When I first started with UA in earnest in 1999, I earned 1K by segments. It was cheep (BUR-SFO-LAS-SFO-BUR) many times a year. But it took planning...

In those days, a Sat night stay was required to get a $90 roundtrip fare. But the legal loopehole was to purchase a one-way BUR-LAS, then a series of LAS-BUR-LAS flights, taking advantage of the Sat night stay.

I used to fly ORD-DSM-DEN-LAS-LAX for the segments.

I then shifted to mileage based 1K. Took many mileage runs a year. SWU's were pretty easy to confirm.

Now, well, this will be my final year as a 1K. I have lifetime Plat status, and that's enough for me. I am also Plat on Delta, so I have good options.

I like JetBlue, but only in Coach. I'm really not a fan of the Mint seat.