Completed my status challenge last Thursday following a long haul flight from Japan and saw the update in status a few hours after I had landed, which was a lot faster than I was expecting. Was a first-time qualifier in 2020 but thanks to COVID wasn't really able to experience many of the benefits (even with the extension to 2022 -- I just wasn't flying as much). I've been flying a lot more over the last year or so for work and for personal reasons, so this'll be nice.

I have just over $10k to get GS back from my challenge -- but UA seems to have gotten smarter about two one ways internationally to the key destinations I was looking at -- namely LHR and ZRH.

My criteria:

- Looking to do this with 2 one way flights of about $5k each
- Want the minimum amount of flight time for the spend
- Want an easy turn
- EWR origination

LHR one ways to the US in the next few weeks are pricing out over $9k -- and the best deal I can find is about $14k total EWR - ZRH - EWR in the coming week. I know that this is really a FWP -- but anyone else have any better ideas?

Why not take a look at PHL where United is up against American; things might be different.

Do you mean originating there? We don't own a car lol -- so I guess Amtrak it would be -- but to save $4k maybe it's worth it -- I'll check it out... ETA: -- PHL is worse...

Let us know. I like (love) LAX, but check out ONT, BUR and SNA and am sometimes surprised.

I'd love to keep it domestic -- but I can't find any fares for $5k per way lol...

Full J fares are close I believe. You could also try three domestic one ways. EWR-LAX-SFO-EWR you can prob get to 10k with J fares

Highest I can find is $3.6k each way in the coming week -- and that is a J fare... I know this whole concept is insane to most people -- but this saves us SO much money each year it's worth it...

Positioning flight? Fly to Tampa and then TPA- hub location - ZRH. I’m seeing RT Polaris fares around $5,500 from Tampa in April.

I need the one ways -- and UA seems to have changed their one way pricing logic for many cities -- but not all.... For example -- I can make Tokyo and Dubai work well -- but that is way more flying than I wanted to do -- but to save $4k might be worth it....

Nah I get it. I'm fortunate I was on sabbatical so had the time to take "reasonably" priced trips to interesting places but...

EWR-LAX J is 3484++
SFO-EWR J is also 3484++ so that would put you at 8k

LAX-SFO is 1348++ so you'd be just shy....I'm betting you could do EWR-LAX-SFO-SEA-EWR and hit it pretty close to on the nose...although it would probably require a redeye home.

I can easily get the $10k on one ticket -- but I also want the miles lol -- thus the two one ways.... Upgrading Y award tickets is how we commute back and forth to Tokyo -- so the miles are useful too!

I was thinking three separate one-way tickets for exactly that reason.

If you want to PM me a date that works for you I can play around tomorrow and see what I can come up with.

I can travel any day starting Friday -- my only concern with three one ways is the lack of protection -- which is why I was looking at ZRH / LHR because I would be on the plane that I would be coming back on.... As I mentioned earlier DXB and TYO work well -- but that's 28 hours on a plane and trying to be more efficient...

Have you checked out DUB? Preclearance would allow you to use the Polaris Lounge when you return.