Due to a lucrative sign in bonus (50,000 United miles for spending $2000), I managed to get the Mileage Plus Explorer card. I also got 5000 more miles for adding an authorized user. It was my first time flying United Airlines but as always, I'd try anything once.
After meeting the minimum spend requirements plus a few extra Amazon purchases I somehow ended up with 59,000 miles. I bought two round-trip tickets to New Orleans for 25,000 miles and $11.20 in cash each.
A few weeks later, I was at the airport. Checking in was seamless. I flew from New York (LGA) to Houston (IAH) flight 1201, then from Houston to New Orleans (MSY) flight 4579. Once in Houston I utilized the United Club pass and had breakfast (The United Mileage Plus card comes with two free club passes). There you can enjoy a wide range of amenities from Business centers to Premium wines and Spirits. The lounge had a great atmosphere to relax or work. Two hours later I boarded a United Express and off to New Orleans.
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