“Mileage runs,” for infrequent travelers, might sound like some sort of exercise strategy or fundraising techniques. For many travelers, especially those who fly, they have become a necessary evil.
Many articles and blog posts have been written about how hard it is to redeem frequent flier miles and they are generally accurate.
But, for many travelers, myself included, miles are less about free trips, than about the perks of status on regular tickets. With the lowest elite levels starting at 25,000 miles, anyone who flies cross country even a few times a year or takes a single long international trip, may not be that far away.
The biggest money saving perk is checked baggage. With many carriers charging $25 for the first bag and $50 for the second, even on short flights, the costs can add up in a hurry. Elite members, usually, get two bags free.
Presently, international flights for the most part still allow one bag for free, the second regular-size bag can be as much as $75. It’s hard to imagine these prices going anywhere but up. Elite benefits help here, too.
Another perk is checkin lines. I’ve regularly seen lines around the terminal, even with the kiosks, where the Premier or Gold line is a quarter as long. (Watch out, in hub airports it’s worth being alert, I’ve been at Dulles where the Premier line for United was worse than the regular line. In that case at least elite FF members have the option.)
These days too, having elite status also helps with a standby situation, even when it’s involuntary. When a flight gets canceled, not all passengers are created anywhere near equal as far as protection, and waitlists if the next flight is sold out. Passengers ARE accommodated by fare and mileage status.
Many carriers also have separate reservations phone lines for higher status travelers. Which increases the chance of getting through to a human and getting a better trained human.
Most carriers also say they offer unlimited standby upgrades to their elite members, which is true. In general on popular routes only the highest level elites get them. But on offpeak flights between cities with a lot of competition, I’ve had even the lowest level fliers report the occasional upgrade.
Finally, elite status means bonus miles, as much as double actual flight miles, on trips for the following year.
So, while putting up with one carrier can be maddening at times, there can be some serious advantages. As one client puts it, “They treat you less badly.”
The reason to think about mileage runs now, is because, after mid-August, when kids go back to school, they are comparatively easy. Plus, fall fares tend to be comparatively cheap as opposed to fares in December, for anyone trying to squeeze in mileage runs after about the 15th.
In addition, fall weather usually means less canceled flights. I had one client schedule a mileage run to Boston for late December last year, and she had to cancel due to weather. In those cases, it’s up to customer service if they are at all flexible about waiving the accrual deadline.
A cross-country trip is usually about 5,000 miles, possibly longer with connections. San Francisco-to-Dulles-to-anywhere-in-Florida, for example is a good way to rack up miles with United. And going through Dallas to get to the Northeast adds extra miles on American.
Good travel agents who book a lot of air can usually help with this one, as many of us have become familiar with the concept of maximizing miles.
For anyone who can fly internationally, such a trip can get you half way or more to elite status in one trip or most of the way to the next level. Washington, D.C. to Sydney for example, is about 20,000 miles.
Of course, if you don’t fly more than once or twice a year, it may not be worth the run. But for anyone who flies just enough often to miss the cutoff, or for anyone who is close to a higher level (and the perks rise with each level.), paying a few hundred dollars for an extra trip might be one of the better bargains in the sky.
Besides, having the mileage run done before December means having the option to watch all those potential snowstorms on television, instead of from the inside of an airline terminal.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
