Time For End Of The Year Segment Padding!

My "home" airport is CLT (Charlotte, NC) which has been heavily dominated by US Airways for the last 20 years. Something like 80%+ of the flights that arrive and depart the city are on that carrier. Now that US Airways and American are merging, I am thinking about getting into the points game since I assume that shortly (if it hasn't already happened) I will then have access to the entire US Airways/AA network plus all of the codeshares with OneWorld. I won't have time to do any "mileage runs" I will be accruing most of my mileage through our business credit card. I do like the idea of upgrading on long hauls, mainly because I am diabetic and sitting upright for more than 3 hours creates medical difficulties. We fly to Western Europe 3-4 times a year plus at least twice a year to Puerto Rico (direct) US Airways has usually offered reasonable last minute upgrades to Envoy. I have not flown American since 2007 and before that in 2001 so my experience with their product has been minimal.

If my company is footing the bill, achieving executive status makes a lot of sense.

But if this is coming out of my own pocket, it makes no sense to me at all. Just not worth it.

how much did u pay for the fare being that it was at the end of the year?

I must say, I'm surprised you value 30k miles more than the 2 system wide upgrades. Would be interested in understanding your rationale

i'm about 700 miles shy of getting an extra 2 RPU on UA (standing at 124,387) but since I don't do much domestic USA flying it didn't seem worth it. Of course i say that now but...

Agree with @Vik - Why are the miles more valuable? Isn't the point of status to get upgrades that you can parlay into long haul J/F upgrades?

Debating the merits of actually doing a SIN turn tonight from HKG to hit the 125K EQM mark. Using the premier accelerator was just too much for the 1200 EQM.

@ WorldWingedExplorer -- It was roughly $200, though it's a flight I needed to book either way.

@ Vik @ Stephan -- I already have eight systemwide upgrades for next year, and doubt I'll even be able to use all of them. I value systemwide upgrades immensely, but don't see myself needing more than the standard allotment.

i just barely made that AA threshold myself - got distracted focusing on making UA 1K. Like you, i flew DFW-ORD-CLE instead of just DFW-CLE on THursday. ALso, spent 30 min on hold w AA cust service to get the miles i lost due to ice storm cancellations and an annoying emergency landing which resulting in losing a segment. If you missed any segments or miles - even due to weather - CALL them!

103,755 points(0 until Executive Platinum)
100,000 points
120,968 miles(0 until Executive Platinum)
100,000 miles
97 segments(3 until Executive Platinum)
100 seg

My husband has been at 124,487 on UA since 12/20 but refuses to do the necessary travel to bump himself up to 125K and get 2 RPU's, even though he could have gotten a same day turn SFO-LAX area for less than $200. FWIW, UA wanted over $1,000 to purchase 3,000 Elite Qualifying Miles through the award accelerator on his last two trips in December.

You were in my town for a hot minute! If I knew, I would've waved in your general direction!

Lucky,
Are you still a Premier 1K with UA for 2014?
If you can choose to be top tier with either UA or AA which would you go for?

Royalfirst

@ royalfirst -- No, I credit exclusively to American and Alaska nowadays. As far as which program is better goes, it really depends on what you're trying to get out of status and which airline's route network better complements your travels. Generally speaking I'd say American's program is more generous to top tier elites as of now, though that could change when they introduce the new post-merger program.