I’ve done my fair share of spontaneous trips when there’s been a mistake fare/a deal I couldn’t resist. Even if the trip was a quick one, I’ve always made a point to spend some time at the destination. This past weekend I did something that was both a first and a last.
Back in June, I received an offer from American Airlines granting me a Platinum status trial. If I flew 12,000 miles within 30 days (September 12), I’d be able to keep the status until February 2016. I had a LGA-MIA round trip and then a SEA-PHX-EWR flight on American during that time frame, but I’d still end up about 6,000 miles short.
In my head, flying 6,000 miles to have status for another 18 months seemed like a no-brainer to me. The only problem was that I was running out of time and I couldn’t schedule another “vacation” before my cut-off date. If I were to complete this, it would have to be short, quick, and to the point.
Somehow flying LGA-DFW-ANC and back on a same day turn made sense for me. Yes, it would be more than 24 hours flying, but I’ve done my fair share of flying like a maniac, and I always did it like a trooper. As the date neared though, something unusual happened. I realized I was not excited to be in the air. In fact, I was dreading it.
Finally Sunday arrived and my alarm buzzed bright and early. I hit snooze 4 times. I did not want to get out of bed. 4 back-to-back flights seemed dreadful to me (and it was). I was thisclose to saying “screw it” and taking the loss. But I headed to the airport anyway.
I got upgraded from LGA-DFW, but when I arrived at DFW I was incredibly cranky. I tried to walk it off and thought a massage at the Centurion Lounge would help me shake it. It didn’t. I even did yoga at the terminal D yoga studio. Still, I was on the verge of crying to a gate agent to let me go back to NYC so I could be home and spend time with my family.
I boarded for ANC. Even though I was upgraded again, it was the longest flight ever. The only light at the end of the tunnel was that my friend Sean was already there in ANC, and he promised me fried halibut upon landing.
I landed in ANC and had a total of 18 minutes to explore the terminal before having to board the same aircraft again. I never wanted to go home more in my life.
My legs and butt are incredibly sore (and still are). I miss spending time with my family. I am cranky and crying like a little girl inside. I AM SIMPLY TOO OLD FOR THIS!
I’ve reached my breaking point. Never again will I ever do a mileage run. Mark my words…
Have you ever had a similar epiphany that put you over the edge?
I actually had the same promo (earlier cut-off date) and the same situation, holding JFK-LAS-JFK and ultimately just couldn’t do it and cancelled. Have regretted it occasionally, but not enough to be sorry that I cancelled.
Wait so did your friend Sean meet you at the airport and provide you with fried halibut?
Oh he sure did… he watched my plane land and place the order so perfectly-timed that the plate came out as soon as I got off the plane. Oh and he also gave me a fleece blanket, his original seat, and a sleeping pill. Angels on earth exist!!

I’m an angel now? Sweet. :)
Oh I feel you and I know that “tears in the throat” feeling well. Once my kid was able to understand I was leaving and plead with me to stay it got so.much.harder to leave for frivolous reasons…which mileage running is for me.
I do have two same day turns booked this year, but I’ve already bailed on one even though both will be completed mostly while she is at school for the day. The rewards just aren’t worth the cost most of the time…mainly the time and energy cost.
If you do another one some day, it does help to not have it be an overnight situation. Knowing you are coming home the same day helps. Of course that means you aren’t racking up as many miles in one shot, but sometimes that’s the best compromise. Glad you are home – enjoy that little family!
OH man oh man… I was thinking about doing the similar Mileage run on US Air to keep the status. Leaving DCA-DFW-ANC and back on the virtually identical flight you mentioned..
Was it that bad?? I have kids so I wanted to get the LONGEST (9000miles isn’t so bad) flight in just one weekend and not waste my weekends with the family.
Honestly though, I don’t know if I’d do that run again (or at all) for Platinum status. But Executive Platinum? Yes, please — I’ll have another. A night in Anchorage did make a TON of difference. Kinda dreading my next ANC run in a couple weeks, but it’s in F the whole way, so I’ll survive, and the light at the end of the tunnel (EXP) is worth it for me.
With that said, Monday morning was ROUGH. I was dead pretty much all day yesterday despite sleeping somewhat well from ANC-DFW.
Do you or Angelina have any tips as to how to make the mileage run trip more comfortable? Angelina was flying in F and yet she was still sore/achey! I’ve never done one but after reading this post I’m not sure if I ever would!
I personally was fine. I flew DCA-DFW-ANC, spent a night in ANC and then returned. I was in F for DCA-DFW, Y for DFW-ANC, F for ANC-DFW, and Y for DFW-DCA.
The long flight up to ANC in Y passed by quickly for me, as I was following college football games online (with a decent Go-Go Wifi connection). Before I knew it, we were 30 minutes out. Seat 10A on the AA 757 is a fantastic choice in Y since it’s a window seat without a seat in front of it, resulting in unlimited legroom and direct access to the aisle.
Admittedly, I was in F for the return and slept pretty well, I’ve done lots of flying before in Y overnight, and the key is to just get some sleep and stay hydrated. I typically take a couple unisom to aid my sleeping on flights. Bring a fleece jacket to supplement your blanket (if in F), or to act as a blanket for you in Y, as the cabin can get pretty cold.
Honestly, just prepare yourself for a long flight, and you should be okay. If you’re doing a direct turn, expect the fight to be similar to a flight to Asia from the US — it’s basically 13 hours in the air with a short, 20 minute break in between.
I MILEAGE RUN TO ANC WITHOUT TIME ON THE GROUND IS INSANITY.
I once did ATL-LAX-HNL-overnight-HNL-LAX-ATL. I got upgraded on all legs and wasn’t too fatigued because I had to spend a night in Honolulu. With only a few people in first on both over water flights I wasn’t surprised that the cabin crew on the return (the same ones from the previous day) recognized me. With two more standing nearby, one asked why I’d stayed for such a short time. I replied I thought, upon a cursory inspection, that the place was over rated. Stunned at first, they soon started laughing when they realized I was just kidding!