In 2016, I earned 49,640 redeemable American Airways AAdvantage miles and 23,820 elite qualifying miles on a single $804 round-trip mileage run to Johannesburg. This mileage run was key to incomes top-tier AAdvantage Govt Platinum standing that yr — however taking this identical mileage run in 2025 can be a lot much less profitable, since I would earn primarily based on fare as a substitute of distance.
Mileage working seems a lot completely different now than it did in 2016 and even only a few years in the past. For some airline loyalty applications, the mileage run has died off fully on account of adjustments in the way you earn rewards and elite standing. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless a profitable possibility for others — and for some particular conditions.
So, let’s focus on mileage runs, together with what they’re, whether or not you must guide one and the way you’ll discover the proper one.
What’s a mileage run?
A mileage run is a number of flights you are primarily taking to earn rewards, progress towards qualifying for a better tier of elite standing or each.
Purists may argue {that a} journey is not a mileage run for those who truly need to go to the vacation spot and can spend time there, however I imagine it is a mileage run for those who primarily booked the journey to earn rewards or standing. In different phrases, it is a mileage run for those who would not have booked a visit in any respect if not for the rewards or standing you may earn from taking the journey.
Associated: The very best bank cards to succeed in elite standing
Must you guide a mileage run?
Every airline loyalty program has completely different insurance policies concerning incomes rewards and elite standing. Nonetheless, mileage runs are often solely value contemplating for applications the place one of the vital profitable methods to earn rewards or standing entails flying.
For instance, the associate incomes charts for American Airways AAdvantage nonetheless make mileage runs on choose Oneworld companions profitable. Nonetheless, you must decide the proper mixture of service, fare, fare class and routing for a mileage run to make extra sense than utilizing a number of the different methods to earn Loyalty Factors.
Mileage runs take money and time, so — particularly for those who’re working for standing — it is value contemplating whether or not the upper standing might be value the price. It is also value checking whether or not there are different methods you may use earlier than the top of the present qualification interval.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Here is a have a look at a number of of the preferred airline elite statuses, together with find out how to earn every standing:
Generally, reserving a mileage run actually is the best choice. If booked correctly, a mileage run can show an affordable solution to get the final bit that you must qualify for a extra beneficial standing earlier than the top of a qualification interval.
A number of current promotions, equivalent to JetBlue’s “25 for 25” promotion and Scandinavian Airways’ EuroBonus problem, have additionally inspired some vacationers to go on a mileage run. For Turkish Airways’ problem for 1 million miles, I went on mileage runs for half of the required continents (Asia, Africa and Australia) because the journey I already wanted to guide to North America, South America and Europe when the promotion launched made going for the 1 million miles worthwhile.
Associated: Why I don’t care about airline elite standing
The right way to guide a mileage run
For those who’ve determined a mileage run is best for you, the subsequent step is to calculate what you want primarily based on the opposite journey you may take earlier than the top of the qualification interval. It is also a good suggestion to double-check the top of your qualification interval.
Then, the enjoyable of discovering a number of journeys that suit your schedule and provide the metrics you want begins. For the current Turkish problem, I wanted to seek out Turkish-marketed and -operated flights that began in or transited via Istanbul and landed in cities that Turkish outlined as a part of every continent. Even so, it took some time between my schedule and the big variety of potential locations.
I discovered the best-value flights utilizing Google Flights’ versatile vacation spot function and filters. Google Flights would not provide a solution to remove on-line journey businesses from search outcomes, so you may must verify the reserving technique in order for you (or want) to guide instantly.
Discovering one of the best mileage run turns into far more sophisticated if that you must guide into a particular fare class for elevated incomes charges. The fare class can typically be troublesome to seek out, even when reserving instantly with the airline. Generally, you should guide with out realizing the fare class and hope your e-ticket or reserving affirmation reveals it. At the least on flights that contact the U.S., you’ll be able to often cancel inside a set time of reserving and get a refund.
Lastly, as tempting because it could be to rapidly flip round at your vacation spot throughout a mileage run, I like to recommend spending at the very least 24 hours at any stops. This allows you to rapidly go to the vacation spot and provides you beneficial time to get better from any delays so you do not miss your onward flights.
Associated: 6 key instruments and tricks to discover the most affordable airfare
Backside line
Some applications provide many various methods to earn rewards and elite standing. However in choose applications, mileage runs are nonetheless essentially the most profitable solution to earn rewards or attain the subsequent elite standing tier. Simply contemplate the worth you may get from a mileage run to make sure it justifies the price. Additionally double-check your calculations to make sure the mileage run you are reserving will get you the rewards you need.
