Doing my morning web cruising with my coffee — I find that I am truly just a neophyte in the flying for miles world. I thought that getting Alaska’s MVP status (free upgrades to first class when available, mileage bonuses, etc) with 8 segments and under a thousand dollars was truly a feat — but I’ve been outclassed…..
Dehydrated and exhausted, I approach the gate agent and ask if she can find me a better seat for the red-eye to Chicago. “Eight flights in one day?” she asks suspiciously when my itinerary appears on her computer screen. “You one of those United Airlines mystery shoppers?”
I assure her I’m not, and wonder if she’ll decide that my strange trip warrants a call to the TSA. But a few seconds later she hands me a new boarding pass. “Exit row, window” she says with a wink. “Write nice things about me in your report, Mr. Secret Shopper.”
Guess I’ve got some learnin’ to do on this whole mileage running thing. One of the warriors (road) said he wouldn’t do a “run” for 4 cents per credit… so I did the breakdown on my Alaska Triple Play this fall (three back to back trips — fly out Thursday, fly back Tuesday to bring in the mail and take out the garbage). Total cost of my MVP status for next year: $987.50 Miles with my MVP bonus: 31,563 Cost per mile: $0.032. Not as good as 2 cents a mile, but not bad when you consider it gets me free first class upgrades on a space available basis.
Today is just lots of miscellaneous stuff around the house. No grand list, just not enough time to get to the island and back. Lynne is supposed to visit this morning for a tour of the digs, and a break from the heart break of the sudden loss of a long time friend.
More as the day unfolds (or not). Jameson due tonight so need to do a grocery run at least. Maybe I’ll spray paint Swanda’s old paper towel holder while I’m at it (since I adopted 85% of his cast-offs from the latest apartment purge).
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