US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Segment run help!

Ok, so since I'm scared about requalifying status this year on US Airways, I decided its time for a segment run.

I have a weekend trip to Philly at the end of July, and since I have extra time, I decided that I should try to maximize segments.

Regular nonstop TPA-PHL-TPA for my dates runs at about $169. So I really don't want to pay significantly more than that for my segment run (ideally, just the extra PFC's and taxes b/c of additional airports visited). I refuse to surpass $200.

If I plug in one extra connection each way (either PIT or CLT, no signifcant impact on mileage), the fare doesn't really change (slightly higher b/c of airport taxes) and I got four segments.

I'd really like to plug in some other connections to really maximize this segment run. I've tried plugging in a bunch of different cities, including WAS, RDU, GSO, MSY, JAX, TLH, etc. I'm getting some great itineraries (up to 8 segments which is really ideal) but they're all in the $200-$300 range, which isn't as outrageous as some of the things I've tried, but I'm sticking to my ceiling of $200.

So right now I got 4 segments at about $169, and I'm happy about that. But I'd really like to squeeze six or even eight segments out of this wouldout skyrocketing the price.

Does anyone have any ideas or am I out of my league?

Thanks.

ok, I was able to come up with 6 segments for $166 (base fare $138), leave 26 July (F), return 28 July,(Su).

TPA-CLT-RDU-PHL-CLT-JAX-TPA (fare code VRA7BSN (http://reservations.usairways.com/airgrules.ctl?fare_bss_cd=VRA7BSN))

Fri, July 26
984 TPA-CLT 700a- 843a 733
3060 CLT-RDU 928a-1018a Dash 8
1229 RDU-PHL 1045a-1207p 319

Sun July 28
1659 PHL-CLT 810a-1004a 767!
3016 CLT-JAX 1210p- 145p Dash 8
3383 JAX-TPA 230p- 330p Dash 8

If this doesn't work, there are several other routings/times available: TPA-CLT-ROA-PHL, TPA-CLT-GSO-PHL, etc. Play with the usairways.com engine and keep hitting "more departing/returning flights."

Good luck.

Expedia.com can show you allowable routings for a fare. It is the only website that I am aware that does. Pick your normal flights, and click on 'rules,' and it will show allowable routings; use the multi-city option to price out faster.

Has anyone figured out a Segment/Mileage run from Charlotte? Its hard to find cheap flights except for E-savers these days.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Cadillac:

Has anyone figured out a Segment/Mileage run from Charlotte? Its hard to find cheap flights except for E-savers these days.</font>

You'll have much better luck with fares out of GSO.

Good Idea BizJet.. it's only an hour and 30 minutes from CLT.

Normally GSO goes through CLT(HUB) for most flights, so that will take an extra segment.

Does anyone know a neighboring airport to another Hub or a just a smaller airport that always flys through a larger airport that would make another segment. (Does that make sense?)

I have flown quite a few miles this year so far, and would love to make Silver for once.

Most of my flights are personal from CLT-WAS so I never get enough miles or segments.

If you're only interested in max'ing segments, the advice above is good. But if you're also looking for some mileage, keep an eye out for options that include stops through ORD.

I have been pricing PIT-SFO trips for July lately and keep seeing really cheap (mid-week B fare) options for PIT-ORD-PHL-SFO that are 40% less. I know this is because of competition on non-leisure fares, and wont save 40% always - but ORD is somewhere to keep in mind too.

Well I decided to bite the bullet and pay a little more. Give a little to get a little, right? Plus, the extra fare is all tax, so it's really like giving to charity!

Outbound TPA-CLT-RDU-CLT-PHL
Return PHL-CLT-RDU-CLT-TPA

No express flights, 1 767, 2 321's, 1 757, and a load of 737s.

I'm a little worried about getting S'd on my boarding pass or a full interogation at security, but fortunately I don't have to lie about my circuitous routing because this is US Airways and not Delta.

Finally, the agent who gladly assigned me exit rows on all eight flights thought I was out of my mind. I don't think it was as much the eight segments as it was my picky seat preference (i.e., on the 321, 9C was taken, so she offered 9D, but I refused for something in row 21. She offered 21C, but I asked for 21D because I don't like sitting in front of the jumpseat).

BizJet: What are your dates of travel. I'll be RDU-CLT and then on to SEA on July 26th (Fri)... ???