Ak. Air MVP, to MVPG mileage runs.
 

I have found some decent last minute trips to achieve this. I just need the energy for a long weekend, with a trip nested into a rt ticket.. Anyone else done/or doing this? Was it worth it?

I have no idea what you are talking about. Could you please spell it out for the uninitiated?

I've done MRs in the past (for American Executive Platinum) and sure, they're tolerable. Depends on the specifics. How many miles do you need and what's your plan?


<b>eliztravels2</b>, frequent flyer programs require a certain number of "elite qualifying miles" be flown annually in order to qualify for a given elite status level. In the OP's case, one needs to fly 40,000 miles on Alaska Airlines flights, or 50,000 on a combination of Alaska and partner flights, in order to qualify for Alaska's "MVP Gold" (most valuable passenger) - its second highest elite tier (MVPG 75K being the highest - 75K or 90K.) This status gains you numerous perks throughout the year - upgrades, bonus miles, etc.

If one is short of the desired tier, sometimes a "mileage run" - a trip made solely to accumulate the missing miles - fills the bill, especially if you can find cheap and convenient flights to do so.

I know to some it sounds wacky, but for frequent flyers it can make a big difference the following year. Here's a board on Flyertalk where you can see the extremes - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-deals-372/

Thanks for the explanation. I spend time on Flyertalk occasionally so I do know about mileage runs and status for various airlines loyalty programs. I didn’t know what MVP and MVPG stand for.

Gardyloo, I am looking for a 10k trip. I found some decent RT possibilities, even this late in the year. Gee, what to do in Boston or DC or Raleigh, etc., for a night or two? ha. I can imagine I will feel like hell, but next year travel is the target. Hubby is tall, and appreciates getting off the plane asap.

To add more excitement, I am on tap for Dec. jury duty, so it's gotta be a Fri. night to Sun. night thing. Woohoo.

Unfortunately, we are also booking a trip for a funeral next week, and no one wants to accumulate miles that way. Life.

I have told this story in the Lounge before, a bit of travel humor. After my dad had passed, the funeral director asked if I wanted to charge the cost to a credit card, stating: Some like to get the airline miles.
Smarty pants me: I doubt he can get the benefits now.

My dad would have had a chuckle over that.

When I was doing MRs I refused to devastate myself by riding in coach on long trips which usually involved sleepless redeyes or short nights in airport motels. Instead, I looked for (relatively) inexpensive first- or business-class flights where the "premium cabin" bonus would accelerate the whole process. I was willing to trade a few bucks for the comfort and never regretted it.

Assuming you're flying out of ANC, it looks like coach fares for quick turnarounds to the east coast, e.g. RDU or BOS, are running upwards of $700 - $800. Depending on the routing, you'd probably require two separate trips to get to 10K Alaska elite qualifying miles, so call it $1400 - $1600 out of pocket.

But just with a really quick search, I can see some American Airlines (good for Alaska elite qualifying) Friday night departures (e.g. 12/11) from ANC in first class to...ready?... San Juan, Puerto Rico, for around $1100, or (fewer stops) Cancun, for around $1110.

Both would earn more than 10K Alaska elite qualifying miles, and you'd not only be comfortable, but get it done in a oner.

I've done turnarounds to both SJU and CUN (from SEA) in my mileage running days, and both are reasonably easy. CUN is a bit more of a scrum because you have to go through Mexican immigration which can bog down when a bunch of cheapo flights arrive from Europe; SJU is nothing since it's a domestic flight.

Anyway, just a thought.

Several of the major airlines are switching their points awards from mileage to a scheme based on the price of the tickets bought. How will this affect the so-called mileage runs?

<i>Several of the major airlines are switching their points awards from mileage to a scheme based on the price of the tickets bought. How will this affect the so-called mileage runs?</i>

Probably quite dramatically, but it will vary from one airline to the next. American's recent revisions, albeit a two-stage process with the second phase not yet announced (expected mid-year) is something of a hybrid - booking class + miles flown, similar to Alaska's. "Butt-in-seat" miles still matter, but "butt-in-wide-seat" miles count for more. To a degree that's always been the case, but much more so now.

Gardyloo, thanks for your legwork. I have also subtracted another 3k, (surprise Christmas tix to a Seahawks game, for hubby) leaving just 7k needed.

I could make a Houston visit for NYE, and hang with family, but would need to nest in a short hop, since I would return in the new year.

Something I found a bit comical. Before we were MVPs, and paid the $15 to upgrade to an exit row, we would get a free drink. Sitting in that row now, no drink. My liver is fine either way, but they really nickel and dime, until you climb that ladder.

I like comparing the coach fare to the upgradeable ones. A person needs a whole new skill set, and research time on Flyertalk, and here, to decode the secrets. :B

Hmm, I am also considering a GEG-BWI run. It would save money, and shave off a good amount. I'd have to go via SEA, but that wouldn't kill me.

New wrinkle: you can buy up for the next tier, if it's 5000 miles or less. That seems like a deal, compared to a crazy constipated weekend. :p