AA MR Memories
Nov 21, 2016, 10:08 am
#1
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AA MR Memories
I am posting this in the AA forum since its related to memories of MRs solely on AA. With the year near end and 2017 requiring EQD as well as EQMs the days of MRs for most will either end or become limited.
I thought it might be a good time to reflect on MR memories over the years on AA.
Me:
Back in 2009 the days of DEQMs doing LGA/ORD/FRA twice in the spring, just about everyone in the then FRA AC was a FTer. IIRC the fare was around $250.
LGA/DFW/ANC, I did it both Memorial Day 2008 and Memorial Day 2011, fare was less than $300. On the latter date I spent the return flight talking with a 17 year old EXP seated next to me (his parents were also EXP seated in other F seats). They all were doing MRs as a family. Also had one of the best crews ever onboard.
In summer 2010, doing a LGA/ORD/HNL/DFW/LGA run in which you had to walk outdoors to get to the old HNL AC. There was one small shower. I essentially showered and walked back to the gate to get on a return flight through DFW. IIRC the fare was less than $350.
In winter 2011 doing back to back LGA/ORD runs. Felt strange visiting both the LGA and ORD twice in one day and saw the same faces on all flights. Fare was something $78 rt.
I thought it might be a good time to reflect on MR memories over the years on AA.
Me:
Back in 2009 the days of DEQMs doing LGA/ORD/FRA twice in the spring, just about everyone in the then FRA AC was a FTer. IIRC the fare was around $250.
LGA/DFW/ANC, I did it both Memorial Day 2008 and Memorial Day 2011, fare was less than $300. On the latter date I spent the return flight talking with a 17 year old EXP seated next to me (his parents were also EXP seated in other F seats). They all were doing MRs as a family. Also had one of the best crews ever onboard.
In summer 2010, doing a LGA/ORD/HNL/DFW/LGA run in which you had to walk outdoors to get to the old HNL AC. There was one small shower. I essentially showered and walked back to the gate to get on a return flight through DFW. IIRC the fare was less than $350.
In winter 2011 doing back to back LGA/ORD runs. Felt strange visiting both the LGA and ORD twice in one day and saw the same faces on all flights. Fare was something $78 rt.
Last edited by MiamiAirport Formerly NY George; Nov 21, 2016 at 10:21 am
Nov 21, 2016, 10:17 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 947
Elite status qualification on American Airlines will continue to require EQM *or* EQS, not both at the same time.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...false&from=Nav
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...false&from=Nav
Nov 21, 2016, 10:23 am
#3
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Elite status qualification on American Airlines will continue to require EQM *or* EQS, not both at the same time.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...false&from=Nav
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...false&from=Nav
Nov 21, 2016, 10:48 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
I haven't been new to "the game" for a bit, but I only recently got my masters degree and was finally able to tryout MR'ing. Doing it for EQMs just isn't quite the same thrill.
Couple highlighted trips:
DEN-LAX-MIA-JAX-CLT-LAX-DEN
Several DEN-LAX-DFW-ORD-Michigan trips instead of DEN-ORD-MI,
DEN-PHX-ANC-LAX-MIA-DFW-DEN
DEN-SBA-LAX-YVR-TPE(UA/Eva)//KIX-HND//NRT-JFK-MIA-ORD-FNT-ORD-CLT-ATL-CLT-PHX-DEN (return i had to throwaway unfortunately)
Couple DEN-MIA overnight and back morning trips.
I'll miss most cheap/good deals to small airports I wouldn't normally visit. Now I'll primarily focus on flying non-AA business fares to help re qualify.
Couple highlighted trips:
DEN-LAX-MIA-JAX-CLT-LAX-DEN
Several DEN-LAX-DFW-ORD-Michigan trips instead of DEN-ORD-MI,
DEN-PHX-ANC-LAX-MIA-DFW-DEN
DEN-SBA-LAX-YVR-TPE(UA/Eva)//KIX-HND//NRT-JFK-MIA-ORD-FNT-ORD-CLT-ATL-CLT-PHX-DEN (return i had to throwaway unfortunately)
Couple DEN-MIA overnight and back morning trips.
I'll miss most cheap/good deals to small airports I wouldn't normally visit. Now I'll primarily focus on flying non-AA business fares to help re qualify.
Nov 21, 2016, 12:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
BOS-LAX (plus then SAN/SFO) spring 2009 3x EQM when both VX and B6 first entered AA/UA turf.
F cabin on 757s and 763s were almost half FTers going back and forth!
F cabin on 757s and 763s were almost half FTers going back and forth!
Nov 21, 2016, 12:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
November 2010
ORD>STL (separate ticket)
STL>ORD>BRU> one day layover >ORD >SAN>LAX>ORD>STL
STL>ORD (separate ticket)
I think all in it was about $600
DEQMS on all flights starting and ending in STL
I had a great time in Brussels, but when I got home every muscle in my body ached. And I did it all in First/Business.
ORD>STL (separate ticket)
STL>ORD>BRU> one day layover >ORD >SAN>LAX>ORD>STL
STL>ORD (separate ticket)
I think all in it was about $600
DEQMS on all flights starting and ending in STL
I had a great time in Brussels, but when I got home every muscle in my body ached. And I did it all in First/Business.
Nov 21, 2016, 12:49 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
After 9/11/01, I began most of my "heavy" flying (first on DL and then on AA)--super bargains existed; while many of my trips were not pure MRs [A to B and immediately return B to A] I did spend a day or two in B
.
The best "deal" (I don't remember the year): JFK-SFO-JFK $135/rt, JFK-LAX-JFK $200/rt AND since I took two transcons, I got a FREE trip on AA (metal) anywhere (in the world).^ [Any likelihood AA will repeat such an offer in the near future?
]
.The best "deal" (I don't remember the year): JFK-SFO-JFK $135/rt, JFK-LAX-JFK $200/rt AND since I took two transcons, I got a FREE trip on AA (metal) anywhere (in the world).^ [Any likelihood AA will repeat such an offer in the near future?
]
Nov 21, 2016, 2:21 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Jan 2008 -- First int'l MR @ ~$350ai .... and eVIPs cleared both ways !
DFW-SFO-ORD-FRA-(ICE Train)-MUC-BRU-ORD-SFO-DFW
That trip was unbelievably exhausting but a hell of a lot of fun at the same time.
DFW-SFO-ORD-FRA-(ICE Train)-MUC-BRU-ORD-SFO-DFW
That trip was unbelievably exhausting but a hell of a lot of fun at the same time.
Nov 21, 2016, 3:07 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW; Allen, TX
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,083
I have done 4...
My very first true mileage run was during either a DEQM or TEQM (I want to say it was triple out of STL). Anyway, I flew SHV-DFW-STL-DFW-NRT-DFW-STL-DFW.
On the flight up to STL on the first start, the flight attendant came on to announce connecting flights, and started down the list... Chicago... blah blah blah... then a big pause.. "this can't be right... for our passengers connecting to DFW..."
4 or 5 people in first class all start chuckling because she clearly didn't understand we were all turning around and heading back on the same plane, and one of us had combined tickets or something.
Anyway, I look over to my seat mate and said, she must not know about mileage runs, and he said, yea i am on this plane with 5 of my buddies headed to NRT. I joined their crew and we went to NRT and back.
After that, I did steak and a malbec in downtown Buenos Aires in a 4 hour layover, paella in Barcelona with 12 hours, and a quick hitter to Frankfurt and straight back.
I will be taking my 5th and likely last one to CGK on Saturday, returning Monday.
My very first true mileage run was during either a DEQM or TEQM (I want to say it was triple out of STL). Anyway, I flew SHV-DFW-STL-DFW-NRT-DFW-STL-DFW.
On the flight up to STL on the first start, the flight attendant came on to announce connecting flights, and started down the list... Chicago... blah blah blah... then a big pause.. "this can't be right... for our passengers connecting to DFW..."
4 or 5 people in first class all start chuckling because she clearly didn't understand we were all turning around and heading back on the same plane, and one of us had combined tickets or something.
Anyway, I look over to my seat mate and said, she must not know about mileage runs, and he said, yea i am on this plane with 5 of my buddies headed to NRT. I joined their crew and we went to NRT and back.
After that, I did steak and a malbec in downtown Buenos Aires in a 4 hour layover, paella in Barcelona with 12 hours, and a quick hitter to Frankfurt and straight back.
I will be taking my 5th and likely last one to CGK on Saturday, returning Monday.
Nov 21, 2016, 3:19 pm
#12
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Earlier this year before the EQDs announcement I was afraid I wouldn't make EXP for next year without some padding (end up making EXP at the end of August). I took three consecutive days and essentially did back to back MRs out of MIA flying a redeye back from MIA and DEN. Making a 738 F seat your bed for two nights in a row will leave you ready to pass out from exhaustion.
Nov 21, 2016, 3:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 239
I'm a newbie Plat since only 2013, but I have done a couple:
ATL-ORD-BOS-ORD-LAX-HNL-PHX(red-eye)-CLT-ATL $318
ATL-DFW-PVG(2 days)-NRT-LAX-JFK-MIA-ATL $490
DFW-PVG miles upgrade didn't clear but I was in MCE on a new 787 with a row to myself so wasnt terrible. NRT-LAX didn't clear but then I got an op up at boarding. Fun times!
ATL-ORD-BOS-ORD-LAX-HNL-PHX(red-eye)-CLT-ATL $318
ATL-DFW-PVG(2 days)-NRT-LAX-JFK-MIA-ATL $490
DFW-PVG miles upgrade didn't clear but I was in MCE on a new 787 with a row to myself so wasnt terrible. NRT-LAX didn't clear but then I got an op up at boarding. Fun times!
Nov 21, 2016, 4:26 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
my best one probably LGA-LAX-LAS-JFK rt, back to back JFK-LAS-JFK, and again JFK-LAS-LAX-LGA in Dec 2010, with my wife.
Some of you might remember, it's the expedia.ca mistake fare... how much did I pay? maybe $30 in total with hotel room ?
Some of you might remember, it's the expedia.ca mistake fare... how much did I pay? maybe $30 in total with hotel room ?
Nov 21, 2016, 4:43 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
I remember the old FRA quick-turn MR days fondly! I remember one ticket I grabbed for 197++! On some Saturdays/Sundays, over a dozen people in the J cabin of the 763 on ORD-FRA-ORD were MR folks, many of them FTers! The AC AAngels at FRA knew us all quite well and arranged for the ICTS folks to come up to the lounge to ask us the sticker questions. We also knew the on-board crews very well.
I also have done a bunch of MRs to MAD over the years, but those birds tended to be delayed more often out of DFW given the slightly later departure time compared to the FRA flight (meaning that they would use an afternoon EU inbound aircraft that was often delayed and then had to be cleaned, catered, and customs checked).
*sigh* I miss those days!
I also have done a bunch of MRs to MAD over the years, but those birds tended to be delayed more often out of DFW given the slightly later departure time compared to the FRA flight (meaning that they would use an afternoon EU inbound aircraft that was often delayed and then had to be cleaned, catered, and customs checked).
*sigh* I miss those days!