why do you do mileage running?
Oct 4, 2012 | 8:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 24
why do you do mileage running?
I'm new to FT and to mile running. When I first found out about mile running my first thought was to ask why. It seems to me that the last thing someone would ever want to do is spend an extra unnecessary moment inside of a pressurized cabin. Then I started reading about the benefits, the perks and the status. At that point it made a little more sense, but still seemed crazy.
i'd like to hear from some of you and your particular stories.
why do you do it?
i'd like to hear from some of you and your particular stories.
why do you do it?
Oct 4, 2012 | 8:30 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,857
I don't do MRs. I do mileage jogs & vacations. Only once done an out & back without leaving airport just to get to EXP on AA. For my other 4 years so far as EXP they've all been vacations and trips to places I want to go. Next year its Beijing, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Venice for Carnivale, and Lisbon. All for fun and all to enjoy the perks and ensure I have them again next year. Hopefully they'll be a trip to Buenos Aires in the year as well.
Oct 4, 2012 | 8:30 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, AS MVP Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, US
Posts: 965
I'm new to FT and to mile running. When I first found out about mile running my first thought was to ask why. It seems to me that the last thing someone would ever want to do is spend an extra unnecessary moment inside of a pressurized cabin. Then I started reading about the benefits, the perks and the status. At that point it made a little more sense, but still seemed crazy.
i'd like to hear from some of you and your particular stories.
why do you do it?
i'd like to hear from some of you and your particular stories.
why do you do it?
Oct 4, 2012 | 10:00 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Las Vegas since 11/2023
Programs: No status anywhere anymore, it was fun while it lasted
Posts: 4,648
I know my past experience might not be precisely relevant today, but I used to have a decent upgrade percentage even as silver on both DL and US. If I thought I would fly 22,000 miles for the year and one 3K round trip would get me possible upgrades the whole next year, it would seem very much worth it.
In 2009 I was silver on US and the day before Christmas flew LAX-PHL with my then-girlfriend (now wife). Somehow even with me silver and her having no status, we both got upgraded. I know people don't think much of domestic F, but it turned a 5-hour ordeal into a rather romantic trip. What price can you put on that?
In 2009 I was silver on US and the day before Christmas flew LAX-PHL with my then-girlfriend (now wife). Somehow even with me silver and her having no status, we both got upgraded. I know people don't think much of domestic F, but it turned a 5-hour ordeal into a rather romantic trip. What price can you put on that?
Oct 4, 2012 | 10:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: DCA
Posts: 120
It was either this, or heroin.
Real answer: one shot flying in business class got me hooked on lounges/status, and I like paying as little as possible for things because I dont have tons of $ lying around. Even saving $350 for a domestic flight is worth it to me.
Real answer: one shot flying in business class got me hooked on lounges/status, and I like paying as little as possible for things because I dont have tons of $ lying around. Even saving $350 for a domestic flight is worth it to me.
Oct 4, 2012 | 10:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
^^
I don't mileage run. I enjoy going places, even some of them are frequent destinations for me at this point. It's rather fun to be able to fly halfway across the world on a whim.
Overall, with status on both UA/AA, I've easily consumed $100k worth (at street prices) of seats this year without even dipping into the miles I've accumulated. I've paid a very small pittance of that, so paying a bit of attention to frequent flier programs offers a tremendous rebate opportunity.
I don't mileage run. I enjoy going places, even some of them are frequent destinations for me at this point. It's rather fun to be able to fly halfway across the world on a whim.
Overall, with status on both UA/AA, I've easily consumed $100k worth (at street prices) of seats this year without even dipping into the miles I've accumulated. I've paid a very small pittance of that, so paying a bit of attention to frequent flier programs offers a tremendous rebate opportunity.
Oct 5, 2012 | 5:10 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: Many
Posts: 339
I'm new to FT and to mile running. When I first found out about mile running my first thought was to ask why. It seems to me that the last thing someone would ever want to do is spend an extra unnecessary moment inside of a pressurized cabin. Then I started reading about the benefits, the perks and the status. At that point it made a little more sense, but still seemed crazy.
i'd like to hear from some of you and your particular stories.
why do you do it?
i'd like to hear from some of you and your particular stories.
why do you do it?
Oct 5, 2012 | 6:40 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,058
I've only done one true mileage run, an out-and-back to TPA, purely to keep my status on UA for another year. For me in that instance, since I was flying a lot anyway, and the difference between a year of flying in comfort vs. a year of being stuck in row 32 was $200 and seven hours of my time on an off day in December, it was worth it.
Oct 5, 2012 | 9:12 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
Thankfully, I fly enough for work, mainly transcons and midcons, that I don't need to mileage run. However, if it ever came down to not making top-tier or near top-tier status for the next year, I would have no qualms making a run. There's no way in hell I'd brave air travel in this age without top tier status or a premium cabin ticket.
Oct 5, 2012 | 11:23 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
In addition to the perks already listed, certain status levels result in waiving of some fees, such as baggage or change fees. The savings from those waivers can often be a lot more than the cost of a mileage run.
Oct 5, 2012 | 11:40 am
#13
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
5 rt's checking 2 bags can cost $700 or so....maybe worth a bit to get them free...
Oct 5, 2012 | 11:44 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
All of my travel is leisure but its usually for a purpose. From time to time I do MRs to make sure I hit 100K EQMs for AA EXP but I'd rather stay at least overnight. But at times the lack of time forces me do come back the same day. While even that can be fun, its also very tiresome. For me it usually means getting up by 4AM or earlier and not getting home till 11PM or later. It often means a lack of (quality) sleep.
Oct 5, 2012 | 1:09 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Status. I don't fly enough to earn gold status without the occasional extra "trip to nowhere." Then, with the miles and status, I never fly international in coach any more.