When is Doing Mileage Runs "Worth It"?

[AharonInIsrael]

I know very little about airline status and wanted to ask the other members on the board with more experience in this.

Financially at what time does doing a mileage run make sense? I'm having trouble quantifying the monetary benefits of elite status and whether it makes sense to try and achieve it. If I only fly a couple of times a year and try to specifically fly on award bookings, does it make any sense at all?

[3yummyboys]

I know very little about airline status and wanted to ask the other members on the board with more experience in this.

Financially at what time does doing a mileage run make sense? I'm having trouble quantifying the monetary benefits of elite status and whether it makes sense to try and achieve it. If I only fly a couple of times a year and try to specifically fly on award bookings, does it make any sense at all?

+1 I've been trying to figure that out as well.

[Hershelsdeals]

It makes absolutely no sense, some of the advantages can be made up by credit card sign up perks, and for my experience people who do try it end up spending more money than they will ever gain with status.

Unless someone else is paying for it

[Aerial Dag]

I think the consensus is that it may be worth it if you're close to achieving status but need a little push because you're qualifying miles are about to reset.

[EJB]

I think the consensus is that it may be worth it if you're close to achieving status but need a little push because you're qualifying miles are about to reset.

+1. Or to make fast tracks

[EJB]

It makes absolutely no sense, some of the advantages can be made up by credit card sign up perks, and for my experience people who do try it end up spending more money than they will ever gain with status.

Unless someone else is paying for it

For low level statuses, you're right, but for mid to high-tier statuses, that's not necessarily true. I paid around $1500 to get AA EXP (through a fast track offer) and ended up earning around 130k miles in addition to getting the status for over 1.5 years. I'd say that's worth it for the ability to cancel awards freely alone.

[Chapshnell]

to OP.. if youre ever targeted by the amex points match promo its worth it

[AharonInIsrael]

to OP.. if youre ever targeted by the amex points match promo its worth it

Lol, I'll keep that in mind