I've been silver the last three or four years, and barely missed gold last year. This year I'm really thinking about trying to obtain platinum. Is anyone else plotting a strategy to make platinum as cheaply as possible? Right now I'm considering Newark to Bangkok at least twice for 19K miles each, but I would welcome other ideas. Thanks.

In 1999 I needed several segments/miles to get Platinum. I bought several tickets with 4 segments each way from BOS to ATL. For example, BOS-EWR-DTW-CLE-ATL each way for $68 or so. Also BOS-DCA for around $68 via BOS-EWR-CLE-DCA. Also from what I understand you can connect in DTW for BOS-DCA. This is I don't think the least expensive way to get a lot of miles...because of course all these flights are very short distances. A lot of people recommend doing say internet fares to Europe or beyond...e.g. you could do EWR-NRT, etc. I personally have stuck with domestic mileage runs so I could get upgraded because being in coach for EWR-NRT or something like that might be a bit too much just to fly to NRT and right back. Also cities like MCO are often inexpensive. PVD-west coast or other markets where WN competes might be good runs. Unfortunately, I don't have a direct answer to your question, e.g. prices/itinerary for the least expensive path to Platinum. There have been other threads on this on the CO board...but its good you brought up the question again.

probably the best is to make yourself available for nw e-savers. whenever nrt comes up, and it usually does quite often, it is usally, $399 from the left coast, or $499 from the east coast. i know its not co, but their int'l e-savers come up usually every two wks, and it's hard to really view ewr-yyz as an int'l e-saver to get worked up about.

CO had EWR-NRT a couple of weeks ago.

If you go LAX-FLL, EWR is a valid connection point. The roundtrip is only about $275

EWR-BKK is a valid idea. I plan to do it myself. Note that you can also go EWR-SIN. Actually, any NW flight to Asia will earn you CO mileage. Also consider KUL via KIX on NW. It more milage if you go thru the West Coast. On NW, the tickets seem to be about $850 RT. They tend to be more expensive on CO, but you can buy a NW ticket on a CO codeshare and fly on a CO plane to NRT. However, the layover at NRT is long, about 5 hours Westbound, less Eastbound. It may be worht it if you can upgrade to Business First. Note that upgrades are most easily available on Tuesday or Wednesday on NW or CO.

FYI-

NW has an e-fare from JFK to BKK for next week departure (6/13 or 6/14). A good deal for racking up those CO status miles, as it looks like a few of you were planning on BKK runs anyways to meet the hurdles for gold/platinum status.

Another option (that doesn't require multi-night stays overseas) is to find the cheapest short haul routes that will give you several segments. Sometimes you can find a dirt cheap SEGMENT RUNS of 4 or 6 segs that can get you closer to GOLD/PLAT. Check airports where you can get there with a CO connection, AND are also served by a "low-cost" airline (Southwest, Vanguard, Frontier, etc.). Chances are, CO may have a competitive price, which can translate into a cheap segment run. Some of these segment runs don't require overnight or Saturday night stays (less "out-of-pocket" expense and fewer vacation days from you to obtain Elite status). And... no jet lag.

I have found that it is usually best at the beginning of the year to pick a strategy (miles run VS segment run) and stick with it.

Of course, a lot of it depends on WHERE you live and you ability to do SEGMENT runs vs. MILEAGE runs.


I am CO Plat, and I must admit that Segment runs work a little better for getting Gold status (60 segs vs. 50K actual miles) than for Plat (90 segs vs 75K actual miles).

$41 each way between MSP and MDW on NWA.
Plus you get the Upgrade bonus and the segments.

another good one if you live in sat or aus is to dal, 4 segments roughly $100

Thanks to all for your great ideas. As I was reading, I have another question--has anyone gone from Silver one year to Platinum the next, and aside from the mile bonuses, are the perks worth the effort?

I'll make Silver easily, but would have to put in some time, effort and about 3K extra to be platinum. I'm interested to see whether others think it's worth it. I probably fly 1-2 times a month.