If in Norway, I'd go to the Ice Hotel

October 15, 2009 6:47 AM

My airline miles are expiring: What awesome, unusual events are happening in the continental US November through January?

Help! I need to book a flight to somewhere in the continental US, because my miles are expiring. I have enough miles left for one round trip ticket.

I know my usual favorite places (e.g. NYC, Austin, San Diego, San Francisco). But, I want to know if there are any awesome, unusual events that are going to happen in November, December, or January. Or, are there just odd places that I just should check out.

I'm a single guy, 34, and will be traveling alone. I like contemporary art, music, culture, food, backpacking, nature, retreats, technology, science, big experiences. I prefer the fringe over mainstream, and the smart, funny, and bizarre.

Let me know if you have any ideas

posted by TheOtherSide to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas, just north of San Antonio. It is literally a giant sausage fest with lederhosen. And, while you are in San Antonio, you can visit the Toilet Seat Museum.
posted by Leezie at 6:55 AM on October 15

I was in the same "use the miles soon before they expire" quandary recently, but I was loathe to fly on planes by the mileage-generating airline (the now-abysmal United) and confused.

Then, I remembered that you could redeem the mileage for schwag. I went to the website, and hooked myself up with high end headphones, pots and pans and other stuff. The former (from Monster) are a little meh, but the nonstick pans are apparently made by a well-known company and are the best I've ever owned.

The point is, don't feel pressed to redeem your miles for airline travel. There's a lot of merchandise in the offing if you spend the time clicking on links and dig deep enough.
posted by Gordion Knott at 7:13 AM on October 15

Or, if you don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of miles for items you don't need, use a mileage mall.

Pretty much every frequent flyer program has an online storefront, through which you can shop at a bunch of stores, and get (usually) trivial amounts of miles. However, all you need is some activity to extend your miles another 12-18 months (depending on airline). If you'd rather fly somewhere when you want/need it, go to your mileage site and look for a 'Mall' or similar link. Then click-through, spend $1 at iTunes, get your free 1 or 2 miles, and your free extension.

United
AA
Delta

Etc.
posted by mhz at 7:27 AM on October 15

Unfortunately they're usair miles, and unless they can be transferred to united, I don't think they have much use other than toward flights. At least it's not apparent.
posted by TheOtherSide at 7:32 AM on October 15

US Air
posted by mhz at 7:40 AM on October 15

mhz, that'd be a great idea, if in fact I wanted to keep the miles. But, they've been a burden, and I'm happy to exchange them for a flight to anywhere. Unless there's no where interesting to go.
posted by TheOtherSide at 9:26 AM on October 15

I'm sorry I don't have any location suggestions, but if you can't find anywhere fun to go you could look into donating your miles to a charity.
posted by Zoyashka at 11:21 AM on October 15

pbs.org/nationalparks/ If this doesn't make you want to travel to somewhere in the U.S. you're probably better off getting the coffee maker.
posted by Locobot at 12:06 PM on October 15