Mileage Run Discussion - last minute cancelled trip--odds that I can earn 18K EQMs on UA by 12/31?

I've got 82,216 EQMs. Had been planning to do my MR for double EQMs to HNL a couple of weeks ago--had to cancel due to family illness. That trip would have earned 19900 EQMs and I'd be 1K again for 2010.

Looking ahead, I can fly any day or days between 12/24 - 12/31.
I've maxed out my MP Visa 5K EQMs, can still buy 5K for 50,000 miles.

Any creative ideas where I might earn the 18K EQMs that I need without completely breaking the bank?

I'd hope to spend $1000 or less, departing from NYC, BDL, or ALB and willing to go to Europe or transcon. Is this possible?

I've got 82,216 EQMs. Had been planning to do my MR for double EQMs to HNL a couple of weeks ago--had to cancel due to family illness. That trip would have earned 19900 EQMs and I'd be 1K again for 2010.

Looking ahead, I can fly any day or days between 12/24 - 12/31.
I've maxed out my MP Visa 5K EQMs, can still buy 5K for 50,000 miles.

Any creative ideas where I might earn the 18K EQMs that I need without completely breaking the bank?

I'd hope to spend $1000 or less, departing from NYC, BDL, or ALB and willing to go to Europe or transcon. Is this possible?

Have you looked into doing a NYC-DXB run? It will route through IAD. That will give you an easy 15k EQM right there. Usually around $1,000 or so.

Thanks. Unfortunately, fares are upwards of $4K. Not a good week for MR!

You can do NYC-SYD for ~$1450 all-in next week. Expensive for a MR, but will get you what you need. Unfortunately, prices in L/K so you can't use a SWU. 19,944 miles.

You can check your choices balance and top off as many EQM's as you possibly can with that balance at 10k per 1k EQM. Not a good ratio but it is there.

Also get your butt on a plane and start doing some transcons, even if they are 4-500 a pop. That will get you at least 5k per. You will run out of time if you dont' get creative and jump on some of the MR deals posted or search for your own and post here. If I was in your shoes I would be on ITA nonstop till I was done. Good luck.

btw here you go Dec 26th is your day to blast off.

Problems solved.

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch/bonsaiproxy/split-page-frameset;jsessionid=C4FCBA5888DF5A26F99A51D57784E0 26?V=M26526493024563308454&AAC=2009-12-24-01&AAA=30&TBS=30&E=1&N=0-57846240-57847680-D&NPP=1&ACH=1&OVR=1&CO=1&LH=1&LX=1&UA=1&NS-0=1&NS-1=1&NS-2=1&ND-1=1

DEQM is over thus you only need EQM's thus LH works, although the 500 miles or so on Emirates is only redeemable. Combine this with some Choices EQM's you purchase and a transcon and you made it.