Best way to book a last-minute trip with United MileagePlus?

So, I'm looking to book a last-minute trip and I want to use my United MileagePlus miles. I've heard mixed things about finding availability when you're booking close to your travel date. Has anyone had any luck with this?

Also, any tips on routes or strategies to make the most of my miles? I'm thinking of flying from Chicago to somewhere warm, maybe Miami or LA. Not sure if I should try to book online or call United directly.

I've got about 70k miles to play with, so hoping that's enough for a round-trip in economy. Any advice or recent experiences would be super helpful!

I've done a few last-minute bookings with United miles, and availability can be hit or miss. Sometimes you get lucky, especially if you're flexible with dates and times. I'd suggest checking online first for saver awards since it's quicker to see all your options. If nothing shows up, give United a call. They've helped me find flights that weren't online a couple of times. With 70k miles, you should be good for a round-trip in economy to Miami or LA, but it might be tight if you're set on specific flights. Good luck!