Rapid Travel Chai

“Drop me off at American,” said the smiling man on the hotel shuttle. “I’ll see you all in the morning.”

The Chicago Seminars got off to a great start with a wonderful collection of characters. The Rapid Traveler wishes he could meet every attendee and learn all their tips.

This particular gentleman eschewed the Chicago hotels for a trip back and forth to Minneapolis Friday night and Saturday night will be St. Louis. Those flights will earn only 500 miles each way, so why all the effort to commute to the conference?

Well, for 5,000 bonus miles through American Airlines Vacations’ What’s the Deal promotion, running for booking through November 9, 2011 and travel through February 29, 2012. There are six options, summarized by AAdvantage Geek, and it is a fun game.

So, what’s the limit on earning those 5,000 miles bonuses? “My wife,” the man says with a laugh.