Any status junkies ever asked UA if they could just tear up the tickets for the miles, giving UA the seat back? Wonder if the question got bumped far enuf up the chain, what someone of authority from UA would say. If they said "yes" would you ask for a few cans of soda (or 1/2 cans if on Ted) and some snack mix? This question isnt to achieve status from the start, but just to bridge that last MR of the year that you don't have time to take.