Mileage Run Discussion - Creative US MR

Hi All,

I'm running out of ideas. I have no idea where to go for my next MR. I don't want to do Europe because I have only 2 empty squares left in my passport :) I'm keeping it for emergency.
I'm based in DC so I can do DCA, IAD or BWI. I'm not asking for detailed itinerary but for ideas to create "new" MR. So far this year I've done PHX, TUS, MIA, FLL, LAX, LAS. I would like to go to some new place. I have 3 days off next week (March 5, 6 & 7). I've budget for it around $450 (not including hotel). I would like to get at least 9K miles, since this would put me at Gold for the next year.

I love this game :) I'm addicted to flying :) Please help me construct some creative MR.

Thanks.

You do realize you can have you passport expanded to include more pages, right? Passport offices can do this quickly, and I think if you do it in person (ie, not by mail), it's a free service.

I did mine in Europe at a consulate a few years ago, took about 10 minutes and was totally free, and I got another 20 pages or so in my passport book.

I did mine in OTP along with Yaatri and it took 30 minutes total to do 3 or 4 passports.

Also, two blank squares may not be enough. Many countries require a full blank page to insert a full page sized sticky visa. They will not place it on top of other stamps. Thus, the current state of your passport may not cover you for all country possibilities.

If you are not near a US Consulate/embassy or a US based passport agency, it can be done by mail. just print out the form from the Department of State web site and follow the directions.

I'm always looking for MR's with US as well and I live right by DCA. I'm always up for doing a run with other local FT'ers.

Given the parameters you suggested, you could go to SEA from DCA (DCA/PHL/SEA arriving 11:50 pm on Friday night) and return via CLT taking the redeye saturday night (SEA/CLT/DCA) and pick up about 5400 miles for $444 ++ and one night hotel - sleep a few hours near airport, go into Seattle sat morning, check out Pike Place, space needle, Mario Batali's dad's salumi shop, maybe even hit the Boeing museum between airport and downtown.

Tough to get 9K miles without stamping the passport....

The story behind my passport is that I can't send it to add more pages because I would be without the passport for up to 6 weeks (according to the passport agency). In 3, 4 or 5 weeks I will be going to Middle East on a work assignment and I can't be stuck without the passport. When I get my itinerary from work I will personally take my passport and visit passport agency in DC. They won't let you in unless you are traveling within 14 days.

As for the SEA trip. I've been trying to build something creative but I can't get anything decent from DC.
Last year I did DCA - CLT - LAX - LAS - SEA, slept at SEA Marriott and in the morning I did SEA - PHX - LAX - IAD. I loved it. That time I got it for $475 ai. and got out of it almost 8K base miles.

DCAMatt, I am always up for MR. Most of the time I'm open Friday - Sunday. But March and April will be tough for me. Right now I'm only open for MR next weekend.

I will keep searching for some creative routings until Sunday. If I can't find anything I will have to spend second weekend this year at home :)

Thanks!

I'm sure you've looked here re passport
http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/add/add_850.html

Also, there is an walk in with appointment passport office on 19th St in the District where I believe you can just get a new passport rather than trying to add pages.

Some of the rules

You may make an appointment to be seen at a Passport Agency only if:

* You need a U.S. passport in less than 2 weeks for international travel
* You need a U.S. passport within 4 weeks to obtain a foreign visa.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html

MRs from DC - when and where are we going? [although I would prefer UA]

Thats why I have to wait for my itinerary to make appointment with the passport agency. I don't need to apply for the visa because where I'm going I will get the visa at the airport.

I don't discriminate between *A, if you find good deal on United we can do MR with them :)

Thats why I have to wait for my itinerary to make appointment with the passport agency.

Refundable ticket, printout, cancel, appointment, extra pages. @:-)

If you're still checking passport info, I talked to some passport folks at the DC travel expo the other week. Walk-ins at the DC passport office are ok for drop offs for new pages. Expedited is ~$75 ($60 fee plus overnight mailing fee) and should take ~2 days.

Cheers -