I am retiring from mileage running.

CO is presently running fall sales and there are some good deals to Europe and Central America. So, depending on your base, you make one or two of those runs and be well on your way. As has been stated, it depends on your budget but you could also make one run to Europe and buy the remaining EQMs. It would be more expensive than actually flying but save you the hassle.

And, congrats on your retirement!

Well, one year after my retirement, and I'm still pretty much retired. My only relapse occurred in March, when I did a $200 full day trip to Miami, earning the few miles I still needed for lifetime platinum on AA. Otherwise, all air travel has been redemptions, true weekends away, and business.

Ive been retired from mileage running for 10 years now.... not that I was ever on active service for this anyways.... even when I was still a militant FFlyer, I think I only did a few actual mileage runs.... back then all my trips had a "real" purpose... either visit someone or eat at a Restaurant... the only real Mileage Run I can remember was an AA special fare from JFK to OAK sometime back in 2001 or 2002.... but thats about it.

Since you're retired from the game, I can try to take your spot. haha. I'm looking to start up and go for A3 *G. Any advice for a fellow IAD/WAS traveler? Any particularly good routes I should be looking for? I'm totally new to the game.

With 2MM RDMs, you can get to a few places.

Well, first, if you want the A3 *G, study the A3 mileage chart closely. I was incrediblylucky to get a $1000 fare which qualified in the A (300%) bucket going DCA-ORD-SJU-ORD-DCA, which pretty much got me my *G.

That is not available now, but C fares (200%) to Latin America currently provide some real bang for the buck for A3 *G qualification.

the idea of pure running is draining. fly from one coast to another, red-eye back.

I don't do pure mileage runs, but I do take short vacations.

I work a ton, totally stressed out during the week. My trip this weekend is pleasant. Saturday morning flight out to SJU - confirmed in first class, including the Envoy suite from PHL to SJU. First class back on the return on Sunday (A319/320 to maximize the time in SJU). The CPM is decent, but not great. But a day of sun, sand and relaxation does wonders for the mind, body and soul.

Maybe, i'm the minority here, but I do love flying for a change of scenery. Getting out of NYC puts me at peace. Separates the work world and the personal world.

That's what I did: red-eye to Bermuda (from SFO), stayed a day, then came back. Gone about 48 hours, half of it on the ground.