Help! I'm ending the year with 49,979 miles!
 

I'm going on what should be my last trip of the year next week. It will leave me 21 miles short of Gold.

What should I do?

Which airline?

visit someone for a weekend.

yeah, i think it's worth finding a cheap fare someplace to get a flight in.

What's the itin? For one of your nonstop segments can you stand by for a routing that changes planes in a hub?

You might also check with the customer service desk of whichever airline this is; there have been several reports in Flyertalk that the American Airlines customer service desk will give AAdvantage Platinum status upon request to someone who is very close to AA's 50,000 mile requirement at or near the end of the year. (Their cutoff for doing this seems to be 49,500 miles.)

Other airlines may do something similar. If not, definitely find someplace cheap and fly there.

[This message has been edited by greggwiggins (edited 12-04-2001).]

I would think they'd give it to you when you're only 21 miles away. Especially this year.

On United, I have 49,828 miles and tried several times to see if they would "gift" me the status even though I am 172 miles short. (United got all my flying miles this year)

I was told no every time.

Good luck on your airline.

Definitely call and ask... and call and ask... and call and ask.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

William

I'd definitely try for the reroute. If your trip makes it possible, most gate agents will allow it if you explain why you're doing it. Otherwise, I vote for taking another trip. The difference between silver and gold is significant on any airline.

I see that you haven't specified which frequent flier program this is in.

I also vote for trying for a reroute on your existing itinerary.

That said, take a look at the Mileage Run forum for past topics' guidance. In this case, spending a hundred dollars on a cheap ticket anywhere to get you over the 50,000 mile threshold this year could pay off not only in the sometimes difficult to quantify benefits that "Gold" status confers for next year, but also in the additional bonus miles on all your planned travel next year. If you expect to exceed 50,000 actual flown miles next year, that can be a big chunk of bonus miles to give up.

By all means check with your airline. If you end up convinced that they won't give you 21 miles leeway, consider this logic:

You will probably fly somewhere in the vicinity of 50,000 miles again next year. (Substitute some other number if appropriate.)

The bottom-tier bonus on that is 12,500 miles.

The mid-tier bonus on that is 50,000 miles.

The net gain is 37,500 miles.

If you take another flight to qualify, you will also probably earn a 1000-mile minimum for the mileage run and one mile per $ of fare for charging the ticket to your affinity credit card. Total, somewhere between 38,500 and 39,000 miles.

At 2¢ per mile, they're worth about $775.

No way is your mileage run ticket going to cost you even close to that amount.

Go for it!

I was short last year, and American Airlines allowed me to retain Platinum. It is unbelievable that ANY airline would say no this year with being that close. If they stand firm, Find a cheap web-fare.

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DtG

Three years ago, I was 300 miles short for Prem Exec (United). I sent a simple letter specifying the situation to Mileage Plus in mid/Dec. When I called the Mileage Plus desk at end/Dec, they confirmed the Prem Exec status for the next year. Only 21 miles short? I would say you should be all right, but it does not hurt sending a little letter to them (I don't know which airline though).

i don't think i'd waste my time asking over 21 miles. i'd be afraid that they'd make a big deal over "a one time exception", and then if i really needed it a year from now when i was farther away from the same level, i wouldn't get the favor.

i'd still find a cheap flight.

btw, thruz, it would be nice if you replied and let us help you a little more....

My husband had a similar situation last week - he was 25 miles away from silver on USAir. After several calls and "no" from supervisors, he gave up. I called the Preferred line regarding my own account, and when I was done, mentioned his situation. The CSR said, "let's see if we can't do something about this." After waiting on hold for a few minutes, she came back and said he was all set. The next day, I checked on-line and he was 1000 miles over the cutoff and it said silver preferred. Don't give up!