Is this a good MR for UA?
Jun 10, 2007 | 8:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 272
Is this a good MR for UA?
I'm looking to make status on UA in segments. Using ITA, I came up with the following 1-day itinerary on a Saturday (all on US):
BWI-PHL-CLT-RDU
RDU-DCA-PHL-BWI
I can book through Orbitz for $172 all in.
Is this a good deal for 6 segments? I'm not familiar with trying to qualify based on segments.
BWI-PHL-CLT-RDU
RDU-DCA-PHL-BWI
I can book through Orbitz for $172 all in.
Is this a good deal for 6 segments? I'm not familiar with trying to qualify based on segments.
Jun 10, 2007 | 10:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K, SPG PLT
Posts: 269
I'm looking to make status on UA in segments. Using ITA, I came up with the following 1-day itinerary on a Saturday (all on US):
BWI-PHL-CLT-RDU
RDU-DCA-PHL-BWI
I can book through Orbitz for $172 all in.
Is this a good deal for 6 segments? I'm not familiar with trying to qualify based on segments.
BWI-PHL-CLT-RDU
RDU-DCA-PHL-BWI
I can book through Orbitz for $172 all in.
Is this a good deal for 6 segments? I'm not familiar with trying to qualify based on segments.
Though some may not like the idea of doing them on US!
No lifetime miles, no miles toward e-500's...you get the picture. Oh yah and no Economy PLus.
Good luck!
Jun 10, 2007 | 11:00 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: bouncing around
Posts: 1,274
By segment, 2P/1P/1K status requires 30/60/100 EQS. At your $30/seg that's $900/$1800/$3000 to reach each status, assuming you can get enough runs in at this price. That's not a bad price, although personally I prefer to do it via EQM; with EQM comes RDM, which you can spend later. You can't eat EQS.
Jun 11, 2007 | 2:23 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
OP - as others have stated, making 1K for ~$3K would be a pretty good deal. As you can also see, most of us chase EQM not EQS. But also know that we have the greatest of respect for EQS elite because they (you) really earn your status the hard way with less compensation.
OT - BWI isn't a bad place for MRing for miles as UA flights tend to be cheaper there than out of IAD and especially DCA.
OT - BWI isn't a bad place for MRing for miles as UA flights tend to be cheaper there than out of IAD and especially DCA.
Jun 11, 2007 | 2:41 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 272
Since I got a late start this year, I will probably only make it to 2P. Since most of my business travel is east coast, I thought it would be cheaper for me out-of-pocket to go for EQS instead of EQM.
I'd say most of my business traveling will be in the 2,000-3,000 mile/RT range per trip with about an average of 2 trips per month (will probably double in 2008). Am I correct in thinking segments is the way to go to get through this year? Or should I be looking for a high mileage MR or two?
I appreciate any and all advice.
I'd say most of my business traveling will be in the 2,000-3,000 mile/RT range per trip with about an average of 2 trips per month (will probably double in 2008). Am I correct in thinking segments is the way to go to get through this year? Or should I be looking for a high mileage MR or two?
I appreciate any and all advice.
Jun 11, 2007 | 9:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: bouncing around
Posts: 1,274
It's perfectly fine to go for EQS; I cleared 2P 1 flight ahead of schedule due to EQS. Hopefully BWI folks can chime in and say whether $30/seg is typical or a good deal. If good deal, I'd reserve enough dates to make the status you want, and barring financial issues, pull the trigger and book them all now (else you end up 1-2 flight away, and with no sales you get gouged trying to make status). If better deals come up often, then the question is whether a sale will come up before this year is over. That along with a potential promotion or sales makes me feel like a market-timing stock trader.
Jun 11, 2007 | 11:37 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K, SPG PLT
Posts: 269
I'd say most of my business traveling will be in the 2,000-3,000 mile/RT range per trip with about an average of 2 trips per month (will probably double in 2008). Am I correct in thinking segments is the way to go to get through this year? Or should I be looking for a high mileage MR or two?
I appreciate any and all advice.
I appreciate any and all advice.
You would have 28-42K EQM's by your estimates.
Or am I missing something here?
Either way, as another poster said, qualifying via EQM's gives you more miles to redeem.
In the end though, it's up to you.
It will *probably* cost a bit more to qualify via EQM's.
good luck.
Jun 11, 2007 | 11:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: MOD/SFO
Programs: Whole Lot of Nothin' anymore - Thanks to baby!
Posts: 582
since i fly a lot of short segments due to my company trips home (and very few long distance ones), i decided I would have to make 1k by segs. right now i'm paying a max of $25 per seg (but thats west coast on skywest). There are plenty of good segment runs out there - yours isnt bad but i'd keep myself off US if I was in your situation.
Jun 12, 2007 | 5:15 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Since I got a late start this year, I will probably only make it to 2P. Since most of my business travel is east coast, I thought it would be cheaper for me out-of-pocket to go for EQS instead of EQM.
I'd say most of my business traveling will be in the 2,000-3,000 mile/RT range per trip with about an average of 2 trips per month (will probably double in 2008). Am I correct in thinking segments is the way to go to get through this year? Or should I be looking for a high mileage MR or two?
I appreciate any and all advice.
I'd say most of my business traveling will be in the 2,000-3,000 mile/RT range per trip with about an average of 2 trips per month (will probably double in 2008). Am I correct in thinking segments is the way to go to get through this year? Or should I be looking for a high mileage MR or two?
I appreciate any and all advice.
Jun 13, 2007 | 6:55 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Bloomington IN
Posts: 887
I also do 1K on segments and the price break-points calculated by other FT's seem good. However in my experience I have not been able to get all my runs at that low price. I also do all UA metal (except for my once a year intra Canada jaunt on AC) so I do not worry about not accumulating the miles for the 500 mile certs. I would suggest using some of the low West Coast/California fares for runs as another poster suggested. (I've done as many as 17 segments in a Fri-Sun run).
Jun 15, 2007 | 3:53 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GM
Posts: 241
Jun 15, 2007 | 4:57 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, Delta Plat
Posts: 11,224