Mileage Run Madness in Poland: 6 Legs, 4 Cities, 12 Hours

For frequent flyers chasing status—whether Star Alliance Gold or Miles & More Frequent Traveller—it’s not always about long-haul business class flights. Sometimes, a well-planned weekend mileage run with cheap domestic flights can yield crucial qualifying points.

The Experiment

I tested this with LOT Polish Airlines: 6 domestic flights in one day, each booked separately as one-ways to maximize points and enjoy lounge access between flights.

Why Book One-Ways?

Flexibility: Some LOT domestic connections have very short layovers (e.g., 30 minutes), which wouldn’t be possible with round-trip bookings on the same day.
Cost Efficiency: One-way fares range between €35 and €70, including baggage and seat selection (especially for Gold status holders). Round-trips can sometimes be more expensive.

The Route (All from/to Warsaw – WAW)

WAW → WRO (Wrocław)
WRO → WAW
WAW → GDN (Gdańsk)
GDN → WAW
WAW → KRK (Kraków)
KRK → WAW

All flights took place in May with a tight schedule from early morning to evening. I traveled light—only hand luggage—to move swiftly from gate to lounge and back.

Points Earned

All flights booked in Economy class to maximize points and qualifying points.
You can credit these flights to other Star Alliance programs like Turkish Airlines or Aegean Airlines, but here’s the Miles & More tally:
- 120 award miles and 120 qualifying points toward status.
Total cost: approximately €250–300 for 6 flights, earning 6 sets of points, lounge access, and a polished frequent flyer status. This is an efficient and affordable way to boost your status.

Lounge Hopping

Even on domestic flights, lounge access is fully available for Star Alliance Gold or Miles & More Frequent Traveller, Senator, and HON members:

WAW: LOT Business Lounge Polonez (Schengen area near Gate 25), recently renovated with a solid selection of warm dishes, snacks, premium coffee, quiet workspaces, and a relaxation area. There’s even a whiskey bar with snacks.
WRO: Executive Lounge with regional specialties, good drinks, and stylish design. Prosecco on tap is a highlight.

GDN: Modern, spacious lounge with large windows and surprisingly good offerings.
KRK: Schengen Lounge, functional and quiet—ideal for short stops.

If you’re statusless, flying with someone who can bring you into the lounges is a must!

Flight Catering

Each leg offered a nice selection of meals and drinks, adding to the overall experience.

Tips for Your Own Polish Mileage Run

Combine flight times cleverly: LOT offers multiple daily flights on the same routes (e.g., 5x daily WAW–KRK).
Travel with hand luggage only to save time at transfers and gates.
Mix early morning and late-night flights to maximize segments per day.
Use your status benefits fully: lounge access, fast track, priority boarding—all help to reduce stress.
Book hotels near the airport, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Warsaw (review forthcoming) or Hampton by Hilton Warsaw Airport (review available), both offering free shuttle services.

Conclusion: Polish Points Power

What started as an experimental mileage run turned out to be an efficient, affordable, and even enjoyable way to boost frequent flyer status. Six legs, six sets of points, lounge indulgence, and zero jetlag.

Poland is a hidden gem for points hunters: short flights, good connections, reliable LOT service, and prices that make you book without hesitation.

A big THANK YOU to Miss Inkognito for this insightful article!

Additional Context from Official Sources

Miles & More and LOT Polish Airlines: LOT remains a key partner in the Miles & More program, allowing you to earn miles and qualifying points on all scheduled flights operated by LOT. Booking classes and fare types affect mileage accrual, with Economy fares typically earning 100% of flown miles and Business Class earning up to 150–200% depending on fare class .
Award Flight Changes from June 2025: Miles & More will continue to use fixed award charts for LOT Polish Airlines flights, with some mileage adjustments to reflect current pricing trends. Economy class flights within Europe will generally require fewer miles, making these domestic runs even more attractive for status seekers.
Star Alliance Benefits: As a Star Alliance member, you can credit LOT flights to other programs like United MileagePlus or Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, which may offer different earning rates and benefits .

This mileage run strategy is a smart way to leverage LOT’s extensive Polish domestic network and Miles & More’s program rules to efficiently climb the status ladder without expensive long-haul flights.

A special Thanks to Mrs Inkognito for this review!

Mileage Run Madness in Poland: 6 Legs, 4 Cities, 12 Hours – and Plenty of Points!