Not sure I would use miles for an emergency (funeral, e.g.). Especially not for a flight within California.

Instead, I would check the last-minute fares offered by the airlines themselves, and if I found nothing workable, I might try Priceline or Hotwire for a cheap last-minute flight.

OTOH, like other posters I am also concerned about UA's long-term viability, and have cashed in 190,000 UA miles this year for international award flights; am looking for ways to burn or transfer more; and am accumulating miles and points elsewhere instead of UA. (Balance still over 250,000.)

Kathy