What to do with those free nights? London, perhaps?

And make sure to thank Gordon Brown for the extra taxes you will pay on any award ticket to the UK in a premium class of C or Y. You will pay a surcharge of $130 or greater carbon tax. If flying on a Y ticket upgraded to C, I do not think you have this surcharge, but I may be incorrect. Also, the Virgin clubhouse is spectacular, so get to the airport 5 hours early, and then get a massage, haircut, manicure, and enjoy all the other goodies in the lounge.

@BMVaughn - The GVA idea, whilst good means a run on Swiss ;) ... actually. that's a good thing. By September, the takeover of BMI should be done and dusted. @MatthewLAX - Tell me about it. I could avoid London. My costs going through LHR as opposed to MAN have increased significantly since the MAN routes died :( @lucky - Knowing what wonderful choice of IFE they have... I wouldn't say no (unless UA were going 180 and introducing AVOD across the fleet. Certainly, they should had introduced more of the Panasonic X series units when they re-did F/C classes... probably down to cost (Hmm. I'm sounding like Runway Girl... but without the good looks). If the food was anything to go by on my June run, there defiantly has been more cutbacks. Weather - Just bring a fleece. It'll be warmer than Chicago is any day of the week - saying that previous Septembers haven't been that bad (although in the regions life isn't that bad). The segment runner in me would do TPA-ORD-IAD-LHR... but that's me counting every mile under 600 (BMI world: 600 minimum miles/segment) to re-qualification this year...

Excellent point about the weather Ben. In that case be sure to go by the end of September at the latest.

@ FortFun -- Didn't realize going up north even worked anymore. Good to know, thanks! I'd probably use travel credits for an itin to London, so the flight up north would have to be on United. @ Gene -- LMAO. C'mon now, it can't be that bad, especially if I snag one of the "good" seats in coach. But yeah, it makes a weekend "getaway" a bit less relaxing or enjoyable than a seat up front. @ boifromtroi -- Yeah, LHR flights seem to op-up pretty frequently, but I never count on luck! @ Kevincm -- Shouldn't I also bring my own ghetto IFE? :D I'll definitely email you if I end up taking this trip. It'd be great to meet up again. @ Brian Desmond -- A book?!? Like, one with hundreds of pages and small text? I doubt I'm capable.... @ Lewis -- Sadly no one way awards. Booo! Yeah, since the IC London is pretty stingy with upgrades to begin with, it seems like a good opportunity to stay at the hotel. I've always wanted to visit the IC Aphrodite Hills. Actually, I was going to go there last year instead of Malta, which in retrospect I should have done. Enjoy if you end up going. @ MatthewLAX -- Ah, good point. Too bad. :( @ bmvaughn -- Good point if I were booking now, but I'm sure all the fares will drop like crazy come September. This is going to be one helluva rough winter for the airlines! @ bschaff1 -- Yes, my first in about five years. I have done ORD-HKG in coach, though, so I'm not *that* weak! :D @ Despina -- Unfortunately the free night has to be used by the end of the year. The co-pay on a lower fare would be $1,000 roundtrip next year, plus the fare and 60,000 miles, so I'm probably better off just paying $700ish for an upgradeable ticket and using SWU's. I'd really like to visit London, although preferably before it gets too cold. I don't like cold weather. Brrr!

Ben, can you wait till the new year when all fares will become upgreadable (for a fee of course). You should definitely visit London. One of the great cities of the world.