Mileage Run
by david daly on 11/12/11
Mileage Run, noun, A flight taken for no reason other than to accrue frequent flyer miles.
My trip to Hawaii was a mileage run. Back in May I received an alert about flights from NY to Maui for $495 on Continental. These flights are usually in the $800-$1,200 range, but the opportunity to earn a heap of Elite-qualifying miles is what really attracted me. I knew that I would be at least 10,000 miles short for retaining my Elite Silver status on Continental/United for the year, and this flight would seal another year of valuable perks when flying this carrier. So, Hawaii here I come!
In total I received 13,866 miles for this trip. This includes a 25% bonus I receive for having Elite status this year and it is enough for a one-way award ticket to anywhere in the Continental US, Canada, or Alaska. But the best part is that I can look forward to another year of free checked baggage and unlimited upgrades to first class when space is available (which has been averaging out to about 1 in every 3 flights). Getting to visit the gorgeous island of Maui was just a small perk in a grand scheme to ensure that I get the most benefits out of my future flights!
