Before the double EQM bonus that most airlines jumped on this year, I also used segments for 1K qualification. United usually allows "creative" routing, as long as your fare buckets can be found on each flight.
As an example: IND-LAX - traditional routing via ORD or Denver - two segments. For a segment run - IND-ORD-SEA-PDX-LAX-SFO -- five segments.
Yes, the fare is slightly higher but usually due to the airport takeoff/landing fees.