How I construct mileage runs

Instead of Dream Maps, consider using fare compare as you can limit your search to just one airline, set a minimum mileage distance, and sort by price quickly: http://www.farecompare.com/search/flyertalk.html

Nice job Lucky, thanks!!

Lucky,

FT is reporting that Dream maps are GONE!

The veil of cluelessness is slowly being lifted. Thanks for the informative post - can't wait to try some of this stuff out.

Ouch, if Dream Maps isn't working anymore I guess it's time to use FareCompare. What bad timing!

Thanks for the comments, guys!

Alternatively, instead of using "ua" multiple times to represent a segment/connection, one can use the following code and acheive the same effect, using your example from above:
tpa::ua+
sfo::ua+
This code will have ita search for as many connections as possible on the outbound to sfo, and for the return to tpa.

Nice! I can use this to help construct a cheaper OW from HNL-ORD. Or HNL-xxx with a "layover" in ORD. :wink wink: But I also tried Dream Maps last night and it didn't work. The FT thread explains why.

Travel Tip: Close to the next elite status level? Consider a mileage run....

Double miles. First class upgrades. Standby priority. Better call centers. Lounge access. There are many benefits to airline frequent flyer elite status. The number of miles you need to fly to get elite status varies by airline but often 25,000 miles g...

Hey everyone,

Been reading the forum for a while just wanted to introduce myself - what's up?

Thanks for this MR primer.

Do you have any tips for those of us stuck in the middle of the country? I'd be flying from ORD or MDW, on AA.

If so, thanks.

Thanks! Well, with a more central location there are a couple of ways to go. One route you could take is qualifying on segments. That should be relatively self explanatory, since there are plenty of ways to hop around. You could do something like ORD-DEN-SAN-LAX-SFO, theoretically, and easily get eight segments roundtrip on a simply hop to the west coast.

Otherwise you could also try to qualify on miles, and it might make sense. It really depends on what the fares are like at the time your interested and also where you stand as far as qualification goes so far for the year. If you're more segment heavy so far I would consider going on segments, or if you're more mile heavy go with that.

I'd also recommend using the booking code flag on ITA - you can specify only L and S fares which will help you find the flights you're looking for

SEA :: O:UA+ / F BC=L|BC=S
TPA :: O:UA+ / F BC=L|BC=S

Would give you all possible routings with 1 or more UA flights between SEA and TPA in L or S booking class. The pipe denotes an OR statement.

I learn something new every day. Didn't know that, thanks!

Very nice explanation. A must read for every newbie.

How will you cope with UA's new mileage accrual policy on

There's a few routes I can think of to go with this. One would be to just focus on other cities instead of the short hops. For example, instead of flights like SFO-SMF, instead focus on flights like SFO-SEA or SFO-PDX, which will still earn their normal miles.

The other option is to start crediting shorter hops to BMI, where you'll earn a minimum of 600 miles, although no one knows how long that'll last at this point.

That's about all I can think of. I'll probably continue to do 400+ mile segments, but flights like LAX-SAN will be a thing of the past.

[...] For anyone interested, I’ve made a more detailed post about how to construct mileage runs here. [...]