I am new to the frequent flyer community but I have a job the requires me to travel long distances several times a year (government contractor). For the last year I have been traveling extensively without using any type of frequent flyer plan but recently I realized my colleges are always in first class while I am seated in the back near the restroom so I decided I was going to embrace the system and get up to the front.

My question is about how to schedule flights. My job lets me book my own flights, with whatever airline I want, and pay however I choose. I simply get a reimbursement at the end. In two weeks I am making a trip to from San Diego to Bulgaria, then Germany, then Orlando Florida and then back home (all consecutively). I noticed it is cheaper to book four round trip flights instead of one multi city trip.

My questions are 1) If I book a round trip fare on United but do not show up for the return flight will I still be credited with the frequent flyer miles? or 2) Can I cancel the return flight and be credited with United for future flights? The worst case scenario is that I pay for a round trip but I only receive frequent flyer miles for the initial one way flight. Any advise on how to best set this up would be appreciated. Thanks.