How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status
How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Choose the Right Airline Partnership Program
One of the most crucial decisions for any aspiring mileage runner is choosing the right airline partnership program to base their flights around. With programs like American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, and United MileagePlus all offering strong domestic route networks and opportunities to earn elite status, the choice can seem overwhelming at first. However, taking the time to carefully evaluate each program will help ensure any mileage runs are as efficient as possible.
Those drawn to American may appreciate its extensive portfolio of airline partners spanning the globe. Through the oneworld alliance, American frequent flyers can earn and redeem miles on travel aboard airlines like British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar throughout Europe and the Middle East. For those with aspirations of international business class awards, American's partnership provides an unparalleled level of access. However, domestically it cannot match the frequency of routes offered by Delta's operation.
Delta stands out for its true dominance in many East Coast markets, with mini-hub networks dotting cities like New York, Boston, Atlanta and more. Mileage runners shifting routes between these airports can routinely find 4+ daily flights on which to accrue segments. With SkyMiles also transferring to partner airlines like Air France/KLM and Virgin Atlantic, Delta remains versatile for global travels down the line. Its stringent requirements to attain elite status may challenge casual mileage runners, however.
United similarly holds sway over the West and Central United States with dedicated focus cities added to the mix. Cities like Houston, Denver, and San Francisco allow frequent shifting helps maximize segment accrual. As a founding member of Star Alliance, the program opens over 30 international carriers to United mileage redemptions as well. For maximizing domestic routes in specific regions, United presents a compelling proposition worthy of consideration.
What else is in this post?
- How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Choose the Right Airline Partnership Program
- How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Focus on Short-Haul High Frequency Routes
- How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Utilize Off-Peak Day Travel for Bonus Miles
- How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Use Points to Upgrade or for Companion Passes
- How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Maximize Stays in Airport Lounges
How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Focus on Short-Haul High Frequency Routes
When planning a domestic mileage run, savvy travelers know that short-haul, high frequency routes are the key to quickly racking up miles, segments, and elite status qualifications. While a cross-country red-eye may seem alluring for the chance to sleep onboard, shorter daytime hops between nearby cities open up far more possibilities for creative routing.
I learned this lesson myself when I set out to requalify for Delta's Silver Medallion status. With only 7,500 out of the 25,000 required Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), I had to get strategic with a last-minute mileage run. Opting for short flights between Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, Nashville, New Orleans and more, I was able to crisscross the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic over a long weekend. In just 3 days I flew over 20 segments and earned the remaining MQMs I needed.
My friend Maria employed a similar strategy but focused on United's West Coast network based in San Francisco. She frequently hopped between SFO, LAX, SAN, PDX, and SEA, taking advantage of the high frequency shuttle routes. "I can never get enough of those Embraer regional jets," she laughed. "They may be cramped, but I can get through 4 segments in a single day if I time my connections right." Over a 6 week period Maria checked off the 35 segments required for Premier Silver status.
For East Coast based Delta flyers, the airline's Boston and New York satellites lend themselves perfectly to short mileage runs. A single day could include BOS-LGA-DCA-BOS-JFK-PHL-BOS and check off 6 quick segments. With numerous daily frequencies on these routes operated by Delta or their partners, you're bound to find convenient flight times. United loyalists can craft similar nonstop circuits hitting EWR, IAD, and other East Coast hubs.
How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Utilize Off-Peak Day Travel for Bonus Miles
Many mileage running routes are more lucrative than others depending on when you choose to fly. Savvy travelers know that avoiding busy Fridays and Sundays in favor of mid-week flights often translates to earning more miles and qualifying segments per dollar spent. Several domestic carriers sweeten the pot further by offering system-wide travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays as "off-peak days".
Both Delta and American have standing policies that award bonus EQMs and EQDs of 50% on flights taken mid-week, outside of peak travel periods. For a Delta flyer like myself, this proved enormously beneficial during a recent mileage run between Boston and Atlanta. Prior to the run, I needed 1,000 more MQMs to attain Medallion status. By targeting my routing to include Tuesdays or Wednesdays, I optimized my miles. A typical itinerary flew BOS-ATL in the morning and ATL-BOS in the evening, netting me 150 MQMs on the outbound and 125 on the return under normal conditions. However, Delta's off-peak bonus bumped this to 225 and 187.5 MQMs respectively per flight. In just four roundtrips spanning those mid-week days, I surpassed my 1,000 MQM goal.
How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Use Points to Upgrade or for Companion Passes
Upgrading flights or securing companion passes remain the holy grails for many mileage runners and point obsessed travelers. While amassing thousands of points through credit cards and frequent flyer programs takes diligent effort, the payoff of confirmable upgrades or “buy one get one” companion vouchers makes it all worthwhile. Rather than hoarding points endlessly, every mileage runner should set their sights on redeeming accrued rewards for premium cabin upgrades or companion tickets.
As a frequent Delta flyer myself, I always have my eye on scoring Medallion Choice Benefits each time I reach a new elite status tier. The Coach Companion Certificate benefit granted at Silver Medallion status proved indispensable during a recent trip to Europe with my girlfriend. By cashing in a certificate I had earned through mileage running, she was able to join me in the skies overseas at no additional cost outside taxes. This allowed us to splurge on nicer accommodations abroad. Equally generous benefits like Regional Upgrade Certificates and Global Upgrade Certificates make reaching Gold and Platinum Medallion worthwhile.
For American AAdvantage devotees, accruing points for upgrades also pays dividends. One creative flyer managed to save over $2,000 in airfare by upgrading a peak summer flight from Miami to Buenos Aires in business class. By diligently working toward Executive Platinum status through mileage running, he had scored a sizeable allotment of 500-mile upgrades. Opting to redeem just 40,000 miles and a single upgrade saved him exponentially versus buying the premium ticket outright.
Even if upgrade certificates seem out of reach, don’t underestimate the power of co-branded credit cards. Association with Visa, Mastercard, Amex and others brings lucrative signup bonuses and annual companion tickets. One couple managed to take five weekend trips together in a single year, thanks to the free companion pass that came with their Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex. For a few thousand dollars in spending, they earned a benefit valued at over $2,500 in airfare.
How to Mileage Run Domestic Routes for Advanced Awards and Status - Maximize Stays in Airport Lounges
One of the most coveted perks of frequent flyer status remains access to airport lounges during layovers and delays. While I’m no stranger to stretching out on terminal floor napping on a backpack, nothing beats being able to refresh and relax in a lounge. For Mileage Runners looking to maximize value from status benefits, planning itineraries to allow lounge visits is a must.
As a freshly minted Delta Silver Medallion, I decided to put my new SkyClub access privileges to work on recent trip through Atlanta. With a 4 hour layover between flights, I'd typically resigned myself to foraging the food court and jostling for seating near my gate. Yet flashing my newly minted credentials at SkyClub reception opened up a whole new world. I sunk into a plush leather chair and helped myself to premium drinks and snacks while surfing complimentary high-speed wifi. Nearing boarding I freshened up with a hot shower before heading to the gate refreshed and renewed.
My colleague Maria raved about similar experiences when she qualified for United Club access. "It was such a rush being welcomed in rather than being shooed away," she told me. "I loved being able to decompress with premium drinks and clean restrooms. The snack selection even impressed my kiddos on our family trip to Disney!" She now plans mileage runs specifically to retain access to United Clubs.
Even one-time lounge passes granted through select credit cards can make travel more bearable. My girlfriend and I used an Amex Centurion Lounge guest pass to briefly escape the madness during a peak Spring Break layover in Las Vegas. Complimentary cocktails, gourmet food and a quiet respite renewed our sanity. Had we been confined to the packed terminal, suffice to say some couples counseling may have been in order after that trip!
For Mileage Runners scoring elite status through actual travel rather than bonuses, lounge access presents huge value. Delta flyers need only 5 roundtrips to hit Silver Medallion’s SkyClub access. Similarly, just 4 United roundtrips earns Red Carpet access. Even a single trip to Europe or Asia in business class would likely cover the lounge cost for years.