I’ve taken many review trips in 2019, but my mileage run to Sydney was something I have not done in years. And it was thrilling.
This wasn’t my first mileage run to Sydney. 1o years ago I took my first one…a LAX-HNL-SFO-SYD-SFO-HNL-LAX trip that included two stops on Honolulu.
But ever since United tied RDMs (redeemable award miles) to dollars spent versus distance flown, I’ve stopped mileage running. While I did mileage run for status, the primary reason I did it was for redeemable miles…all my early first and business class trips were funded by miles. By creative routings, you could rack up a lot of miles very quickly. It’s not surprise United (and others) eventually plugged that hole.
Furthermore, I just loved to fly (and still do). My friend Ben, whom I used to mileage run with, may now prefer to stay home, but I just haven’t reached that point. In a sense, I’d fly for fun because I see it as an award in itself. The “itch” to fly and the anticipation of stepping onto an aircraft is an addictive aphrodisiac.
So the whole experience, even the aggravating delay in SFO, brought back many happy memories. 10 years ago I flew to Sydney in economy class on a 747-400 without personal TVs. This time, I was comfortable in my Polaris business class seat enjoying a multi-course dinner while chatting online and watching a movie.
But even that wasn’t the draw. It was really the arrival in Sydney, re-clearing security, lounge hopping, then getting right back on the plane that brought the biggest smile to my face.
I’ve told some friends and family this week that I flew to Sydney for a cup of coffee. They all think I am crazy. And I can hardly blame them…maybe I am, especially in this environmentally-conscious age. But I sure did enjoy the pageantry of the mileage run, something I’ve greatly missed.
Tomorrow I’ll post a review of my two longhaul flights, which I will consolidate into a single post.
Air New Zealand lounge coffee is worth the run IMO; I love that lounge
@ Matthew — I, too, miss those days. We still sort of mileage run, by taking lots of 4-7 day “cheap” business/first class trips. This year’s highlights were the three trips to Vietnam in CX First, two trips to SE Asia in QSuites, two trips to SE Asia in KL Business, and one trip to BRU in BA First. We couldn’t have afforded those 10 years ago…that’s like $25k of “mile runs” for the two of us!
The catering on United has gotten really bad. I generally don’t critique airline food. The presentation looks bad (dried sauces all over the sides of the plate). On a trip to Zurich the FA brought my tray held by tongs and just dropped it on my tray.
Catering was good on my flights.
In case people who are not familiar about the Australia coffee culture, IMHO, it is worth the the MR to have a nice cup of flat white.
Agreed!
@matthew – how do the immigration officials react to your short visits?
I did not even clear: I just proceeded straight to the transit security checkpoint and right back upstairs.
@matthew ok thanks, if you were a non-US citizen doing the same but arriving and then leaving the USA what do you think the reaction might be? I don’t think you could not go through immigration.
I agree! The trill of flying! The last few years I’ve bought my AA Platinum stays, but used to do mileage runs. My original MR was paid business class ($6K 🙁 ) to Delhi. Left on. Thursday and was home the next Sunday – 24 hours at a wonderfully fancy hotel.
Another MR I was air side for a couple days DCA MIA LAX MIA BOS MIA LAX DCA or so 🙂
Having just done two HKG runs, I totally agree.
Honestly, I’ve been doing MR’s for so long, I don’t know what I’m going to do at the end of next year without them.
I spent my Xmas Day (I’m Jewish) mileage running BUR-OAK-BUR (WN status challenge). I was in the airport just long enough to buy a box of See’s Chocolate. Not nearly as exciting as your trip, but agree that it was definitely time well spent.
And I’m doing the same thing New Year’s Day.
The day that foreign airlines reopen the flight deck to invited guests I will gladly do a mileage run sitting in the toilet. However without aviation I do not consider it to be flying. I was fortunate to fly when it was.
I also miss the runs. I used to pull the BOS-SFO/LAX-HNL-SFO/LAX-BOS runs regularly. Out and back with 45 min on the ground in HNL. The redeye returns got old pretty quick.
But, it was a great time to be “disconnected” from life and just unwind and relax.
Yes indeed, I remember those good old days of cloth seats in United First with the little pocket for the ticket stub…and of course Man Tais with dark rum!
It must be a nostalgia thing. Even the Washington Post had an article yesterday on Mileage runs.
But really, why? just manage your flights though the year and get what you can. With AA not having rollover I perfectly strategized 102K for 2019 on need to fly and worthwhile trips.
I mixed in others throughout just to keep things honest and because it’s good to mix and match.
You mileage runners are so 1998! (That was a joke)
I could have planned it better, but it was one of those years…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2019/12/26/mileage-runs-are-last-minute-dashes-airline-status-are-they-worth-it/
My recent Las Vegas mileage run pales in comparison. But it was the few miles I needed for Platinum status. I did visit three lounges in LV, and settled on the Centurion.
Did you pay a fortune for that flight? Can’t imagine this time of year you could get anything for less than 1500
~$1700 (outbound in premium economy, return in economy, both upgraded to business with PlusPoints).
Over by the Premier Inn Terminal 5 at Heathrow there’s a Shell gas station which has a great assortment of chocolates and other goodies. One of these days I would love to take a flight from IAD to LHR, head over to the gas station and then catch the next flight back. That would be a pretty cool albeit long shopping trip.