Ordinarily, I'd love to go overseas, but this year, it's just not possible. I'm looking for domestic travel only, I'm afraid.

GG

Thanks for the idea- I looked at that last week and worried that it seemed pretty far for our schedule in coming months. I'm hoping to find a way to do this in 3-5 short trips that may or may not require overnight stays.

Anybody think it's possible?

GG

Sadly O class on IB will only net you 30% mileage accural and 50% EQM.

mileage run advice please
 

I've been Exec Plat for the last 3 years (and I recently got lifetime Platinum crossing 2mm miles). My travel schedule this year I knew would be less, so I actually gave up on even thinking about requalifying for ExecPlat, but decided to take a second look to try one last time (my travel for 2009 will even be less).

1. To date, I have to date 48245 miles and 61706 points - so I'm looking to qualify on points, not miles.

2. I will buy business or first class. Since I need 38294 points. 38294/1.5 points per mile = 25530 miles.

3. I am based in PLS.

4. I have a trip booked (in first - price was $2151.80) on Nov 29 from PLS to SEA (PLS-MIA-DFW-SEA), returning Dec 7 (SEA-JFK, overnight at my Mom's, then JFK-MIA-PLS on Dec 8, arriving 5:05pm).

5. I would like to tack travel on to this trip vs adding a separate mileage run trip. I am willing to leave earlier and/or come home later. I need to be in Seattle for business all day Nov 30-Dec 6 inclusive, thus why my current itinerary has me arriving the night of Nov 29 and the morning of Dec 7

6. Budget - not an issue (see below).

Here's one itinerary that gives me what I need: change my outbound to PLS-MIA (overnight), then MIA-LAX-DFW-SEA (the MIA-LAX flight is on a 3 class 777 - buying first means I would get Flagship Lounge access in LAX waiting for the 1:40pm flight to DFW).

On the return, Dec 6 go SEA-ORD-DEL-ORD-MIA-PLS (arriving Dec 9 at 5:05pm, only 1 day later!). [side note: I have a 10 year india business visa - I've taken the AA Delhi flight 3 times in first class and love it - in general, the longer the flight the better, so the idea of taking two 15 hour nonstops in first class on a 777 is actually something I'd look forward to!]

Price in first: about $12271.78 (this was D to/from PLS and A for all other segments). Since I'd want F for the MIA-LAX segment to get Flagship Lounge access, that makes the fare $12291.78 ($20 more).

I priced business, and it was around $11500 - I could use 2 eVIPs (I have 3 expiring in Feb 09) to upgrade the ORD-DEL-ORD segments, but saving $800 is not worth the value of 2 eVIPs... so I would just buy first in this case.

I also did a bit of looking into a round the world ticket (since First class is only about $11k), but without adding extra segments within continents it wasn't getting to the miles needed - and it looked like it was going to add more time onto my trip than what I came up with above.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

You're really considering spending $12K to make ExecPlat? I think that is pretty off the wall. Do you think you'll get value for that spend??

is it worth it?
 

Well, actually it's only costing me about $10k since my existing ticket is already $2k... ;)

The money is actually not an issue.. but still a valid point - $10k is $10k.

The only reason I'm thinking of this crazy move is that I know this is the last year I could possibly make ExecPlat - my travel in 2009 won't be close enough to even try.

The advantages that are worthwhile for me are:
1. First class lounge access on international business itineraries
2. The notable skill of the ExecPlat desk when I call [they really are great]
3. Free upgrades domestic/caribbean (remember I live in Caribbean)
4. The value of the 8 additional eVIPs - hard to quantify, but $10k/8=$1250 per evip - I think that's a conservative value if you consider what you get for upgrading international economy to business (esp now that there are copays).

The other reason, being honest with myself, is just the 'fun' of doing a crazy back to back Delhi flight - I *love* long flights - the longer the better; I get lots of work done, I can sleep (and with that routing I would basically get 2 nights sleep: Sunday and Monday night), etc.

Hope that conveys why I'm even thinking of this...

Thanks, ninja... Unfortunately, that dropdown doesn't check availability, but only applicability, so you have to book it before you find out if it'll upgrade. Kinda a bummer. ExpertFlyer shows a bit more, but for this many segments, I'm not sure it's working to show me what I need.

Thanks, tho...

I know this is short notice but any help would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for a same day or short overnight from TYS. I have a $305 ECV on NW. I am flying out of TYS on 11/9 at 12 pm. If I could find something on 11/8 that gets me back to TYS in the am that would be great. Thanks for your help.

Can someone help me with finding a MR on UA this weekend? I normally use the Efares, but they decided to not publish a list of them this week. I am sure I can use ITA to say something like "find me all UA fares to anywhere in the US or EU that end up costing me less than $400/person and generate at least 4500 miles" And then give it a couple days to play with. I normally do MR's with a day or 2's 'rest' in the middle, as my SO hates same day turnarounds. I figgured out of course how to get ITA to give me fares 300 miles from X, but I am in no way a power ITA user, and would appreciate the help.

I figured I would reach out to the gurus here. After lurking for some time (and learning quite a bit) to help me with a MR I'm planning to make status on Alaska for 2009.

I need 6797 miles to make gold status. I'm based out of PDX and I'd prefer to travel over a weekend, however that's flexible for a great deal. I don't really want to spend more than $300 if I can help it, and location isn't that important.

Anyone got any suggestions? and thanks in advance.

MR Request for help
 

I am trying to get to Gold status with CO. I never flew enough for work to consider it but it looks like I may be on the road a bit more next year and would work to get it. I have a credit for CO for about $430 that I need to book by Nov 21st.

1. No. of miles/segments that you have at present: 34,650/40

2. How many more miles/segments will it take to reach your goal: 15,350/20

3. Where are you are based: CLE

4. Whether or not there is some place specific that you would really like to go: BWI, SFO, NYC, EYW, TLH, HOU, CHI

5. Dates you are available to travel are must a must - in both directions, please! Travel is very flexible starting Dec 1. In Caymen Islands until then.

6. Also, it would help if you mentioned the budget, please! Trying to keep it under $600 before I use the credit. But open to higher.

Multiple trips are an option (i.e. same trip a couple times before Dec 31) Thanks for any help at all!

Need 15000 points, or 19000 miles to retain AA PLT. I will be flying about 1500 miles in the next week; and another 2250 in December; not sure yet if those fares will grant me 1 point per mile or 0.5.

There is definitely potential for me to make a MR or two, although I would rather just do one from VPS, PNS, TLH, or even as far afield as ATL or MSY. My thoughts so far for destinations include FRA...what else should I be thinking about?
Thanks
-z

Short 4,300 points for AA platinum
 

Any thoughts on the following?

Trying to qualify for Platinum from Gold on AA. Currently have 45,659 points and understand I need to hit 50k (or somewhere around there). Not eligible for Platinum challenge as I did it before several years ago.

Live in the NYC area.

Thanks.

Normally a transcon is your best/cheapest best. It can be done same day if you wish, and it will get you the miles you need (over 4,500) in two non-stop flights.

Do an ITA 30 day search to find the best prices.

Hi - I need to do a 7700 mile run to make Gold on UA. Any suggestions? Have to do this in November.