Help with routing MSP - WAS
Dec 8, 03, 1:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Northern VA, MSP
Programs: Marriott Platinum, US Silver
Posts: 49
Help with routing MSP - WAS
I need to go to WAS area for winter break and I need help maximizing my miles.
First, let me make sure I under this correctly if I fly trip from Dec 19 - Jan 5, the Dec 19 miles count for this year and Jan 5 miles count on next years?
If that's the case, then I really don't care about maximizing miles going from MSP to WAS on Dec 19 but I do want to maximize miles going from WAS to MSP on Jan 5.
Here's what I have done so far:
MSP-DCA: Nonstop and then on the return:
DCA-MSP: $231
DCA-DTW-MSP: $236.50
DCA-MEM-MSP: $236.50
DCA-DTW-HOU-MSP: $244.98
DCA-DTW-STL-MSP: $246.50
I am thinking the DCA-DTW-HOU-MSP on the return for $244.98 is the best deal but am I missing anything?
EDIT: I forget to mention this is on Northwest Airlines
Thanks
[This message has been edited by daeagle (edited Dec 08, 2003).]
First, let me make sure I under this correctly if I fly trip from Dec 19 - Jan 5, the Dec 19 miles count for this year and Jan 5 miles count on next years?
If that's the case, then I really don't care about maximizing miles going from MSP to WAS on Dec 19 but I do want to maximize miles going from WAS to MSP on Jan 5.
Here's what I have done so far:
MSP-DCA: Nonstop and then on the return:
DCA-MSP: $231
DCA-DTW-MSP: $236.50
DCA-MEM-MSP: $236.50
DCA-DTW-HOU-MSP: $244.98
DCA-DTW-STL-MSP: $246.50
I am thinking the DCA-DTW-HOU-MSP on the return for $244.98 is the best deal but am I missing anything?
EDIT: I forget to mention this is on Northwest Airlines
Thanks
[This message has been edited by daeagle (edited Dec 08, 2003).]
Dec 8, 03, 2:10 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 34,985
Remember the new CO rules go in effect Jan. 1. If you're a NW Elite, you may want to avoid CO; if you're a CO Elite, you may want to buy at co.com and avoid NW. Your profile doesn't indicate which one you are.
If you don't care about Elite status, you have a good plan.
If you don't care about Elite status, you have a good plan.
Dec 8, 03, 2:23 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 23,242
in a nut shell if you're travelling on DISCOUNTED tkts you'll get ONLY 50% of the miles towards elite status. 100% miles in your acct towards free trips.
the only exception is if you purchase a discounted CO tkt on CO.com then for '04 you'll get 100% elite miles as well as long as youre putting the miles into your CO acct and NOT a NWA acct
the only exception is if you purchase a discounted CO tkt on CO.com then for '04 you'll get 100% elite miles as well as long as youre putting the miles into your CO acct and NOT a NWA acct
Dec 8, 03, 2:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philadelphia, PA / Washington, DC
Programs: NW Gold
Posts: 217
If you don't fly via HOU, it's probably not worth the detour to STL. DCA-MEM-MSP will get you about 1450 base miles, while the extra leg to STL will leave you with 3 segments each worth 500 miles, for only a 50 mile advantage.
But you really should take channa's suggested routing below!
[This message has been edited by 99ejs (edited Dec 08, 2003).]
But you really should take channa's suggested routing below!
[This message has been edited by 99ejs (edited Dec 08, 2003).]
Dec 8, 03, 2:51 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 34,985
You can still piece this together by staying only on NW metal. Search by schedule at nwa.com
Return on 1/5 as:
NW0219 DCA-DTW
NW1519 DTW-IAH
NW1021 IAH-MSP
With a non-stop outbound prices to $242.
Return on 1/5 as:
NW0219 DCA-DTW
NW1519 DTW-IAH
NW1021 IAH-MSP
With a non-stop outbound prices to $242.
