Advice needed: AA ML need 28k before EOY for ExPl
 

My first post. Love this forum. I am suddenly within sight (realitivly speaking) of ExPlt on AA. I have 71K miles. Am I too late to the game. The month is half over. Any advice? Budget is $1500ish max and ORD is my home airport.

Caveats: I can't spend $40k on the Citi card in time for the 10k. And I can't be gone for Xmas day. Otherwise I'm open and don't mind a grind if worth it value wise. And I'm of course signed up for the double mile promotion.

Hi Chad:

Have you taken a look at some of the other threads on this topic in this forum? There have been a few others in the same predicament where flying in First domestically, or quick turns to S. America have netted the desired results without too much of an outlay.

still searching
 

I have spent the last hour on the matrix and Can't find anything under $4000 that gets me the 14K I need (to be doubled to 28K). is there a specific type of search I should be doing? I've also scanned the threads for other suggestions. If someone has seen one I may have missed, I welcome your feedback/direction. Thanks all!

Honestly, I think you're SOL this year by now if your budget is that strict. I see ORD-MAN for 7,626 miles for $1,036 on Dec 29th, then ORD-MIA-SJU is $655 on Dec 24th for 4,484 miles. But that still leaves you short by 2K miles, and you're already over budget by then.

ETA: Example, ORD-DFW-PHX is $508 on Dec 31 for 3,332 miles, taking you up to $2,199 for 15,442 miles.

ETA 2: ITA was giving me hiccups earlier, but now ORD-RDU-LHR is coming up on Dec 29 for $1,019 for 9,010 miles. That plus SJU would put you at 13,494 miles.

i dont see anything under 30 cpm....

$1194 DFW-ORD-MAD-JFK-DFW With AATHX 9961 x2 = 19922
 

It will not get you quiet where you want but

How about DFW to ORD to MAD JFK DFW for $ 1194.

That should net you outbound 4991 inbound 4950 for a Total of

With AATHX 9961 x2 = 19922

You need to get to DFW though.

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Chicago (ORD) - Sat, Dec 29
American 2324 Dep: 6:20AM Arr: 8:35AM 2h 15m MD-80 Economy (N)

Layover in ORD 8h 10m

American Chicago (ORD) to Madrid (MAD) - Sat, Dec 29
American 5682 Dep: 4:45PM Arr: 7:40AM 7h 55m Airbus A340 Economy (N)

OPERATED BY IBERIA Sun, Dec 30

Madrid (MAD) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - Sun, Dec 30
American Madrid (MAD) to New York (JFK) - Sun, Dec 30
American 95 Dep: 10:35AM Arr: 1:10PM 8h 35m Boeing 757 Economy (V)

Layover in JFK 2h 50m

American New York (JFK) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - Sun, Dec 30
American 565 Dep: 4:00PM Arr: 7:15PM 4h 15m Boeing 737 Economy (V)
Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.
Fare 1: Carrier AA NLWE2NA DFW to MAD (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code N
Covers DFW-ORD (Economy), ORD-MAD (Economy)
$281.50
Fare 2: Carrier AA VLXE2NA MAD to DFW (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code V
Covers MAD-JFK (Economy), JFK-DFW (Economy)
$311.50
AA YR surcharge (YR) $496.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $16.70
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $7.50
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $13.50
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
Spanish Airport Services Charge (JD) $27.20
Spanish Security Tax (QV) $5.00
US International Arrival Tax (US) $16.70

Subtotal per passenger $1,193.10
Number of passengers x1

Total airfare & taxes $1,193.10

This ticket is non-refundable.
Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.

You can add DFW to CLE or DFW to SAT for 220 and 123 RT

Add DFW ORD to DFW for 277 to DFW-MAD
 

You can add a ORD to DFW for a 277 for the above trip of DFW-ORD-MAD-JFK-DFW

totaling 1194 + 274 1500.

You may need to add DFW CLE for $220 or DFW SAT for $123

Okay, I've got something very close:

Dec 24 ORD-MIA-SJU-MIA-ORD 4,484 miles $655
Dec 29 ORD-RDU-LGA/JFK-MXP-JFK-ORD 9,770 miles $1,023

14,254 miles for $1,678

Sadly, doesn't qualify for AATHX.

in the op, he says he has 71k & needs 28k, so 14k flown....

hopefully its not 14.5...

AreoWesty You are correct indeed.

Routing via JFK will have AA Metal. for 1333

If it is, ORD-IND-ORD is only another $166 for 1,000 miles. :)

I got 29K MR for you

ORD-DFW-NRT-LAX-ORD for $1520 (after 9612DD discount)

Dec 26
AA 2301 ORD 6:00AM DFW 8:30AM 2h 30m MD-80 Economy (Q)
AA 175 DFW 9:40AM NRT 2:05PM 13h 25m Boeing 777 Economy (Q)

Dec 31
AA 170 NRT 3:55PM LAX 8:35AM 9h 40m Boeing 777 Economy (V)
AA 1624 LAX 2:55PM ORD 8:55PM 4h 0m Boeing 737 Economy (V)

14425 miles = 28850 DEQM miles