Mileage Running

I mentioned in my first post that I would explain what a "mileage run" is.

mileage run (\ˈmī-lij\ \ˈrən\) - a paid/revenue airline trip designed solely for gaining maximum frequent flyer points or status. (from Wikipedia)

Note that nowhere in the definition mentions anything about taking a vacation (though a few may consider a mileage run as a vacation).  Gaining maximum frequent flyer points means getting the most credit for the money and time spent.  This would usually mean flying somewhere for a low fare and immediately turning around the same day (or the next day if you fly red-eye).  Who in their right mind would get on a plane for say, 12 hours, and turn right back around, just for the status?  Me!  And I see several others raise their hands too.  Why do we do this?  It's all about getting status.  Did you see the movie "Up in the Air" with George Clooney?  It's something like that, though we might not have a dedicated telephone number with an actual person on the other end picking up on the first ring and saying, "Hello Ms. Kong, how may I help you?"  It gets close...I will elaborate on that later.  Anyway, status is king.

I fly mostly United Airlines, so what I will describe will be applicable only with United, but many airlines have similar programs and rules.  I won't go into details about how to earn status, as you can read up on it at United's website or visit the United Mileage Plus FlyerTalk board.  Is it worth getting status, even if you have do a same-day/weekend turnaround?  The answer is "YES", but only if you intend to travel later in the year of qualification or the year after.

The highest elite level you can obtain on your own is to fly 100,000 miles or more to be "1K", an abbreviated name for "Premier Executive 100K".  (Note, there is a higher level called "UGS" but you have to be invited to join)   What I find most valuable in being 1K is the 6 one-way systemwide upgrades (SWU's) that you get at the beginning of the year and the ability to earn confirmed regional one-way upgrades every quarter (CR-1's).  The SWU's can upgrade you (based on availability) from certain international economy fares to business class, or business class to first class, and are worth thousands of dollars.  You can also burn SWU's domestically to go from economy to first class, but they're not as valuable in those situations.  That is what CR-1's are for.  There are other 1K benefits, such as being at the top of the pecking order for upgrades (barring UGS's above you), having alternate flights arranged for you in advance when flights are delayed or canceled, priority lines at check-in and boarding and so forth.  It's great for people who fly a lot, which is the whole intent of the program.  However, it's even a better value for those who normally travel for leisure, but can take advantage of great deals on airfare, double mile promotions, and have free time to do some mileage running.  Some people on FlyerTalk claim that with a double mile promotion, that they were able to achieve 1K status for around $2000.  Considering the number of SWU's you receive and the other benefits, it is a great deal if you plan to do some international travel on United.  I knew that I would travel internationally this year, so last year I planned to hit 1K with some mileage running.  I travel for vacation and sometimes for work, and that would have comfortably gotten me to Premier status (25,000 miles) and possibly to Premier Executive status (50,000 miles).  But I was determined to get to 1K, so with the help of some double mile promotions throughout the year coupled with some mileage runs, I achieved my goal in the middle of November 2009.  Here is a list of the runs I did in 2009:

• Sacramento to Frankfurt and back in one weekend (stayed 5 hours at the airport, hanging out at the United Red Carpet Club and the Lufthansa Senator Lounge)
• Sacramento to Geneva and back in one weekend (stayed only 4 hours, but saw some of the town and Jet D'Eau, barely making it back on time to catch my return flight)
• Two back-to-back roundtrips San Francisco to Boston one weekend (that was a literal pain in the behind, but one leg was at least upgraded to First)
• Sacramento to Tampa and back in one weekend, twice (turned right around the first time, stayed 8 hours at a hotel purchased through Priceline the second time) 

I've had companions on every run I took, so I'm not the only one who's "crazy".  Though this year, I took a mileage run all by myself in January, and it was still fun, at least for me, since I was comfortable in exit rows (another perk of status) and I got the upgrade to first class on my last leg.  I find flying to be relaxing, because I am disconnected from the internet, I listen to my iPod in peace with little interruption, and I catch up on movies I missed in the past months.  It's like a mini-vacation away from my high-stress job designing parts that you may be using right now to read this blog.

How am I going to enjoy my benefits as a 1K in 2010?  I've flown first class on my return trip from Honolulu last March.  I have a confirmed first class upgrade to Maui at the end of May (and hoping to fly first class on my return trip with the "Unlimited Domestic Upgrade" program which started March 19, 2010).  Originally, I had planned to use SWU's to upgrade my parents to business class on their trip to Hong Kong in May but they found a cheap package on Cathay Pacific; I'll guess I'll have to make 1K again this year to send them on business class in 2011!  In the meantime, I hope to use SWU's to upgrade to business class for my trip to Hong Kong in June, and a trip to Europe in July.  Upgrades aren't guaranteed, but with enough planning and research, along with tips I learned from fellow FlyerTalkers on the United forum, I can increase my chances of getting the upgrade.

Another benefit I secretly enjoy (now not so secret!) is boarding early through the "red carpet" line at the gate.  I ensure overhead compartment space for my carry-on.  Plus, I know that everyone is staring at me, not in business attire like most of my fellow 1K'ers, wondering if I am a spoiled rich girl dressed in Lucky Brand sweatpants.  No, I am not rich, just resourceful.  But yes, I am an elitist.  I part the sea of "gate lice"* as I make my way towards the red carpet.  

*a humorous term learned from FlyerTalk, referring to the people vulturing around the gate way before their seating number is called