How and why you might want to book a mileage run

In 2016, I earned 49,640 redeemable American Airlines AAdvantage miles and 23,820 elite qualifying miles on a single $804 round-trip mileage run to Johannesburg. This mileage run was key to earning top-tier AAdvantage Executive Platinum status that year — but taking this same mileage run in 2025 would be much less lucrative, since I’d earn based on fare instead of distance.

Mileage running looks much different now than it did in 2016 or even just a few years ago. For some airline loyalty programs, the mileage run has died off completely due to changes in how you earn rewards and elite status. But it’s still a lucrative option for others — and for some specific situations.

So, let’s discuss mileage runs, including what they are, whether you should book one and how you would find the right one.

What is a mileage run?

A mileage run is one or more flights you’re primarily taking to earn rewards, progress toward qualifying for a higher tier of elite status or both.

Purists might argue that a trip isn’t a mileage run if you actually want to visit the destination and will spend time there, but I believe it’s a mileage run if you primarily booked the trip to earn rewards or status. In other words, it’s a mileage run if you wouldn’t have booked a trip at all if not for the rewards or status you’ll earn from taking the trip.

Related: The best credit cards to reach elite status

Should you book a mileage run?

Each airline loyalty program has different policies regarding earning rewards and elite status. However, mileage runs are usually only worth considering for programs where one of the most lucrative ways to earn rewards or status involves flying.

For example, the partner earning charts for American Airlines AAdvantage still make mileage runs on select Oneworld partners lucrative. However, you have to pick the right combination of carrier, fare, fare class and routing for a mileage run to make more sense than using some of the other ways to earn Loyalty Points.

Mileage runs take time and money, so — especially if you’re running for status — it’s worth considering whether the higher status will be worth the cost. It’s also worth checking whether there are other strategies you could use before the end of the current qualification period.

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Here’s a look at several of the most popular airline elite statuses, including how to earn each status:

Sometimes, booking a mileage run really is the best option. If booked properly, a mileage run can prove an inexpensive way to get the last bit you need to qualify for a more valuable status before the end of a qualification period.

Several recent promotions, such as JetBlue’s “25 for 25” promotion and Scandinavian Airlines’ EuroBonus challenge, have also encouraged some travelers to go on a mileage run. For Turkish Airlines’ challenge for 1 million miles, I went on mileage runs for half of the required continents (Asia, Africa and Australia) since the travel I already needed to book to North America, South America and Europe when the promotion launched made going for the 1 million miles worthwhile.

Related: Why I do not care about airline elite status

How to book a mileage run

If you’ve decided a mileage run is right for you, the next step is to calculate what you need based on the other travel you’ll take before the end of the qualification period. It’s also a good idea to double-check the end of your qualification period.

Then, the fun of finding one or more trips that fit your schedule and give you the metrics you need starts. For the recent Turkish challenge, I needed to find Turkish-marketed and -operated flights that started in or transited through Istanbul and landed in cities that Turkish defined as part of each continent. Even so, it took a while between my schedule and the wide variety of potential destinations.

I found the best-value flights using Google Flights‘ flexible destination feature and filters. Google Flights doesn’t offer a way to eliminate online travel agencies from search results, so you’ll need to check the booking method if you want (or need) to book directly.

Finding the best mileage run becomes much more complicated if you need to book into a specific fare class for elevated earning rates. The fare class can often be difficult to find, even when booking directly with the airline. Sometimes, you must book without knowing the fare class and hope your e-ticket or booking confirmation shows it. At least on flights that touch the U.S., you can usually cancel within a set time of booking and get a refund.

Finally, as tempting as it might be to quickly turn around at your destination during a mileage run, I recommend spending at least 24 hours at any stops. This lets you quickly visit the destination and gives you valuable time to recover from any delays so you don’t miss your onward flights.

Related: 6 key tools and tips to find the cheapest airfare