Is there a way to earn PQM/EQM on United without flying?
#91
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
Now that I've hit Premier Gold--and I see that the annual Christmas trip to the Bay Area in-laws will push me to 61,000 PQM--I'm seriously thinking that I should cash in another 30,000 RDM on 3,000 Choices PQMs, then buy the rest of my way to Plat via Premier Accelerator.
(There may be one shorter family trip in between now and the holidays, which would mean I'd only need 8,000 PQM to hit 75K. And if Accelerator is anywhere close to the cost of two domestic mileage runs, especially factoring in time away from Mrs. and Mini DCA writer... why not?)
See what this site has done to me? Sick, sick, sick
(There may be one shorter family trip in between now and the holidays, which would mean I'd only need 8,000 PQM to hit 75K. And if Accelerator is anywhere close to the cost of two domestic mileage runs, especially factoring in time away from Mrs. and Mini DCA writer... why not?)
See what this site has done to me? Sick, sick, sick
#92
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
....
(There may be one shorter family trip in between now and the holidays, which would mean I'd only need 8,000 PQM to hit 75K. And if Accelerator is anywhere close to the cost of two domestic mileage runs, especially factoring in time away from Mrs. and Mini DCA writer... why not?) ....
(There may be one shorter family trip in between now and the holidays, which would mean I'd only need 8,000 PQM to hit 75K. And if Accelerator is anywhere close to the cost of two domestic mileage runs, especially factoring in time away from Mrs. and Mini DCA writer... why not?) ....
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
#95
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 7
Hi folks. I ran the numbers with respect to my current PQM balance along with my two upcoming paid itineraries after figuring the amount of PQM's I'll earn on them using the Mileagepluss Mileage calculator (plugged in Class of Service, 1K status etc.). The bottom line is that I'll need another 28450 miles to maintain my 1K for 2014. I work for the Government and have not been traveling much this year due to sequestration. Purchasing a refundable ticket, then purchasing the award accelerator along with the PQM option, then cancelling the ticket, appears to be a viable way to top off my PQM balance without having to actually go through the butt pain of actually traveling on a mileage run.
#96
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,138
Hi folks. I ran the numbers with respect to my current PQM balance along with my two upcoming paid itineraries after figuring the amount of PQM's I'll earn on them using the Mileagepluss Mileage calculator (plugged in Class of Service, 1K status etc.). The bottom line is that I'll need another 28450 miles to maintain my 1K for 2014. I work for the Government and have not been traveling much this year due to sequestration. Purchasing a refundable ticket, then purchasing the award accelerator along with the PQM option, then cancelling the ticket, appears to be a viable way to top off my PQM balance without having to actually go through the butt pain of actually traveling on a mileage run.
#98
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
#99
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Programs: MP, Marriott, HHonors
Posts: 231
Mileage run question
I'm less than 700 PQM from retaining my status for next year. I was just going to buy the PQM at my last trip (which is this Sunday) - even though 5,000 miles is overkill - but someone told me I could PURCHASE a mileage run ticket but just not GO on the plane. That doesn't sound right to me, is that true?
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Nov 14, 2014 at 4:48 am Reason: moved into existing thread on topic
#100
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,687
You can book a short refundable trip which will offer you PQM purchase closer to your need of ~1000 miles, buy the PQM, then cancel the ticket
EWR-BUF or EWR-BOS suggested
Cost is miles+ cost of money between booking and refund +time spent
Expect to pay about 18 cpm for PQM this time of year.
EWR-BUF or EWR-BOS suggested
Cost is miles+ cost of money between booking and refund +time spent
Expect to pay about 18 cpm for PQM this time of year.
#101
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Programs: MP, Marriott, HHonors
Posts: 231
PS - thank you for bumping this thread and moving my post, I didn't see this thread.
#102
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
I'm less than 700 PQM from retaining my status for next year. I was just going to buy the PQM at my last trip (which is this Sunday) - even though 5,000 miles is overkill - but someone told me I could PURCHASE a mileage run ticket but just not GO on the plane. That doesn't sound right to me, is that true?
If not using the Premier Accelerator, then you got to fly to get the PQMs.
Sometimes a sub-500 mile (say SFO-LAX) OW can get a smaller offer.
see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...us-2015-a.html
#103
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,138
My recent experience has been that the physical kiosk at check-in offers the smallest amount of miles for short flights. I had this happen on IAD-CMH and IAD-TPA recently, where the reservation itself offered around 6k PQM, then at online check-in was similar... but the kiosk at the airport offered 2k PQM and at a good price. You could still cancel at that point if within 24 hours or refundable, but you have the hassle of slogging to the airport.
YMMV, literally.
YMMV, literally.
#104
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Houston TX
Programs: UN 1K MM, Marriott-LT TitanElite, Hyatt Glob; HH-Gold
Posts: 74
Buying EQM just skyrocketed in price
I've been monitoring my EQM and deciding what level I wanted to buy up to through the end of the year. I have a good handle of where I will end up, but I wasn't sure buying up to 1K was going to be worth it. (I was considering it is because I have two international trips next year, although I had no luck using GPU 2 years ago when I was 1K).
Last week, I could buy 15,000 EQM for $1485. Today, the same reservation is $200 more, and a different reservation is $500 more than last week.
Note to self... if you ever plan on buying up your EQM... do so before the middle of October.
IMO, if you are low on status, the only status that is worth buying up to is Platinum. If you can't get to Platinum, it is pointless to be Silver or Gold.
Reason - 1. access to award tickets for less miles that others are not able to see or book.
2. Ability to cancel the award ticket at no cost.
3. Ability to change your flight 24 hours with no cost moving up or back.
I find Platinum less frustrating than being 1K and being in the same situation I am being platinum, (especially if I spent a lot of money to get to 1K).
Last week, I could buy 15,000 EQM for $1485. Today, the same reservation is $200 more, and a different reservation is $500 more than last week.
Note to self... if you ever plan on buying up your EQM... do so before the middle of October.
IMO, if you are low on status, the only status that is worth buying up to is Platinum. If you can't get to Platinum, it is pointless to be Silver or Gold.
Reason - 1. access to award tickets for less miles that others are not able to see or book.
2. Ability to cancel the award ticket at no cost.
3. Ability to change your flight 24 hours with no cost moving up or back.
I find Platinum less frustrating than being 1K and being in the same situation I am being platinum, (especially if I spent a lot of money to get to 1K).
#105
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,138
FWIW, mine have been relatively steady even to this day. Though the amounts fluctuate on a given itin seemingly daily, I consistently am getting offers at 10, 15, and 20cpm. This is surprising for November.