Dec 31, 2018, 11:01 pm
Last edit by: Kmxu
For each request, please include the following information:
Departure Airport:
Miles Needed:
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates:
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay:
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?
Departure Airport:
Miles Needed:
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates:
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay:
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)?
For each response. Please quote the original request. DO NOT START A NEW THREAD.
There are many good fares to China (PEK or PVG). If you have a Chinese visa, these options will be provided. Otherwise, you may have to take advantage of TWOV (visa on arrival). Its information can be found: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china/708095-china-24-72-144-hour-transit-without-visa-twov-rules-master-thread.html
If your requested PQM is in a few thousand, please give a more accurate amount. You will get fewer options with a roundup number (eg, 5000 instead of 4830; IAD-SFO nonstop will work for the latter.)
There are many good fares to China (PEK or PVG). If you have a Chinese visa, these options will be provided. Otherwise, you may have to take advantage of TWOV (visa on arrival). Its information can be found: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china/708095-china-24-72-144-hour-transit-without-visa-twov-rules-master-thread.html
If your requested PQM is in a few thousand, please give a more accurate amount. You will get fewer options with a roundup number (eg, 5000 instead of 4830; IAD-SFO nonstop will work for the latter.)
UA/Star Alliance: 2019 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Dec 2, 2019, 9:51 am
#736
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 18
Departure Airport: IAH
Miles Needed: 4500
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): Doesn't really matter, cheapest possible
Available Travel Dates: Various December dates
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: metal
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Miles Needed: 4500
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): Doesn't really matter, cheapest possible
Available Travel Dates: Various December dates
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: metal
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Dec 2, 2019, 9:55 am
#737
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1
Need 2,438 miles
Departure Airport: Denver (DIA)
Miles Needed: 2,438
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates: Dec 14-15, Dec 21-22
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay:
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? NO
Miles Needed: 2,438
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates: Dec 14-15, Dec 21-22
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay:
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? NO
Dec 2, 2019, 11:38 am
#738
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
UA:$498 IAH-TPA (via EWR/DEN) 4766PQM
Departure Airport: IAH
Miles Needed: 4500
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): Doesn't really matter, cheapest possible
Available Travel Dates: Various December dates
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: metal
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Miles Needed: 4500
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): Doesn't really matter, cheapest possible
Available Travel Dates: Various December dates
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: metal
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
UA:$498 IAH-TPA 4766PQM
Wed 18 Dec IAH-EWR-TPA-DEN-IAH
Link: https://flights.app.goo.gl/fNt2n
I haven't had any luck finding anything cheaper, unfortunately.
Dec 2, 2019, 11:47 am
#739
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
UA:$161 DEN-IAD nonstop 2904PQM
Departure Airport: Denver (DIA)
Miles Needed: 2,438
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates: Dec 14-15, Dec 21-22
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay:
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? NO
Miles Needed: 2,438
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates: Dec 14-15, Dec 21-22
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay:
Route(s) You've Already Searched:
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? NO
UA:$161 DEN-IAD nonstop 2904PQM
Sat 14 Dec DEN-IAD-DEN
(6h23m in IAD)
Link: https://flights.app.goo.gl/WiRrF
A bit long at IAD, but you can take the bus to the Udar-Hazy Center, it's easy to spend a few hours there. And there's always the TK lounge (with UA*G or PP).
Dec 2, 2019, 11:57 am
#740
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: United Airlines, National, Holiday Inn, Marriot
Posts: 53
Departure Airport: STL
Miles Needed: 8,000 miles
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): As little as possible with comfort in mind.
Available Travel Dates: All except Dec 24th-27th
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: STL-OGG, STL-LAS (multi-city)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Preference would be for short trip with 200% PQM but only finding economy and every trip seems to fall just short. The purpose of this run is to hit 125k for an additional GPU (Plus Points). I usually get quite a lot of value out of GPUs for international upgrades so a run may be worth it for the right price.
Miles Needed: 8,000 miles
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): As little as possible with comfort in mind.
Available Travel Dates: All except Dec 24th-27th
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: STL-OGG, STL-LAS (multi-city)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Preference would be for short trip with 200% PQM but only finding economy and every trip seems to fall just short. The purpose of this run is to hit 125k for an additional GPU (Plus Points). I usually get quite a lot of value out of GPUs for international upgrades so a run may be worth it for the right price.
Dec 2, 2019, 1:23 pm
#741
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: AC; SQ; QF
Posts: 2
Trying to get to AC 100k
Departure Airport: YYZ or YTZ
Miles Needed: 12624 to get to 100k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): cheapest possible in any fare class, already have AQD
Available Travel Dates: any Dec weekend or anytime between 21 and 31 Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Any Star Alliance, AC preferred to use upgrade credits
Route(s) You've Already Searched: many different options but all are coming up in fare classes with only 50% AQM accrual
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Open to overnights or multi night stays if in the longer period at the end of Dec
Miles Needed: 12624 to get to 100k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): cheapest possible in any fare class, already have AQD
Available Travel Dates: any Dec weekend or anytime between 21 and 31 Dec
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Any Star Alliance, AC preferred to use upgrade credits
Route(s) You've Already Searched: many different options but all are coming up in fare classes with only 50% AQM accrual
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Open to overnights or multi night stays if in the longer period at the end of Dec
Dec 2, 2019, 1:37 pm
#742
Join Date: Jan 2004
Programs: United GS (11 years in a row); Lifetime Marriott Titanium Elite; National Exec Elite
Posts: 46
Those would be killer deals of the century. Of course, the links have expired. I am back in the $2000 range. Yes, I have an expired Chinese Visa as of Sept 2019. Tough luck. Any other thoughts? I would like to leave on the 10th of December
Dec 2, 2019, 1:43 pm
#743
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: HOU
Posts: 459
Departure Airport: IAH
Miles Needed: 1332 to get to 50k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): I'd like to get it under $200, really as cheap as possible as it isn't a lot of miles and I am good on PQD
Available Travel Dates: Any day after 12/14
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Anything is ok, as long as I can get enough miles on UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: to ORD, LAX, DFW (with stops - I thought it was 500 min, but I'm not seeing it when I search, maybe I'm clicking wrong?)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Yes, but I think that might be overkill
Yes, I'm just that close but not finding anything below $300. I guess this is what I get for waiting until the last month of the year.
Miles Needed: 1332 to get to 50k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): I'd like to get it under $200, really as cheap as possible as it isn't a lot of miles and I am good on PQD
Available Travel Dates: Any day after 12/14
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Anything is ok, as long as I can get enough miles on UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: to ORD, LAX, DFW (with stops - I thought it was 500 min, but I'm not seeing it when I search, maybe I'm clicking wrong?)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Yes, but I think that might be overkill
Yes, I'm just that close but not finding anything below $300. I guess this is what I get for waiting until the last month of the year.
Dec 2, 2019, 2:46 pm
#744
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: United Airlines, National, Holiday Inn, Marriot
Posts: 53
Departure Airport: IAH
Miles Needed: 1332 to get to 50k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): I'd like to get it under $200, really as cheap as possible as it isn't a lot of miles and I am good on PQD
Available Travel Dates: Any day after 12/14
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Anything is ok, as long as I can get enough miles on UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: to ORD, LAX, DFW (with stops - I thought it was 500 min, but I'm not seeing it when I search, maybe I'm clicking wrong?)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Yes, but I think that might be overkill
Yes, I'm just that close but not finding anything below $300. I guess this is what I get for waiting until the last month of the year.
IAH - SDF is $247 on 12/18.
Miles Needed: 1332 to get to 50k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): I'd like to get it under $200, really as cheap as possible as it isn't a lot of miles and I am good on PQD
Available Travel Dates: Any day after 12/14
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Anything is ok, as long as I can get enough miles on UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: to ORD, LAX, DFW (with stops - I thought it was 500 min, but I'm not seeing it when I search, maybe I'm clicking wrong?)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Yes, but I think that might be overkill
Yes, I'm just that close but not finding anything below $300. I guess this is what I get for waiting until the last month of the year.
IAH - SDF is $247 on 12/18.
Last edited by The DooDah Man; Dec 2, 2019 at 2:48 pm Reason: include op text
Dec 2, 2019, 4:00 pm
#745
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
UA:$202 IAH-LAX in BasicEcon 1380PQM
Departure Airport: IAH
Miles Needed: 1332 to get to 50k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): I'd like to get it under $200, really as cheap as possible as it isn't a lot of miles and I am good on PQD
Available Travel Dates: Any day after 12/14
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Anything is ok, as long as I can get enough miles on UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: to ORD, LAX, DFW (with stops - I thought it was 500 min, but I'm not seeing it when I search, maybe I'm clicking wrong?)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Yes, but I think that might be overkill
Yes, I'm just that close but not finding anything below $300. I guess this is what I get for waiting until the last month of the year.
Miles Needed: 1332 to get to 50k
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): I'd like to get it under $200, really as cheap as possible as it isn't a lot of miles and I am good on PQD
Available Travel Dates: Any day after 12/14
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: Anything is ok, as long as I can get enough miles on UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: to ORD, LAX, DFW (with stops - I thought it was 500 min, but I'm not seeing it when I search, maybe I'm clicking wrong?)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Yes, but I think that might be overkill
Yes, I'm just that close but not finding anything below $300. I guess this is what I get for waiting until the last month of the year.
UA:$202 IAH-LAX in BasicEcon 1380PQM
Wed 25 Dec IAH-LAX-IAH
(1h23m in LAX)
Link: https://flights.app.goo.gl/1EiMd
You have to fly twice as long in BasicEcon so I would pay the extra to avoid the longer flight. Especially with the middle seat.
BTW, for any short flights, the United website doesn't factor in 500mi minimum, so it can report less than you earn. The receipt is correct, so check after purchase. (Not that it matters in the route above.)
Dec 2, 2019, 4:06 pm
#746
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
UA:$1084 STL-AUA in First/Business 8263PQM
Departure Airport: STL
Miles Needed: 8,000 miles
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): As little as possible with comfort in mind.
Available Travel Dates: All except Dec 24th-27th
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: STL-OGG, STL-LAS (multi-city)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Preference would be for short trip with 200% PQM but only finding economy and every trip seems to fall just short. The purpose of this run is to hit 125k for an additional GPU (Plus Points). I usually get quite a lot of value out of GPUs for international upgrades so a run may be worth it for the right price.
Miles Needed: 8,000 miles
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): As little as possible with comfort in mind.
Available Travel Dates: All except Dec 24th-27th
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: STL-OGG, STL-LAS (multi-city)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Preference would be for short trip with 200% PQM but only finding economy and every trip seems to fall just short. The purpose of this run is to hit 125k for an additional GPU (Plus Points). I usually get quite a lot of value out of GPUs for international upgrades so a run may be worth it for the right price.
Well, I gave your premium cabin idea a shot:
UA:$1084 STL-AUA in First/Business 8263PQM (150%PQM)
Fri 13 Dec STL-ORD-EWR
(6h06m overnight in EWR)
Sat 14 Dec EWR-AUA-IAD-STL
(3h30m in AUA)
Link: https://flights.app.goo.gl/vxADm
The overnight in EWR is horrible, but I can't find an alternative.
AUA has preclearance, so hopefully you have Global Entry to speed things up.
I don't think this is any better than the $659 STL-OGG that you already found, not enough to justify the price difference in any case.
Dec 2, 2019, 4:23 pm
#747
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
UA:$613 ORD-PEK (via NRT) 15112PQM
Departure Airport: ORD
Miles Needed: 15K
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates: December
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: United
Route(s) You've Already Searched: HNL (not enought miles)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Not current
Thanks - Carl
Miles Needed: 15K
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value):
Available Travel Dates: December
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: United
Route(s) You've Already Searched: HNL (not enought miles)
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? Not current
Thanks - Carl
UA:$613 ORD-PEK (via NRT) 15112PQM
Tue 03 Dec ORD-IAD-PEK
(18h45m overnight in PEK)
Thu 05 Dec PEK-NRT-ORD
Link: https://flights.app.goo.gl/jQV6q
USA-China-NRT should qualify for TWOV. Will require overnight stay in Beijing,
Dec 2, 2019, 4:23 pm
#748
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: United Airlines, National, Holiday Inn, Marriot
Posts: 53
UA:$1084 STL-AUA in First/Business 8263PQM
Well, I gave your premium cabin idea a shot:
UA:$1084 STL-AUA in First/Business 8263PQM (150%PQM)
Fri 13 Dec STL-ORD-EWR
(6h06m overnight in EWR)
Sat 14 Dec EWR-AUA-IAD-STL
(3h30m in AUA)
Link: https://flights.app.goo.gl/vxADm
The overnight in EWR is horrible, but I can't find an alternative.
AUA has preclearance, so hopefully you have Global Entry to speed things up.
I don't think this is any better than the $659 STL-OGG that you already found, not enough to justify the price difference in any case.
Ouch! I like Aruba, but not that much. Still trying to get this under $500 in economy and not having much luck. I have a couple of RPUs to burn as well.
Dec 2, 2019, 6:24 pm
#749
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1
First time poster so bear with me...
Departure Airport: LAX/BUR or EWR/JFK/LGA
PQM Needed: 10,000
Maximum Budget: As little as possible
Available Travel Dates: 12/4 - 12/14 (LAX) 12/18 - 12/30 minus 12/24 and 12/25
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: Doing BUR - SFO this week. Researched LAX - LAS, LAX - DEN
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Departure Airport: LAX/BUR or EWR/JFK/LGA
PQM Needed: 10,000
Maximum Budget: As little as possible
Available Travel Dates: 12/4 - 12/14 (LAX) 12/18 - 12/30 minus 12/24 and 12/25
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: UA
Route(s) You've Already Searched: Doing BUR - SFO this week. Researched LAX - LAS, LAX - DEN
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
Last edited by kgilbride87; Dec 2, 2019 at 6:26 pm Reason: incorrect dates
Dec 2, 2019, 6:39 pm
#750
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12
Departure Airport: EWR (preferred), but I'm close to JFK and LGA
Miles Needed:12,409
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): $398 left of the $15K requirement, I'd like to keep it below $1500 total
Available Travel Dates: I can make most weekdays work
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: I need anything that will give me united PQM
Route(s) You've Already Searched: I'm searching everyday but only finding things that are super $ like 3000+ but I think I'm just being a newb...
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
I am sitting in Jacksonville and have a flight home tomorrow (I already counted the PQM I'll earn from this in my total YTD)
The checkin process is offering me to buy miles and PQM.. for $1300 I can get 9000 PQM and 9000 award miles.
Wondering if there is a better option to go somewhere and earn the 11,998 PQM I need to keep 1K?
OR should I buy the $1300 PQM offer and then take a flight for the last few miles?
Have been a long time reader.. thanks in advance for anyone who can help.... I'll try and learn this better to start posting/contributing as well.
Dan
Miles Needed:12,409
Required Spend or Maximum Budget (choose one, and state the value): $398 left of the $15K requirement, I'd like to keep it below $1500 total
Available Travel Dates: I can make most weekdays work
Required Metal or Codeshares Okay: I need anything that will give me united PQM
Route(s) You've Already Searched: I'm searching everyday but only finding things that are super $ like 3000+ but I think I'm just being a newb...
Do you have a Chinese Visa (Yes/No)? No
I am sitting in Jacksonville and have a flight home tomorrow (I already counted the PQM I'll earn from this in my total YTD)
The checkin process is offering me to buy miles and PQM.. for $1300 I can get 9000 PQM and 9000 award miles.
Wondering if there is a better option to go somewhere and earn the 11,998 PQM I need to keep 1K?
OR should I buy the $1300 PQM offer and then take a flight for the last few miles?
Have been a long time reader.. thanks in advance for anyone who can help.... I'll try and learn this better to start posting/contributing as well.
Dan
Last edited by dkhubnyc; Dec 2, 2019 at 6:46 pm