Just getting started...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New York
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 7
Just getting started...
So I have attempted to read almost every "guide" on how to do Mileage Runs, but I seem to get stuck in trying to determine correct stop-over cities. Let me explain the basics. I am based in New Jersey and am looking for CO miles. Obviously, Newark is the main hub and I can easily fly out of there or Philadelphia, JFK, LGA, etc. I've just booked my EWR-CGN flight, so that's a good start!
I went to the Dream Maps today and saw a $83 Newark to Chicago flight, and am now trying to determine what I can stick between these two airports to maximize my miles. I tried using ITA and it just doesn't seem to be working or I am doing something wrong...not sure exactly.
Now, should I just plug in cities? Houston, Memphis, Tampa? Or is there a rhyme or reason to this that makes the process more streamlined.
Sorry for the rather simple line of questioning - I tried not to post for a few days in hopes that I could figure it out myself and not be one of those people that gets yelled at, but I'm stuck. Help me out if you can!
(I am looking for EQMs, by the way)
I went to the Dream Maps today and saw a $83 Newark to Chicago flight, and am now trying to determine what I can stick between these two airports to maximize my miles. I tried using ITA and it just doesn't seem to be working or I am doing something wrong...not sure exactly.
Now, should I just plug in cities? Houston, Memphis, Tampa? Or is there a rhyme or reason to this that makes the process more streamlined.
Sorry for the rather simple line of questioning - I tried not to post for a few days in hopes that I could figure it out myself and not be one of those people that gets yelled at, but I'm stuck. Help me out if you can!
(I am looking for EQMs, by the way)
#3
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,246
Use expertflyer.com to find the permissible routings for the particular fare basis.
Next, you'll need to search each particular flight you're interested in taking and put together your flights that have seating availability in the fare class you need. This is very time consuming.
You can also try to use the multi-city search feature (which I assume that CO would have) but sometimes it is harder to find the particular flights that work best.
Expertflyer is $9.99 per month. Even if you keep it for one month you'll be able to save well over $10 worth of time planning just this one trip. There is also a slightly discounted annual subscription.
Next, you'll need to search each particular flight you're interested in taking and put together your flights that have seating availability in the fare class you need. This is very time consuming.
You can also try to use the multi-city search feature (which I assume that CO would have) but sometimes it is harder to find the particular flights that work best.
Expertflyer is $9.99 per month. Even if you keep it for one month you'll be able to save well over $10 worth of time planning just this one trip. There is also a slightly discounted annual subscription.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New York
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 7
OK so I bought ExpertFlyer and plugged in my PHL-SFO flight. Is this what I am looking for? Does that mean I can presume a connection is free if I can find a really low fare class ticket?
Could I do PHL-HOU-IAD-SFO-ORD-EWR? Something like that? I'm a bit confused.
TRAVEL MUST BE VIA POINT OF COMBINATION. NOTE - THE CITY PAIRS BELOW ARE CONSIDERED THE SAME POINT - EFD-HOU EFD-IAH HOU-IAH IAD-DCA LGA-JFK MDW-ORD
Could I do PHL-HOU-IAD-SFO-ORD-EWR? Something like that? I'm a bit confused.
TRAVEL MUST BE VIA POINT OF COMBINATION. NOTE - THE CITY PAIRS BELOW ARE CONSIDERED THE SAME POINT - EFD-HOU EFD-IAH HOU-IAH IAD-DCA LGA-JFK MDW-ORD
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DCA, ex-IAH
Programs: nada
Posts: 1,368
As a NYC based CO flyer, here is my imput: CO usually has decent west coast rates and the best fares (and routings for miles) are LGA/JFK-IAH-PDX/SEA/etc.
But, to be fairly basic about it, you probably can't add a stop to EWR-ORD. You might be able to try LGA-CLE-MDW....meaning you'll probably have better luck going to the "other" airports and connecting through a hub, but I doubt you could add a stop for a short trip like that. I've found it very rare for any hub to hub (flights or connections) on CO at an affordable price.
as for this routing you proposed (PHL-HOU-IAD-SFO-ORD-EWR), it would not work
But this may work for you: EWR-IAD-IAH-SFO-IAH-LGA
But, to be fairly basic about it, you probably can't add a stop to EWR-ORD. You might be able to try LGA-CLE-MDW....meaning you'll probably have better luck going to the "other" airports and connecting through a hub, but I doubt you could add a stop for a short trip like that. I've found it very rare for any hub to hub (flights or connections) on CO at an affordable price.
as for this routing you proposed (PHL-HOU-IAD-SFO-ORD-EWR), it would not work
But this may work for you: EWR-IAD-IAH-SFO-IAH-LGA
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
I agree with crnk, I don't think a valid routing on a fare is East Coast-Texas-East Coast-West Coast.
Just keep looking for cheap Northwest US fares from where you are. It is just like I look for cheap FL fares (as I am based in Vegas and use MSP/DTW as connecting hubs). You don't even have to get fancy if you can find a $128+ fare from LAS-FL. Any LAS-MSP/DTW-FL and back routing will net me in excess of 5K EQMs.
The same reasoning for your NY-IAH-SEA/PDX/etc. routing. You won't need to get fancy and you can net a lot of EQMs.
Just keep looking for cheap Northwest US fares from where you are. It is just like I look for cheap FL fares (as I am based in Vegas and use MSP/DTW as connecting hubs). You don't even have to get fancy if you can find a $128+ fare from LAS-FL. Any LAS-MSP/DTW-FL and back routing will net me in excess of 5K EQMs.
The same reasoning for your NY-IAH-SEA/PDX/etc. routing. You won't need to get fancy and you can net a lot of EQMs.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New York
Programs: Continental OnePass
Posts: 7
Thanks for the help, everyone. I convinced CO to give me trial elite status, so I have 3 months to accrue 25K miles (until April 1st). Luckily I have a trip to Asia that will give me about 15,000 next week. Now I just need to come up with the other 10. I think I'll do the EWR-CGN and then I'll try to come up with a long US MR, like the ones we talked about here. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
This thread gives some details on one of the better CO EQM opportunities at the moment...
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,476
This thread gives some details on one of the better CO EQM opportunities at the moment...