Flyertalk always seems to have come up when I searched for travel related subjects in Google, but it was only this week that I've really started to dig through all the information here. I thought I'd start this thread sharing some information:
This year, because of the switch to Star Alliance, Continental is giving OnePass Silver Status for only 20,000 instead of 25,000. Also, there is promotion going on for x2 miles on any flights Sept. ? - Dec. 15. Catch is you have to call OnePass (713 952 1630) for both these deals, either to sign up for the x2 miles or to get the Silver status once you reach 20,000. Silver status will not come automatically, you must call. And the x2 miles work retroactively (ie. on flight you already took, even if you sign up today).

Now, what I would like to know is how to start mile runs. I read through a couple threads and get the idea (make as many stopovers as you can), but can someone lay down the basic rules for us newbies?

Sure.

Read the dozen or so threads that have asked the same question over the past week.

In a nutshell:
Decide what your goal is, status or redeemable miles. ( You sound like you are looking for status. )
Decide which airline/alliance meets your travel needs.
Use the MR tools listed on the sticky here to find good fares.
When you have found likely fares that will help you reach your goal post it here and ask for a critique.
Fly on that airline until you meet your goals.

Welcome to FT!

If you need 10K miles on CO by 15 December you are pretty late. You can do it, but probably going to pay

Thanks for the answer! I am already gaining silver status this year because of the retroactive extra miles and the lower bar. That is why I want to mile run next year, because it will be easier and to mantain my status.

I do realize I probably posted this in the wrong place, but I'll get the hang of it soon enough!

First, welcome to flyertalk! This will quickly replace all other websites and will consume all of the free time that you will have for the next 12 months. It's rather fun and addictive!

What are your goals with regards to upgrades and award tickets? Are you looking to just earn miles for domestic tickets or international business and first class?

Go into the Mileage Run Forum then click on mileage run discussion. Spend about 1 month in there reading and you'll be set to go. It takes a while to really start to understand things around here but eventually it will click.

Welcome and good luck!
Halothane

Thanks Halothane! This has already taken over my day and even my credit (applied for a Citi savings account with what I had left on the CC). The goal is to travel as much as possible as cheaply as possible. My family lives abroad (Brother in London, other Brother and 2 Sisters in Amsterdam, Mom and Dad in Ecuador) so I need to get around! I asked this in another thread, but is it ever worth it to MR internationally?

In some cases it is most definitely worth it! I've done MRs to LHR on $230 fares and received op-ups to C and F on each MR. The longer you hang around here the more you will learn that you just NEVER know what will happen. Especially when on a MR. I had a segment go mechanical yesterday and I was rebooked into full F on a 3 cabin 777 and also received a $250 goodwill voucher in my e-mail....I didn't even pay $250 for the MR.

What is your home airport and what airports are you willing to fly out of? What airlines are you interested in earning miles on?

Flyertalk will become a daily ritual to keep up with the latest promotions and program changes. Sometimes there are really good promotions such as Hyatt Faster Free Nights and US Airways 250% Holiday Bonus (My favorite at the moment!).

Home airport is IHS but obvisouly can do Hobby as well. Interested mostly in CO since it basically owns IHS. I currently have a Chase CO card and applied for a BA card (read about the 100,000 promotion). Read through FT though I see that AmEx has some good deals too. Any suggestions?

Here is some more light reading to keep you occupied for several years.

Frugal Travel Guy
One Mile at a Time
View From the Wing
UPGRD Podcast
JayHawkCO's Mileage Run Guide


Halothane

This is great! JayHawkCO's Mileage Run Guide is EXACTLY what I was looking for

Sure is, provided that you find a good fare.

Thing is if you are seeing family you might have a higher threshold for cost than someone doing a same day turn.

Your main benefit will come from achieving mid-tier status. That's when you earn more RDMs and the higher chance of international upgrades, plus lounges!

uh oh...somebody's hooked. You're in perfect company here . Welcome to FT, r.ndwrld.

Bobette

It sure didn't take him long, did it? 2010 is going to be quite busy for this new FTer!

Just a heads up:

The mileage level for CO Silver is still at 25,000. What people have been reporting is that based on booked travel that will push them over 25,000 EQMs, the OPSC will grant Silver status early. If you don't end up earning the full EQMs by the end of the year, you will get zero status next year.

Also, you can sign up for the Double EQM deal online.

Hope this helps.

Online it will show you need 25,000, but you need to call OP to get the Silver status upgrade when you hit 20,000 this year only because of CO's change to Star Alliance. I will check again to make sure.

And I am certainly hooked! I had always imanged doing this kind of thing, but didn't realize it was actually possible! FT is certainly an inspiration