Help with a skyteam MR for an article
 

So the boss gave me 350$ for an article on Mileage Running, and I've been gearing up to take another trip on the company dime.

Been on a few myself, but the problem this time is that I've only got a small window to work in, March 28-30.

I've been scouring around for tickets, and the best I can do is DTW-SNA for $363, or over 8cpm.... which isn't really too mileage worthy.

Can you guys think of anything else? Departing out of DTW/FNT/TOL Friday afternoon or Saturday or Sunday on a Skyteam airline, returning Saturday or Sunday. I hate asking for help, but being a hub captive isn't really conducive to creative routings or trickery.

Thanks a lot,
Mosquito

That's one of the Spring break weekends, so I wish you luck. Might be better to go on a bump-run.

Also, you should tell your boss that real MRs are all international, then get him to buy you one of the flights to PVG on DL. ;)

Actually, if Lucky is around, you might want to find out where he's hopping to from TPA that weekend and build a MR in that direction trying to catch an interview. He'd be one of the people I'd want to interview if I was writing an article on Running. Plus, that'd be a great theme for your article, "Keeping up with a Runner"

Welcome to FT!

-SF

A bump run might not be a bad idea. I might be able to nest DTW-WAS + WAS-DTW or DTW-CHI + CHI-DTW in. Both would be about the same price. Or just do a couple of same day turns.

Should I just check seatcounter and book some likely candidates?

I'd love to track down this Lucky that you speak of. Wonder if he's running this weekend....

I'd cough up the extra $300 and go to China for the weekend. I guarantee you'll run into other FTers.

Wouldn't hurt to check airfarewatchdog.com as well.

From what I hear, Lucky is ALWAYS running. Here is his blog: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onemileatatime

I think he hangs out in the United forum.

BTW, BikeGuy is right, find yourself $300 and go to China (don't forget you need a Visa) there are forums on it under MR Deals.

-SF

Dont need a visa if you say under 48 hours do you? Visa is $130, but I thought a passport would work if you stayed under 48 hours.............. (look of horror on my face, as BHM-PVG is in my VERY near future)

NW has a feature where it lets you search plus or minus three days -- I would use that and look for places that Southwest goes to and see if NW matches.

Two weeks out is a bit tight to plan one of these things.....

Another interesting thing to look at would be how the prices vary with time.

Bob H

There are about a thousand (not really) posts in this thread related to that same Question. No one seems to know if the exemption is only valid for those with connecting flights, or if it's for everyone (at least not that I saw).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=798246

I think the last consensus I was was "Don't Risk It."

-SF

The exemption is when passing through China to a third country. So USA-China-Japan-USA is okay (as long as meet the other requirements). USA-China-USA is not.