Mileage running is a funny concept. Flying solely for a reward rather than to arrive at a destination for a vacation hardly sounds like it would make sense, but there are some rare circumstances when it is worth it.
Before most North American airline frequent flyer programs moved to a revenue-based reward system, mileage runs were more commonplace. However, in recent years, travelers looking to maximize reward programs are generally better off with a co-branded credit card than actually flying.
This begs the question, when does it make sense to mileage run?
What is Mileage Running?
At its core, a mileage run is a flight booked solely to earn miles or to earn elite status credit. Generally, ‘mileage runs’ don’t involve spending the night somewhere, as that adds extra cost to the exercise and diminishes the return of flying for the reward. In other words, you may not even leave the airport on a mileage run.
Canada’s largest airline loyalty program, Air Canada Aeroplan, still awards elite status based on miles or segments flown and requires a minimum amount of dollars spent on flights. I wrote a complete guide to Aeroplan status that defines all of those criteria in detail if you’re unfamiliar with the nuances.
That’s important to know, as it can create some very inexpensive opportunities to obtain a higher level of airline elite status if you’re crafty (and flexible) in your planning. Air Canada’s elite status is unlike most other carriers in North America. Most other frequent flyer programs in North America, such as WestJet Rewards, only require travelers to spend a certain amount of money with the airline, making mileage runs virtually worthless.
Before North American airlines moved to this revenue-based award system, it was common to see travelers book a longer and less convenient itinerary, as they would earn miles based on distance flown. More distance flown = more rewards in the pocket of travelers.
How to Calculate If a Mileage Run Is Worth It
I will start off by saying there are very few situations where mileage running is worth it nowadays. But we will use a typical example of a frequent Air Canada flyer close to Aeroplan 50K status, and I will include some examples of when I have decided to mileage run at the end of the article.
Aeroplan 50K is an easy example as there’s a big jump in benefits compared to 35K status. Still, whenever you’re considering a mileage run, the formula for calculating value is simple:

The value gained is usually highly subjective to the individual as it depends on how they value the elite status benefits that will be earned, as the days of finding cheap airline tickets that dish out massive amounts of miles are behind us. Even if you find an opportunity, it’s probably worth comparing that to what you can earn from a financial institution on credit card spending or a new welcome bonus to determine if it’s worth your time pursuing.
Back to our example of mileage running for 50K status, your first step will be to determine the value of 50K status compared to your 35K status. This is quickly done by comparing the benefits on Air Canada’s website.


There are some considerable differences, but the most significant benefits are:
- Complimentary Standard Seat Selection
- Complimentary Preferred Seats (at booking, rather than at check-in)
- Star Alliance Gold Status
- Priority Check-In on all Star Alliance Flights (rather than only on Air Canada)
- Complimentary Lounge Access for all Star Alliance Flights (including Maple Leaf Lounges)
- Air Canada Cafe Access
- Two Select Benefits (versus one with 35K)
- 5 Extra eUpgrade Credits
Star Alliance Gold status has come in handy for me on many occasions, allowing me to gain priority on standby lists when flying United Airlines and access some incredibly nice lounges even when flying in economy class. It also grants access to Swiss and Lufthansa’s ‘Senator Lounges’ which are like a First Class lite lounge.
Star Alliance Gold is convenient if you frequent the USA for your travels, as it allows access to United Clubs, which are in virtually every hub airport and usually nicer and less crowded than Priority Pass airport lounge alternatives.
The seat selection benefit can also be invaluable if you travel with a large family, as it applies to all travelers on a reservation. That benefit alone could be worth hundreds of dollars for one round trip for a family of 5, and the benefits can be applied to up to 9 travelers (the maximum before a booking is considered a ‘group’).
I’d be willing to spend anywhere from $500 to $750 to reach the next elite status tier and achieve 50K status, so as long as my cost of a segment or mileage run is less than that, I’d be happy to spend a day flying around, but the calculations will be different for everyone.
How to Plan a Mileage Run
Calculate Distance Precisely
If you are mileage running for status, it’s essential to ensure you will travel enough distance to achieve your desired results. The best way to ensure your travel covers enough distance is to use Great Circle Mapper and input your planned flight path.
You can even use the mileage radius feature to see all airports that would work to accomplish your mileage goal, and then use Google Flights to determine which is the most cost-effective option.

Buy the Correct Fare Class
We have a whole article dedicated to Air Canada fare classes, and giving that a read when planning your mileage run is highly recommended to understand which one’s grant bonus status qualifying miles (SQM). On a more rudimentary level, you need to ensure you don’t end up with a Basic Economy fare that doesn’t earn any status credit, not even status qualifying segments (SQS).

However, you can still earn SQS and SQM with Aeroplan partners, so it’s worth looking at earning rates with United Airlines. However, be careful, as their Basic Economy (N) fare does not qualify for SQS or SQM accrual.

Depending on the price of cheap United Flights in the US, it could be worth booking a positioning flight to a US hub for a cheaper fare. If you’re in search of SQS and based on the West Coast, a common segment run that’s relatively inexpensive is Vancouver to Grande Prairie and back in about 11 hours for 6 SQS and a relatively reasonable $475 CAD.

Plan for the Worst
Air travel can get messy, and while irregular operations like flight delays and mechanical issues are rare, they do happen. Choosing a time to mileage run when you have wiggle room for things to go wrong is essential.
Perhaps more importantly, if you can avoid flying during peak times, this will allow you to deal with problems much easier. Lastly, if you’re only flying one segment for status and booking a cheap segment with a low-cost carrier to get yourself to/from the mileage run, fly the mileage running segment first.
Getting your mileage run segment done first is good practice so you don’t miss the critical flight if anything goes wrong with your low-cost carrier.
Real-Life Examples of Mileage Runs
Mileage Running for Air Canada Priority Rewards
At the end of 2022, Air Canada offered a promotion to earn double Priority Rewards, and I was only $420 status qualifying dollars (SQD) away from crossing the $7,000 threshold. I also had to pay taxes and fees on the booking, so earning two Priority Rewards came out to $475.
I made the judgment call that I could extract more than $475 of value from two North America Priority Rewards and decided to trade an afternoon and some cash to fly from Toronto to Montreal and back on the same day.
I used those rewards to save about 70,000 Aeroplan points, so it was well worth the $475 I spent.
Mileage Running for a Status Challenge
Fellow Frugal Flyer Contributor Andy is likely one of the few Canadian residents who holds Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold status, thanks to a challenge he completed in the summer of 2024.
Singapore Airlines has a relationship with Marriott Bonvoy, and KrisFlyer offered a promotion to match from Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium, or Ambassador to KrisFlyer Gold upon completion of just four qualifying flights credited to the KrisFlyer program.
Andy successfully completed his flights economically during a planned vacation to Japan and can now access Maple Leaf Lounges and United Clubs when flying on any Star Alliance ticket, thanks to his Star Alliance Gold recognition!
Keeping an eye out for opportunities like this is the most common type of mileage running in the modern points and miles era.
Mileage Running for Aeroplan Status
As I write this article, I’m on a mileage run to earn Aeroplan 35K status. Unfortunately, I won’t start 2025 as a 50K member for the first time in 3 years. However, I’ve gotten quite used to the three bags and 70lb baggage allowance on Air Canada and used it to move across the country on more than one occasion, making this airline elite status very valuable to me.

As my status stands now, I have the required SQD to achieve 35K status, but I’m lacking on segments by two, and I only have one more qualifying flight by the end of the year.

To solve that problem, I scheduled a cheap United economy flight from NYC to Nashville for $69 USD and then purchased a Spirit flight for $44 USD to return the same day.


For $113 USD, I secured myself that wonderful baggage allowance I’ve enjoyed and some extra eUpgrades. At 35K, I’m also earning North America Premium Economy Priority Rewards throughout 2025 rather than the US and Canada Economy Priority Rewards.
I plan to return to my 50K levels of travel next year. So, there’s a potential I can bring in 3 or 4 Priority Rewards, and having them all at the same level is beneficial.
Mileage Running for 1,000,000 Miles
This scenario won’t likely repeat itself, so I consider this the “last great mileage run,” but in the fall of 2024, SAS EuroBonus was giving away 1,000,000 miles to anyone who flew on 15 SkyTeam carriers. I spent ~ $4,000 CAD, 91,600 Aeroplan points, and 59,750 Qatar Avios to accomplish the task. It was the trip of a lifetime, flying around the world in 15 days.
You can read more about that mileage run and overall challenge in my SAS Millionaire Promotion Booked article and SAS Millionaire Review article.
During special promotions, it can make sense to fly just for the sake of flying because the reward is that great. I anticipate these miles will allow me to book 10 round trips to Europe from North America in lie-flat business class, so paying ~$400 CAD for each round trip was an incredible deal.
Conclusion
Mileage runs are few and far between in modern-day rewards maximization. Between better credit card welcome bonuses and everyday credit card spending earning rates, it’s easier than ever to earn miles.
That being said, mileage running for status is alive and well!

Daniel Burkett

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