Finding Last Minute Domestic Flights For Elite Status Qualification

As the sun begins to set in 2022, the time is running out to qualify for elite status. Even the best of us make mistakes calculating elite mileage accruals, so if you mind yourself a few hundred dollars or a couple of flight segments off of your targeted status, you can employ the final, last-resort strategy: a mileage run.Today, we’ll be looking at the cheapest domestic mileage run options from major U.S. cities on some airlines with popular elite status programs. We’ll give you the price and mileage accruals on each of these itineraries, which allow you to be home the same day you depart. We’re also filtering out basic economy fares as those generally do not earn as much as standard economy tickets.Before we give in, there are two quick things to mention.Two quick notesLast-minute elite status strategiesTPG is committed to helping you earn the status you want, ideally at a fraction of the “usual” price. We’ve recently published last-minute elite status guides for the major U.S. airlines. These guides are full of lesser-known ways to earn status quickly through travel on partner airlines, credit card spend and other offers. So, if you’re thinking about taking a vacation before the end of the year and want to earn elite status or are interested in other ways besides a mileage run to earn status, refer to these links:Last-minute strategies for Alaska Mileage Plan elite statusLast-minute strategies for earning American AAdvantage elite statusLast-minute strategies for earning Delta Medallion elite statusLast-minute strategies for United Premier elite statusWhere’s American Airlines?You’ll notice that we haven’t listed any American Airlines itineraries because American members have an extra two months to earn status. When the airline launched Loyalty Points earlier this year, American modified its elite qualifying year. Rather than using a January 1 to December 31 earning window, American uses a March 1 to February 28 earning window.That means AAdvantage members have until Feb. 28, 2023, to earn status before your Loyalty Points balance resets to zero.New York CityGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Nashville International Airport (BNA).Return: BNA to JFK.MQD: 138.MQM: 1,532.Price: $177.20.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) via Dulles International Airport (IAD).Return: IAH to LGA.PQP: 140.PQF: 3.Price: $186.20.Notes: The IAD to IAH leg is operated by a Boeing 767-300ER on this particular itinerary.Washington, D.C.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: IAD to LGA.Return: LGA to IAD.PQP: 125.PQF: 2.Price: $156.60.Notes: Black Friday.DenverGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)Return: AUS to DEN.PQP: 112.PQF: 2.Price: $142.60.Los AngelesGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).Return: LAS to LAX.PQP: 112.PQF: 2.Price: $143.60.Notes: Fairly good mid-week availability through the end of the year.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: LAX to LAS.Return: LAS to LAX.MQD: 112.MQM: 1,000.Price: $143.60.Notes: Total itinerary is less than four hours.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: LAX to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).Return: SFO to LAX.EQM: 1,000.EQS: 2.Price: $131.59.San FranciscoGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: SFO to DEN.Return: DEN to SFO.PQP: 139.PQF: 2.Price: $177.20.Notes: Widespread availability in early December.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: SFO to LAX.Return: LAX to SFO.EQM: 1,000.EQS: 2.Price: $131.59.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) to Kauai’s Lihue Airport (LIH).Return: LIH to SJC.EQM: 4,924.EQS: 2.Price: $291.40.Notes: Departure is from nearby SJC.OrlandoGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Ottawa International Airport (YOW) via Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).Return: YOW to MCO via Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).PQP: 264.PQF: 4.Price: $229.73.Notes: Air Canada basic fare credited to United MileagePlus.AtlantaGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).Return: BWI to ATL.MQD: 120.MQM: 1,152.Price: $151.60.Notes: Widespread availability with multiple daily departures.Salt Lake CityGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to LAX.Return: LAX to SLC.MQD: 147.MQM: 1,180.Price: $181.60.SeattleGOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOutbound: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN).Return: SAN to SEA.EQM: 2,102.EQS: 2.Price: $191.60.Using Google FlightsOf course, if you don’t live in these cities — or are trying to snag elite status with another airline — the above flights won’t help. However, a fantastic functionality in Google Flights allows you to quickly identify the cheapest options from your home airport: the Explore destinations tool. Here’s how it works:1. Go to Google Flights.2. Scroll down and select “Explore Destinations.“GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTS3. Enter your home airport.4. Click on the dates box, select Specific dates, then set your departure and return dates to your desired travel date.Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTS5. Click “Done.“6. Review the map, and use the slider to adjust the maximum price. You can also filter your preferred airline under the “Airlines” tab.GOOGLE.COM/FLIGHTSOnce you select a city, review the flight results, and make sure you fully understand what you’re getting into. Same-day turns can be risky — especially with connections — and most cheap flights will book into basic economy unless you override that when you check out. Nevertheless, it may be worth it if it can help you reach that next tier of elite status for one day’s worth of travel.For additional details on just how valuable elite status can be, check out our elite status guides for the following airlines:American AAdvantageDelta SkyMilesUnited MileagePlusAlaska Mileage PlanSouthwest Rapid RewardsJetBlue True BlueAdditional reporting by Nick Ewen.