Tis the Season....For a Mileage Run....

It's the end of the year and time for a mileage run....Wait, a mileage run?!? Essentially a mileage run is a taking an airline trip to any destination to obtain more frequent flyer miles and/or reach elite level status (upgrades, bonus miles etc). Most people know how much I like to travel and I've been accused of being a mileage/point "whore"....guilty as charged.

I just did a mileage run today to Tampa, yes Tampa Florida. I left at 6am, flew to Detroit, then to Tampa to Minneapolis and back to Milwaukee. I was 3,000 miles short to remain Gold next year and now I'm set for next year. Basically, this extra trip gives me double miles next year and I can upgrade a companion to first class. When you travel as much as I do, it helps the travel sitting up front and yes the free food/drinks are also nice.

My mileage run is nothing compared to some of the guys at www.flyertalk.com. There are people who will take an international mileage run to let's say London. They'll land in London at 10am and take the 1pm flight back (the same day). That's a little much for me, so I'm sticking to the easy domestic trips.