US: Help w/ segment run out of PHL (need 17)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 11
US: Help w/ segment run out of PHL (need 17)
I'm looking at my travel plans through the end of the year, and it looks like I'm going to come up short by 12 segments or 22k miles for Gold. Can anyone recommend the least-cost strategy to get the necessary segments/mileage for the next level, please?
Flying out of Philly.
Thanks!
Flying out of Philly.
Thanks!
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
phl-bos, 4 segs, $240....on ua mid week in sept & oct...
i'll look a bit more later...need to do the nyt xword....
edit to add....bwi-tpa 10/9 4 seg $193...
i'll look a bit more later...need to do the nyt xword....
edit to add....bwi-tpa 10/9 4 seg $193...
Last edited by clacko; Sep 8, 2012 at 8:05 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 11
I'm trying to figure out if it would be more cost effective to do a couple of long MRs to get the 22k, or some short multi-segment hops?
Last edited by dps5; Sep 8, 2012 at 8:43 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Thanks for the suggestions, clacko. I can do the runs anytime between now and the end of the year. My work travel plans are set, so I won't get any more segments from work travel. I do need 12 more. If I don't do any personal travel before the end of the year, I'll end up with 48 segments and 38k PQM. So, from what I can tell I'll need either 12 segments or 22k PQM, right?
I'm trying to figure out if it would be more cost effective to do a couple of long MRs to get the 22k, or some short multi-segment hops?
I'm trying to figure out if it would be more cost effective to do a couple of long MRs to get the 22k, or some short multi-segment hops?
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...toqualify.html
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 11
Gold is only 50,000 PQMs, so you need either 12,000 more PQMs or 12 more segments.
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...toqualify.html
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...toqualify.html
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
if you aren't going on a long vacation trip, segs are the way to goyou should be able to get 12 for $600 or less w/same day turns....
for the mi, you need sub 3 cpm.....but some factor in the rdm value....to each his own....
does us ever do a 2x em promo?
for the mi, you need sub 3 cpm.....but some factor in the rdm value....to each his own....
does us ever do a 2x em promo?
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
I'd probably go with the segments then. 3 RTs can be 4 segments each, but you won't get 9k on each of 3 RTs without going international. clacko has some good suggestions for shorter trips. Ex-PHL is hard, maybe look into going up to EWR/NYC or down to BWI if possible. US is difficult to find, fewer people look for US fares on here as there aren't as many US elites as for AA/DL/UA, and US has fewer hubs to route through in any sort of meandering fashion. Maybe PHL-Florida via DCA or CLT can work too. Below 3 cpm flights are nearly impossible with US, the routings just aren't lucrative enough for most fares. Only when US has a major, major sale can 3 cpm be achieved. I would definitely look at the segments in your case.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,109
less glamorous but you could just write a check (but check when status extends to)
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...preferred.html
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...preferred.html
#11
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
This one is easy. PHL-DCA/CLT-RDU-DCA/CLT-RDU same-day turns are plentiful this fall, e.g., $182ai Sat 16 October. 3trips x $182/trip, with 4 segs/trip, means you spend $546 total. It's $45/6 per segment which is not super duper in the larger world, but in terms of something from PHL:
It's easy and not far. Benefit of DCA is you are close to PHL by train if some IRROPS, but less capacity to find an upgrade to F since most flights don't have F cabin.
Speaking of IRROPS. Remember that if, say, an RDU-CLT is cancelled and they offer you RDU-PHL instead, because you are on US and not another *A carrier they don't have to give you original mileage credit. So plan to knock-out your three trips before end of the year and/or disappearance of these fares.
This trick will no longer work after March and the departure of WN from this route, so make hay while the sun shines.
It's easy and not far. Benefit of DCA is you are close to PHL by train if some IRROPS, but less capacity to find an upgrade to F since most flights don't have F cabin.
Speaking of IRROPS. Remember that if, say, an RDU-CLT is cancelled and they offer you RDU-PHL instead, because you are on US and not another *A carrier they don't have to give you original mileage credit. So plan to knock-out your three trips before end of the year and/or disappearance of these fares.
This trick will no longer work after March and the departure of WN from this route, so make hay while the sun shines.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
less glamorous but you could just write a check (but check when status extends to)
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...preferred.html
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...preferred.html
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,109
Only warning is:
Now's your chance to upgrade or maintain your current Preferred status through February 2013
I'm not conversant on US so I don't know if that would be true if you did the buy up in December so I would recommend you check with US flyers &/or US itself as to whether they would give you Gold thru 2/14.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
Generally, the buy up will be for the following full year after Oct 1 or so, so buying up after then would give status to Feb 2014. Come over to the US forum for more on that (and that Oct 1 date could be different this year, but we have no reason to think it'll change):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...er-thread.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...er-thread.html