Screwed myself out of A-List by booking with points
May 21, 2019, 7:51 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
Screwed myself out of A-List by booking with points
I have A-list this year due to status match. Based on my flying so far, I will be close to making it on trips this year. My best guess right now is that I might be slightly short - due to my not thinking. A few flights earlier this year were booked using points instead of cash. I had a few other future flights with points that I cancelled and rebooked with cash. We can make use of the points next year, so not a waste.
Now many out there have made this mistake?
Now many out there have made this mistake?
May 21, 2019, 9:51 am
#3
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,624
Next time you see $39 or even $49 fares book a segment run. A quick turnaround on $39 fares costs only $72.
May 21, 2019, 11:51 am
#5
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,241
Once I began flying about 25-30 flights per year, I've since decided to stick to cash bookings for the first 25 flights in a calendar year, and then wait to use points until after I've flown 25 flights. At least you know for next year!
I agree with others though, that there's plenty of time to catch some sales fares for status runs, and there should be several short flights from Nashville that could be viable. (I already see some $49 fares for BNA-ATL in August for example)
I agree with others though, that there's plenty of time to catch some sales fares for status runs, and there should be several short flights from Nashville that could be viable. (I already see some $49 fares for BNA-ATL in August for example)
May 21, 2019, 1:32 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
yea... i was thinking about status runs.... and trips we probably should not be spending money on...LOL,...
Would have been maybe only one or two status runs if I had been paying attention. STUPID on my part.
Will be looking at cheap flights... and before November.
We have Cit CC that gets us in to AA lounge in Nashville that makes flying much easier. Often well lubricated before boarding so that helps. That option goes away in November. (AA is putting in a new rule that you must be flying AA the same day to use lounge)
Would have been maybe only one or two status runs if I had been paying attention. STUPID on my part.
Will be looking at cheap flights... and before November.
We have Cit CC that gets us in to AA lounge in Nashville that makes flying much easier. Often well lubricated before boarding so that helps. That option goes away in November. (AA is putting in a new rule that you must be flying AA the same day to use lounge)
May 21, 2019, 1:39 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,924
What's your points/flights mix? I get it on points much sooner than on # flights. If your points/flights mix is somewhat close, maybe purchase more expensive Anytime or BS fares in order to get it by points, instead of segment runs?
May 21, 2019, 1:47 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699
Buy a fully refundable AA ticket for that day?
May 21, 2019, 1:59 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
I also use the AA lounge before WN flights. AA is even screwing their Lifetime AAdmirals members with this drastic change of T&Cs. It's nice that WN hasn't joined the race to the bottom.
May 21, 2019, 3:42 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,868
To be fair, WN doesn't even try to operate lounges. I think all of the legacies are going this direction - I gave up paid sky club membership because of the change. WN has never had any lounges to bar me from, though.
May 21, 2019, 6:17 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,461
I have A-list and now that it makes no difference in checking bags or getting through security, I can't imagine why you would do a segment run just to get it. Checking in at T-24 will almost always get you a window or aisle, so I'm not sure what A-list does for you.
May 21, 2019, 6:30 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,868
Same day standby is all I miss. I had an excellent success rate, booking cheap late night flights and leaving whenever we actually want to.