I spent seven weekends for the ORF-LAX-MCO-LAX-ORF runs with stops at IAD or EWR. The total combined BIS is about 87K (or 2.4 cpm). This leaves me about 4000 BIS short of 3 Million miles milestone. I got an early congratulation from an FA on board EWR-IAD today. Unfortunately, UA won't credit me 5000 BIS miles for the 500 BIS mile flight. Otherwise, her congratulation would be very timely.

I used Plus Points for upgrades for all my flights. There were a total of 28 long segments (IAD-LAX, EWR-LAX and LAX-EWR; all flat beds). Only four of them failed the upgrades; that is, 86% success rates. I made a big mistake when I applied for PlusPoint upgrade. If I did not apply for short segments (ORF-EWR and EWR-MCO), I would be able to withdraw the request and re-apply it when I saw PZ spaces. When a short segment was cleared (I.e., PlusPoints was used), I could not remove the request at the day of travel when PZ space was open, which I guess that this happens at 2-3 am Chicago time. Nevertheless, I got very good values out of my Pluspoints, in particular, United only charged 20 points for MCO-IAD-LAX-EWR (40 points for EWR-LAX-EWR due to return at LAX to EWR, but 20 points for IAD-LAX-EWR due to a circular route). For the last two runs, I was able to change from MCO-IAD-LAX to MCO-EWR-LAX due to schedule change (specifically, aircraft type change from B787 to B737) without incurring additional Pluspoints.

The same-day change was not used often, for example, from ORF-EWR-LAX to ORF-IAD-LAX when EWR-LAX upgrade would fail. In this case, I got the Plus points back for cleared ORF-EWR segment. I changed EWR-MCO to EWR-IAD-MCO once and from EWR-ORF to EWR-IAD-ORF twice.

Delays occurred twice; that is, a two-hour delay of IAD-LAX for cargo door problem (switched from B788 to B789 Polaris), which still let me connect for LAX-EWR with a few seconds to spare, and one-hour delay of EWR-LAX for coffee maker water line leakage on B787-10. I had plenty of time to make the connection to LAX-EWR. There was no other delay that I could remember.

The best part of these runs was the access of United Clubs at LAX and EWR although the foods offer at clubs was limited. The standard lounge charge fees would easily exceed my ticket price (plus a few stops at LH and Turkish lounge at IAD).

Happy and safe travels.