How worthy is chasing status?
May 24, 2019, 12:18 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
8000 MQM, 1800MQD = 22.5% earnings. The best thing to do is book a class that gives you 20% (1600 MQD} and pick up the remainder on a short domestic flight (SFO - LAX/SEA/PDX for example).
25% requires a YBM fare but 20% opens up a lot more (U,K,W,P,F on KL) (U,K on AF) and (H,K,V,T on AZ)
Added:
If you're doing this for the RUC's to and from SFO, you're probably wasting your $. There was a recent thread which addressed the almost impossible success rate with RUC's on SFO Transcons. Also, any DM will be above you.
25% requires a YBM fare but 20% opens up a lot more (U,K,W,P,F on KL) (U,K on AF) and (H,K,V,T on AZ)
Added:
If you're doing this for the RUC's to and from SFO, you're probably wasting your $. There was a recent thread which addressed the almost impossible success rate with RUC's on SFO Transcons. Also, any DM will be above you.
Last edited by SuperG1955; May 24, 2019 at 12:26 pm
May 24, 2019, 12:33 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,895
You may want to check out flights on Virgin Atlantic from SFO as well. Sometimes, they have really good deals.
Last edited by canuck_traveler; May 24, 2019 at 12:40 pm
May 24, 2019, 2:17 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 179
May 24, 2019, 2:33 pm
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 159
Found it on the VS website. Economy Delight codes as which fare bucket? Can't find it on the website?
May 24, 2019, 2:52 pm
#35
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
From your posts, you already admit PM is a one off status for you based on MQD for renewal, and you're doing it for the transcon upgrades. The latter are not likely to materialize (I wouldn't be surprised if a PM with an RUC is still in the "teens" on the upgrade list for D1 service flights). So why not keep crediting these flights to Alaska to keep your MVPG status active where you claim to be having moderate success? You'll also earn more redeemable miles on AS, and the redeemable miles are more valuable on AS.
May 24, 2019, 5:24 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
All VS Economy Delight fares book as V class fares (not to be confused with DL/AF/KL V fares). You can't search for them on Google Flights (which only lets you select between coach and Premium Economy fares).
May 24, 2019, 8:56 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
For 4-6 times flights a year it's absolutely not worth it. Chance of getting a D1 upgrade is small if flying JFK - LAX/SFO.
The cost of either buying up to F (if not a D1 flight) or C+ on those 4-6 flights is likely less than the cost of doing the status run.
The cost of either buying up to F (if not a D1 flight) or C+ on those 4-6 flights is likely less than the cost of doing the status run.
May 24, 2019, 10:08 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 894
if your status doesn't matter after this year then why do you care about the remainder of the qualification period? the RUCs are nice but not a guarantee. even as a PM I still don't always get upgraded to F and I have even been in regular main cabin. if you only fly 4-6 times a year I don't think status should be an issue for you at all.
May 25, 2019, 6:00 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I sometimes have trouble using RUCs on flights over 3 hours....as a DM.
Based on the limited use case and travel pattern OP describes, I also think chasing this just for RUCs isn't worth it.
SFO has at least decent competition for TCONs and if OP is flying for leisure, that hopefully means he/she has some date/time flexibility. Just shop around for the best fares on whatever airline and purchase as needed.
Based on the limited use case and travel pattern OP describes, I also think chasing this just for RUCs isn't worth it.
SFO has at least decent competition for TCONs and if OP is flying for leisure, that hopefully means he/she has some date/time flexibility. Just shop around for the best fares on whatever airline and purchase as needed.
May 25, 2019, 4:44 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
I find in today’s day and age the benefits o be marginal and not related to hard product, but instead related to customer service. Shorter wait times, better luggage allowances, etc. I personally tend to pay more for better seats now rather than chase status. I remain extremely loyal to Delta over other airlines, but that is simply because I like their product over other airlines rather than try to keep playing the mileage run game.