting to see a seat map showing 50% or more of the main cabin empty and First/Premium nearly 100% full. I'm ok with not clearing into F, but I lose interest in any mileage run where I won't at least be able to sit in Premium Class.
Feb 22, 2021, 12:49 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
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The irony is that even though you get an empty middle in Premium Class, with the majority of passengers crammed into First and Premium, you actually would have more space if you double downgraded to the main cabin. This really is an unusual situation since mostly empty flights generally translate to much easier upgrade chances, but not with the SEA-FLL route. Because the SEA-FLL red-eye mileage runners arrive in FLL too late for the AM return to SEA, they have to take the flight to LAX which is making that flight become WAY harder to clear than in the past....it might as well be going to SEA.....lol.
Feb 22, 2021, 1:15 pm
#18
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
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You are flying it, I'm not, so I have no data but it's hard to believe there is this huge contingent of FF'ers MR'ing right now... is this data based on multiple trips on different days of the week, or just a one off datapoint from a holiday weekend?
Feb 22, 2021, 1:34 pm
#19
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Based of multiple reports here on FT (flying to FLL every other weekend, etc.) and getting ready to fly it again soon....back when we had that 30% discount code good for F and any day of the week through summer, I think multiple people used that as an opportunity to qualify for MVPG or 75K. For those doing MRs on AS, the $80 one-way fares to FLL (using discount codes) were just too good to pass up.
Feb 22, 2021, 2:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Yes, SEA is Elite heavy!
James
Feb 22, 2021, 2:30 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
Wow, more people up front than back, do you know if it's okay to downgrade mid-air. Like after meal service, I assume just a sandwich now, go to the back of the plane and stretch out?
Feb 22, 2021, 2:48 pm
#22
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Another poster reported that they self-downgraded from F to Premium Class and received F service...not sure if they would be willing to bring everything to row 30, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Feb 22, 2021, 3:17 pm
#23
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Join Date: Aug 2017
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I wish domestic flights are like that sometimes. Out of 50 or so domestic flights I have flown the last few months, I may have had one similar occurrence (E75 on DL flying from PHX to LAX); otherwise, almost every single flight, full or relatively full, including many widebodies which can easily accommodate 250+ pax, no middle seat block either.
Feb 22, 2021, 4:23 pm
#24
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Based of multiple reports here on FT (flying to FLL every other weekend, etc.) and getting ready to fly it again soon....back when we had that 30% discount code good for F and any day of the week through summer, I think multiple people used that as an opportunity to qualify for MVPG or 75K. For those doing MRs on AS, the $80 one-way fares to FLL (using discount codes) were just too good to pass up.
Feb 22, 2021, 8:22 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,283
These aren’t exactly optimal but every Wednesday until May I’ve booked b2b SAN - SEA runs as I really work well both on the plane and at airport lounges.
I wonder if I can count this as office space and write off runs as expenses (half kidding)
I wonder if I can count this as office space and write off runs as expenses (half kidding)
Feb 22, 2021, 10:38 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: PAE
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 49
There are a lot of mileage runners that do the SEA-FLL-LAX-SEA circuit, A few weeks back, on a FLL-LAX leg, someone mentioned that they were on a mileage run, and 5 more of us (all in F) laughed and admit the same. I only run on weekdays, so this was probably a Mon or Tues morning. (I've also spotted multiple flyers in F reading FlyerTalk!)
Feb 22, 2021, 11:21 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
There are a lot of mileage runners that do the SEA-FLL-LAX-SEA circuit, A few weeks back, on a FLL-LAX leg, someone mentioned that they were on a mileage run, and 5 more of us (all in F) laughed and admit the same. I only run on weekdays, so this was probably a Mon or Tues morning. (I've also spotted multiple flyers in F reading FlyerTalk!)
I booked back to back LAX-FLL mileage run with a night back home. But because of the schedule change last week, I need to reroute through Sea and I’ll be in the air for 2 days and nights, don’t think I can make it without an empty coach.
Feb 22, 2021, 11:24 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,283
Do you know if there is a place I can check how full these weekends Sea<—>Fll flights are? Or I can only guess or search data points here?
I booked back to back LAX-FLL mileage run with a night back home. But because of the schedule change last week, I need to reroute through Sea and I’ll be in the air for 2 days and nights, don’t think I can make it without an empty coach.
I booked back to back LAX-FLL mileage run with a night back home. But because of the schedule change last week, I need to reroute through Sea and I’ll be in the air for 2 days and nights, don’t think I can make it without an empty coach.
Feb 25, 2021, 1:11 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
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There are a lot of mileage runners that do the SEA-FLL-LAX-SEA circuit, A few weeks back, on a FLL-LAX leg, someone mentioned that they were on a mileage run, and 5 more of us (all in F) laughed and admit the same. I only run on weekdays, so this was probably a Mon or Tues morning. (I've also spotted multiple flyers in F reading FlyerTalk!)
Feb 25, 2021, 1:44 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: PAE
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 49
That really is the best run from a cpm standpoint....it just takes forever and upgrades have been a lot more difficult even on mostly empty flights. I'm wondering if mileage runners are going to jump on the AM FLL-SEA return (or continue going through LAX) since I assume it will be the same plane coming in on the red-eye from SEA when the departure time moves up to 9pm. I personally don't like red-eyes that leave that early because I'm not quite ready to sleep at that time.....the 11:15pm departure was perfect.
As far as aircraft, the aircraft the does the SEA-FLL route is the same aircraft that does the FLL-LAX route, so it's a safe bet that you'll always make it on time.
