How do you honor an American hero and re-qualify for United 1K status at the same time? You fly from Los Angeles to the District of the Columbia via Florida and New Jersey.
My Washington, DC Mileage Run On United Airlines To Attend Dole Funeral
United Airlines extended my Premier 1K status for another year, but did not deposit a fresh allotment of PlusPoints, which are a significant part of the 1K value proposition. Many have expressed frustration to me that they cannot use them, but I have not had trouble using them both domestically and internationally. Therefore, these are highly valuable to me and I’d much rather have my own then be at the mercy of friends when I need them.
Hence, the mileage run (or segment run). I live in LA and my destinations in Washington, DC, which usually means a nonstop flight on United Airlines to Washington Dulles.
But I’m still a few segments short of re-qualifying for 1K status without being gifted the extension from United, so I got creative. The objectives were twofold: extra segments and upgrade space (preferably without having to use PlusPoints).
I found the ideal routing via Orlando and Newark. Rather than buy a $200 one-way ticket to Washington Dulles, I booked a $150 ticket to Orlando and then a $72 ticket from Orlando to Washington National via Newark.
Three segments for about the price of one and all my upgrades cleared. My itinerary includes a 737 MAX 9, 737-800, and CRJ-550, so no lie-flat products, but at least I’ll have a bit more room to stretch out and get dinner to Orlando and breakfast to Newark.
This trip also gives me a chance to review the United Club in Orlando and the Terminal A Club in Newark, as I slowly work toward my goal of offering a review of every single United Club.
CONCLUSION
I’ll have a lot more to say about Bob Dole’s life and legacy when I reflect upon his funeral tomorrow. For now, though, I smile at the hoops people go through to maintain status, including yours truly. There’s something exhilarating yet irrational about it…
Did you actually get into the cathedral?
Get in?? He spoke at the funeral.
I bet he didn’t read the instructions on the teleprompter when they came up.
I would laugh at you, but I’m about to fly from DFW to MSY via SDF and CHS just to try out Breeze and eat a Hot Brown sandwich in Louisville, so I have zero credibility on this issue.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s post about the funeral.
Ugh, you just opened yourself up to being accused of having a conservative bias more than you get already.
I also went to DC to pay my respect for Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
I mean, RBG’s legacy is about to be the end of Roe v Wade, so not sure why this is an argument against you having a conservative bias.
Bob Dole was a traditional conservative who believed in democracy, and ironically, not only fought, but was wounded fighting against an enemy very similar to the current fascist authoritarian types that now run (and primarily comprise) the ‘modern conservative’ ‘party’ (aka ‘Republicans’). After 13 years living in WDC I don’t know a single liberal or progressive who would attack or disparage Bob Dole as a person, a politician, or as a leader. They may not agree with his political views, but they understand them,
Current ‘conservatives’ are a different matter. They understand they are in the shrinking minority, and their only chance to hold onto any power was to rally behind a pseudo authoritarian who has quickly led the party into fascism. There’s a night and day difference between the Bob Dole conservatives, and the blind and ignorant followers today of the ‘conservative movement’.
Bob Dole was a great man. RIP.
I suppose, now that the bar for the GOP is set so low – even accepting that you lost an election is too much to ask for – Dole is a hero by comparison…
I detect certain excitement at Dole’s death on the part of lefties. Must be hoping that now he’s dead he’ll be voting Democrat.
Did you read Dole’s farewell letter he penned to be released on his death? He makes that very joke about voting in Chicago with all the other residents of heaven. Lol.
Traveling to D.C for the events remembering and honoring Senator Dole was a laudable act. However, leading off with a piece all about retaining your IK status which you previously said you already have, was disappointing to me. How you got there, what your UA tickets cost and provided to you should be secondary and in any event given but the briefest mention.
With respect,
Robert J. Smith
Madison, Wisconsin
Wait till tomorrow. It will be all about Dole
In a similar vein, I requalify for 1K each year and honor my wife simultaneously, taking her with me on that flight. I see no reason two or more good deeds cannot be combined.
I can assure you he had no idea you were there.
@JayC:
To Attend Dole’s Funeral: 1%
To Have the opportunity to fly with UA, board first, requalify for status, earn lifetime miles: 99%. Another word, Matthew has been so in love with UA that he would go out of his way to find every reason to fly with UA
Blah, blah, blah.
Ask yourself, if it were your funeral would Bob Dole attend?