jsloan

You're unlikely to be able to upfare just a single leg; it would require breaking the fare there, and it is almost certain to be so much more expensive than simply upfaring the whole IAH-PEK fare.

If you can convince an agent to allow you to upfare without charging a change fee -- you can ask about GG BUYUP, although that's mostly intended for changing to the next cabin -- you could potentially upfare your outbound. However, there's no guarantee that the upfare amount will be palatable. I did a sample check for some random dates, and the delta between the lowest (K) and next-lowest (L) was only $16 PQD, but the delta between L and the next lowest after that (T) was another $81 PQD.

If the buy-ups aren't attractive, or you can't get the agent to waive the change fee, just fly somewhere. :-) Come to AUS and get some barbecue, head to ORD for some pizza, or go to MSY for some cajun. Google Flights is your friend. Just make sure to avoid Basic Economy, as you won't get PQD for that.

aacharya

I hadn't considered the broken fare - good point. We'd have to see if perhaps the fare is already broken or not (not likely since it's mainline to mainline).

getagb

Not sure if this would work, but you could try to get an agent to sell you an E+ seat on a short segment which is usually under $100. E+ seats count towards PQD but the website won’t let you buy them once you’re Gold.

100% Green

Looking for an end of year mileage run/holiday that will earn about 5,000 miles (5,066) out of Washington, DC. Looking to travel the last week of December. It can be a same day turn, or a week long holiday. Any ideas?


Would like to spend under $400, there's no minimum PQD needed.

BOStonTravels

Hello, I still need 18000 PQM and have the ability to travel between 11/8 and 11/16.

Unfortunately, dont have money to just purchase some of the good business class fares from US to Asia but I see some very good IMHO economy class fares from BOS to PEK, BKK (under $800 USD roundtrip) and more expensive to HKG and TPE (around $1000 round trip).

I would really appreciate some help from you experts if there is a routing from BOS, NYC, or WAS for a quick trip (maximum 2-3 night stay at destination) for under $800 USD that would net 18000 PQM.

I thought maybe there would be some way to do this through PEK for around $700 USD but havent figured out a routing. Thanks for any help! Best, B

Repooc17

You can also break it up over two trips. You can do BOS-PEK for under $500 during the time frame, which would earn you more than 14,600 PQM. Pick up a domestic R/T for the remaining PQM and budget.

BOStonTravels

Thanks, I had looked at that but was hoping to figure out a routing (e.g. BOS-IAD-SFO-PEK) that would net more PQM for similar pricing so I could get all the PQM needed in one trip.

jsloan

If you don't mind spending a few miles in the middle of the trip:

11/11: BOS-IAH-NRT-SIN (dep 5:30 AM arr 12:40 AM 11/13)
11/15: MNL-GUM-NRT-IAH-ORD-BOS (dep 12:40 AM arr 5:13 PM)
$800.76 on ITA Matrix

Note: NRT-SIN and NRT-IAH are both operated by ANA; this itinerary also has a 30-minute connection at GUM. You can extend the connection at GUM to 40 minutes by taking the 10:30 PM flight via ROR -- no extra miles, though -- or, the 9:55 AM MNL-GUM nonstop will give you an overnight at GUM.

This should qualify for 100% PQMs -- it's an S fare outbound and an L fare on the return -- and it's about 23K miles. The only downside, of course, is that you'll need to get yourself from SIN to MNL, which will take miles or an Asian LCC.

Hope this helps.

WheelsUpGal

Just rechecked my Quest for Silver and it looks REALLY close but I am $24 short on PDQ. Already flying Business on the next flights so can't buy up to Economy Plus. I guess the only way to get those $24 is to take a flight before the end of the year, right????

Might not be worth it for what you get from Silver.

Just checking. SO CLOSE!!!

Repooc17

Assume you have already factored your upcoming flight in business into the calculation, I would send a note to UA and see what they can do for you about the last $24. The worst thing they can say is that you'd have to earn the $24.

If the above doesn't work, I would look to fly the cheapest UA flight in order to gain Silver. It sucks, I know.

WheelsUpGal

Yes, counting the upcoming flights. Not a lot of quick cheap flights out of Nashville. Will cost me about $300 to do a quick turn around to Chicago. Thanks so much for the quick reply! Appreciate it . . . .

Repooc17

Same day turn to/from Houston (IAH) for less than $200 all in ($188.50); although on the way back, you would have to route through Mobile (MOB) and Chicago (ORD).

https://goo.gl/flights/ejjB

WheelsUpGal

WOW! Y'all are professionals! A little concerned about missing one of those return flights - haven't had much luck with the little jets. But it would certainly give me what I need. Pondering it now - THANK YOU!!!

findark

Also consider whether an incremental up-fare is possible on any remaining travel. Even in the forward cabin, on a wholly domestic itinerary you can change fares for often small sums of money. No guarantees they would waive the change fee, but if you explain your situation an agent might take pity.

Speciation

I performed a search here on the forum - but searching "PQD" actually yielded no threads.

What's the best thread on how to maximize PQD? Fares? Routes? Etc..

Context: Silver Member needing PQD to hit gold. Want to hit PQD biggest limiter.