Hi,

Scenario: I need to make a trip from PHL to HNL for Thanksgiving in late November.

I have 120K United miles. (Incidentally, I'm Gold level for 2014 and also have United Club access through the Chase Club Card.)

I also know that the US Mainland to Hawaii award pricing is going up in March 2014.

I'll also make additional trips to Hawaii (same PHL-HNL itinerary), probably during both peak and non-peak times this year, so I'll recover 10K+ per trip in flight miles and elite bonuses. I may make an additional continental US trip or two to some west coast cities from Philadelphia.

So....just because the award pricing is going up, should I book award travel in November? Award ticket availability I can get away at minimum with 20K outbound Saver Economy + 40K Saver First--though I'm very scared to do this since these flights are partnership with US Airways (which will dissolve their relationship with United in March 2014--good luck with me making itinerary changes once that happens!). If I go pure United awards, I might burn up to 40K + 80K (all my 120K miles!) to make this award booking.

Meanwhile, late November prices are running about US$1100 round trip right now. I do have some United PQD spend requirements to make next year's elite levels if I want them (US$2500 or US$5000 for Silver/Gold 2015 status, respectively).

So what to do, what to do? Burn award miles, or save and just pay for the November flight?

Thanks, Ruhr.