LRD

Posted awhile back in the "good deals in economy thread", but it's back and with (I believe) more availability than before.

Sample date: 25SEP - 25SEP.

ThePointsCollector

If I can only find what to do in PHL

DFWFairy

Too bad only nonstops are at this price

12fly

Great find! I tried plugging in for a same-day turnaround and found Sept. 21 for $108. At first it denied the itinerary, saying it was because the return had to be more than one hour after the incoming flight (which is funny because US gives me some of the tightest connections ever). Maybe it thought I was trying to leave the secure area of the airport? Anyways, it worked when I plugged in PHL->DFW and DFW->PHL in the "Multi-City" itinerary finder. Strange.

rusrocket

I don't get it. Are they trying to compete with AA?

12fly

I don't think so, esp. now that they're merging. Maybe adjusting routes because of it?

12fly

Also, just booked for Sept. 6 same-day turnaround! In DFW for all of about 45 minutes

KenfromDE

Same trick often works with DL when searching for price vs specific routing.

Dillsnik

i'm a noob here,

i don't understand why one would want to do this?

KenfromDE

If you are asking about returning within minutes of arrival, it is called a mileage run. A trip taken to obtain mileage, usually to maintain elite status.

12fly

Well we all have varying reasons, but it basically comes down to keeping frequent flyer status. For instance, I have Star Silver with US Airways, which gives me a free bag, free first class upgrades, 25% mileage bonus etc. But with my normal flying patterns, I wouldn't hit the 25k needed to requalify, so this is a cheap way to get more miles (comes out to about $0.04 per mile).

I'm also trying to earn Star Gold with Aegean (Greek airline), which only requires 20k miles. With Star Gold, you get 3 free checked bags across all 27 member airlines, priority baggage handling, priority boarding, sometimes priority security, and lounge access to all Star Gold lounges (something the domestic programs do not offer when traveling in the US). AND, it's good until 2015 and is super easy to maintain.

So that's the gist of it. Sounds really crazy to some, but it's kind of an addiction. It can be really fun and worth it though.

Dillsnik

i guess without knowing people do this i found it crazy that people would do a return flight, just for mileage status, basically spend a whole day....but i guess it's worth it for the perks!

12fly

Also just bought a same-day turnaround for Sept 14! Although this time the online system would NOT let me book with less than an hour in between, so had to call for them to do it. They waived the service fee though.

akelkar

You can be surprisingly productive on a flight as well if you don't mind the traveling. I usually get most of my letter writing and reading done on them

JROCKFLYER

Thanks for this....snagged one today!