Help with routing MSP - WAS
 

I need to go to WAS area for winter break and I need help maximizing my miles.

First, let me make sure I under this correctly if I fly trip from Dec 19 - Jan 5, the Dec 19 miles count for this year and Jan 5 miles count on next years?

If that's the case, then I really don't care about maximizing miles going from MSP to WAS on Dec 19 but I do want to maximize miles going from WAS to MSP on Jan 5.

Here's what I have done so far:
MSP-DCA: Nonstop and then on the return:
DCA-MSP: $231
DCA-DTW-MSP: $236.50
DCA-MEM-MSP: $236.50
DCA-DTW-HOU-MSP: $244.98
DCA-DTW-STL-MSP: $246.50

I am thinking the DCA-DTW-HOU-MSP on the return for $244.98 is the best deal but am I missing anything?

EDIT: I forget to mention this is on Northwest Airlines

Thanks

[This message has been edited by daeagle (edited Dec 08, 2003).]

Remember the new CO rules go in effect Jan. 1. If you're a NW Elite, you may want to avoid CO; if you're a CO Elite, you may want to buy at co.com and avoid NW. Your profile doesn't indicate which one you are.

If you don't care about Elite status, you have a good plan.

I want NW Elite, what are the new CO rules?

because the DTW-HOU in DCA-DTW-HOU-MSP flight is CO codeshare

Thanks

in a nut shell if you're travelling on DISCOUNTED tkts you'll get ONLY 50% of the miles towards elite status. 100% miles in your acct towards free trips.
the only exception is if you purchase a discounted CO tkt on CO.com then for '04 you'll get 100% elite miles as well as long as youre putting the miles into your CO acct and NOT a NWA acct

If you don't fly via HOU, it's probably not worth the detour to STL. DCA-MEM-MSP will get you about 1450 base miles, while the extra leg to STL will leave you with 3 segments each worth 500 miles, for only a 50 mile advantage.

But you really should take channa's suggested routing below!

[This message has been edited by 99ejs (edited Dec 08, 2003).]

You can still piece this together by staying only on NW metal. Search by schedule at nwa.com

Return on 1/5 as:
NW0219 DCA-DTW
NW1519 DTW-IAH
NW1021 IAH-MSP

With a non-stop outbound prices to $242.

Thanks for all your help