i guess that would make it much easier. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

(i.e., bump.)

Well, there are those of us that are in cities where our only service is commuter airlines. I would NEVER think of starting an MR here out of Chattanooga... However, I just spent the last two nights doing two MRs from ATL to LAX on DL. I have two more this weekend. For a total cost of $852, I'll net 62304 miles (including 2x bonus though there's a fight between DL and I brewing on that one and 1x status bonus). Since I've checked in using the kiosks and will continue to do so, I should net additional bonuses that will lower my cost per mile to below the current $0.0136.

Any new thoughts on this topic?

I have read the many comments on this subject, and I have made several spreadsheets to try to evaluate the value of a mile and what it should cost to make status. In 2004 I made 1K lite on UA more on MR's than on actual trips. I have made every newbie mistake, and although I am improving my cost per mile, none of my MR's were huge bargains All my travel and most of Mr l2b's are on our dime. We would not buy C or F tkts, so I agree that I am not able to value the miles at the price of full fare F or ,C. My conclusion is different from that of other folks here as I have decided to determine a "worth it" or 'not worth it' value on the MP program over all. I started last year with about 10,000 miles and no status; husband started with about 33,000 and no status. I spent $3018 on airfare strictly on mileage runs. We both also bought several coach tkts for actual normal travel. Husband did no mileage runs. We got some miles from credit cards and some promotions, but none of the most lucrative stuff people here did.

So what did we get for $3018?

2 systemwide coach tkts (used last minute NRT-IAD rt when the cheapest fare was $1000)
1 fly 3 coach tkt (not used yet)
1 fly 6 F tkt (not yet used)
2 rt upgrades IAD-LHR (with miles)
2rt upgrades IAD-HNL (with miles)
Status: me 1 K status; Mr l2b 2P
20 500 mile upgrades (all mine)
2 CS1's (not yet credited, but counting on them)
6 SWU's
RTW credits: me 18; Mr l2b 6 (to date)
Mileage balances: me 99,000; Mr l2b 90,000
Right to reserve exit row (me) and E+ (he)

If UA dies, we will be SOL, but if they survive, no matter how you look at it, we should be able to derive $3018 of value from the above.

My conclusion: I will try to improve my price per mile but so far I think mileage runs to make elite status in the MP program is "worth it" to me.

I told my boss that I will not take any long vacation this year, but take 1 or 2 days off from time to time to build long weekends. He's totally fine with it other than asking if I am happy with my work. I assured him that I am not doing this to fly out for interviews. End of story.

alright folks...so with the increase in costs that the recent economic situation has brought on....

what do you think a good MR should cost per mile?

I think a 4 year old post shouldn't be bumped, and this is no longer the correct forum for this discussion.

last i checked this forum is the "mileage run discussion" forum, and further I'm sure people like you would have flamed anyone who would have begun another thread on this topic without using the search function.

if you don't have anything useful to add to the thread, then don't say anything.

I believe this thread was "The final answer". So I guess we don't have to wonder any more.

I am posting in this very old thread only because I have been yelled at incessantly for opening new threads on subjects that already exist.

What about "premium" cabin MRs? So far the best I have found on Oneworld (the alliance I need status with) is AA: LAX-LHR in C/J return all-in for $3028.90.

This is 10,912 BIS miles for a cost of about $0.2776 per mile. But, when you figure in the EQM bonus for premium class, it brings the cpm down to $0.185. Hardly a good deal compared to economy MRs, but this is about the best I've found for a premium cabin.

Can anyone find a better deal for premium class MRs?

sorry for flippant answer but comparing CPM for purchased premium seating isn't too different from discussing gas mileage for 12-cylinder supercars. the last thing I'd ask my neighbor with the Testarossa is what kind of mileage he gets. range perhaps, but not MPG.

this is just my $0.02 worth, others likely have a different viewpoint

benzguy80

People who have money and enjoy nice things also enjoy getting a bargain. If you haven't been paying attention to the airline news out there, you should know that paid premium cabin traffic is down significantly, thereby increasing the chances of finding deals in those cabins.

Plus, there is an entire thread dedicated to premium MRs, so I think it's actually a very valid question. Remember, there are those of us who actually might want to ENJOY our MRs and don't just do them for the sake of getting mileage.

That being said, I will probably just move this question to the Premium MR thread so I don't get lambasted anymore.

please don't misunderstand me, I'm into bargains like most folks but I don't usually examine CPM when trying to get a nice trip somewhere, especially since I'm usually accompanied by a family member. MR's I do alone or meet up with other like-minded travelers.

I'm more apt to compare overall prices for trips to Paris or Buenos Aires, etc. rather than bring miles into the equation. I also have yet to pay for business or first class out of my own pocket, preferring to upgrade with miles or SWU.

it might make sense for you to use CPM to evaluate fares, after all it's okay (at least in my view) to have some fun and still try to run up the miles. I just think you're going to find few folks here that use CPM's that way.

I'm actually envious of what you're planning as I've not had the chance (so far) to work on miles from paid J or F. I keep telling myself I deserve a DONEx stretched to max out the EQM, but that's not happenin' this year.

good luck! I hope you find what you're looking for.

-benzguy80