The Art of the Year-End Mileage Run for Frequent Flyers
‘œThere are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.’ ‘“ Orson Welles
I’m 2,602 miles shy of Executive Platinum status on American Airlines this year. Why does this matter? Executive Platinum is the Holy Grail for frequent flyers. Primo status offers perks and benefits that only a true road-warrior can understand and appreciate.
I’ve never made Executive Platinum status ‘“ which is 100,000 actual qualifying miles flown in one calendar year (and doesn’t include those accrued using an AdAdvantage Mastercard ‘“ those points count toward free tickets, but not status). I make Platinum year after year, but Executive Platinum is what sets apart the men from the boys. Silly as it seems, I’ve always wanted this validation of the elite. God knows, I travel enough. I feel like I deserve this designation.
Why all the fuss about the status of your status?
- Elites use first class check-in, board early, get priority seating and priority waitlists.
- Elites use the faster frequent traveler security lines.
- Elites get complimentary upgrades.
- Elites get bonus miles, ranging from 25 percent to 200 percent on all your flown miles.
- Elites have a better shot at redeeming miles for awards.
Throughout my career I have racked up 1.3 million miles on American Airlines and this year, with 97,398 of actual flown miles, I’m the closest I’ve ever been to the 100,000 mark. Last year, I had 81,000 miles and while I joked about doing a mileage run, I really wasn’t serious.
What’s a mileage run? Travel novice, listen up. A mileage run, as defined by Wikipedia, is a paid airline trip designed solely for gaining maximum frequent flyer miles and/or points for no other reason than to gain the miles and/or points.
At the end of the year, there’s a run on flights and a flurry of discussions in the forums at places like FlyerTalk. It’s a ritual that only the hard-core business traveler really gets.
This year, a mileage run is doable for me. All that is required is a quick jaunt to New York and back before New Year’s Eve and this would put me over. A ticket from LAX to NYC would cost me about $450.
Is primo, super elite status worth the price? Or is it priceless? You tell me. Comments welcomed below.
For some other fun reading on this topic, Wired Magazine writer Dave Demerjian did a mileage run last summer to make a point. He also talked about it on NPR. Road warriors enjoy.
I confess to not being into status very much. I’d do the math – do those complimentary upgrades save me $450 dollars? What value do I place on my time and comfort? That will let me figure out how much to value the fast security line and easier check in. Lastly, will the extra 20% bonus miles make it easier to make this status next year?
I’m having a hard time seeing what the additional benefit Executive Platinum offers you over Platinum.
If it does save you time, I’m sure you’ll make up $450 worth of your time pretty quickly. I’m betting your time is worth quite a bit on an hourly basis.
Peace of mind – Are you going to ask yourself about it every time you get on a flight next year? Are you going to miss it if you don’t make it the following year?
I can’t tell if it’s worth it based strictly on the cost, but if it were me I’d find a way to rationalize based on those two factors.
I either have a knack for flying to the most obnoxious airports, or all airports are obnoxious. I say go for that flight to NYC. Whatever you can do to make air travel less tedious is worth the trouble.
Besides, if you go to NYC, you can check out the $1,000,000 in pennies display at Rockefeller Center.
If you’re travelling for work that often, then it’s worth it to do the mileage run to cut down on the waiting times that could be spent doing something productive, eg. board early and catch up on reading material, be the first to leave the plane so as to not run late for any client meetings, etc.
Use the mileage run to do something productive, like visit an old friend who now lives far away or just to have a lovely weekender holiday. The change of scenery and relaxation can help bring forth inspiration and new ideas.
Here’s some things to take into consideration:
1. Will you be traveling in coach frequently next year? If so the upgrades may be worth the cost and effort especially for coast to coast and international travel. The only catch is if you are traveling with someone who has a lower status you drop to their level on the upgrade list.
2. Do you intend on redeeming any miles for travel next year? Elites do get the best choices for the reward tickets, especially to the more desirable locations or with shorter lead time.
My preferred carrier is Delta, which offers the special check-in lines and security lines to gold members and above. The only perk of interest to me was the coveted Crown Room membership, which is no longer available for free to the platinum group. I do like the bonus miles, but not enough to make a mileage run.
A trip to New York could be fun though 🙂
Do it! I used to face this conundrum every December. Even wrote a piece about it called Frequent Flier Whore. When my status dropped from Platinum to Gold, it SUCKED! EPs get far more upgrades and much nicer treatment than the lower tier. But I am now a recovering FFW. I just got tired of chasing the American Dream because I don’t fly as much anymore and the planes and service don’t warrant my loyalty. Now I fly Spirit Air. Dirt cheap fares and if you carry your bags onboard and bring your own food, you’ve saved a bundle. Not a great option for business travel but fun for quick getaways.
PS–Doesn’t AA offer an option to “buy into” the higher status, esp. when you’re as few miles away from the holy grail as you are? Call ’em up and ask ’em.
Larry: I love status… especially with airlines and hotels. There is a difference with how you get treated and I work every angle to leverage my loyalty. You make an excellent point in that if I hit Executive Platinum this year, then it will make it easier to hit next year… since you accrue miles at a higher rate than the Platinum people.
Erica: It probably would save me time, but this would be hard to track. The peace of mind part is another story. I think about it every time I board a plane… it annoys me that I fly as much as I do and I’m always shy of the top tier.
John: Thanks for the tip, but a taxi ride into the city from JFK to take in the pennies display will set me back 100 bucks round trip. That’s a lot of pennies.
Kara: You make is sound like a no-brainer… I’m still trying to decide but I’m almost convinced.
Sue: I redeem every single mile… Jeanine and I have been together for over five years and she’s only had to purchase one ticket in that time period. For pleasure, we’ve always traveled free and in business class. This has truly been the best perk with my career. It comes with a price though.
Komal: I found your article (fun piece of writing) and linked it here. Remember, I’m a whiz with Googling. And thanks for the “buy into” tip. I’m calling them today!
Do it if you expect to fly a lot in 2008! Executive Platinum = free upgrades on all those flights, better treatment during weather delays, etc. I have top status on another airline that does not give unlimited upgrades, and I think it’s worth it even over there.
Don’t listen to all the naysayers and just do it! 🙂
Of course I might not be very objective here since I am crazy about aviation (have my pilot’s license, work for one of major avionics manufacturers, fly to new york couple times a year just to go watch airplanes at JFK all day…) I wish I would have nearly as many miles to have this problem.
My friend actually just did that. He flew LGA – DTW – MEM – CLT – DTW – JFK just the other day, mostly to fly on DC-9s (all but one leg), but also to rack up some miles.
Nobrainer, for $450.. Then take an awesome trip to Hawaii and celebrate in first class. Definately worth it and you only live once…
I have been EXP for the past 5 years. The biggest benefit is the unlimited upgrades. Of about 120 flight segments I have done this year, I have been upgraded on every flight except for 4 or 5 segments. That is pretty wonderful.
You also get 4 unlimited system-wide upgrades, which means you can get an advanced confirmed upgrade to far away places AA flies, like Europe, Asia, India, etc. Having an upgrade on a 20 hour flight is a godsend.
I also have seen that as a rule AA staff seems to treat EXP’s better, but you can still run into an occasional jerk that will make your life miserable.