Close but no cigar?
Dec 19, 2008, 9:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FSD - Now 4 airlines out of city, AA recently added flights to DFW and ORD
Programs: United MP 1K, NW/Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 54
Close but no cigar?
With only 2 weeks to go in the calendar year, I'm 3 segments short of hitting Gold status on NW before the end of the calendar year. I called World Perks to see whether there was anything I could do, since I've had pretty good luck with upgrades since becoming Silver earlier this year, and have also had good luck with minimal flight delays on NW. They said that they may offer some sort of plan to people who are close to reaching the next level. First, has anyone heard of this type of offer? Also, I've booked another trip on NW for the first week in January, which will put me over the 60 segments. Since the trip was booked and paid for this year yet, might I get credit for it on this year's WP totals?
Dec 19, 2008, 9:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: DL DM MM (fmr NW Plat), BA GGL/CCR, Aegean Gold, WorldClubs Life, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, HHonors Dmnd
Posts: 1,409
Re: your last question, the answer would be "no". As for whether they will do anything special - if you are a high spend customer, perhaps, but I wouldn't count on it. Take a quick round-trip to Chicago via MSP or something, that's about the only way you will guarantee it.
Dec 19, 2008, 9:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: DL Platinum
Posts: 556
With only 2 weeks to go in the calendar year, I'm 3 segments short of hitting Gold status on NW before the end of the calendar year. I called World Perks to see whether there was anything I could do, since I've had pretty good luck with upgrades since becoming Silver earlier this year, and have also had good luck with minimal flight delays on NW. They said that they may offer some sort of plan to people who are close to reaching the next level. First, has anyone heard of this type of offer? Also, I've booked another trip on NW for the first week in January, which will put me over the 60 segments. Since the trip was booked and paid for this year yet, might I get credit for it on this year's WP totals?
And, as to your other question. No, you cannot get credit this year for a flight next year. It is credited when you actually fly.
Good luck!
Dec 21, 2008, 8:40 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FSD - Now 4 airlines out of city, AA recently added flights to DFW and ORD
Programs: United MP 1K, NW/Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 54
okay ...
Then I need to ask about mileage/segment runs. I'm going to be 3 segments short with my current work travel plans as of 12/31. I admit I don't know anything about these runs ... am thinking about a quick FSD - DTW and back on NW on evening of 12/26, fly back early a.m. 12/26 (spend about 5+ hours at DTW), would get me 4 segments for the cost of $149 + 25,000 miles, which seems pretty reasonable. Would this be considered a mileage run?
Dec 21, 2008, 8:44 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MHK
Programs: AA Exec Plat - some level of status in IHG, Marriot & HIlton
Posts: 1,516
Then I need to ask about mileage/segment runs. I'm going to be 3 segments short with my current work travel plans as of 12/31. I admit I don't know anything about these runs ... am thinking about a quick FSD - DTW and back on NW on evening of 12/26, fly back early a.m. 12/26 (spend about 5+ hours at DTW), would get me 4 segments for the cost of $149 + 25,000 miles, which seems pretty reasonable. Would this be considered a mileage run?
Dec 21, 2008, 9:06 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FSD - Now 4 airlines out of city, AA recently added flights to DFW and ORD
Programs: United MP 1K, NW/Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 54
Mileage run
That would be a Perk Choice, using 25,000 miles + cash. It says that I'd only earn miles for the cash portion, which would be FSD to DTW, and use the 25,000 miles for DTW to FSD, so I wouldn't earn miles for the return trip ... does that mean I wouldn't earn segments as well?
Dec 21, 2008, 9:32 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Inland Empire!
Programs: NW Plat (formerly), UA 1K, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,917
That would be a Perk Choice, using 25,000 miles + cash. It says that I'd only earn miles for the cash portion, which would be FSD to DTW, and use the 25,000 miles for DTW to FSD, so I wouldn't earn miles for the return trip ... does that mean I wouldn't earn segments as well?
You will need to purchase a 3 segment trip in order to earn 3 segments...
Plus this looks to me like a real waste of miles, but perhaps you have loads of them... try looking at Farecompare from your departure city for bargains.
Dec 21, 2008, 9:34 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,037
I think you can pretty much assume it won't earn segments if it doesn't earn miles (even though it's not explicitly spelled out in the T&C's).
Dec 21, 2008, 9:45 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 514
no need to waste 25K in miles (given that's a free domestic ticket right there). if you spend an extra $100, you can get a FSD-MSP-MDW/ORD-MSP-FSD ticket...4 segments right there. i'm seeing availability on the 24th and 25th
Dec 21, 2008, 9:51 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 514
also roughly $225-$255 from FSD to DSM (des moines), RST (rochester), STC (st. cloud), MCW (mason city), STL, etc...just about anything in the area
Dec 21, 2008, 9:57 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FSD - Now 4 airlines out of city, AA recently added flights to DFW and ORD
Programs: United MP 1K, NW/Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 54
Yeah, I think I need to scrap the miles + cash option and just find a cheap flight with 4 segs and quick turnaround ... do the airlines or TSA watch these things? Like, if I spend 6 hours hanging out and catching a few zzz's in an airport without going out and back through security, would that be a red flag?
Dec 21, 2008, 10:23 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 514
Yeah, I think I need to scrap the miles + cash option and just find a cheap flight with 4 segs and quick turnaround ... do the airlines or TSA watch these things? Like, if I spend 6 hours hanging out and catching a few zzz's in an airport without going out and back through security, would that be a red flag?
another option is to drive to say rochester or mason city, leave your car there and fly "home"...next day get a ride to the airport, fly to your car, and drive home! in the end, it's basically a choice between sleeping at the airport for 6 hours or sleeping at your own home with 6 hours of driving before and after
Dec 21, 2008, 10:46 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: HYX
Programs: ~IHG(p)/BW~Nat'l.Exec~ ~NW(SE)~ ~Cessna~ NASM.do-07 ~AAAF.do-05/06/07/08/09
Posts: 1,529
Seems like just about anything would route you thru MSP ~ so there's 4 segments .. I'd ignore CPM & go for the absolute cheapest (ICT $192?) you can book.
For your purposes today, Cash&Miles is a loser.
/.
For your purposes today, Cash&Miles is a loser.
/.
Dec 21, 2008, 12:51 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FSD - Now 4 airlines out of city, AA recently added flights to DFW and ORD
Programs: United MP 1K, NW/Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 54
Okay then ...
Madison, WI, it is. Got it for $215, 3 of 4 flights on larger planes, i.e., potential for upgrades. Should be a smaller, safer airport in which to hang out for a few hours (arrive at 11:45 p.m. Friday night, leave at 6:55 a.m. the next morning). The only variable will be the weather, which is a factor flying anywhere in the upper midwest in December.
Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. If anybody passes through Madision, WI that night, look me up - I'll be hanging out with my laptop.
I hope you all have a happy holiday season!
Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. If anybody passes through Madision, WI that night, look me up - I'll be hanging out with my laptop.
I hope you all have a happy holiday season!
Dec 21, 2008, 2:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MSN/HOU
Programs: DL Silver (0.239 MM), DL SkyClub Life, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,107
Sounds like the makings of an MSN mini-DO. 