Could I make it to Gold?

[Katie]

With two Y+ trips to the US in my status year, only one of which had AA domestic flights, I didn't think I'd come anywhere near getting Gold. I knew I'd re-qual for Silver, and that was fine. I've earnt 430 SCs so far this year (Oct-Sept). I may go to a conference that starts at the end of Sept on the US west coast, and apart from maybe a weekend in SYD or MEL, I didn't see much chance of getting the 270SCs to Gold - I'm a long way off qualifying!
And then a vendor I deal with at work invited me to a 3hr meeting in Chicago. I told them I was interested, but probably couldn't make it - work was unlikely to pay, and I've been funding all my own conference & related travel for the past few years. So .. they offered to fly me over! Crazy, but it might happen.
So, if I can get the following to happen, making some assumptions:

• if I can fly QF, even in Y (will tell them I'll pay the difference if they want to book Delta/cheapest flight of day to LAX), then that's 90 SCs. Only 180 to go.
• if I can then book my own AA YUP flights to/from ORD, I think that will cover the 180 points remaining to SG. Again, I might offer to pay the difference of cheapest fare if I can book it all myself.

Suddenly, SG is looking attainable. We'll see what happens, and if I even end up in ORD, but it's been fun thinking about it for the past day or so, figuring out SCs, and looking at prices!

For next year, not much planned - a heap of travel in April-May (Europe with ILs, then US west coast for a conference), but not much else so far. Unlikely to travel much for work, trying to swing my way to a work conference in the US later this year, but not sure if I'll manage it.
But goodness, it's exciting to think about reaching the heady heights of SG! WP is still very far off as a predominately Y/Y+ self-funded traveller.

And all thanks to AFF, otherwise I'd never have heard of YUPs!

 

[nlagalle]

With two Y+ trips to the US in my status year, only one of which had AA domestic flights, I didn't think I'd come anywhere near getting Gold. I knew I'd re-qual for Silver, and that was fine. I've earnt 430 SCs so far this year (Oct-Sept). I may go to a conference that starts at the end of Sept on the US west coast, and apart from maybe a weekend in SYD or MEL, I didn't see much chance of getting the 270SCs to Gold - I'm a long way off qualifying!
And then a vendor I deal with at work invited me to a 3hr meeting in Chicago. I told them I was interested, but probably couldn't make it - work was unlikely to pay, and I've been funding all my own conference & related travel for the past few years. So .. they offered to fly me over! Crazy, but it might happen.
So, if I can get the following to happen, making some assumptions:

• if I can fly QF, even in Y (will tell them I'll pay the difference if they want to book Delta/cheapest flight of day to LAX), then that's 90 SCs. Only 180 to go.
• if I can then book my own AA YUP flights to/from ORD, I think that will cover the 180 points remaining to SG. Again, I might offer to pay the difference of cheapest fare if I can book it all myself.

Suddenly, SG is looking attainable. We'll see what happens, and if I even end up in ORD, but it's been fun thinking about it for the past day or so, figuring out SCs, and looking at prices!

For next year, not much planned - a heap of travel in April-May (Europe with ILs, then US west coast for a conference), but not much else so far. Unlikely to travel much for work, trying to swing my way to a work conference in the US later this year, but not sure if I'll manage it.
But goodness, it's exciting to think about reaching the heady heights of SG! WP is still very far off as a predominately Y/Y+ self-funded traveller.

And all thanks to AFF, otherwise I'd never have heard of YUPs!

Good luck with it. If you can swing the flights you want and not be out of pocket too much it would be very handy if you will be travelling more. I've been lucky that my ascension to SG was on the back of work DOM trips and one personal trip. WP this year looks to be the same.

Nick

 

[Dave Noble]

If you can do it with small cost to yourself, could be well worthwhile. I would consider that a r/t instant upgrade fare LAX-ORD costs $1527 plus taxes

If it is going to cost a fair bit, I would consider getting OW Sapphire status from AA. 1 trip to USA in economy using AA flight numbers will enable you to get to OW sappire status through their scheme. Will cost UsD 200 to sign up for the challenge though

Bon chance

 

[drron]

Just checking on aa.com for September and I can find a LAX-DFW-ORD-DFW-LAX for $US1288 + taxes which would net you 400SCs.

 

[TimB]

Just checking on aa.com for September and I can find a LAX-DFW-ORD-DFW-LAX for $US1288 + taxes which would net you 400SCs.

Or you could "accidentally" overshoot your destination and do LAX-ORD-TPA-ORD-LAX for US$924 + taxes for 420 SCs. (Yes, sometimes it's cheaper to travel further.)

 

[Fantic125]

On the other hand, buying a 12 month membership to QP, Presidents Club, Red Carpet, etc may be significantly cheaper and can also be claimable as a tax deduction (place of business - note - check with your tax agent).

 

[drron]

Or you could "accidentally" overshoot your destination and do LAX-ORD-TPA-ORD-LAX for US$924 + taxes for 420 SCs. (Yes, sometimes it's cheaper to travel further.)

We'll get Katie to WP yet!

 

[Dave Noble]

On the other hand, buying a 12 month membership to QP, Presidents Club, Red Carpet, etc may be significantly cheaper and can also be claimable as a tax deduction (place of business - note - check with your tax agent).

Indeed; a good point. Not only that, but the membership could be purchased before the upcoming trip and provide for lounge benefits on the trip

Dave

 

[Fantic125]

Indeed; a good point. Not only that, but the membership could be purchased before the upcoming trip and provide for lounge benefits on the trip

Dave

Thank you Dave.
One of the interesting things I find with this forum is the focus on status, which doesn't always equate to best needs for the poster.
MHO.

 

[Katie]

Ahh, the brain power & suggestions I'm unleashing!
I already have QP membership (and am PS) thanks to the AFF corporate rate. I also remembered since posti g that Mr Katie & I are flying BNE-HTI-BNE on Jetflex fares with JQ this w/end for our romantic long w/end away. So O think that'll make it "only" 230 points after next week to SG.
I only hope I can have some flexibility with carrier with these flights!

 

[Katie]

Oh, and the meeting in ORD is around the 20-somethingth of August, fwiw.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Ahh, the brain power & suggestions I'm unleashing!
I already have QP membership (and am PS) thanks to the AFF corporate rate. I also remembered since posti g that Mr Katie & I are flying BNE-HTI-BNE on Jetflex fares with JQ this w/end for our romantic long w/end away. So O think that'll make it "only" 230 points after next week to SG.
I only hope I can have some flexibility with carrier with these flights!

I'd say go for it Katie, next thing you know you"ll be chasing WP!

 

[serfty]

Chicago is an expensive destination for AA, being a "Hub".

However, you could fly somewhere nearby which may be less expensive.

A round trip to SEA would set you back USD770 and earn between 180 and 300 SC's and you still need to get to ORD.

Of course, that LAX-ORD round trip would cost USD1200* and earn 410 SC's.

*Using 10% discount.

 

[Katie]

Sniff sniff. My momentary SG hopes have been dashed. The guy I'd been dealing with didn't seem to have approval to bring a potential client from Aus to the US. I got an email today saying they'd have a similar meeting in APAC region later.
Ah well. A bit of hoping.

Thanks for the various ideas!