Mileage runs are illegal!
May 25, 2001, 1:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
As per the long-running threads on the Delta board, some frequent flyer programs dis-allow miles earned solely for the sake of earning miles.
This was *not* the story from the UA chaps when they were online several weeks ago. When asked directly, they encouraged mileage runs. It's a pretty loyal customer who flys halfway around the world and sits on 100 segments in ten days just for a piece of plastic and a few perks.
Personally, if you're up on aircraft types, ATC, whatever, I would simply adopt the stance that I was flying because I loved to fly and wanted to experience as many different routes/airports/aircraft as possible for the lowest fare within their rule structure. Or I enjoy the take-off/landing portion of ATC, so try to get flights that incorporate a lot of take-offs and landings.
I frequently fly from (DESTINATION) to BWI via IAD. Three reasons for this -- fares are lower as it is a more competitive routing; I acquire 500 miles for an 18 minute segment; and I enjoy the low flight over the nation's capital and watching the cockpit operations.
It might make me sad
but I haven't broken any ticketing rules.
This was *not* the story from the UA chaps when they were online several weeks ago. When asked directly, they encouraged mileage runs. It's a pretty loyal customer who flys halfway around the world and sits on 100 segments in ten days just for a piece of plastic and a few perks.
Personally, if you're up on aircraft types, ATC, whatever, I would simply adopt the stance that I was flying because I loved to fly and wanted to experience as many different routes/airports/aircraft as possible for the lowest fare within their rule structure. Or I enjoy the take-off/landing portion of ATC, so try to get flights that incorporate a lot of take-offs and landings.
I frequently fly from (DESTINATION) to BWI via IAD. Three reasons for this -- fares are lower as it is a more competitive routing; I acquire 500 miles for an 18 minute segment; and I enjoy the low flight over the nation's capital and watching the cockpit operations.
It might make me sad
but I haven't broken any ticketing rules.
May 25, 2001, 2:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2000
Programs: United
Posts: 1,978
Matthew:
You are right. In fact, I was the person who asked the United folks on the Livechat about the legality/illegality of mileage runs. Their response was that, as long as it was within their rules, have at it. They followed up by saying they love loyal customers. That tells me that they're not going to change anytime soon. And they shouldn't. It is somewhat cost effective for me to do the mileage runs I do, but in the long run, it keeps me intensely loyal to my airline of choice. And that means that when I have to buy a last minute ticket from ORD to LAX, paying $1800 (actually, my company pays it), I make sure to fly my airline of choice. Everybody wins.
You are right. In fact, I was the person who asked the United folks on the Livechat about the legality/illegality of mileage runs. Their response was that, as long as it was within their rules, have at it. They followed up by saying they love loyal customers. That tells me that they're not going to change anytime soon. And they shouldn't. It is somewhat cost effective for me to do the mileage runs I do, but in the long run, it keeps me intensely loyal to my airline of choice. And that means that when I have to buy a last minute ticket from ORD to LAX, paying $1800 (actually, my company pays it), I make sure to fly my airline of choice. Everybody wins.
May 25, 2001, 2:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1P; HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,686
http://cnnfn.cnn.com/2001/05/25/news/v_travel_miles/
It doesn't say anything about mileage runs being "illegal"--in fact, it seems to encourage them. What were you watching?
It doesn't say anything about mileage runs being "illegal"--in fact, it seems to encourage them. What were you watching?
May 25, 2001, 2:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
He must be watching CNNFN in a hotel somewhere, jetlagged, drifting in and out of sleep and caught just a snippet of the story between the "CNN can be found in these partner hotels" ads.
Happens to the best of us!
Happens to the best of us!
May 25, 2001, 2:47 pm
#9
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
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Posts: 16,579
Originally posted by MatthewClement:
As per the long-running threads on the Delta board, some frequent flyer programs dis-allow miles earned solely for the sake of earning miles.
As per the long-running threads on the Delta board, some frequent flyer programs dis-allow miles earned solely for the sake of earning miles.
BTW, the Baht Run would not be illegal under DL's rules, because that does not involve excessive connections.
May 25, 2001, 4:51 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
I flew Boston-Paris on AA via Chicago several months back in order to meet a colleague in Chicago so we could fly over together. The extra miles were a side benefit.
Remembering that the AA res agent never asked me why I wanted to take the longer route, I just booked it (to London) next time. That agent asked. I replied honestly: "I'd like the miles and I have the time." "Fine with me, sir" was the reply.
DL may be different, but DL is different in a lot of ways.
Remembering that the AA res agent never asked me why I wanted to take the longer route, I just booked it (to London) next time. That agent asked. I replied honestly: "I'd like the miles and I have the time." "Fine with me, sir" was the reply.
DL may be different, but DL is different in a lot of ways.
May 25, 2001, 6:57 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Last week on my PHX-SAN-PHX segment run on UA, the RCC agent said to me, "I thought people didn't do mileage runs until December!"
"I like to get ahead of the crowd" I replied.
"I like to get ahead of the crowd" I replied.
May 25, 2001, 7:11 pm
#15
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
am i supposed to know all fare rules, etc[both airline and congress]? the on line booking should not require me to not take something that was accepted. i'm not talking about $ 0 stuff. what do you think? is booking o/l illeagle re this thread if it comes up w/ whatever? my definition of a mileage run is that you get off a plane & get on another until you get home. some may require a hotel because of skeds. going to x for a long weekend primarily beause you need the miles is a good idea and perhaps a sort of mileage run, but probably the best kind to do .
[This message has been edited by clacko (edited 05-25-2001).]
[This message has been edited by clacko (edited 05-25-2001).]