Skip to Content

Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

Map of the world

Gadling's guide to mileage running -- Should I book a mileage run?

Mileage runs aren't for everyone. Most obviously, you should be within reasonable distance of an elite tier (or your own personal goal – 2k miles short of a 50k reward ticket comes to mind) before you consider pulling the trigger.

If you're doing it to achieve or maintain elite status, you need to be a frequent enough traveler such that you can enjoy the perks of elite status and extra miles. If you're a twice-a-year-to-visit-the-parents sort of flyer, it may not be worth your effort.

You also have to consider the time, financial and ethical ramifications of your decisions. Yes, you are burning money to go somewhere you don't need to go just to earn miles. You're also dumping tons of carbon into the atmosphere along the way (even though the plane would still fly without you). Carbon offsetting can help you allay those concerns.

For me, the formula happens to work out pretty well because I have a relatively flexible schedule, friends all over the country, a little disposable income and nothing to do on the weekends. I also enjoy the beauty of travel, making new friends in strange places, people watching and working the system. And I take sadistic pleasure in riding around in airplanes.

But everyone has their own motivations. If you find that you happen to fit into some these categories, follow along while I show you how to book the best mileage runs.

Continue reading to How to find a mileage run >>

Filed under: Airlines, Airports, Budget Travel

Search Travel Deals

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Gadling Features




Categories

Become our Fan on Facebook!

Gadling on Facebook

Tickets, travel guides, hotels & more

Featured Galleries (view all)

Dim Sum Dialogues: Bangkok
Dim Sum Dialogues: Kowloon Walled City
Fox Glacier
TranzAlpine Railway
In & Around Auckland
Air New Zealand Matchmaking Flight
Bungle Bungle Range
Home Valley Station
El Questro

Sponsored Links

Autoblog Green

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Luxist

Switched.com

FanHouse

WoW