500-mile minimum question
Jul 10, 2013, 11:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,032
500-mile minimum question
Hi all,
Quick question. I have about 22k miles (and no status) and two trips coming up. The first is a ~2k mile roundtrip that includes segments less than 500 miles. The second, a couple days after the first, is a ~4k roundtrip with all segments > 500 miles. If I:
1. Don't include my FF# with the first trip
2. Fly the second trip and credit it
3. Once the second trip posts and I officially have status, retroactively credit the first trip
Will I get the 500-mile segment mins for the first trip?
I realize that in theory I shouldn't as I didn't have status at the time of the first trip, but I figure there's no harm in making sure...
Quick question. I have about 22k miles (and no status) and two trips coming up. The first is a ~2k mile roundtrip that includes segments less than 500 miles. The second, a couple days after the first, is a ~4k roundtrip with all segments > 500 miles. If I:
1. Don't include my FF# with the first trip
2. Fly the second trip and credit it
3. Once the second trip posts and I officially have status, retroactively credit the first trip
Will I get the 500-mile segment mins for the first trip?
I realize that in theory I shouldn't as I didn't have status at the time of the first trip, but I figure there's no harm in making sure...
Jul 10, 2013, 12:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 211
I'm not certain on the retroactive credit, but depending on what your travel plans are for the next 90 days, it might make sense to enroll in trial preferred. You'd get 500 mins and be eligible for upgrades on your upcoming trips. Since you're already on the cusp of status, it would probably only make sense for you if you will fly >15k miles over the next 90 days. What this would mean for you is you'd qualify for gold for the remainder of this year and next, rather than silver.
Jul 10, 2013, 3:57 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat
Posts: 310
You are eligible to receive retroactive credit, so I don't see any harm in your strategy. Worst-case scenario they only give you the credit according to your status at the time, which puts you no worse-off than before and it takes a couple weeks to load.
Jul 10, 2013, 4:08 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
Hi all,
Quick question. I have about 22k miles (and no status) and two trips coming up. The first is a ~2k mile roundtrip that includes segments less than 500 miles. The second, a couple days after the first, is a ~4k roundtrip with all segments > 500 miles. If I:
1. Don't include my FF# with the first trip
2. Fly the second trip and credit it
3. Once the second trip posts and I officially have status, retroactively credit the first trip
Will I get the 500-mile segment mins for the first trip?
I realize that in theory I shouldn't as I didn't have status at the time of the first trip, but I figure there's no harm in making sure...
Quick question. I have about 22k miles (and no status) and two trips coming up. The first is a ~2k mile roundtrip that includes segments less than 500 miles. The second, a couple days after the first, is a ~4k roundtrip with all segments > 500 miles. If I:
1. Don't include my FF# with the first trip
2. Fly the second trip and credit it
3. Once the second trip posts and I officially have status, retroactively credit the first trip
Will I get the 500-mile segment mins for the first trip?
I realize that in theory I shouldn't as I didn't have status at the time of the first trip, but I figure there's no harm in making sure...
Jul 10, 2013, 4:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
I'm guessing it won't work, but that's just a guess and I, too, would be interested in whether it does work out for you.
But is it cost-free to you? That is, on the 2nd trip, wouldn't there be a flight or maybe two where you will have status (like on the return) if you go ahead and credit the 1st trip miles? Don't know where you are flying, but you may be costing yourself a decent exit aisle seat, or even an upgrade!
But is it cost-free to you? That is, on the 2nd trip, wouldn't there be a flight or maybe two where you will have status (like on the return) if you go ahead and credit the 1st trip miles? Don't know where you are flying, but you may be costing yourself a decent exit aisle seat, or even an upgrade!
Jul 10, 2013, 9:32 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,032
I'm guessing it won't work, but that's just a guess and I, too, would be interested in whether it does work out for you.
But is it cost-free to you? That is, on the 2nd trip, wouldn't there be a flight or maybe two where you will have status (like on the return) if you go ahead and credit the 1st trip miles? Don't know where you are flying, but you may be costing yourself a decent exit aisle seat, or even an upgrade!
But is it cost-free to you? That is, on the 2nd trip, wouldn't there be a flight or maybe two where you will have status (like on the return) if you go ahead and credit the 1st trip miles? Don't know where you are flying, but you may be costing yourself a decent exit aisle seat, or even an upgrade!
Jul 11, 2013, 8:55 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,810
After this past week's set of trips, I wish they'd give you miles based on actual miles flown. Yesterday's CLT-DCA hop was schedule for 350 miles. We wound up flying 650.
Jul 11, 2013, 9:05 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
Ha, indeed. I've been on a bunch of dinner hour PHL-CLT flights in the past several weeks that have rerouted down the East Coast to the central South Carolina coast before heading NW to CLT since the STOEN waypoint (Modena PA area) west of PHL was blocked by storms or ATC congestion, while OOD (Woodstown NJ) routings were available.
Jul 11, 2013, 9:17 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,810
Jul 11, 2013, 9:27 am
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat
Posts: 310
In this case, I think it is cost-free. The 2nd trip is actually on UA, not US; and for whatever reason, although I lost my previous US Silver status in February, I still have (or at least had as of a month ago) Star Silver which can get me E+ on UA when available. In any case, I'll update if the retroactive credit winds up working in my favor!
Jul 11, 2013, 11:30 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,032
I'm assuming I did get pretty lucky last time then? I got free E+ on 3 out of 4 legs of that UA trip (ORD-LAX-SFO-ORD-DCA; got all but LAX-SFO) about a month ago...
Jul 11, 2013, 12:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
I'm guessing it won't work, but that's just a guess and I, too, would be interested in whether it does work out for you.
But is it cost-free to you? That is, on the 2nd trip, wouldn't there be a flight or maybe two where you will have status (like on the return) if you go ahead and credit the 1st trip miles? Don't know where you are flying, but you may be costing yourself a decent exit aisle seat, or even an upgrade!
But is it cost-free to you? That is, on the 2nd trip, wouldn't there be a flight or maybe two where you will have status (like on the return) if you go ahead and credit the 1st trip miles? Don't know where you are flying, but you may be costing yourself a decent exit aisle seat, or even an upgrade!
In this case, I think it is cost-free. The 2nd trip is actually on UA, not US; and for whatever reason, although I lost my previous US Silver status in February, I still have (or at least had as of a month ago) Star Silver which can get me E+ on UA when available. In any case, I'll update if the retroactive credit winds up working in my favor!
Jul 11, 2013, 12:18 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat
Posts: 310
My GF is on a international first class award trip from GRU-IAH-CHS next week and UA says she has to buy E+ for the express leg even though it's a first class award. Not that it really matters on a CRJ but UA can be very stingy about E+ if there's space in the way back.
Aug 22, 2013, 9:44 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,032
Just an update -- I did get the 500 mins. I assume this is a YMMV type thing, but I'm not complaining... 
