FTv3

For clarity,

You can’t just use your bank for random commutes. You must have a scheduled CML DH which you can deviate from using your travel bank to cover any cost overages compared to the index price of the scheduled flight. You also have to keep the deviation within 2 days of the scheduled flight, or something like that. Positioning, you can start from anywhere. Depositioning, you can only go to an airport within 300miles of your primary residence or listed secondary. Mid trip CMLs, you’re basically limited to changing the departure time. Only exception to the above: At Christmas they’ll let you use your bank $$ to fly home if your trip ends within a couple of days of the 25th.

I wouldn’t say there are “a lot” of trips with CMLs. A “fair amount,” is a better description.

Use it or lose it - travel bank money only stays in your account for 4? bid periods (32 weeks). Sorry, don’t remember the exact length.

You keep your miles. There are a few guys that get upper level status solely from CML DHs, others game it with linked credit cards and/or other strategies to build it up. I’ve never been able to get above Gold at delta and that’s with using the skymiles AMEX a lot. IMO, most guys here don’t have anything above entry level status. Take home is that we don’t CML anywhere near as much as the ACMIs do.

Living in DFW area is excellent for commuting and deviating.