As ChrisA330 points out, you can't always get both lower miles and fewer stops. Be realistic. It's summer and your folks are traveling in two months. Be happy they found any seats. If you are not interesting in looking at any of the other lower mileage options suggested, then they may have to suck it up and pay the miles. And I don't quite understand the "2 stops is not really worth it" thingy. A simple extra stop shouldn't be a big deal to an avid flyer, if it means saving as many as 100K miles.