About this time of year, devotees of the airline frequent flyer programs try to jam in unnecessary extra trips to obtain (or maintain) their cherished elite status.
Elite status bestows benefits such as early boarding, access to better seats, easier upgrades and baggage fee waivers. To earn elite status, you need to fly at least 25,000 miles per year.
This clever video animation questions that practice.
Are mileage runs a smart move or an exercise in futility? Why or why not? Are YOU taking a mileage run this year? If so, where to and how much are you paying and how many miles will you earn?
Check out Part 2 to my video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDToRIUoC_0
I flew to Amsterdam for the weekend mainly to gain platinum status on AA plus I loved the idea of telling colleagues that I was going to Europe for 72hours. I learned that I need to do this type of spontaneous travel more often. It was so much fun. What I got out of it was a superb experience in a place I have never been (amazing culture, architecture, music, etc.) a relaxing vacation (party all night, sleep all day) and enough miles to get a free domestic ticket (since I earn 100% bonus miles) to use at a later date all for the bargain price of $1K. I get to keep my status, use the business class lounges when traveling internationally (BA in London is off the charts), free priority luggage, free upgrade points, exit row, and all those extra miles. The platinum check-in and boarding is worth the costs alone. Would I do it again? Absolutely!
I’m thinking of paying $800 to go to Madrid for the weekend from NYC. I wouldn’t even need to take a day off. But I would push myself over the edge for AA Exec Plat. At least its not just sitting on a plane for the sake of getting miles. I will make the most of my 24 hours in Madrid, believe you me!