How to minimize the spend for SMF-PVG RT this summer with United/BA/AmexMR airmiles?
 

I am in north CA. The nearest airport is SMF, and the others nearby are SFO, LAX, and SJC. I plan to have a round trip from SMF to PVG this summer

Any tips to minimize the total fare?

If your UA miles are from CC use, they can be used to offset the cost of the ticket, on a 10,000 miles = $100 basis. This can be done anytime between the purchase of the ticket and 90 days later (the program is called "choices").

But I'm not sure what you're actually asking. Are you trying to trade points in the other programs for something useful at UA? That's what coupon connection is for (once you get to a certain minimum number of posts).

Seems OP wants to min.total spend on flight to PVG from N.CA, which can be expensive during summer. If you need lowest revenue fare for EQM elite qualification, and want to use some miles to offset base fare or upgrade, then need flexibility to travel usually weekday and look for routing via SEA or LAX, which often are cheaper than SFO to PVG nonstop.

If you don't care about EQM status, then use miles to book award seat, and again need to be flexible with date and routing since award seats (especially saver award level coach and biz. seats) are scarce during peak summer travel. *A partners offer more seat options than UA flights.

Yes, I wish to reduce the expenditure.