I fly to Phoenix Tuesday, get off the plane, get back on and fly home

[TheVTCGuy]

I fly a LOT every year for work, normally my company honors my requests to fly American Airlines due to my status and the benefits it accommodates. This year, a couple trips to Europe they made every employee fly on something called... believe it or not... WOW airlines. Yeah, I know. Actually, the flight was not that bad and the service was fine, but it turns out the extra charges (you honestly had to BUY water on the flight) more then eliminated the advantages of the cheaper tickets. So, when I return in February it will be back on AA (and I should be upgraded). Anyway, since my flight travel is scheduled to be done for the year, I thought it would be a good idea to check my status miles. BOY AM I GLAD I DID. You need 100,000 miles on American Airlines to earn Executive Platinum, the highest status you can achieve. As you can see below, I am at: 99,564, 436 miles SHORT of my goal. Can you imagine if I hadn’t checked and missed it by a lousy 436 miles!?!?!

I spoke with the airline yesterday, and booked a flight to Phoenix, 300 miles there and 300 back. I get there, get off the plane, board the same plane and fly home. Unusual? Yeah, probably, but definitely worth it for the benefits of the highest status, upgrades, first to board, first on standby, the list goes on and on and for serious travelers it makes a HUGE difference. I spoke with a couple other seasoned travelers and heard more stories like mine only worse, one gentleman said he actually booked a flight LA to London! The last week of the year. He had lunch, turned around and came back, but was happy to do it to maintain his status. Any of you other travel monsters like me have similar stories and status advantages?

[themast]

I guess it was cheaper than buying miles.

[BNA/LION]

Glad to hear you figured out how to take full advantage of the airline miles program!

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by themast

I guess it was cheaper than buying miles.

Purchased miles do not count towards elite status qualification, nor does starting a credit card or anything like that; at least not on Amercian Airlines

Originally Posted by Ruiz

Must you actually fly? Cant you just buy the ticket and not go?

Wow... I never thought of that... I honestly don’t know. I won’t chance it, it’s 45 minutes each way, no big deal.

[Abdullah71601]

This is like a green stamp addiction - buying $300 of stuff you don’t need to get $20 off of a lamp your grandmother likes.

[fusionstorm]

From buddies of mine who love to engage in what I call "mileage dorkanomics", stories like this are legion on the Flyertalk forum. It's basically a game to figure out the cheapest mileage run in order to maintain or achieve status.

You do have to check in and board the flights to get credit for the mileage.

Congrats on getting to Exec Platinum, Paul!

[MonBK]

Interesting Paul, I only fly a few times a year nowadays but am always first to board.

[kearez]

Originally Posted by Ruiz

Must you actually fly? Cant you just buy the ticket and not go?

No it’s does unfortunately you only acquire the miles once you complete the trip.

[encarter13]

Mileage trips are always nice. I will do something similar from time to time, but with a 5-6 layover. For example, the wife and I flew to Chicago and spent about 6 hours. Enough time to see the Christmas decoration, have some deep dish pizza and stop by a few ADs.

[swils8610]

I’d do the same thing Paul. The upgrades make flying much better.


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[GradyPhilpott]

I once flew to Houston and caught the same plane back, but it was for business and not for any benefits.

[gettocard]

The guy that flew from LA to London and back only to maintain his status needs therapy. A lot of it.

[Sperry]

Careful! Agents like the one pictured in your avatar may think you're running Rolex watches!

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Interesting Paul, I only fly a few times a year nowadays but am always first to board.

Ryan Air's priority line does not count.

[Spencer.]

Nothing like millage runs, great opportunity for boozing! I use to do it until i bought into DPJ. They "gift" me diamond status (delta's highest status) then i just status match with the other airlines, yes cheating a little.

[Danny83]

Come see me Paul

You can actually just buy the miles too Paul

[RXAPPP]

Haha, yep I’ve done the same. Status on any airline makes flying that little bit more bearable.