How are your [b]MILES and POINTS[/b] doing this year?
Sep 8, 2000 | 4:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: In protest of Flyertalk's uncalledfor censoring of my point of view, I cancelled my InsideFlyer subscription. So long, and thanks for everything.
Posts: 3,325
How are your [b]MILES and POINTS[/b] doing this year?
With no specific attempt to either single out or protect anyone on these boards, it is clear we have had a significantly larger number of posts by loudmouth, ill-mannered people of late. In the past on these boards, when someone mentioned that they were offended by someone's post, there would usually be a polite exchange, preferably in private, to resolve the differences. Now, some have taken to any criticism by replying with insults (your math is bad, you're stupid and ugly, get off your high horse, etc.).
I've happily stayed out of the fray of most of these discussions, as IMHO they are a waste of time. I and a few others I notice, have simply spent less time here, allowing the loudmouths to run amok in their newly claimed forum.
I'm not an "old-timer" or "newbie". I'm in no "clique", I wear no "hood". It's just sad that what had been a community of dignity that could police itself has become one of no tolerance, yielding to the loudest voice.
On Flyertalk.com (for those of you with short sights and no care about perspective, Flyertalk.com is a URL that I personally registered, then along with Rudi and Catman, presented as a gift to Randy at the PIP in Hawaii last year), the welcome page states:
So, in the truest spirit of Flyertalk, and in an attempt to seperate the wheat from the chaffe, here is a call to all flyertalkers:
Tell us about your miles and points this year. How are your doing on your elite quest with airlines and hotels for the year? Have you had any unique or interesting experiences traveling this year? Please join in the discussion. All those frequent travelers or those just interested in frequent travel please join in - regardless if this is your first post or your five thousandth, participate with a sense of joy and friendship - you are welcome here.
If you reply to this post, not with tales of your past or future travel but rather with your disagrement over the the history or meaning of Flyertalk, you will merely show your disrespect for the history of the great thing that was created here before you came along, and show yourself as the problem.
As for me, sadly, because of my terriffic new position, I missed about two months of travel and may not make CO Platinum this year as I expected. I'll have to settle for Gold VIP. My Hilton stays however are up, and I do expect to be Diamond VIP by the end of the year. How about you?
(sorry about the title of the thread...it can't be edited, and I didn't know UBB code would not work on a title)
[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 09-08-2000).]
I've happily stayed out of the fray of most of these discussions, as IMHO they are a waste of time. I and a few others I notice, have simply spent less time here, allowing the loudmouths to run amok in their newly claimed forum.
I'm not an "old-timer" or "newbie". I'm in no "clique", I wear no "hood". It's just sad that what had been a community of dignity that could police itself has become one of no tolerance, yielding to the loudest voice.
On Flyertalk.com (for those of you with short sights and no care about perspective, Flyertalk.com is a URL that I personally registered, then along with Rudi and Catman, presented as a gift to Randy at the PIP in Hawaii last year), the welcome page states:
In the summer if 1998 a new community was born...a community where frequent travelers around the world came to exchange knowledge and experiences about everything miles and points related. As the community grew, as the number of members increased, it became quite awesome to see the spirit and friendships that grew out of those original text messages. It also became apparent that Flyertalk could become much more than static threads composed by faceless names. It was this vision that inspired Flyertalk to become what it is today...a living, growing community of frequent travelers.
Tell us about your miles and points this year. How are your doing on your elite quest with airlines and hotels for the year? Have you had any unique or interesting experiences traveling this year? Please join in the discussion. All those frequent travelers or those just interested in frequent travel please join in - regardless if this is your first post or your five thousandth, participate with a sense of joy and friendship - you are welcome here.
If you reply to this post, not with tales of your past or future travel but rather with your disagrement over the the history or meaning of Flyertalk, you will merely show your disrespect for the history of the great thing that was created here before you came along, and show yourself as the problem.
As for me, sadly, because of my terriffic new position, I missed about two months of travel and may not make CO Platinum this year as I expected. I'll have to settle for Gold VIP. My Hilton stays however are up, and I do expect to be Diamond VIP by the end of the year. How about you?
(sorry about the title of the thread...it can't be edited, and I didn't know UBB code would not work on a title)
[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sep 8, 2000 | 4:56 am
#2
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Ok, I'll start:
United: I requalifed for Premier Executive on August 24th on Flight 69 EWR-LAX.
Currently, over 55K miles. Expect to hit 70K by the end of the year.
As for 1K: No way possible.
Upgrades: the 22 month streak ended with that dreaded S*#**le flight LAX-LAS.
Continental over 10K miles, probably at least 15K by the end of the year. IF someone knows of a quick way to get segments/miles let me know.
I have received a special promo: Comped Silver Status. 19 round tips 190K miles and renewed Silver. Don't know if I'll make it.
I have flown more on CO in the past year than ever. Like the airline and it's now my alternate. (Love my UNITED still and more.)
Delta: ZERO. and NO future plans to fly here.
AMerican: One r-t to Cancun. 1080 miles, no future plans to fly more. Most of my miles are from the Visa and the late MY Points promo as well as teh Greenpoints Certificates.
Mileage Runs: a mini run that I didn't need ewr-lax-las-den-slc-den-las-lax-ewr. With the True Bonus over 22K miles for just over 320 bucks.
And I've offered to help several FLyeratlk friends with their mileage runs! If I'm flying First Class I want my buddies with me! [/b]
Now the Hotels:
Starwood: Platnium status this year. Very very good for next year. I goofed early and though I requalified. Need 12 nights or 6 stays.
Hilton: Gold this year. 10 stays so far and Gold possible next year. I don't recall making Gold for this year, think I was comped.
Marriott: Four stays, enough for Silver for next year. At least one more stay this year.
Hyatt: No stays this year, three last year. Gold Preferred.
So in retrospect:
*Starwood very very impressive and got the bulk of my business.
*United still my preferred airline, no matter what happened earlier this year.
*Have a great like for Continental and now I see the point why they are a great airline.
*And Experineces:
>first time to Cancun (Gracias Burkey) and I want to go back to Mexico. Ditto Montreal (merci Richard and Bridget!)
>Why are the airfares from NYC/EWR to IAD range from 218 to over 2 grand.
It's been a good year for me... what about you all?
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 09-08-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 09-08-2000).]
United: I requalifed for Premier Executive on August 24th on Flight 69 EWR-LAX.
Currently, over 55K miles. Expect to hit 70K by the end of the year.
As for 1K: No way possible.
Upgrades: the 22 month streak ended with that dreaded S*#**le flight LAX-LAS.
Continental over 10K miles, probably at least 15K by the end of the year. IF someone knows of a quick way to get segments/miles let me know.
I have received a special promo: Comped Silver Status. 19 round tips 190K miles and renewed Silver. Don't know if I'll make it.
I have flown more on CO in the past year than ever. Like the airline and it's now my alternate. (Love my UNITED still and more.)
Delta: ZERO. and NO future plans to fly here.
AMerican: One r-t to Cancun. 1080 miles, no future plans to fly more. Most of my miles are from the Visa and the late MY Points promo as well as teh Greenpoints Certificates.
Mileage Runs: a mini run that I didn't need ewr-lax-las-den-slc-den-las-lax-ewr. With the True Bonus over 22K miles for just over 320 bucks.
And I've offered to help several FLyeratlk friends with their mileage runs! If I'm flying First Class I want my buddies with me! [/b]
Now the Hotels:
Starwood: Platnium status this year. Very very good for next year. I goofed early and though I requalified. Need 12 nights or 6 stays.
Hilton: Gold this year. 10 stays so far and Gold possible next year. I don't recall making Gold for this year, think I was comped.
Marriott: Four stays, enough for Silver for next year. At least one more stay this year.
Hyatt: No stays this year, three last year. Gold Preferred.
So in retrospect:
*Starwood very very impressive and got the bulk of my business.
*United still my preferred airline, no matter what happened earlier this year.
*Have a great like for Continental and now I see the point why they are a great airline.
*And Experineces:
>first time to Cancun (Gracias Burkey) and I want to go back to Mexico. Ditto Montreal (merci Richard and Bridget!)
>Why are the airfares from NYC/EWR to IAD range from 218 to over 2 grand.
It's been a good year for me... what about you all?
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 09-08-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sep 8, 2000 | 6:17 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
My travel highlight for year 2000 was on January 1st waking up on a Russian icebreaker in Antarctica, and before breakfast setting foot on the frozen continent via a zodiac rubber ducky.
This fulfilled my lifetime ambition to vacation on every Continent.
And New Year's Eve late evening (in full "daylight"!) a pair of Humpback Whales gave a lengthy surreal aquatic ballet toying with a half dozen zodiacs - only yards away. One of the most magical travel experiences of my life.
Later on January 1st visited the British Antarctic Territory base (surrounded by 100s nesting penguins!) at Port Lockroy, who had an operational Post Office open (!) so created a handful of special postmarked envelopes for friends and clients - all dated January 1st 2000 .... the first real Antarctic mail of this century. Color photos of both sides are on the website below. Quite a chunk of philatelic history!
I had dinner with Randy Petersen in Sydney last night and he was fascinated by one of these pretty historic envelopes, covered front and back with handstamps, multi color cachets and markings, and postage stamps from 5 different countries, including the rare and antique 1891 Tierra Del Fuego 10 red.
Sydney to Antarctica via Calgary and Banff is a pretty BIZARRE routing a 32,000 flown mile run via the USA, Argentina and Iguassu Falls Brazil en-route. Full details and 20 colour photos of that trip at:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ozstamps/penguin.html
Been taking a lot of vacations this year, with the above trip being the absolute highlight. Also holidayed in Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal, London and the Scottish highlands, Fiji, next week to Utah, Las Vegas, and Los Cabos Mexico. Then in November the FT Weekend in Europe in Dusseldorf via Melbourne, Seattle and Chicago, and for Christmas Day (via the USA) am planning the Falkland Islands, in the Atlantic, via a Lan Chile flight from Santiago, and hopefully New Years Eve on Easter Island in the Pacific.
Sadly spread a lot of my flights over many airlines, but will still make United 1K shortly. Looking forward to that handful of Systemwide upgrade certs which are REAL nice if you start travel from "downunder"!
Flew some unusual airline companies like Buddha Airways, Aerolineas Argentineas and Royal Air Cambodge, none of whom gave me any points, drat! (Did 3 of 4 long flights in paid Bus. Class on Aerolineas, so surely SOMEONE is affliated with them?)
Points? Hard to say for sure but with the UA Triple Bonus on all flights May to year end, added to the other airlines, will run about 250,000-300,000 points from flying, and about 250,000 from business and personal credit card use, Hotels etc.
A 'half a million year' is a pretty NICE year!
------------------
~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 09-08-2000).]
This fulfilled my lifetime ambition to vacation on every Continent.
And New Year's Eve late evening (in full "daylight"!) a pair of Humpback Whales gave a lengthy surreal aquatic ballet toying with a half dozen zodiacs - only yards away. One of the most magical travel experiences of my life.
Later on January 1st visited the British Antarctic Territory base (surrounded by 100s nesting penguins!) at Port Lockroy, who had an operational Post Office open (!) so created a handful of special postmarked envelopes for friends and clients - all dated January 1st 2000 .... the first real Antarctic mail of this century. Color photos of both sides are on the website below. Quite a chunk of philatelic history!
I had dinner with Randy Petersen in Sydney last night and he was fascinated by one of these pretty historic envelopes, covered front and back with handstamps, multi color cachets and markings, and postage stamps from 5 different countries, including the rare and antique 1891 Tierra Del Fuego 10 red.
Sydney to Antarctica via Calgary and Banff is a pretty BIZARRE routing a 32,000 flown mile run via the USA, Argentina and Iguassu Falls Brazil en-route. Full details and 20 colour photos of that trip at:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ozstamps/penguin.html
Been taking a lot of vacations this year, with the above trip being the absolute highlight. Also holidayed in Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal, London and the Scottish highlands, Fiji, next week to Utah, Las Vegas, and Los Cabos Mexico. Then in November the FT Weekend in Europe in Dusseldorf via Melbourne, Seattle and Chicago, and for Christmas Day (via the USA) am planning the Falkland Islands, in the Atlantic, via a Lan Chile flight from Santiago, and hopefully New Years Eve on Easter Island in the Pacific.
Sadly spread a lot of my flights over many airlines, but will still make United 1K shortly. Looking forward to that handful of Systemwide upgrade certs which are REAL nice if you start travel from "downunder"!
Flew some unusual airline companies like Buddha Airways, Aerolineas Argentineas and Royal Air Cambodge, none of whom gave me any points, drat! (Did 3 of 4 long flights in paid Bus. Class on Aerolineas, so surely SOMEONE is affliated with them?)
Points? Hard to say for sure but with the UA Triple Bonus on all flights May to year end, added to the other airlines, will run about 250,000-300,000 points from flying, and about 250,000 from business and personal credit card use, Hotels etc.
A 'half a million year' is a pretty NICE year!
------------------
~ Glen ~
[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sep 8, 2000 | 6:20 am
#4
Join Date: May 2000
Location: clinton,md.
Posts: 18
I don't fly that often, but since 6/99, earned 100,000 miles on contiental. My wife and I took award trip in June to Europe.I
pay all possible bills by credit card and partnered with telecommunications co. Since
1/00 I've earned 113,000 miles with Delta using same means. I enjoy getting the miles
on ground.
pay all possible bills by credit card and partnered with telecommunications co. Since
1/00 I've earned 113,000 miles with Delta using same means. I enjoy getting the miles
on ground.
Sep 8, 2000 | 6:43 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,011
Travel really began picking up for me this year. Previous years involved a transpacific and a transatlantic on UA. Not much on hotel stays.
Kicked off this year on a transatlantic to LHR. Then a trip over to DEN and then a JFK-LAX-SFO-SEL-SIN-HKG-SYD-ASP-CNS-BNE-AKL-MEL-SYD-HKG-NRT-LAX-STL in a three week span. Then, a four month (and counting) weekly commute back and forth between LGA and STL. Probably doing about 105,000 ACTUAL flight miles (ACTUAL being I'm estimating ORD-STL and IAD-LGA as 250 instead 500 miles).
Primary airline: UA
Premier: May 12 on 25181 miles
Premier Executive: August 14 on 60 segments
Premier 1K: Not quite there yet, but scheduled to be a 1K on September 29 on 100 segments
Cheated on UA with...I mean, other airlines flown this year: AA, AN, DL, NH, NZ, SQ
Mileage Runs: (2) JFK-LAX-PDX-SEA-YVR-SEA-PDX-LAX-JFK. This is before I realized I needed only to do only one of these runs.
Hotels: Starwood Platinum, working on Hilton right now. Never stayed in Hilton until this year but since I found myself with a nice number of points in my HHonors due to the Mileage Plus Nights program, picking them as my second chain just seemed logical.
[This message has been edited by seawolf (edited 09-08-2000).]
Kicked off this year on a transatlantic to LHR. Then a trip over to DEN and then a JFK-LAX-SFO-SEL-SIN-HKG-SYD-ASP-CNS-BNE-AKL-MEL-SYD-HKG-NRT-LAX-STL in a three week span. Then, a four month (and counting) weekly commute back and forth between LGA and STL. Probably doing about 105,000 ACTUAL flight miles (ACTUAL being I'm estimating ORD-STL and IAD-LGA as 250 instead 500 miles).
Primary airline: UA
Premier: May 12 on 25181 miles
Premier Executive: August 14 on 60 segments
Premier 1K: Not quite there yet, but scheduled to be a 1K on September 29 on 100 segments
Cheated on UA with...I mean, other airlines flown this year: AA, AN, DL, NH, NZ, SQ
Mileage Runs: (2) JFK-LAX-PDX-SEA-YVR-SEA-PDX-LAX-JFK. This is before I realized I needed only to do only one of these runs.
Hotels: Starwood Platinum, working on Hilton right now. Never stayed in Hilton until this year but since I found myself with a nice number of points in my HHonors due to the Mileage Plus Nights program, picking them as my second chain just seemed logical.
[This message has been edited by seawolf (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sep 8, 2000 | 6:55 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
Nice thread, a much better idea than other "Texas Cage Match to the Death".
Delta 82000 base (actual) miles so far, on 35 segments (10 transoceanic). I have scheduled trips to Boston (2), Washington DC, Tokyo and Chicago (and maybe one more to Switzerland), so I will reach Platinum for sure. Upgrades: 100%, except for Skywest (coach only) and intra-Europe Air France (who cares?).
United 550 base miles. I may take some of my remaining business trips on United. Upgrade: didn't even try.
Southwest 4 points. Upgrade: I can say I was in the best available seats!
Mileage runs None, all of my travel except one Delta roundtrip (family wedding) and one Southwest trip has been for company-paid business trips.
Hotels I don't really care too much about hotel elite status (getting a suite doesn't really do anything for me)-- I will qualify for lowest level elite on Starwood and Marriott. I have a lot of long stays (about 10 nights) coming up, but the choice of hotels is my company's (pre-booked blocks).
Cars. Haven't rented too many (never in Europe, I never learned to drive a stick!). Upgrades: Don't want them, I prefer small cars. They gave me an S.U.V. on one rental, it was awful.
[This message has been edited by opus17 (edited 09-08-2000).]
Delta 82000 base (actual) miles so far, on 35 segments (10 transoceanic). I have scheduled trips to Boston (2), Washington DC, Tokyo and Chicago (and maybe one more to Switzerland), so I will reach Platinum for sure. Upgrades: 100%, except for Skywest (coach only) and intra-Europe Air France (who cares?).
United 550 base miles. I may take some of my remaining business trips on United. Upgrade: didn't even try.
Southwest 4 points. Upgrade: I can say I was in the best available seats!
Mileage runs None, all of my travel except one Delta roundtrip (family wedding) and one Southwest trip has been for company-paid business trips.
Hotels I don't really care too much about hotel elite status (getting a suite doesn't really do anything for me)-- I will qualify for lowest level elite on Starwood and Marriott. I have a lot of long stays (about 10 nights) coming up, but the choice of hotels is my company's (pre-booked blocks).
Cars. Haven't rented too many (never in Europe, I never learned to drive a stick!). Upgrades: Don't want them, I prefer small cars. They gave me an S.U.V. on one rental, it was awful.
[This message has been edited by opus17 (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sep 8, 2000 | 6:55 am
#7
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
Great to see we're trying to get BACK TO BASICS. As for my travel this year:
CONTINENTAL: will make Platinum 2001 next week with trips to ATL and OAK. Expect to have over 90k miles with CO by year end.
US AIR: unfortunately will have about 12k and no status with them, but am forced to fly them occaisionally due to multi trips to CLT
.
UNITED: for the second year in a row, I had been 'given' PE status and flown them a total of about 2k miles. Given the problems this year, I don't imagine doing any more than that.
HOTELS:
HYATT: Diamond this year and for 2001 with 28 stays YTD, also have many more stays planned, especially at the great new Park Hyatt Chicago.
STARWOOD: Platinum this year and with 21 stays YTD, I should make it again for 2001--no problem.
MARRIOTT: Lowly Silver this year and with 5 stays this year, even if I really, really tried and stayed a 'whole bunch' more times, I'd only maybe get GOLD--and to me that does not offer very much.
HILTON: Gold this year (why I don't know) and with only 2 stays, I'm not going to miss it next year.
EXPERIENCES:
* Meeting with some wonderful FlyerTalker's at various locations worldwide.
* Some fantastic upgrades (thank you Starwood London & Paris and Hyatt domestically)
[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 09-08-2000).]
[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 09-08-2000).]
CONTINENTAL: will make Platinum 2001 next week with trips to ATL and OAK. Expect to have over 90k miles with CO by year end.
US AIR: unfortunately will have about 12k and no status with them, but am forced to fly them occaisionally due to multi trips to CLT
.UNITED: for the second year in a row, I had been 'given' PE status and flown them a total of about 2k miles. Given the problems this year, I don't imagine doing any more than that.
HOTELS:
HYATT: Diamond this year and for 2001 with 28 stays YTD, also have many more stays planned, especially at the great new Park Hyatt Chicago
. STARWOOD: Platinum this year and with 21 stays YTD, I should make it again for 2001--no problem.
MARRIOTT: Lowly Silver this year and with 5 stays this year, even if I really, really tried and stayed a 'whole bunch' more times, I'd only maybe get GOLD--and to me that does not offer very much.
HILTON: Gold this year (why I don't know) and with only 2 stays, I'm not going to miss it next year.
EXPERIENCES:
* Meeting with some wonderful FlyerTalker's at various locations worldwide.
* Some fantastic upgrades (thank you Starwood London & Paris and Hyatt domestically)
[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 09-08-2000).]
[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sep 8, 2000 | 7:56 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 7,149
CO- 18,000 base miles. Currently Silver. 2000 miles in next week. 18/20 on upgrades.
UA- 6,000 base miles. Currently nothing.
NW- 2500 base miles.
Starwood- 12 Stays, 23 nights, +/- 8000 points. Currently Gold. Long trips coming up. May make platinum.
Very happy with Starwood. Co is nice, but my NWA segments take forever and more to post. Often have to send in boarding passes.
[This message has been edited by BoSoxFan45 (edited 09-08-2000).]
UA- 6,000 base miles. Currently nothing.
NW- 2500 base miles.
Starwood- 12 Stays, 23 nights, +/- 8000 points. Currently Gold. Long trips coming up. May make platinum.
Very happy with Starwood. Co is nice, but my NWA segments take forever and more to post. Often have to send in boarding passes.
[This message has been edited by BoSoxFan45 (edited 09-08-2000).]
Sep 8, 2000 | 8:12 am
#9
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
Just got a call for a show - 24 more performances, smack dab in the middle of my allotted 1K-mileage-run time. So the question is, do I retire with 90K miles (76K to date with trips to OAK and CDG to come) or punt a few gigs? Tough choice: my bank account and credibility as a professional musician on the one side vs. nearly-unlimited upgrades and a nice vacation with my sis, B-I-L, and bb. on the other. Oh, yes, I just might make whatever is the lowest elite level on US as well if I don't take the job.
-
Meanwhile, anyone who wants to see a fairly decent production of Little Night Music in the Boston area this month, give a shout. AnnaS, are you listening?
-
Meanwhile, anyone who wants to see a fairly decent production of Little Night Music in the Boston area this month, give a shout. AnnaS, are you listening?
Sep 8, 2000 | 8:29 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: See pitflyer
Posts: 1,620
I'll bite.
USAirways -- 74,000 status miles. Currently Chairman's Preferred. Expect to re-qualify (barely) again for Chairman's Preferred on segments, probably with a Christmas mileage run. Good till 02/02.
American -- 12,000 status miles. Currently Platinum. Made the Platinum challenge in two weeks, and now good till 02/02.
Haven't flown any other airline all year. Business travel has dropped off considerably for me.
Marriott -- 60 stays this year. Extended as Platinum as part of the program change. Good till 01/02. I might requalify even without a lot of air travel (more car trips).
Hertz -- 20 rentals this year. Based on pattern last year given President's Circle till 01/02. Doubt I'll requalify next year.
Overall, next year should be the 'era of good feelings' since I'll be top tier in air/hotel/car programs. That's also the year I probably fall like a comet through the levels if United takes over USAirways and I cut down on my leisure trips from 20-30 a year to 5-10.
USAirways -- 74,000 status miles. Currently Chairman's Preferred. Expect to re-qualify (barely) again for Chairman's Preferred on segments, probably with a Christmas mileage run. Good till 02/02.
American -- 12,000 status miles. Currently Platinum. Made the Platinum challenge in two weeks, and now good till 02/02.
Haven't flown any other airline all year. Business travel has dropped off considerably for me.
Marriott -- 60 stays this year. Extended as Platinum as part of the program change. Good till 01/02. I might requalify even without a lot of air travel (more car trips).
Hertz -- 20 rentals this year. Based on pattern last year given President's Circle till 01/02. Doubt I'll requalify next year.
Overall, next year should be the 'era of good feelings' since I'll be top tier in air/hotel/car programs. That's also the year I probably fall like a comet through the levels if United takes over USAirways and I cut down on my leisure trips from 20-30 a year to 5-10.
Sep 8, 2000 | 8:30 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: South Florida USA
Programs: DL-MM/FC/FO AA-EXP/MM Starwood-Platinum Marriott-Platinum Hilton-Gold Hyatt-Diamond
Posts: 1,515
I have been stuck to my desk chair for most of the year. I can say without a doubt I have no complaints about its seat pitch!
I will requalify for Silver on DL with the the last leg of my return from PHX. It leaves from ATL at about 11:15PM on the 31DEC. I will be in the air during the real change to the 21st century. I'm not sure if I could have found a flight that left closer to midnight to requalify for SM by the deadline!
I just used my first ever soon to be worthless DL system wides for a trip to SAT in November.
I will let 9 800 mile segment upgrades die this year.
I will probably be downgraded to Silver with Hilton. I am Gold with Starwood.
I am looking forward to more travel next year!
TW
I will requalify for Silver on DL with the the last leg of my return from PHX. It leaves from ATL at about 11:15PM on the 31DEC. I will be in the air during the real change to the 21st century. I'm not sure if I could have found a flight that left closer to midnight to requalify for SM by the deadline!
I just used my first ever soon to be worthless DL system wides for a trip to SAT in November.
I will let 9 800 mile segment upgrades die this year.
I will probably be downgraded to Silver with Hilton. I am Gold with Starwood.
I am looking forward to more travel next year!
TW
Sep 8, 2000 | 9:00 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: SEA
Programs: AS Gold75K, AS Board Room, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 44
Okay, let me chime in for the "middle class" of frequent flyers here. My job involves a little bit of travel...a couple of flights a year maybe and also some driving with perhaps 10-12 hotel stays per year. But I do try to maximize every opportunity --
scheming and dreaming as they say.
My baby is ALASKA MVP...will squeak by this year via a quasi-mileage-run. That is, a SEA-Burbank 2-day quickie for $137 + tax (+ golf with my bud) and a December paid trip from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta (wife uses the AS Plat Visa $50 companion fare on this one). Will requalify for MVP by a mere 33 miles (15,033).
Have been staying at the Vancouver (BC) Metrotown Hilton...nice and new with choice suites for even a Silver VIP. With a little savvy learned from this board, have mustered up HHonors GOLD VIP as of last week.
Best experience this year? 8 days, 7 nights at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, PR via TWA first class from SEA/LAX. All gratis. Used 40,000 Alaska Miles to convert to their TWA North America First Class Award which includes Toronto and San Juan PR. Cashed in 82,500 HHonors points for two 3-night and one 1-w/e night Point Stretcher (before they changed the Point Stretcher deal). Most of those HHonors pts were transferred from AA and were originally things like a 25,000 AA mile MCI bonus, a 10,000 AA miles Citibank sign-up bonus, etc.
Anyway, it was a totally awesome and relaxing stay. Did it in April...weather was still chilly here in Seattle...warm and toasty in PR...Caribe Hilton was a little slow that week (hence Point Stretcher dates?) and really just did the daily routine of sleep, lay in sun, dip in salt water, lay in sun, dip in pool, eat, lay in sun, eat, etc. etc. Also had access to the Towers HHonors lounge for free breakfast in the a.m. and hors d'oeuvres in the evening.
Really, truly relaxed and the wife thought I was a total genius. That alone is worth a lot, right?
This is a great board. Let's all keep sharing ideas...and c'mon little guys and newbies - I earn about 85% of my points/miles by ways other than paid flights or hotel stays. Mostly credit card monthly charges and every bonus deal I can get in on.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to lend advice on this board - it is truly appreciated...been on two weeks and loving it. Special thanks to Archer99 for the polite inauguration (Gold Starwood and a nice email). Best Regards - DS
scheming and dreaming as they say.
My baby is ALASKA MVP...will squeak by this year via a quasi-mileage-run. That is, a SEA-Burbank 2-day quickie for $137 + tax (+ golf with my bud) and a December paid trip from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta (wife uses the AS Plat Visa $50 companion fare on this one). Will requalify for MVP by a mere 33 miles (15,033).
Have been staying at the Vancouver (BC) Metrotown Hilton...nice and new with choice suites for even a Silver VIP. With a little savvy learned from this board, have mustered up HHonors GOLD VIP as of last week.
Best experience this year? 8 days, 7 nights at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, PR via TWA first class from SEA/LAX. All gratis. Used 40,000 Alaska Miles to convert to their TWA North America First Class Award which includes Toronto and San Juan PR. Cashed in 82,500 HHonors points for two 3-night and one 1-w/e night Point Stretcher (before they changed the Point Stretcher deal). Most of those HHonors pts were transferred from AA and were originally things like a 25,000 AA mile MCI bonus, a 10,000 AA miles Citibank sign-up bonus, etc.
Anyway, it was a totally awesome and relaxing stay. Did it in April...weather was still chilly here in Seattle...warm and toasty in PR...Caribe Hilton was a little slow that week (hence Point Stretcher dates?) and really just did the daily routine of sleep, lay in sun, dip in salt water, lay in sun, dip in pool, eat, lay in sun, eat, etc. etc. Also had access to the Towers HHonors lounge for free breakfast in the a.m. and hors d'oeuvres in the evening.
Really, truly relaxed and the wife thought I was a total genius. That alone is worth a lot, right?
This is a great board. Let's all keep sharing ideas...and c'mon little guys and newbies - I earn about 85% of my points/miles by ways other than paid flights or hotel stays. Mostly credit card monthly charges and every bonus deal I can get in on.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to lend advice on this board - it is truly appreciated...been on two weeks and loving it. Special thanks to Archer99 for the polite inauguration (Gold Starwood and a nice email). Best Regards - DS
Sep 8, 2000 | 9:04 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD)
Programs: AA Gold, UA Premier Exec, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,100
1K or bust!
United:
Premier - qualified 4/00 on miles
(for a change)
Prem Ex - qualified 7/00 on miles
1K - will have over 82K miles & 91 segs the end of this month so will make sure I don't miss out on 1K this time!
Spent many of my miles for a dream trip early next year.
Starwood:
Requalified for Platinum 6/00 have been happy with Starwood service & promptness in posting points.
Hilton:
Requalified for Silver with 5 stays, doubtful I'll reach Gold unless Hilton comps me like last year. Maybe 1 or 2 more Hilton stays since there are no Starwoods in LAS anymore.
------------------
Regards,
- Anna
United:
Premier - qualified 4/00 on miles
(for a change)
Prem Ex - qualified 7/00 on miles
1K - will have over 82K miles & 91 segs the end of this month so will make sure I don't miss out on 1K this time!
Spent many of my miles for a dream trip early next year.
Starwood:
Requalified for Platinum 6/00 have been happy with Starwood service & promptness in posting points.
Hilton:
Requalified for Silver with 5 stays, doubtful I'll reach Gold unless Hilton comps me like last year. Maybe 1 or 2 more Hilton stays since there are no Starwoods in LAS anymore.
------------------
Regards,
- Anna
Sep 8, 2000 | 9:20 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: St Paul 02/04...not flying Delta
Posts: 2,326
My turn...
I retained my Plat status on AA...hit it first via segments (argh!). Right now, I am sitting with 69 segments and 56k base miles. A lot of bonuses including the ORD-DEN bonus and an AA bonus given to employees here to switch from UA. I got the bonuses, even though that was my carrier all along. Sweet deal.
I got comped to PE on UA. Sorry about all of you that had to make it the old fashion way, by earning it. I will have to struggle to maintain Premier status, as I expect to have 23 segments and about 18k miles. There may be a mileage run in my future. And all this, and I have no idea if I will have any travel (except pleasure) next year.
Very few hotel nights, as I have a corporate apt in Denver. For hotels, Marriott Silver. The card is so cheap the letters rub off.
Starwood Gold, plus I got their AMEX for the points.
Also, not too many cars either, as I walk to work once I get to town. I still want to get a putter from Budget.
I retained my Plat status on AA...hit it first via segments (argh!). Right now, I am sitting with 69 segments and 56k base miles. A lot of bonuses including the ORD-DEN bonus and an AA bonus given to employees here to switch from UA. I got the bonuses, even though that was my carrier all along. Sweet deal.
I got comped to PE on UA. Sorry about all of you that had to make it the old fashion way, by earning it. I will have to struggle to maintain Premier status, as I expect to have 23 segments and about 18k miles. There may be a mileage run in my future. And all this, and I have no idea if I will have any travel (except pleasure) next year.
Very few hotel nights, as I have a corporate apt in Denver. For hotels, Marriott Silver. The card is so cheap the letters rub off.
Starwood Gold, plus I got their AMEX for the points.
Also, not too many cars either, as I walk to work once I get to town. I still want to get a putter from Budget.
Sep 8, 2000 | 11:27 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 987
Since a new job position in March, I've managed over 65k ACTUAL miles on various carriers and 18 Southwest segments. Unfortunately, my miles are scattered and I haven't qualified on any airline yet (Corporate Travel). I need about 7k on AA and 8k on NW for their respective base Elite levels. With only 4 more LAS-BWI RT's anticipated before the end of the year, I'll probably need to squeeze in a Mileage Run or 2.
As far as upgrades, only 2 segments all year. Next year hopefully better luck.
I'm usually in a rental car every 2 out of 3 weeks. I almost always get upgrades from Intermediate to Full or Luxury with an occasional Mustang thrown in for good measure. (As a side note, I'm selling my car and will be renting all the time from now on... I will be cheaper for the 10 or so days a month I'm home No car payment/insurance/tag/maintenance/airport parking or taxi/ etc)
Hotels = next to zero. A corporate apartment in Baltimore and I usually bunk with friends for personal/vacation travel.
All in all a rough year in the back, but I'll have several free tix and upgrades next year.
Freefaller12k
[This message has been edited by freefaller12k (edited 09-08-2000).]
As far as upgrades, only 2 segments all year. Next year hopefully better luck.
I'm usually in a rental car every 2 out of 3 weeks. I almost always get upgrades from Intermediate to Full or Luxury with an occasional Mustang thrown in for good measure. (As a side note, I'm selling my car and will be renting all the time from now on... I will be cheaper for the 10 or so days a month I'm home No car payment/insurance/tag/maintenance/airport parking or taxi/ etc)
Hotels = next to zero. A corporate apartment in Baltimore and I usually bunk with friends for personal/vacation travel.
All in all a rough year in the back, but I'll have several free tix and upgrades next year.
Freefaller12k
[This message has been edited by freefaller12k (edited 09-08-2000).]