If you do any flying at all, you should not overlook the frequent flyer programs of airlines. It's a great benefit for those about to retire.

This is my 3rd year over the platinum level (75,000 miles). I had to do a little creative flying (mileage runs) to get over the hump this time, but it's well worth it. I kick myself over all the miles I have lost over the past 40 years. They don't expire, you know (on some airlines). With the airline I use, for instance, as long as your account has activity at least once in 3 years, they remain in your account.

So what kind of benefits can you get? Well here's what I have gotten, in the past 3 years...

• 2 round trips to Tokyo
  
• 2 first class tickets to Arizona (for my daughter)
  
• 1 ticket to NY
  
• 2 tickets to Hawaii
  
• 2 tickets to Paris
  
• almost all of my domestic flights are first class
  
• 2 internationl flight first class upgrades (Amsterdam to Seattle in first class was nice )
  
• first class upgrades for anyone flying with me
  
• pre boarding on all flights (get to the luggage space first)
  
• bypass the long security lines at airports
  
• And I still have 316,000 miles in the bank

Platinum level is especially worthwhile. So I do what is necessary to maintain my level at platinum...

• Every flight, I get 125% additional miles. So a 5,000 mile round trip, earns me 11,250 miles
  
• On business trips, which are generally full fare, I get 50% bonus EQM miles, making it easier to maintain my current elite level
  
• First class upgrades are processed 4 days before Gold, Silver or Basic, making it very unlikely that any Gold, Silver or Basic get first class before mine. I almost never fail to get first class.
  
• Guarantee first class upgrade. If I don't get first class, I get 1000 extra miles for every
  leg that isn't first class.
  
• Priority phone line for platinum elite that is always answered by a human. They can (and actually do like to help you) find you deals and specials that the normal line can't or won't, assuming you don't get an answering machine.

My flights go like this...

• Get to the airport
  
• Go to the Elite check in line, bypassing the other long line
  
• Go to the Elite security line, 2 to 3 people vs 200 people line
  
• Go to the airline lounge, where I get free snacks and drinks.... yes even the alcohol is free. Nice sofa's vs airport benches, carry on luggage storage while you wait (or if you choose to walk around).
  
• When it's time to board, I go to the head of the line and board the plane, generally in first class

And anyone can do this, if you just get an account and maximize your miles. This year it cost me a couple mileage runs, because I didn't fly as much but it was well worth the extra cost. Most years I don't have to pay this, as my business keeps me flying enough. But this year I had a little less travel.

I mentioned mileage run above. That is a flight you take that is for the sole purpose of getting the miles. I took a flight from Seattle to Manchester this year and it only cost $168 round trip, to get 5000 miles I needed. And it was first class all the way.

Next year my plan is to take mini vacations, once a month, to some destination in the US. Fly out on a Thur or Friday red-eye and back on Sunday evening. A good way to see some of the country and get miles to boot. I have already planned to see DC, Florida and another trip to Arkansas on a few mini-vacations.

It's quite easy to find very cheap flights to most places, if you know where to look and how to book them. DC is one of the cheapest places to fly, if you stay away from certain airports. Here is a strange phenomena of airline ticket prices. Say you want to fly to Philadelphia. You can get that ticked for under $200 sometimes (from Seattle). It might go through Minneapolis. But if you wanted to fly on the same flight to Minneapolis and back, it might cost $400-$500. Even on the same flight you might be taking to Philadelphia. So, if you want to fly somewhere, don't stop at a hub. Round trips to airline hubs are very costly. It's often cheaper to take an extra (close by) leg, fly there, rent a car and drive back and save a bundle. You'll probably need a car anyway.

By the time I retire, I hope to have enough miles racked up to be able to go anywhere I want, with free tickets. BTW, the 316,000 miles I have now is good for 12 domestic round trips or 5 international round trip flights. And will have much more than this, when I'm done.

Oh! And you can use the miles to buy tickets for anyone. They aren't limited to yourself only and you don't have to fly with the person you are buying them for.

Anyone else here take advantage of such programs? Questions?

I was heavy into that for about 10 years, Mike, when flying wasn't such a hassle. Had many free trips around the world (UK, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Australia)...was top level for all those years on more than one airline

But the traveling came right out of my hide...left home noon Sunday...return midnight Friday...catch up on paperwork Saturday..

Air travel is such a painful experience now, I do not miss at all the hassle to get those perks. As I go more and mroe into "retirement", I have dropped to the lowest level.. and guess what...I don't miss it at all.

I still have a couple hundred thousand miles left but they are hard to use when you want them.

quote:

But the traveling came right out of my hide...left home noon Sunday...return midnight Friday...catch up on paperwork Saturday..

Air travel is such a painful experience now, I do not miss at all the hassle to get those perks

I guess my point is that the way I'm doing it, the hassle is removed. I love flying that way. Also, it would depend on how busy you are otherwise. I'm already retired from one job and don't have the rat race life to deal with. I'm preparing for a more leisurely time. I used to hate flying, for just the reasons you mentioned. I hated the lines, the crowds, and the cramped seats. But when you can remove the hassles, it's more fun.

quote:

I still have a couple hundred thousand miles left but they are hard to use when you want them.

Depends on the airline. I dropped Delta, for just that reason. I found it very hard to use their miles, at all. They deliberately had 2 ways to use them (30K and 60K). If you wanted to burn 60K you could get a domestic flight but if you wanted to use the 30K option the space was quite limited. I'm using NWA right now and have NEVER had a problem finding any flight, to any destination, for anything but the minimum miles. AND, with NWA, you can use the miles with other airlines. I bought my daughter a first class ticket, using NWA miles, on Alaska.

The main reason I do it now is for 2 reasons.

• Flights I can't avoid (business trips) are now first class
  
• And, soon I'll be retired a 2nd time and DO plan to travel a bit.

If travel is in one's plans or if travel can't be avoided, it makes no sense not to have the perks. I love travel now. I can get to the airport and be in the lounge in about 10 minutes. No crowds, no lines, first class, first off the plane, etc.

But you are right, if one doesn't like to travel, no amount of benefits are worth the hassle.

i dunno ips, i just don't like flyin nless i have too. thats why i own a motorhome! its slower i admit, it gets crappy gas mileage, i admit, but when i need to use the head, its MY head! its MY bed n pillows too. when i get hungry its my kitchen...plus it costs the same whether its just me or the whole family AND our 2 dogs.

I like it when frequent flyers can't fly........due to fog. (I had a 1 1/2 day delay on NWAirlines due to FOG this weekend)...oh the moaning by them........

LOL...they were stranded...just like me in a crappy wittle regional airport.......

and no World Perks section to go hide in....


lol equal.

but bennies are good for the FF'ers...I just can't afford it right now (to be a FF'er)...but when I ge that GS job (praying)...I'm gonna sign up!

I remember there was a time when a military member COULD NOT use FF miles for personal use...lol the 4576846375856th dumbest rule in the military at the time.

but now you can!

What carrier in the US does the gov use primarily...NWA or United? AA?

I remember at one time it was United..they had city fare program prices for gov GTR's.

quote:

thats why i own a motorhome!

Don't get me wrong. I love driving. I doubt I'll ever use miles, for domestic trips, for myself. I just let my family use them. For domestic trips, I love driving and if I must fly, I'll just buy the ticket.

Last year I drove about 2700 miles on road trips. The year before it was over 5500 miles, across the top of the US, down to Arkansas, back across to Denver, up to MT and then back to Seattle. Quite a loop. The year before that, I drove 5400 miles on vacations.

There is no better way to see the U.S. than by road.

I signed up for NWA because my whole flying experience with them sucked for my trip to FL; all weather related...and it was the only thing to do at the airport(s) that I was stuck at...like the one I am at now...

But the NWA Worldclubs guy gave me a WS Journal and a USA Today, some Zicam (cold relief) and 20 dollars for food expenses....9 hour delay.

So NWA gets my vote for good customer service....even for weather related issues.

quote:

But the NWA Worldclubs guy gave me a WS Journal and a USA Today, some Zicam (cold relief) and 20 dollars for food expenses....9 hour delay.

I'm joining their World Club. I used the one at SeaTac on my last business trip and it's the only way to go, if you have to be stuck in an airport.

Frequent Flyers...that was a term used on the Ambulance we gave to our "regulars". I know...sounds like we were non caring etc....but if you have ever had to be pulled out of bed at 3am to transport someone to the hospital for "difficulty burping" you would understand.

Thats very good

now donate them to Charity