Not very realistic. ahanif obviously thinks that: (1) purchasing an international business class ticket (to Pakistan) is either not worth the cost or is beyond his financial means; and (2) taking a longhaul flight (to Pakistan) in coach is unappealing and unacceptible, so why would he choose one of those two options to take a mileage run to Singapore in order to facilitate his later trip to Pakistan?

This strategy is not a viable option either. First, FirstUSA (Bank One) has apparently ended the 2,500 mile per extra card promotion (which was reportedly limited to four new cards only as well). And second, as dogcanyon reports and I can verify, many of us who ordered the extra cards months ago have still yet to receive the promised bonus miles.

I wish I had a viable suggestion for ahanif. Short of splurging on a $1,500 meal (or meals) at a participating iDine restuarant, I don't have any bright ideas. But one strategy to buy a little extra time to accrue the requisite miles would be to politely ask UA to roll over (extend) the hold on the desired frequent flier award as the deadline for its automatic expiration approaches.

[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 08-21-2003).]