OK, I’m no bonus virgin and have certainly earned my fair share of big bonuses in my time. But a different sort of “Mileage Run” really caught my eye. Mileage … as in car miles. Maybe it should be referred to as an “Odometer Run,” a “Rental Run,” or even a “Car Hop.”  Over on FlyerTalk.com, member Mrp Alert decided that the best way for him to pump up his miles was to take advantage of some of the ongoing car rental bonus offers being offered. While in the 80s, car rentals were often seen as the way to best the programs with thousands of bonus miles, they have taken a far back seat in recent years with changes such as earning only 50 miles per rental day being somewhat standard. Hardly something that turns my motor over on bonus day. So this member does his math and plots out a course of action, along with a goal: 100,000 Miles in 45 Days Renting Cars.

His challenge to himself: Can I accrue 100,000 miles in 45 days exclusively from renting cars. Why 45 days, you may ask? Well, Northwest Airlines started a promotion on December 10 and my first scheduled National rental was around December 15. Meanwhile, Continental started a promotion set to end January 31. The dates were defined, the challenge of topping up my BMI, Virgin Atlantic, and Continental Frequent Flyer Accounts was set, and I am ready to compete.

I’ll give you the break down of his success as of January 31:

Estimated Total Miles Earned: ~101,596

Estimated Total $$$ Spent: $1,209.53

Cost Per Mile in Cents (CPM): 1.19

Total Rental Days: 74

Total # Cars Rented: 28

Average Rental Length: 2.64 Days

Max Cars Rented At Same Time: 6

Average Cost Per Rental: $16.37

Most expensive cost per mile: 2.98 cents per mile

Least expensive cost per mile: 0.41 cents per mile

Mean cost per mile: 1.17 

OK, now, some of you will probably call the authorities to have this person  sent to the frequent flyer funny farm, but let’s take a look at his smart math. He spent $1,200. But he earned enough miles to be used in the $5-7,000 range for travel tickets. when used internationally in the right class of service. Savings? You do the math. My favorite part? There’s no doubt this guy could help his kids with their math homework and my favorite moment of all this: when he had six rental cars out at a single time. And there are those that say miles aren’t as much fun as they used to be? Well, meet Mrp Alert.