Mileage Run Discussion - help with maximizing sfo-Den

Hi all,

I am new to this site and frankly to the idea of MR. I have been flying for two years but somehow I never figured it out on my own!!! So thank you for opening my eyes to this new world.

After reading your instructions I hope I am doing this right.

1. I am united member with 91900 EQM.
2. I need 8100 more miles by the end of the year and yes I have signed up for double EQM thanks to FT.
3. I am based out of SFO but I can fly out of SJC/OAK or even MRY.
4. I only have one more trip coming up on business by the end of the year to DEN and I was hoping to make the most of it so that I don't have to purchase an MR out of pocket.
5. I will be travelling 11/15 and returning 11/19

6. the budget is not a problem. I can spend up to $1000 but I'd rather be prudent and spend as little as possible.

I already checked Expedia, ITA and farecompare as advised by FT. It seems the best deal I can get is: SJC-LAX-DEN and on the way back it seems I can only get a non-stop flight back. Please remember I am trying to take advantage of the DEQM so I have put in my search in ita as following:

SFO::UA+
DEN::UA+

Let me know if I have missed the magic or whether I am pretty much correct on what I have found. Your help is much appreciated.

Cheers,
New_world

here's the routing rules for the city pair. Four transfers allowed. Good luck and welcome to ft.

[KVS Availability Tool 5.1.2/Diamond - Routing Rules: SFO-DEN/UA/LAG14NN/161 USD] (http://www.KVSTool.com/?R)
SFODEN-UA 27OCT09 *RULE DISPLAY* TARIFF 0011 RULE 601K
-FARE BASIS USD TAX TOTAL PTC FT
LAG14NN 78.14 5.86 84.00 ADT NL
LAG14NN 78.14 5.86 84.00 CNN NL
LAG14NN/IN00 0.00 0.00 0.00 INF NL
LAG14NN 78.14 5.86 84.00 INS NL
LAG14NN 78.14 5.86 84.00 JNN NL
LAG14NN/00 0.00 0.00 0.00 JNF NL
LAG14NN 78.14 5.86 84.00 JNS NL
BOOKING CODES L
PFCS MAY VARY BY RTG
INDUSTRY FARE TYPE - SIP - INSTANT PURCHASE
---------------------------------------------------------------

ROUTING 2 FROM-TO SFO-SAN-LAX/ONT/PSP-SAN-PHX-TUS-PHX-
DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-MRY-BFL/SBA-SNA-SBA-LAX-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK-SJC-OAK-SMF-RNO/LAX-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-BOI/IDA-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-LAX-SLC/BOI/IDA-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK-SJC-OAK-SMF-BFL-SBA-FHU-PHX-
DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK-SJC-OAK-SMF-SNA-LAX-ONT-LAX-
PSP-SAN/LAS/PHX-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK-SJC-OAK-SMF-RNO-SLC-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK-SJC-OAK-SMF-FAT-BFL/BUR-SNA-
DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SMF-BFL-SBA-FHU-PHX-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SMF-SNA-LAX-ONT-LAX-PSP-SAN/LAS/
PHX-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SMF-RNO-SLC-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SMF-FAT-BFL/BUR-SNA-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK/SJC/BIL-SMF-RNO-SLC/LAS/PHX-
DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK/BIL-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SJC/BIL-OAK-SMF-PDX-SEA-PDX-GEG-
DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SMF-RNO-SLC/LAS/PHX-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SMF-PDX-SEA-PDX-GEG-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-OAK-SJC-SMF-OAK-SLC/LAS/PHX-DEN*
FROM-TO SFO-SLC/LAS/PHX-DEN*




if you only need 8100 eqms, then any route with 2025+ is good enough, i'm guessing the easiest would be sfo-oak-lax-san-den.

Instead of specifying just "ua+" you could specify the number of flights on ua (i.e. sfo::ua ua ua). I did this for your dates and didn't have any problem finding lots of three segment runs in each direction for $242 all-in. About 3700 BIS miles, or about 7400 EQMs with DEQM. That'll put you a couple thousand miles short of 1K. How about burning 10K RDMs and Choices for 1000 EQMs if you're tired of flying?

I didn't check for more than 3 segments, but if you could add one more 500 mile minimum segment, you'd be set.

Good luck!

I am amazed at how you did this so fast!!!!:confused::confused:
I've been trying for three days now!!!

Any ideas on which tool to use to book it?

Thanks again,

if you only need 8100 eqms, then any route with 2025+ is good enough, i'm guessing the easiest would be sfo-oak-lax-san-den.

Except you'll often find legal routings where flights don't exist (many times they used to but don't anymore). For example, while the above routing is legal, it doesn't exist since UA doesn't fly SFO-OAK.

For a novice, I'd suggest just specifying the number of desired segments in each direction and seeing what ITA comes up with.

thanks fzwinter...you just introduced me to crack-cocain....this is awesome...

Except you'll often find legal routings where flights don't exist (many times they used to but don't anymore). For example, while the above routing is legal, it doesn't exist since UA doesn't fly SFO-OAK.

For a novice, I'd suggest just specifying the number of desired segments in each direction and seeing what ITA comes up with.

I was just about to post this, but I guess I got beat to it while I was playing around with ITA. I can find 3 segments outbound, 4 inbound for only a little more than the cheapest UA fare. This leaves the OP short by less than 1k miles. It is possible to get 4 segments each way, but it'll cost a bit more.

Once you find a routing on ITA, use the multicity search option on united.com to book it.

Try SFO-MRY-LAX-DEN for your outbound and DEN-SEA-PDX-EUG-SFO on your return. That should get you >8700 EQMs (w/DEQM) for $276.

Once you find a routing on ITA, use the multicity search option on united.com to book it.

I am sooo close to booking my first MR I am super excited thanks to you guys :)^

I tried multicity but it only allows for up to 7 total segments. Is this where I pick up the phone and try to convince the united agent to do it for me?

thanks

...or perhaps look for some "natural pairs" in amongst your routing...

If (for example only - I don't know if this is the case) it is ONLY possible to fly from SEA-EUG via PDX then there is one city pair you can leave out.... it will route you "via" automatically...

Or go thru Orlando/Tampa. Often good rates, and big planes. Fewer transfers = Less chance of schedule issues.

Or go thru Orlando/Tampa. Often good rates, and big planes. Fewer transfers = Less chance of schedule issues.

OP needs to travel from SFO to DEN. MCO or TPA routings aren't going to be allowed for SFO-DEN, so adding them in is gonna add a lot of $$ to the fare.

OP needs to travel from SFO to DEN. MCO or TPA routings aren't going to be allowed for SFO-DEN, so adding them in is gonna add a lot of $$ to the fare.

1 never knows ,I was amazed a couple of yrs ago when CO offered a LAX-EWR-MSP routing r/t for less then $200. Boy do I miss Travelocity Dream Maps