Dec 5-7 I see NYC-IST for between $550-$750 (make sure partner flights would credit).

There are many schools to MR thought. Two are: 1. Fly something crazy, complex, and far at a very cheap rate or 2. Fly someplace you are interested in, and would not typically go unless you needed the miles. Subtract the value of your interest in the place you went (in this case it is HNL for you) and what remains is what you paid for the MR.

6cpm this time of year is not bad, especially out of a market like NYC. The EU is too close to get it done in one ewr-fra-ewr trip on UA, and the west coast isn't far enough. Why not go where you will enjoy and rack up the miles as a benefit? You'll be a lot happier then those of us who fly a day or two or three straight just to get back to where we started.......me this weekend.


Good luck!