Hey Everyone,

OK so I'm trying to push to 2P. (No wisecracks please--someday I'll be on my way to 1K too ). (Don't worry--I won't be adding much competition for upgrades as I am pretty much happy in E... and E+ would be even better! ^ ).

I have currently 11,985 EQM and 8 EQS.

I don't think I could qualify on segments, though being on the west coast, I suppose I could do some UX segment runs.

I have to go SBA/OXR -> SFO/SJC in mid-August, so I want to use that as an excuse for a MR/SR. I know that this trip alone won't get me to 2P, so I'm happy to do more than just this one.

Does anyone have any suggestions for MR/SRs based on the West Coast? The only thing I can really come up with would be a bunch of transcons, but I'm not sure this is the most cost-effective thing to do. Should I try to qualify by segments on UX?

Any and all insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

In my previous locale, I had to fly to SNA and ONT several times a year for meetings. I don't know if the rules have changed, but often driving to SMF (and I'm assuming these routings work in reverse) and then doing SMF-SFO-SBA-LAX-ONT/SNA would get me 4 segments outbound. Prior to 2001, you could sometimes manage to do 4 out and 4 back in one day, but that became harder and the most I could usually get was 7 -- usually doing ONT/SNA-LAX-SFO-SMF on the return.

Other reliable (and used to be relatively cheap -- are they still?) routings for segments were:

SJC-SBA-LAX-ONT/SNA/CLD (sometimes) and return
SJC-LAX-SFO-RNO (really) and return
RNO-SFO-EUG-PDX-SEA and return

The other nice thing about some of these multi-segments is that if you were doing SMF-SFO-SBA-LAX-ONT for example, and misconnected in SFO due to a late inbound plane, then you could simply have them re-route you to ONT (dropping the SBA legs) and then write Customer Relations and have them credit your originally ticketed itinerary.

Somewhere from way back are several threads on this; I remember doing a "primer" post re. I'll look too, but you might search on "intra-CA"

EDIT: Found this oldie on the topic
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...0&postcount=11

I'd do trancons. instead of segments.

West coast to the NYC area or BWI seems cheapest but last I checked they still seem to be around $.04 cpm, but then again, I am an not as experienced with MRs. Perhaps someone else can help you bring the cpm down.

To MCO is somewhat riskier as Hurricane (blank) can roll in...

Popular hubs seem to be DEN and ORD, so you might be able to route thru them to add some miles.

If you are trying to qualify on segments, I would suggest buying the weekend E-fares. I have seen very low fares out of SBA and OXR in the last round of E-fares with destinations like LAS, SNA, ONT and so on for as low as $88 plus tax.

Buy a ticket OXR-LAX-SNA with Saturday departure and Monday return. Buy another ticket SNA-LAX-OXR also with Saturday departure(after your arrival from OXR of course!) and Monday return(Before your SNA return flight). You can do 4 segments on Saturday and still return home, then do 4 more either on Monday. There! 8 segements and 4000 EQMs! I hope that made sense! However, I don't know if that is legal, so check before you buy.

Welcome to FT!

Welcome to United!

Just keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground for good deals.

The Mileage Run forum has a nice FAQ on MR's.

Download the UAL Easy Schedule electronic timetable. That usually will help you figure out how to plan out legal connections for MR's.

www.kayak.com is a good source to get an idea for fares. Usually most fares will allow up to three connections. For example a N/S fare from LAX to IAD on kayak might list for 300$, but tweaking some things you can make that into a 3 or 4 segment flight for little additional cost. Think, LAX-SFO-DEN-ORD-IAD.

Maybe something fun could be LAX-SFO-SEA-DEN-ORD-BOS-IAD.

Keep your eye on the MileagePlus promotions also. And, check your mailbox (email and physical) for targeted offers for EQM's.

Also, IndiaKane's fare search website tool is kinda handy to get some ideas as well. http://www.indiakane.com/ff/ff.jsp

Since you're on the west coast, think International for almost instant 2P status. One R/T to BKK or SIN can get you up there. I belive that it's 16k miles R/T to BKK from LAX.

I recall one idioic MR I did just because UA was trying to build up business prior to Southwest invading PIT. I did TUS-LAX-SFO-DEN-ORD-PIT and back for $288 R/T, plus $59 for a night at the comfort inn. Of course, the die-hards would have flown back the same day....

I've always found that the UX flights were always a bit more pricey for MR's. I used to be based out of TUS, and all my business travel involved UX which made things quite pricey. That, and I HATE reject jets with a passion.

Good luck! I'm sure others in this forum can add (or subtract) to this advice.

BTW, United E-fares special has LAX to SIN for $709.

An RT should earn 16K+


Add on:

Another E-fares special has LAX to HKG for $579.

An RT should earn 14K+

What you describe, Motion122, sure sounds like the much misunderstood back-to-back illegal ticketing, where you buy multiple nested round trips 1) to the same place and 2) simply to circumvent minimum stay rules.

I'd do transcons and go for 2P on miles, if I were you, boeingair. BWI can be a good choice, and Florida locations can work, but are too risky for my taste because of the ever present liklihood of hurricanes this time of year. Watch the Mileage Run forum too, for more suggestions, and see what you can find using some of the other tools documented in that forum's stickies. Routing through DEN or ORD will rarely add many miles on a transcon, but going up and down CA can help a lot. Myself, I find actual reasons to go and people to visit on the east coast to rack up the EQM's. Do you have any travel already planned?

One question I have is why you want to make 2P. If you've only done 8 segments so far this year, it's not worth doubling or tripling your time and money spent just to make the flying you do have to do marginally nicer. If you've got an international trip planned or something like that, it might be worth it. Gaining "elite" status won't change your life, just your flying.

Excellent question. I am strange.

No, really. I fly a lot less than I would like to, but I am a UA flyer geek and Premier would be so much fun. (Yeah, not too convincing an argument, but I am on FT, aren't I? )

Thanks for your post!

EDIT: I think 'Fanboy' would sum it up nicely, don't you?

Doing transcons using DEN and ORD does NOT help much with miles, particularly when you consider the time each segment costs. Better to go up and down the coasts and then have a long transcon flight from one coast to the other.

My 2c.

One can also check for flight deals on Travelocity.com or Yahoo Travel

Go to Flights

Then Dream Maps

Enter Origin and target amount you want to spend

You've gotten some great advice from the pros.

I'm aiming for 2P for the first time and also fly from a small California airport. My status will come with EQSs though. In May I did 2 flights for 11,618 miles in 12 segs. I'll accrue 6 more next weekend, then a flight in September with 12 segs I worked really hard to craft ... ta da! 2P in 4 flights.

For my September flight, United.com only priced out 8-segs. Couldn't get a decent fare on my expanded itinerary (12 segs) through the res line (tried twice), so I ended up booking with Orbitz. For just about $40 more I got my 12 segs and around 500 more miles.

Have you read the MR sticky, Mileage Run Tools? At this point I only need: the Dream Map, Expedia (for routing rules), Fare Metrics Mileage Calculator/Route Expander and ITA Software. Read that sticky and you'll know what to do.

Welcome to the BBB (Brotherhood of the Blistered Butts)! ^

Until I found FT, I thought I knew a lot about FF programs and tricks to attain elite status. Boy was I wrong!

Take the time to read as much as you can and you will see the obvious potential for you to not only reach 2P this year but easily envision earning 1P and 1K status as well with serious planning. I keep a spreadsheet (got the idea on FT ^ ), of all my EQMs earned and planned so that I know how likely I am to end the year above 100,000 and how many other trips or EQM earning opportunities I still need to schedule in order to get there.

If your credit can stand it, I'd get two M+ Platinum Signature VISA cards. Each would net you 5,000 EQMs after first use. And another 5,000 EQMs each for spending $35,000+ on a card in a calendar year. Plus up to 5,000 EQMs for ticket purchases on United.com. Plus 15,000 miles for applying here. Cost is $140 annual fee per year per Platinum card.

I'd get two cards (10,000 EQMs) and ditch the second one after getting the 5,000 EQM first-use bonus or before the renewal fee is charged.

If you already have a M+ VISA, you can call and upgrade to Platinum VISA by calling (800) 537-7783 before August 31, 2005 and get 5,000 RDMs as well.

Or just get one card (5,000 EQMs), charge $35,000 (5,000 EQMs) and fly to BWI anytime or Florida in the Fall/Winter when there are low fares b/c of fare matches with Southwest or Independence are routinely in the $99 o/w or less + tax. Same to NYC because of JetBlue.

UA usually allows 4 transfers each way (so that would be 5 segments) but fare rules are not uniform so make sure to read them online before purchasing your ticket. If you make a mistake, call UA reservations or go online within 24 hours (and not a second later) to cancel for a full refund and start over.

With the addition of the Great Offer, Double EQM/EQS promo and other promotions, once you make 2P, you may well easily retain or improve your status (1P, 1K?) next year.

That's what happened to me. Was lowly 2P last year (missed 1P by 12,000 EQMs so not eligible for the Buy-Up promo (purchase up to 10,000 EQMs or 10 EQS promo at $100 per 1,000 EQMs or 1 EQS). Was targeted for the Great Offer this year. Did 10-segment IAD-OAK-IAD MR and presto, ended up 1P. Will do another MR to SFO in September or travel to France to see my folks in the Fall to push past 1K by the end of September.

Here is a great thread on earning EQMs without flying.

Welcome aboard ^ and have a great time reaping the rewards of FT.

Hello. I know this is slightly OT but are existing M+Visa holders who upgrade to the Platinum Visa getting the bonus 5k EQM miles as well? Or is that only for new applicants?

Thanks

Got both 5,000 EQMs for upgrading from M+ Gold Class to Platinum Signature VISA. Applied online for a new M+ Platinum VISA and got those EQMs too. So did my SO.

Someone said you can have up to 4 Chase/BankOne/FirstUSA CC accounts. I had 5 at one time but I closed the 3 non-M+ ones to reserve the right to open 3 M+ Platinums next year for a quick 15,000 EQMs.

Welcome to FT. I remember being in your shoes four years ago when I joined FT. A college student who had a few domestic trips and then made 2P with those crazy Florida runs in the Summer of 2001. After making 2P, thanks to FT, I graduated to 1P the next year and finally 1K the year after that. I never would have done most of the travels I've done in the past few years if it wasn't to FT. When I mean travels I don't mean mileage runs either.