What gives more joy: Earning or Using Miles
 

In a moment of retrospection, I thought about the time I spend on FT and all the effort we put in to get those extra miles. I realized that I get a kick whenever I get miles (and they are coming in truckloads with the TTBNS bonus on AA and suck up bonus on UA). I try to maximize my miles and am even thinking of taking a trip I do not need to take just to enjoy the TTBNS though I am already booked to reach ExPlat this year.

However, whenever I have redeemed miles (thrice on UA for my better half JFK-SFO on less than 24 hours notice), I do not get the kick I thought I would get given I am saving in excess of $1500. Similarly the 40K I coughed up for upgrades on AA did not make me feel good; though I did not mind the $200 I had put in a week before to get some stickers.

Am I becomming so possessive of my miles that I am only obsessed with accumulating them and am afraid of using them? Am I alone or are there others sharing the same feelings? or do I need to seek help http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif ??

[This message has been edited by SJC2ISP (edited 09-14-2000).]

I'm with you -- I LOVE earning miles and LOATH using them!!

After reading the other posts, thought I should edit mine (so that I don't sound like a total miser). Although I loath using miles, I do use them -- primarily as gifts to family & friends or to upgrade int'l trips.

I like to keep a minimum 1,000,000 miles in my account which permits me to sleep better knowing that I can jet off to any part of the world in 1st class at a moment's notice.

[This message has been edited by AAPlatinum (edited 09-18-2000).]

I too am addicted to earnigmiles. When a FT member mentions a promo nobody has heard of yet, and I jump on it and earn extra miles...its a real good feeling. This has been an obsession of mine for years, but I'd almst rather pay for my trips and accumulate more! I have talked to many FT'ers out there and they are also reluctent to spend miles. Is this a obscure way of thinging and behaving, or is it a passion for playing a game and winning? I'm not sure,but I will keep earning and flying 'till the cows come home. I just requalified for ExP status yesturday and I am only shy 25k for my 1 million mile program to date program. Many thanks to all of you out there who share our common goal and of curse lastigs friendships., and last but not least THANK YOU RANDY!

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MRKEY

The preference to collect is common to other hobbies. I’m sure stamp collectors prefer getting some new rare or beautiful stamp than selling one. The aspect of mileage/point sickness that bothers me more is that it can unduly influences my decisions. For example, two weekends ago I stayed at the Westin Mission Hills resort in Palm Springs mostly because I earned a stay for Platinum status next year and got a “free” upgrade to a suite. On the surface this all seems great, but in reality I was staying at a large sterile resort overrun by kids. I had a partial victory by checking out after a day and moving to a wonderful inn in Old Palm Springs (but I still got a stay! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif ).

I, too, enjoy accumulating miles, but rarely do I use them. What can I say, I'm a mileage-tightwad!

OZ WE need a comment from you on the stamp deal...you combine both habits...keep it up...I once flew MIA-WPB 4 times in one day just to earn last minute miles! But I do have a question...do the FA's and TA's think we are all crazy..or are they just being nice?

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MRKEY

Earning by far. Who the heck wants to fly more, for pleasure, on vacation, with kids, in Summer??????

Somebody once posted saying how much actual time we spend waiting and changing currencies, border crossings, 'sky food' ,schedule changing and planing for these trips..how many hours in the air for 1k miles? total time/trip ? I agree I'll keep earning miles. I travel for business at least 1k/year and its 100% international.....I'll try to get a life...but I can't stop I love it....and you say obsession?

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MRKEY

I am not in your class. I am a retired lady that LOVES to travel. I have actually paid for the last three out of ten trips. I always ask "what would this ticket cost if I was paying for it?" I love the idea that I can go someplace for free. You guys that do not want to spend your miles can send them my way. This old gal is going to go until I can no longer carry my own luggage. I change my phone company every six months, charge all my purchases at the supermarket and love the idea that on a limited income I go all over the world. Long live frequent miles.

Using Miles? What does that mean? I didn't even know that was possible. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

I always thought we could only earn miles! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I guess I am never too old to learn something new.

sdix - The very reason that I so enjoy earning miles is so that my kids and I can see the world together.

jnl1588 - That's the spirit! I would gladly carry your luggage for you.

The worst about using miles for a free flight is that you do not earn miles.

I recently used miles for a trip to Hawaii because it made economical sense for me. All the 20 hours sitting in the plane between NYC and Hawaii and back I was thinking how many miles this would have added to my account - leave alone the miles I was spending the same time.

Having burned up approximately 75,000 miles this year on tickets for bereavement reasons-- I have mixed feelings about using mileage. I was more than happy to use 80,000 miles to get my mother a first class ticket on BA to visit me in London, but to piddle it away on short notice domestic fares was hard.

You really can't take them with you when you go, so maybe you should enjoy them while can.

just my 0.02/mile worth,

lala

.

[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 09-14-2000).]

But I am in your class. There is nothing more I like to do is travel. I have seen least 40 foreign lands an I too can't stop. In Miami , I sometimes get off a flight and take a short hop just to go! I use my miles, but I don't have to..company pays....I'll never stop the Adventure and I'll only be 49 Sunday.....

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MRKEY