Jan 17, 2020, 11:46 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
An alternative is Book with Money and Miles -- What is the "Book with Money and Miles" option ?
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Consolidated: XXXX UA miles short of award- how to get them quickly? [Merged Threads]
May 8, 2009, 2:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: UA-1K; Marriott-LT Titan; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 150
Consolidated: XXXX UA miles short of award- how to get them quickly? [Merged Threads]
Trying to book 2 coach and 2 biz BWI to Australia and I am 445 miles short of the 430,000 I need. I tried to call the Mileage Plus line to see if they would cut me a break since I was so close but they said my only option is to pay $67.25 for 1,000 miles. I don't want to lose out on the seats that are available right now as it is tough to get the 4 tickets I want on the same flights and I am afraid they may disappear if I don't act VERY quickly (I dleayed a few days when I tried to set this up a few months ago na d everything disappeared on me. I have 500+ miles coming to me from a MileagePlusMall purchase I made a week and a half ago- but that will be a while before they show up in my account. Transfering from SPG is a better deal than paying $67.25, but that will take 2-4 weeks according to the website. Anyone have any ideas for me or do I just have to suck it up and pay the dough?
May 8, 2009, 2:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,822
As C seats are much harder to grab than Y seats, I'd book C seats immediately.
Then you can purchase 1,000 miles, buy some flowers or whatever to earn 455 miles to redeem what's really not a difficult XY/NY seats.
Then you can purchase 1,000 miles, buy some flowers or whatever to earn 455 miles to redeem what's really not a difficult XY/NY seats.
May 8, 2009, 2:40 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: UA-1K; Marriott-LT Titan; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 150
How long does it take for those flower miles to post though? I can't risk us being on two different flights. We did that to Tokyo and it wasn't good! If it is a week- then I'll wait, if it is a month, then I can't!
May 8, 2009, 2:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MCI
Programs: UA Plat, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 281
All the MP Mall vendor miles have taken 2-4 weeks to post in my experience. Given the scenario and urgency level you've voiced, you should certainly fork over $67.25 and get the miles virtually instantly. It's still quite a bargain for 4 tickets to Australia. 
May 8, 2009, 2:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,990
If you can wait a week or so, Mileage Plus Dining would work - they're offering DOUBLE miles on mon / tues / wed. Take someone out to a mileage plus dining place on Monday night 
. Then wait a week. If you're concerned that your seats might be gone by then, then I'd say just buy the miles and be done with it.
. Then wait a week. If you're concerned that your seats might be gone by then, then I'd say just buy the miles and be done with it.
May 8, 2009, 2:54 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: UA-1K; Marriott-LT Titan; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 150
No doubt the $67.25 is worth it to seal the deal- I thought that there just might be a way I wasn't thinking of to get me over the hump without laying out the bucks. This forum is great for help like that. But hey, I will gladly pay the $67.25 if there is no better option!
Jun 11, 2009, 3:09 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
Jun 11, 2009, 3:12 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Aadvantage, SPG
Posts: 34
Jun 11, 2009, 3:34 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
The first 10,000 bonus miles will be credited to your Mileage Plus Account 6-10 weeks after the initial direct deposit has posted to your new account.