Need help on a mileage run
 

I need suggestions for a mileage run worth 5034 miles. I don't have a lot of cash or time to put toward it, but it will put me into 1K (.84K) status, so it could be fairly worthwhile.

I had long planned to clear 84K by a few hundred miles on a business trip to the Middle East using a heavily restricted ticket from a consolidator. The business purpose was suddenly canceled a couple of days ago. I've worked since then - to no avail - trying to get UA bend rules changing the schedule/routing of the ticket I'm holding. I don't think I have any other clear options than to try to come up with a mileage run. 5034 miles is all that I need. I'm willing to spend a few hundred dollars. I'm starting from AUS. But I could probably burn some miles to get to a gateway. Any ideas?

My thanks.

Try SFO or BWI. UA has some good fares from these airports. Then, maybe once you're there, you can do a 'run' from that airport.

Maybe 2 roundtrips from Austin to Dulles to BWI? or via ORD.

Good luck and have fun trying.
Dan

AUS-ORD-SEA-ORD-AUS is far enough, if you can find the seats.

Oh and WayMaker, don't forget to check out the brand new Mileage Run board right here on Flyertalk. You may get a lot more audience there.

Good luck on the mileage run! You may also want to read up on the recent "hype" about these low low fares to Columbus, OH (CMH).

Thx
Jamester

Thanks to everyone for your help. I'm still working on it. Suggestions are still welcome.

Thanks, Jamester, for the heads up about the mileage run board. I hadn't realized that it existed. I posted the same message there. Apologies to others for clogging up the regular UA board.

BWI-LAS is good, you can often route through LAX or SFO. You'll then need just 500 miles or so...

If you want to travel from Austin, the logical thing to look at is where UA and Southwest compete. (such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, California, Reno, Salt Lake,etc...) Also, Florida is always a cheap destination from Texas, but maybe not around the holidays like this.

Another great trick, found on the Mileage Run board, is using Canada or Mexico for a run. From Austin, you might try Calgary or Vancouver.

Here's a longshot, but I'll mention it. United offers VERY cheap US <--> Shanghai roundtrip fares with no minimum stay restrictions, so if you have time next week, that will get you about 15,000 miles!

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- Bob