Tag Archives: mileage run

Amazing deal on DUB-ORD for the next few days.

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I haven’t really looked into it to see whether it can be done round-trip or just one-way, but I found really cheap fares on USAirways.com for a DUB-ORD fare basis. Fare is $123 US dollars + tax.

The most interesting part is that these fares are available for as early as today morning (it is 6:49AM in Dublin as I type this), or even February 6 or 7, 2009. I’m pretty sure if you look further back you can find similar fares. Funny, I always thought last minute fares would be rocket sky high!

While this is great for any traveler, the mileage runner can “score” big time on one of these fares. For example, let’s try fitting in more segments along the way.

Dublin, Ireland to Chicago, IL: Duration- 16 hrs 35 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US723 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class
(lunch, snack)
Departs Dublin, Ireland (DUB) Fri, Feb 6 10:55a
Arrives Philadelphia, PA (PHL) 7 hrs 50 min 1:45p
Layover in Philadelphia- 1 hr 40 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US4247 on a De Havilland Dash-8 (prop plane) in coach class
(operated by US Airways Express – Piedmont Airlines)
Departs Philadelphia, PA (PHL) Fri, Feb 6 3:25p
Arrives Baltimore, MD (BWI) 4:13p
Layover in Baltimore- 1 hr 2 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US788 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class
Departs Baltimore, MD (BWI) Fri, Feb 6 5:15p
Arrives Charlotte, NC (CLT) 6:41p
Layover in Charlotte- 1 hr 39 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US1624 on an Airbus A321 (jet) in coach class
Departs Charlotte, NC (CLT) Fri, Feb 6 8:20p
Arrives Chicago, IL (ORD)

Price including all taxes? $182.80. Great deal!

Anyway, miles earned the above listed flights? 4,872 miles- assuming you are Preferred with US Airways Dividend Miles (PHL-BWI; BWI-CLT count as 500 miles only if you are Preferred).

I also found a one-way for of $200+tax ($260.80) between DUB-SFO. Routing is crazy. Earns you 6,839 miles on way (compared to only 5,098 you would earn if you flew nonstop).

Dublin, Ireland to San Francisco, CA: Duration- 30hrs 58 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US723 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class
(lunch, snack)
Departs Dublin, Ireland (DUB) Wed, Feb 4 10:55a
Arrives Philadelphia, PA (PHL) 1:45p
Layover in Philadelphia- 1hr 50 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US1451 on a Boeing 757 (jet) in coach class
Departs Philadelphia, PA (PHL) Wed, Feb 4 3:35p
Arrives Charlotte, NC (CLT) 5:17p
Layover in Charlotte- 33 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US306 on an Airbus A320 (jet) in coach class
(food for purchase)
Departs Charlotte, NC (CLT) Wed, Feb 4 5:50p
Arrives Las Vegas, NV (LAS) 7:48p
Layover in Las Vegas- 1 hr 52 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US117 on an Airbus A320 (jet) in coach class
Departs Las Vegas, NV (LAS) Wed, Feb 4 9:40p
Arrives Phoenix, AZ (PHX) 11:50p
Layover in Phoenix- 8 hrs 55 min
US Airways US Airways Flight US403 on an Airbus A319 (jet) in coach class
Departs Phoenix, AZ (PHX) Thur, Feb 5 8:45a
Arrives San Francisco, CA (SFO) 9:53a

Makes me want to go mileage running. I can’t though, too busy! Heh, one can dream!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

More widebodies in 7 days than in 7 months

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December maybe the time for egg nog, holiday lights, kisses underneath the mistletoe, but it’s also a time when most mileage runs take place.

This year Kinglobjaw is running after some miles all the way to Dublin, London, New York and San Juan.

I’m booked on more US Airways widebodies within 7 days than I was aboard in the last 7 months. My SJU runs all involve widebodies as PHL and CLT schedules send a mix of 767’s and A330’s to SJU. Not to mention Europe, which is all widebody except Dublin (a 757 ETOPS).

Many firsts for me on this trip:

  • First lenghty flight on an US Airways 767 in Envoy (CLT-PHL is nice but something longer would be nicer)
  • First visit to the PHL US Airways ‘F’ terminal club while I wait for my PHL-LGA which is opearated by a US Airways Express Piedmont DASH-8
  • First US Airways 757 ETOPS flight
  • First ever flight on Star Alliance partner bmi
  • First ever visit to the London Heathrow’s Star Alliance Terminal (1)

The good news is the fares are so low I won’t even have to leave milk and cookies for Santa. Santa may give you great gifts, but he won’t get you that low cpm (cents per mile) with a fun and creative routing.

As always flying gets me all excited, and like all the other times, I am thrilled and can’t wait for my upcoming trips.

It’s December and I was able to book some mileage runs to secure my status, but can I get the other things December has to offer? I think so! Hopefully I’ll be able to find egg nog at one of the airports where I transit. I’ll see the beautiful holiday lights New York or London, and if I’m very lucky I’ll get a kiss underneath the mistletoe. But first, I have to find that mistletoe.

Have a nice, while not getting drunk on egg nog, clicK life,

-Mark

Dell Mini 9- The “blogable” device?

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What has Windows XP SP 3, an 8.9 inch LCD screen and a full QWERTY type keyboard?

Answer:  A Dell Inspiron Mini 9! A truly blogable device that will even fit in smallest book bag or purse. They’re coming out with a 12, but if you want to keep it small, go with the 9. And while in the aviation world bigger is better and more fun, when you mix blog writing, laptops and travel- smaller does turn out to be wiser.

So it has been a while since I’ve talked to all you fine folks and I wanted to assure you I have not turned my back on you. What has changed? The last time you thought about me, I was 18- now not so much. 19 here and every flight I take less people consider me the “brat” who stole their last available upgrade seat. I sure miss those days!

What’s new, you ask?

A lot has happened since my few hours in PIT. Aside from fuel going sky high and falling down low, one of the best TV series fast forwarding 5 long years into the future, world’s longest all-business class legacy airline flight making it’s way from EWR to SIN and a few other things, I’m still good!

What’s coming, you ask?

I think my tiny photography hobby might be growing in the upcoming months. I’ve upgraded my simple digital point and shoot camera to the Canon EOS 50D. Get ready for some nicer, higher quality travel photos.

Back in September five airlines allocated in two opposing teams fought for the honor of giving up 2 of their highly coveted “O” and “I” class award seats in First/Business Class for Kinglobjaw’s 150,000 (X2) US Airways Dividend Miles Award from USA to Africa.

Team Europe included Lufthansa (LH) and Swiss Intl Airlines (LX) and offered a tempting LAX-FRA-MUC-ZRH-JNB-FRA-LAX which consisted of upper deck 747 First Class on 3 flights, a First Class Terminal visit in FRA, a ride on the rare A300, and exquisite Swiss hospitality service generations have raved about.

Team Asia which included ANA (NH), Singapore Airlines (SQ) and Thai International Airways (TG) offered an exotic ORD-NRT-BKK-JNB-BKK-NRT-ORD involved the elegant Japanease service, the warm and friendly Singapore Girl and the Royal Orchid service by Thai was another excellent choice. NH is known for delicious food and Thai’s First Class lounge at BKK is a true rival for Lufthansa’s FRA First Class terminal due to it’s Royal Orchid Spa.

The winner? Before the decision, only one airline knew it would win regardless of which of the above choices would be selected. Team Africa! Since, JNB isn’t the final destination, there is only one Star Alliance carrier that could fly me from JNB-MRU and back. South African Airways, I’m ready to try your Business Class.

Alright! Alright! You want to know what option was selected between the United States and JNB? Both choices were available in First Class all the way through to JNB, so this decision was tougher than most would expect. In the end Lufthansa and Swiss were chosen. Lufthansa’s ultra private upper deck First Class experience on the B747, the FRA First Class terminal and the option of flying Swiss is what made me choose the two carriers for the July 2009 trip. Plus, I’m dying to fly an A300, especially since Lufthansa is one of the oldest operators of the type and is slowly, but surely beginning to retire them. Therefore, I hope my flight won’t be downgraded to a narrow body. I want to save airlines SQ, NH, TG, and OZ for my next trip to Asia. To my readers, which option would you pick?

A) LAX-FRA (Lufthansa 747) + 1 night in FRA for Zzzz’s…
FRA-MUC (Lufthansa A300), MUC-ZRH (SWISS AVRO RJ100), ZRH-JNB (SWISS A340)

Return: JNB-FRA-LAX (Both 747’s on Lufthansa)

B) ORD-NRT (ANA 777) + 1 night in NRT for Zzzzz’s
NRT-BKK (Singapore Airlines 777), BKK-JNB (Thai A346)

Return: JNB-BKK (Thai A346), BKK-NRT (Thai 777), NRT-ORD (ANA 777)

What else is new, your ask? I’m planning a fun mileage run since I think I can find lower deals than the US Airways’ Buy Up to Preferred program.

I really want to try to find a deal to Seattle, WA (SEA). I love the city and I want to check out the Boeing museum. Plus, if I can get a free night at the Seattle Airport Marriott that would be fantastic. It is my favorite property near the SEA airport. Their indoor pool is amazing. Few airport properties in the USA are this nice. Marriott sure did an excellent job here. Enough with the words, sometimes pictures do indeed speak more than words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty long post, but totally worth it since I messed up big time by not posting for a few months. I’m really sorry about that, but I won’t forget this blog or my readers- I promise.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

It was supposed to be a fun day and it was

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April 30, 2008 was the the last day US Airways offered a minimum of 500 miles per flight segment. I grew accustomed to this generous offer racking up 500 miles (+ Preferred bonus) on short hops such as the US Airways Shuttle, LAS-PHX (and vice versa) as well popular short hops on the East Coast.

I wanted to enjoy the ‘500′ once more and I thought to myself, what better way than to fly to Pittsburgh on US Airways for a few hours? I opted for a routing via Philadelphia. I would fly a same day round trip: ORD-PHL-PIT-PHL-ORD. ORD-PHL-ORD earns 678 in each direction, while PHL-PIT-PHL is about 263 actual miles each way, but when I started the trip I knew I would getting 500 miles two final times.

The fares were very reasonable, and 3 segments would be mainline while PHL-PIT would be a US Airways Express flight operated by a Republic Airways Embraer 170. The trip was ticketed as two separate one-way fares.
Many people, including myself, consider this a mileage run- and it was! I checked no bags (a first for me, and what a pleasure!) and no errands to run in PIT. So what did I do in Pittsburgh? I toured the entire airport, took lots of photos, had lunch, and relaxed in the US Airways Club. I have a whole gallery about my day and what I saw in PIT. I recommend you visit the gallery, even if you have traveled via Pittsburgh International Airport before. It will bring back some nice memories. Visit here: Mileage run to Pittsburgh

I normally don’t write trip reviews, but here are some facts regarding my flights on April 30, 2008.

US Airways flight US817
Scheduled departure time: 7:15 AM from gate F10
Aircraft type: 737-300 in old US Airways colors
Crews: PHL based, previously in PIT

The 737-300 that will be taking me to PHL.

 

A neighboring US Airways Airbus A320 departing to Phoenix and continuing on to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

 

While taking a break between flights at the PHL B/C US Airways Club, I discovered something new- electronic gate displays!

 

US Airways flight US3433 operated by Republic Airways
Scheduled departure time: 11:37AM from Gate B1
Aircraft type: Embraer 170 in Star Alliance colors. What a treat!
Crews: PIT based for Republic Airways

 

A special Star Alliance livery just for enthusiast Kinglobjaw?

 
US Airways flight US1607
Scheduled departure time: 5:45PM from Gate B30
Aircraft type: 737-400 in new US Airways ’swoosh’ livery. Looks great!
Crews: DCA based

 

 

This 737-400 just came in from FLL, and it’s not overnighting here. Next stop: ‘Crown Jewel Hub’ – Philadelphia.

 

My 2 return flights back to Chicago. Gotta’ love upgrades!

 

Philly wants a fair share of navy, or so it seems.

 

US Airways flight US958
Scheduled departure time: 8:25PM from Gate C21
Aircraft type: Airbus A319 in navy US Airways colors
Crews: A truly fantastic crew. CLT based. Perfect ending to a great trip!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big heritage “pin” by door 1L. Matches my sports jacket!

 

A crew that likes their photos taken. How nice!

 

… even with me!

Another successful and fulfilling trip on US Airways. Miles posted by the morning of May 2nd- relatively fast. I should do one of these mileage runs again. =]

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

The mysterious LAS-PHX hop

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One of the shortest airline hub-hub routes is the 255 mile flight from Las Vegas, Nevada to Phoenix, Arizona. US Airways operates this route with almost every aircraft in it’s fleet. Merger synergies have brought in the A321 to operate the route a few times, the 733, A320 and A319 are regulars with a 757 making it’s presence when necessary. Odd flight times also make way for one or two US Airways Express CRJ-900’s. In the past, America West also used a 747 on the route. I wonder how they could provide the service on such a short flight?

US Airways has ‘…teen’s’ of flights on the route, with the most interesting scheduling being one flight followed by the next, just five minutes later. 1:09 PM on an A319 followed by 1:16PM on a 733. I wonder if they board them next to each other just to confused the passengers a little bit more?!

Southwest runs a flight almost every 30-45 minutes, and you would assume clearing upgrades on the US Airways flights would be a no brainer. Unfortunately, the booking patterns are quite odd and the same flight can be sold out in First Class on one day, and completely open on the next. We can say that it’s possible with every flight, but when you are talking about LAS-PHX, you are talking about something else. It’s not the East Coast Shuttle, nor the West Coast one, it’s a shuttle between two cities with very little premium traffic. So when I want to upgrade on LAS-PHX weeks in advance, I’d expect to clear it before a transcon flight. Anyone disagree?

One other thing. What happens on LAS-PHX (or PHX-LAS for that matter) when you have a hub in LAS but only one huge crew base in PHX for both PHX and LAS? PHX-LAS becomes happy hour, every hour for commuting employees between the two cities. Imagine more employees on a flight than passengers! That’s LAS-PHX for you! LAS-PHX, gotta love this route. All those additional miles and segments I can fit in when traveling to the West Coast.

Hm, what flies into Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas, and only leaves Las Vegas when it flies out of Las Vegas. You’ve heard it all about Vegas, but I bet you’ve never heard about this.

Have a lucky clicK life,

-Mark

ClicKing to catch up on those EQMs

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To be honest I am quite afraid of something. In 2007 I have traveled much less and I need to find a way to catch up on EQM’s (Elite Qualifying Miles) in the US Airways Dividend Miles program.

Mileage run- a concept that is often executed by frequent travelers during the months of October, November and December. It is traveling for no purpose. Wait! There is one purpose, to earn miles. Not just any kind of miles, but special elite qualifying ones that make you a VIP with your carrier of choice.

So here is my EQM situation. I need about 20,000 EQM’s. I never attain status by segments. I may have about 5,000EQM worth of travel in December, so that leaves me with a 15,000 EQM gap. Since US Airways is part of Star Alliance, I can also utilize United and Air Canada services should my mileage run remain in North America. However most of you know me better than that! It’ll definitely be on US Airways!

Let me be blunt, only one routing will work so far and that is LAX-SJU. I am finding same day return fares for early December at around $336 round trip including all taxes and fees. Depending on how I route, I may be able to squeeze in up to 10,000 EQM’s on the roundtrip.

Short segments are helpful to get maximum EQM’s- most airlines will give you 500 miles for them, and the flight itself won’t get you too far from your originating city(for those confused at this point, let me be clear- it is a good thing). For example, one of my potential routings offered: LAX-SFO-PHL-SJU, meaning I would be flying United on my first leg and I would be receive 500 miles towards status. LAX-SFO doesn’t take me any bit closer to PHL, so aside from paying just a few more dollars for taxes and fees, it’s like I get 500 free elite qualifying. Short hops are very helpful, given that the fare will permit it without charging you extra fare aside from taxes.

Staying near the $336 price on the LAX-SJU round trip, the following routing seems to offer a good amount of EQMs:

LAX-LAS-PHX-PHL-SJU-PHL-DCA-CLT-DFW-LAS-LAX.

All flights are mainline and US Airways operated. Big plus! No RJ’s and all flights are eligible for complimentary upgrades (space permitting), but since I’m a Chairman’s there shouldn’t be any problems. The EQM miles I would get for this snazzy trip? 9715. Not bad at all!

Some people also do ”mattress runs” to attain a required amount of nights or stays at a hotel. This is for the purpose of achieving or retaining an elite level in their hotel rewads program. 29 more nights at a Marriott hotel? Thanks, but no thanks! 69 per night(cheapest Courtyard I could find) X 29 would be about $2000. And thats prior to taxes! 3 or 4 nights? Sure, why not! 29? Nope!

Here’s wishing everyone a good 7 more weeks of 2007 mileage and mattress running!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark