Hi I am a very rare flier. I have about 214,000 miles on United, and for the first time in 5 years after moving to Israel and having 2 kids we are trying to plan a budget trip to America to visit the grandparents etc. I am just wondering if anyone knows the best method of getting there using miles and cash. Is it best to just book a direct flight to San Diego (where my parents live) from Tel Aviv? Or perhaps more cost effective to use cash and/or miles to a intermediate destination like Europe or the East Coast/NYC and then a second flight from there. Using the Super Saver awards I could only afford 2 round trip tickets direct (we need 4), But I'm just wondering if someone can recommend a better way. Maybe booking 1 way only flights or something. I just don't fly enough to know how to use my miles most effectively.