All the major US carriers, except American, have been in some phase of bankruptcy over the past few years.They’re all desperate to keep the passengers they have,especially elite status members many of whom are the ones paying the higher, more lucrative fares, but all fly at least semi-frequently by definition. The advantage to you is the obvious elite perks of bonus miles, and access to free or purchased elite upgrades in North America depending on the airline.
Here’s a report on what the various airlines are doing to keep you interested in their loyalty program for next year. What follows are some of the best routes tofly if you’re wild enough about elite status to fly anywhere just to earn the miles to requalify for elite status.
United
Register for double Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) and Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) at www.united.com. (Promo Code: MPW116). Valid through Dec. 16. Cost: $499. Registration deadline: Nov. 24. Code-share flights don’t count.US Airways
Take three paid First Class round-trips for Silver status or six paid First Class round-trips for Gold status by March 31, 2007. Registration required before flights can be credited. Registration deadline: Dec. 31.Even easier: Spend money with the carrier’s select partners since these purchases earn Dividend Miles toward Preferred status. Visit us airways.com/everythingcounts to find a list of select partners.
Finally, if you have a US Airways World MasterCard or US Airways Visa Signature card, ramp up your spending. Charge more than $25,000 before 2006 expires and get 10,000 base miles converted to Preferred miles.
Best Routes for Business & First Class ‘Mileage Runs’
A mileage run is a flight taken for the sole purpose of earning miles—usually to get you over an elite status threshold. Most people look for the cheapest economy fare, but it’s not as easy for the Business or First Class traveler. Look for flights that yield the miles you need,at a good ratio between money spent and miles earned. Flights on page 7 fit the bill. Remember: Travelon any airline within an alliance nets you elite status miles in any other member program, so don’t just look at your preferred carrier’s schedule. For that reason we’ve organized the routes by alliance. Of course you can also earn elite credit by flying on economy fare sand upgrading with miles.Deciding between SkyTeam and another alliance?
In our informal survey, SkyTeam had the lowest fares hands down. In other words, if you’re more inclined to buying discounted premium fares, all other things being equal there’s good reason to fly with Sky Team.[table_opt style="gray-header" id="2056 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]
All the major US carriers, except American, have been in some phase of bankruptcy over the past few years.They’re all desperate to keep the passengers they have,especially elite status members many of whom are the ones paying the higher, more lucrative fares, but all fly at least semi-frequently by definition. The advantage to you is the obvious elite perks of bonus miles, and access to free or purchased elite upgrades in North America depending on the airline.
Here’s a report on what the various airlines are doing to keep you interested in their loyalty program for next year. What follows are some of the best routes tofly if you’re wild enough about elite status to fly anywhere just to earn the miles to requalify for elite status.
United
Register for double Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) and Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) at www.united.com. (Promo Code: MPW116). Valid through Dec. 16. Cost: $499. Registration deadline: Nov. 24. Code-share flights don’t count.US Airways
Take three paid First Class round-trips for Silver status or six paid First Class round-trips for Gold status by March 31, 2007. Registration required before flights can be credited. Registration deadline: Dec. 31.Even easier: Spend money with the...