Quote:
Originally Posted by Jandrews
Motion, you are one of my favorite Pelican posters. You have great taste in cars (I was around in the Stradale days), live in one of my favorite places (Red Lodge), seem to have a love for lots of toys (RC helicoptors and more), and collect and race motorcycles.
But your positive, have-fun attitude is the best part! You seem to have found a way to really appreciate life, and want to live it to its fullest, and I really respect that and enjoy being inspired by it.
The last couple years of epic travel schedules is just another example. When I see your threads, I think of the ad campaign from some outdoors company or magazine that says "Get Out There"! (I can't seem to remember whose ad that actually is).
So, you have alluded to the "pro-actively getting status" several times. Have you figured out a way to basically get half of your trips for free? I have been to Asia several times and I can almost see how that can work. When you travel as many miles as you do, and maybe intentionally take the round about way, maybe you can just keep getting more and more until First Class is the norm, and you only pay for about half of what you do. Can you shed some light on your "system", if you indeed have one?
Keep on, keeping on!
JA
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Thanks for the words of encouragement!!!
I was flying Allegiant Air from LAX-Billings, Montana every month up until a couple years ago. The price was ridiculously cheap - sometimes 29 cents each way, plus taxes! But, the planes and overall experience was terrible. For all my other travel, both domestically and internationally, I was flying whoever was cheapest. This approach saves you money, but the overall experience is very bad. I hated getting stuck in airports for multiple hour layovers. I hated standing in line with a hundred people trying to rebook when things went upside down. I hated being treated like cattle by GAs and FAs. I hated sitting in the back of the plane by the bathrooms. It really was terrible!
Back in 2013, I decided to make a run for Delta Diamond, their highest elite level. I did that, and actually became a "triple Diamond", which means I really don't have to fly Delta for 3 more years, but I will still be Diamond.
I cannot say enough good things about how Delta treats their Diamonds. Forget Silver, Gold or Platinum. You HAVE to be Diamond. They will do anything for you. I am now the Boss! Other things that screw with other passengers no longer affect me. I really like that.
I have all the perks: TSA Precheck, Global Entry, VIP lounge access wherever I go, Sky Priority lines everywhere. Its awesome!
My wife and I banked 1.7 million miles last year with Delta, so this year, we get to fly round-the-world 5 times in Business Elite for FREE. This is what I've been doing all my flying for, and I'm going to really enjoy the benefits. For domestic travel, as a Diamond, I am upgraded to first class about 90% of the time.
Its also possible to get free OpUps to Business Elite on oversold international flights. You just have to try and do your flying on often-oversold flights to increase your chances.
Now for the bad news: Unless you're buying high $$$ tickets on Delta, this game is over as of Dec 31, 2014. But, American is still doing it, so if you want to get to American Executive Platinum level, you can still do it. You'll get all the perks, and really low cost round-the-world award trips to spend your miles on.
Having the partner credit cards that earn you miles and status with your spending is also critical. I spend around $100K a year on my AMEX Delta cards, so I earn a lot there, too.
I guess the bottom line is that if you're not loyal to any airline, and don't make the effort, you're always going to be kettle, unless you spend the big $$$ on business seats. Picking an airline, like AA, then going for top status brings you huge payoffs.