Copa, the Panamanian Star Alliance carrier, has long been part of United's MileagePlus program. That relationship will end June 30, and Copa ConnectMiles will launch on July 1, 2015.

Copa has released two award charts in anticipation: one for flying Copa and one for flying Star Alliance partners.

The charts are nearly identical to United's award charts. Compared to United, the only value I see is in economy on the Copa-only award chart.

You need 17,500 United miles to fly to Panama, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Last month Citi improved the offer on the Citi Prestige® Card, which comes with 50,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $3,000 in purchases made with your card in the first 3 months the account is open, a $250 Air Travel Credit per calendar year, access to the American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Priority Pass lounges, 3x points per dollar on air travel and hotels, and a $450 annual fee.

The Citi Prestige® Card competes at the top of the market wi

Last month Citi improved the offer on the Citi Prestige® Card, which comes with 50,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $3,000 in purchases made with your card in the first 3 months the account is open, a $250 Air Travel Credit per calendar year, access to the American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Priority Pass lounges, 3x points per dollar on air travel and hotels, and a $450 annual fee.

The Citi Prestige® Card competes at the top of the market wi

Yesterday I published "How to Book a RTW Trip in 2015. Use These Underpriced Awards Around the World," which I am very proud of. Take a look if you're an adventurer who wants to take a BIG trip. In the comments, John Domingo asked about getting between South America and Australia.

The best flights to get between South America and Australia/New Zealand are the direct flights on LAN Airlines and Qantas, booked with American Airlines miles.

Qantas flies directly from Sydney to Santiago.

The Starwood Preferred Guest personal credit card has lowered its minimum spending requirement. Now to get the 25,000 bonus Starpoints, you need only spend $3,000 in the first three months after opening the account.

Previously the spending requirement was $5,000 in six months. American Express tested out this new, lower requirement last August on both the personal and business SPG cards, and was apparently satisfied with the results for the personal card.

Yesterday I reported that some Delta domestic awards cost only 5,000 SkyMiles one way, a 60% discount on the prevailing 12,500 mile rate we expect from legacy carriers. Other routes cost 10,000 SkyMiles one way.

I'm on record saying that I don't think the British Airways devaluation from last month is a big deal. Only Business and First Class awards went up in price, and the vast majority of good Avios redemptions are short, direct, economy awards.

Well there's another good part of the "devaluation" that I haven't covered yet: the introduction of cheaper off peak awards on British Airways and Iberia flights. Here's the new award chart that shows off peak award prices next to peak award prices.
New Award Chart
Off peak awards are only possible on British Airways and Iberia flights.

Japan Airlines has released incredible First Class award space from the United States to Tokyo and beyond that you can book for only 62,500 American Airlines miles.

On the four routes on which Japan Airlines offers First Class to the United States, 1-4 First Class suites are available with miles on most flights for the next year.

How good is Japan Airlines First Class?
Where does Japan Airlines fly?
How many miles do you need and why is this such a good deal?
How can you search for and book the award space?
How can you get American Airlines

Japan Airlines has released incredible First Class award space from the United States to Tokyo and beyond that you can book for only 62,500 American Airlines miles.

On the four routes on which Japan Airlines offers First Class to the United States, 1-4 First Class suites are available with miles on most flights for the next year.

How good is Japan Airlines First Class?
Where does Japan Airlines fly?
How many miles do you need and why is this such a good deal?
How can you search for and book the award space?
How can you get American Airlines

Delta is now offering some domestic economy awards for 5,000 miles + $5.60 one way.