As my Premier 1K era with United Airlines reaches its end, I decided to redeem expiring PlusPoints by taking the scenic route between Los Angeles and Chicago…via East Asia, though even that required some last-minute improvisation thanks to flights that unexpectedly filled up.
Do you know that a last-minute one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Chicago ($458) was more expensive than a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Bangkok via Hong Kong ($319) on United? I didn’t have time to visit Hong Kong or Bangkok, but I was wiling to take an extra day to fly to Chicago via Asia because 1.) I enjoy flying, 2.) I had expiring PlusPoints, United’s upgrade currency, 3.) the flights appeared wide-open, and 4.) it’s a profit-generating business write-off…I always gather great content for the blog on these trips.
The key word there is appeared. Just three days before Los Angeles – Hong Kong (served twice daily by United) was wide-open, with at least nine seats for sale and 17 seats unassigned the cabin. I was sitting at #1 on the upgrade list. All of a sudden, the flight filled up. I thought United must have cancelled its flight (or maybe Cathay Pacific), but nope…I guess business travelers do indeed book last minute.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
