tvl4free

I see that this is your first post, so welcome to FT!

In cases like this, you should have - at least - posted an anonymous e-mail address, cause alot of FTers won't respond without it - to try and help you out. Since we take time out of our busy day to try and help rescue you, this is simply the most courteous, 'Christmasy thing to do.'

But given the spirit of this thread and that it's Christmas, tvl4free will throw a few thoughts your way. As you appear to be aware, the issue is no longer one one of getting the cheapest fare - but rather one of getting the miles needed at the lowest cost that UA is going to force you to pay. As you may know, the cheap seats to anywhere are few and far between.

With that as the given, here is a simple, quick and easy alternative, and it appears that you're in luck.

There is what looks to be a special 'no advance purchase fare,' valid Dec 15 and 16 only, from SBA to PDX. If you make cxns in LAX and SFO that will give you six segments RT and 3,000 miles. Not only should that do the trick for you... but there actually appears to be plenty of 'W' class availability on the dates that you mentioned. Here is a sample itinerary that might work for you:

1*UA5277W 15DEC SA SBALAX HK1 425P 513P/O
2 UA1818W 15DEC SA LAXSFO HK1 645P 757P/X
3 UA1828W 15DEC SA SFOPDX HK1 1015P 1151P/X

4 UA1857W 16DEC SU PDXSFO HK1 820A 955A/O
5 UA1809W 16DEC SU SFOLAX HK1 1030A 1156A/X
6*UA5723W 16DEC SU LAXSBA HK1 1250P 132P/X

The fare is $218.00 incl. tax and the fare basis is WOE0HLN. Note that you might be able to dicount this by 15% if you have the appropriate coupon, and the dates are not blacked out for its use.

From your new FT buddies, we send you best wishes for a Happy Holiday... and may you have a great New Year, too!

NoStressHere

My wife was just short of Silver, needed one more trip. We wound up doing trip to Tokyo on DL and she is now GOLD. Had a nice three days in the city, did lots and all is well. For $562 RT.

Of course, there is the possibility with both of us unemployed that she is now GOLD and nowhere to go.

americangooner

I need another 15k on American to make EXP - I know its a lot of miles and though I can travel anywhere up to Christmas, I'm running short of time in which to do it.

An earlier post mentioned getting re-qualification miles with Delta without having to fly - is there a similar program with American??
I know this sounds like a stupid question, but is there any way of getting miles by buying a ticket and not flying??

Any advice would be appreciated at this stage. BTW - this thread is a great idea!!

MRKEY

americangooner You are so close!
AA has no other way to reach EXP level other than flying. You can reach status by miles or points (or 200 segs ). I have been EXP for a few years now..and the perks you will receive as a Top Tier AA flyer..access to the amazing EXP desk..VIPOW's ...upgrade cleare`nce etc.re fanastic. There are 3 ways I would do it..you need 1 ORD-NRT RT..2 LHR runs or 4-5 long haul stateside runs..If you had qualified for the first time before Nov 30.you would have 16 VIPOW's. Also you might try ORD-MIA-DFW-NRT to maximize your milage. Perhaps tvl4free..our resident expert guru..can work some magic for you. Good luck..GO FOR IT!!


------------------
MRKEY


[This message has been edited by MRKEY (edited 12-11-2001).]

LASWB

I will reach CO Gold on 12/16.
Could I reach Plat. by EOY ?

househead

Hi,

3400 miles needed on United out of OAK or SFO (not sure if I can do SJC, which some of you already suggested).

Preferably to happen Dec 15/16 and under $250.

I'm having trouble finding an itinerary and figuring out the best way to book it. Expedia? UAL.com? Sorry for the 'newbie' post...

This would be my FIRST mileage run and I would hit Premier Exec...

Thanks.

anandrag

Is that true? I have heard contradictory stories on the 8 vs. 16 VIPOWs. I was EXP in '00, PLT in '01 and will hit EXP on 12/30. Do I get 8 or 16 VIPOWs?

tvl4free

Just like in a box of Christmas candy, in a 'nested itinerary', the goodies are all wrapped up inside!

The least expensive way (left) that I can think of to pick up 15K on AA would be to plant oneself in London - just after the holiday. So, this idea might not work for you.

Fares from Chicago to London are relatively cheap at present, and RT fares back to NYC are a special 'Christmas present' to the British, so to speak. You could buy a RT tkt from ORD to LON for $436 - and then a RT from LON-NYC for $327.. The total incl. tax would be about $763 and would earn 14,816 miles, approximately. Would this be enough?

Here's a sample that might work. Have your travel agent look for 'N' class.

1 AA 90N 28DEC FR ORDLHR SS1 855A 1030P/O

2 AA 131N 29DEC SA LHRJFK SS1 400P 650P/O
3 AA 142N 30DEC SU JFKLHR SS1 830A 815P/O

4 AA 87N 31DEC MO LHRORD SS1 1005A 1240P

CHILON 3950 LONNYC 3458 NYCLON 3458 LONCHI 3950

TOTAL 14816

Conceivably, a variation on the above idea, might be started on Dec 18th, but bare in mind that this has a 7 day advance purchase, which would mean that a plan would have to be finalized today. Also, a city other than NYC would have to be 'scouted out' as the seats from NYC back to London are already fully booked. A Saturday nite is required on each separate tkt.

Jingle, jingle, again. StatusSanta is on his way!



[This message has been edited by tvl4free (edited 12-11-2001).]

tvl4free

TvlSanta's deliver presents, not miracle's. For that, there are other specialists this time of year...

Status requires two things:

1. That one spend the requisite time in the sleigh, and:
2. That one 'pay the (adjusted) asking tolls'. Last minute Christmas tolls are always higher than at other times of the year (aren't the elves such greedy little, lovable souls?).

It would appear that you are willing to do No. 1, but not No. 2. Not even two trips to SIN would accomplish your mileage goals...and, no Star Alliance partner has any seats at all within the price range that was mentioned.

So, NO, NO, NO - not 1K this year!

But the good news is that now is the time to start planning your trips (and goals) for next year!

Seriously tho, from all the 'regulars' here, Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings for the New Year!






[This message has been edited by tvl4free (edited 12-11-2001).]

MRKEY

anandrag..good question! You will get 8 VIPOWs in Feb '02 for qualifing yr 2001..New EXPs who qualify before Nov.30 get 8 in the qualifing yr and 8 more in Feb. the following membership yr. What I do not know..as in your case...if this benefit is available for first time EXPs or also EXPs who have fallen down to PLT and then requalify again..it seems to me I read a thread that said you will get all 16 again if you qualify before Nov. Sorry if I confused you..but I too would like to know for sure.

------------------
MRKEY

UA_Eagle

And I concur with you! No 1K for me this year. :-) I didn't really expect to find anything this late anyway, but thought I'd check anyway. :-)

Have a very very Happy Holidays to you and everyone!

------------------
UA PremExec (2001)
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

tvl4free

Will 3,550 miles for $128 + tax knock out one more Christmas gift?

Valid 12/15-16 only. Out of Oakland to Spokane. This may help you a bit:

1 UA 344W 15DEC SA OAKDEN SS1 230P 546P/O
2 UA 347W 15DEC SA DENGEG SS1 735P 855P/X

3 UA1524W 16DEC SU GEGDEN SS1 727A 1029A/O
4 UA1937W 16DEC SU DENOAK SS1 1210P 145P/X

FQT 128.00 plus tax = $154.00 WOE0HLN

OAKDEN 943 DENGEG 832 GEGDEN 832 DENOAK 943 TOTAL 3550

Holiday Cheers to ya!


Hey, thanks for sending some holiday greetings THIS WAY!

househead

Thanks for that 'holiday gift' Tvl4free!

I actually JUST found the same itin you pointed out by poking around Expedia. Until today, I thought there was NO WAY without flying out of SJC, but I'm very excited now! Looks like I'll make 1P by next week afterall..

By the way, off-topic, but I'm very happy to have found this board. I grew up flying a lot as a kid (dad was a captain for JAL) and have always loved being in the air, but lately I hadn't flown much. I really started traveling consistently for the first time this year again, and quickly made Premier, and hopefully now PE after a few of SIN, LHR, and WLG trips out of SFO.

Thanks for all the insight and stories, everyone.

-househead :-)

americangooner

tvl4free - you really are the king of mileage run itineraries!!! Thanks!

I'm on the phone to my travel agent now, dreaming of those perfect black luggage tags.........

Happy holidays!!

owenthomas

I've got a stumper. I'm 9,000 miles shy of Gold on American. (Yes, I'm new at this.) Is there any way to leave the evening of December 28, get back December 31, and squeeze out the miles needed? I can leave from SFO or OAK, and wouldn't mind spending my downtime in New York or D.C.