Originally Posted by chunky649

What (I think) Geoffco suggest is the least cost flight option. Essentially, instead of you driving from DTW to PIT, you fly to SJO and get miles. However, getting from SJO to SFO is another consideration.

I spent hours last night trying to figure it out as well, trying to force a round trip/multi-city run that would end at PIT to trigger the discount. Unfortunately, no luck. It seems to me that the fare must involve PIT in the beginning/end connecting with SFO/LAX/DEN.

I was able to get a route that includes DTW coming home, which I guess I can skip the last leg to PIT and be home in DTW. However, getting from DTW-PIT in the first place is problematic.

Driving from my home (north of Detroit) to PIT takes 5 leisurely hours (Each way x 300 miles) and ~$160 of gas and tolls(Return). It takes me 1 hour to get from home to DTW each way. If someone can point me to a more economic solution, I'm all ears...

Anyway, after searching for hours trying to put together a makeshift mini vacation near labor day weekend, I ended up booking my first pure MR -
Sept 8 - PIT-JFK-SFO, 3 hours at SFO, then SFO-JFK-PIT (red eye). Out the door price is $139. After my diamond bonus, I'll be earning 6172 MQM miles and 13888 RDM miles. Total estimated cost = $139(airfare) + $160(gas) + $10 parking = $300. Cost per RDM mile = $0.022.