I was looking at SFO-LIH award possibilities for mid-November. I clicked on "search alternate airports" to improve the possibilities. Remember, this is SFO-LIH. I want to return to SFO.

Lots of outgoing options; SJC-LAX-LIH or SJC-SBA-LAX-LIH. Ok, whatever.

Only one return. Again, remember, I want to end up in SFO. SFO being 40 miles from SJC, and maybe 250 miles from SBA.

United 1068 LIH-SFO
United 5549 SFO-SBA
United 5702 SBA-SJC

UA.bomb typically gives only plain, boring, functional routings. If it gives any at all. To actually get somewhere with miles often involves calling an agent.

Until now!

(The worst of it is that, if you checked baggage, you might actually have to fly that crazy routing! As much as you'd want to get off at your first stop, which is exactly where you want to be, you couldn't.)