On the blog I often mention mileage runs in passing. In this post, I’d like to write specifically about what mileage runs are, and reflect on how the math on these has changed over the years. Spoiler alert — back in the day mileage running could actually make sense (assuming you enjoy flying), while nowadays…
Continue reading: Mileage Runs: What Are They, How Do They Work, And Are They Worth It?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I’ve never done a mileage run. I’ve done LSAT study runs. I got a 178 which got me into Yale Law School. Ten years later I became equity partner at a Vault top 10 law firm. Recently I accepted a lateral offer and will be making several million more dollars a year. I don’t run for airline status. I buy full fare first class tickets.
Use to do mileage runs on United/ star alliance back in the day. Remember twoLA to Tokyo $300 flights back to back. Are there any fuel dump mileage around still around?
"but rather you can select them through the Loyalty Point Rewards program; you can select two at 175,000 points, and two at 250,000 points"
You might want to correct - you can select four SWUs at 250,000 points.
- Tier status provides what benefits that are not otherwise provided by a premium cabin ticket?
- Unless you earn tier status organically (flying), there will always be additional expense/opportunity cost.
- What few consider: What is the value of your life consumed during a mileage run?
Are you planning to win the most leat helpful comment award on this page? You certainly qualify for 2025.
Many view travel as a hobby - so you are doing things you like to do. Back in those days - the game was cheap tickets, earning status, getting upgrades, going to lounges - meet ups with other like minded hobbists.
If you entered Hong Kong 4 times in one year - you could get their equivalent of Global Entry. (of course a lot has change).
I like the blog - now that Ben is going back on "point" (pun intended).
Otherwise I was thinking the web site name should change to luxurytravelreviews.com.
Ugh. Don’t chase status. Do what you want/need and let it happen. These games usually end up costing more than they’re worth, and waiting to the last-minute is especially a bad idea with calendar year qualifying periods because winter-weather IROPS, high-demand during holidays, etc.
Agree, most mileage run opportunities have gone due to revenue based programs. On the other hand premium cabin experience has also deteriorated, especially short haul.
There are some world’s in which mileage runs still make sense. I’m an Australian living in the US with Qantas status. Multi segment premium flights on AA still make a huge dent in annual requirements.
About 20 plus years ago, I remember sitting next to someone who did a mileage run to India and was coming back, on a AMS-DTW flight. This was this dude's 5th flight and he had one more to go. By the time we landed in DTW he was super-disoriented. I still remember his face whenever the topic of mileage runs pops up. That disoriented face made me never want to do a mileage run in my life.
Ben you may have overlooked the One World Around The World Fare for OWE flying Finnair. (Matt’s Planet just finished one). I think that this could be considered a mileage run. Also Royal Jordanian (RJ) has a 46 segment OWE qualification. I’m doing mileage runs for segments on AA for the OWE crediting to RJ.
20 years ago, I did mileage runs to keep AA EXP. It was worth it back then. SWU's that worked and 90%+ upgrade rate....
Now, with Atmos, there is an incentive to get to Titanium (100k) - at least this year, if you're close. Choice of 50k miles or an Alaska Lounge+ membership (worth $800). Upgrades are still a thing on Alaska (50-60% rate), so higher status can still give you a better chance. And finally, the 150% point bonus of every mile flown the following year makes earning Atmos points a lot easier.
I had a west coast-FLL ticket booked to MR to hit 100k points, but ended up not needing it.
My one and only mileage run was back in Dec-2021 as I was about 10k miles short of keeping AS MVP Gold 75k (top tier at the time). Found a good deal with money & miles for first class between LAS and ANC that netted just over 11k miles. Left at 5:30p on 12/23 and got back home before 6:00a the next day mostly sleeping on the flight both ways. I think I had a little over an hour and a half layover. Was definitely worth it that next year I was upgraded 100% of the time on AS flights. Doubt I would find it worth the value now.
Ah the crazy days of mileage runs. Not much of a thing anymore. The game has changed.
Isn't the game now buying $100K worth of Visa gift cards with a Citi credit card in early Jan every other year?
AS is the last US FFP that mileagerun still makes sense especially for business partner flights. The last domino to fall will be them.
Now we fly credit card companies who offer transportation. Times certainly have changed. I remember mileage running in the late 1990s. The value proposition made sense then.
I’m glad AA switched to loyalty points. Never had an interest in doing a mileage run and the end of qualifying buy-up offers were never remotely tempting. Now if I’m near another tier and don’t have a trip planned, I can just buy something from the eshopping tool and get the points I need.
It certainly doesn't sound like mileage runs are still possible on AA, but most airlines out there still have mileage and/or segment based qualification requirements. Contrary to what this blog keeps saying, elite status has arguably become more valuable for short haul travel due to improvements in ground operations (fast track, lounges). Status with any of the three alliances can still be achieved for not a lot of money, the only real deterioration is that the cost can't really be offset through the award miles earned as lots of fares yield very few of them.
Was also trying to say that it's also more valuable due to luggage allowances getting removed from a lot of fares, even in premium cabins.
Last year, I had to take one (r/t) mileage run to qualify for ATMOS Platinum (née MVP Gold 75k) and with that, oneworld Emerald. Given the flights I have booked far in 2026, I'm approx. 20k short of ATMOS Platinum/oneworld Emerald. I presume I shall have more flights to come on my calendar, so I might be over the threshold. But if I'm close, I'll plan on another mileage run...or, if necessary, two.
My first mileage run was on United when I was a few thousand flight miles shy of 100,000, so I bought a couple of cheap back-to-back RT tickets to get the miles to put me over the hump for 1K. Last year, since United raised their PQP (e.g. $ spend) requirement which I thought I would hit but realized in Q4 that I wasn’t going to make, even with combined earnings via a co-branded credit card, I looked to do some flight runs to hit the PQF portion. Putting aside the time/energy component, it was way cheaper to book and take 4 RT flights for the segment credit than try to earn it via $ spend. That will be my plan this year.