The Art of The Mileage Run

so... what is it worth to get status on an airline...

okay not just status - but Goddess status...

with this job - PRICELESS

what you get - double miles towards future tickets (nice perk), separate 800# when travel challenges arise - no waiting in line at the airport (nice perk), and 8 systemwide upgrades (great for global travel) BUT the biggie is UPGRADES - complimentary upgrades on domestic flights GREAT PERK...

travelling coast to coast in coach is 'challenging'. I have been again blessed, receiving upgrades on upwards of 98% of my flights.

So the perks are worth a little bit of effort and $$.

My preferred airline - offered double status miles - meaning any flight during a 3 month period that they defined would get double miles.

Working out the math miles/$ I decided to take a little trip to India - yes India. so i boarded a plane at home heading for Chicago (yes got the upgrade to First thanks to last years status), i used my system wides and upgraded to biz class for the whole trip...

chicago to delhi rather cool... we touch the edge of labrador then dropped down into india - i slept most of the flight...

I spent 4 hours at the airport in delhi, turned around and flew back... this time the flight went right over the north pole and dropped down into Chicago.

I know many think this kind of trip to be crazy - including some of my collegues who travel all the time.

for me however, I sleep on planes - i think it goes back to when i was a baby, my parents would drive me around the block to put me to sleep... it still apparently works :-) plus i was travelling light.

all i had was a backpack, with a blanket, pillow, book and a roll of toliet paper(read online that it was often hard to find in the delhi bathrooms) and of course a few snacks.

What a delight... usually i have around 120lbs of luggage...

this was a perfect vacation as far as I am concerned... I slept nearly flat out, had pretty good food in business class, little bit of alcohol... perfect vacation!

Earned my 36800 miles - and 2 days of rest - peace and quiet.