Originally Posted by
Jazzop
If I understand correctly, the OP is trying to turn a necessary trip into a quasi-MR by throwing segments or creative routing between two endpoints and dates that aren't as flexible as a true MR. The thing to remember is that for every extra degree of inflexibility, one must be prepared to accept a proportionally higher cost per mile. Whereas a true MR could be done for <3 CPM, expect to pay 4-5 CPM (or more) for your ticket.
I do this often, and I generally have an idea, based on the endpoint cities, of what connecting cities to search for in ITA. I use milecalc.com to check the mileage for several different routings, then I return to ITA to find the 2-3 best fares for my preferred route. Then I check the fares for my second favorite route, and so on, alternating between ITA and milecalc to find an optimal solution. In the end, it's all a matter of one's tolerance level for inconvenience, mileage needs, and the constraints of the "real" reason for the trip in the first place.
Flying out of NYC, I can generally count on throwing an FLL, MCO, or PBI connection into my trip, which can pile on the miles quickly. Your XNA & CID endpoints are extremely restrictive, however. The best you can hope for is probably ATL, MSP, and/or DTW in the mix. Good luck.
I agree the endpoints are restrictive.
If the OP needs a mileage boast I would add in another city as a destination if you have the time. If tight on time, a west coast redeye turn will let you depart XNA in the evening and be in CID in the AM the next day.
First, find a city that is cheap from both XNA and CID (not familiar with these markets, so I really can't comment on what the competitive routes are).
In this case I'll use LAX as an example as it's serviced by LCC's (WN/FL/etc).
Try a multi-city XNA-LAX-CID-XNA -- Go out to LAX first and then schedule a redeye for LAX-CID.
To leave in the evening, keep a simple schedule with southern hubs to avoid IRROPS, such as XNA-ATL-LAX.
From LAX you'll have some flexibility - try something like LAX-TPA-MSP-CID.
I would pick a redeye that'll take you as far east as possible within the fare rules and then backtrack to CID. LAX has non-stop redeyes to cities in FL such as TPA, MCO, FLL. See what works for you within the fare rules.
You'll pay more for this ticket
* as you're adding a destination, but if you're tight on time this will get you additional miles. The longer the redeye, the more sleep you can get as well.. ^
* I actually saved money once routing a trip with nearby midwest endpoints (with no competition) via LAX because of LCC competition. The route I needed to fly was $500+ in LUT fare classes, but a RT ticket to LAX, and a RT ticket from LAX to my destination priced out at about $200 each .. $400 + some taxes all in.