American Express Membership Rewards transfers to Virgin Atlantic will come with an automatic 30% transfer bonus from now through November 30, 2013.

Researching another post, I tried to include a link to the Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz because it was the best personal sign up bonus for Membership Rewards at 50,000 Membership Rewards for spending $3k in three months.

If the Mercedes-Benz version of the card is dead, then the best Platinum card offers is the standard offer of 25,000 Membership Rewards after spending $2k in three months.

Sure there is a $450 annual fee--the Mercedes card had a $475 annual fee--but you can get easily more than $500 in statement credits plus worldwide airport lounge

By using the principles of free oneways and an incredible sweet spot on the US Airways award chart, you can save up to 70,000 miles on your next US Airways award booking to Asia.

I'm flying Turkish Airlines Business Class on My Next US Airways AwardUS Airways charges ordinarily charges 120k miles roundtrip in business class to India or Thailand and 160k in first.

Mashable readers: Welcome to the best blog on redeeming frequent flyer miles. The way that I've traveled to over 20 countries this year and spent nine months abroad is by signing up for credit cards and using the miles to book business and first class awards.

Here is a post that explains to beginners what I do and why I do it.

Mashable readers: Welcome to the best blog on redeeming frequent flyer miles. The way that I've traveled to over 20 countries this year and spent nine months abroad is by signing up for credit cards and using the miles to book business and first class awards.

Here is a post that explains to beginners what I do and why I do it.

If you buy US Airways miles for 1.13

Austrian Airlines allows customers holding an economy class ticket to bid on an upgrade to its longhaul business class.

The Chicago Seminars wrapped up today after a weekend filled with information, networking, and free candy.

MileValue sponsored the event, so we had a table where I was giving out free t-shirts and information on our Award Booking Service.

I think everyone looks better in a MileValue t-shirt.

And here's some of the best award bookers I know in front of the MileValue table.

At the table, I had printed some of my favorite photos from my nine months on the road this year, and there was even a contest where I awarded a $50 gift card to loyal reader

Update: Link to Etihad Press Release about Route

According to USA Today and Will Horton of Centre for Aviation, Etihad Airways will begin service to Los Angeles from its hub in Abu Dhabi beginning on June 1, 2014. This is fantastic news for those with AAdvantage balances, especially those on the West Coast!

From Etihad's own website. Etihad's Diamond First Class is a fully enclosed suite.

The introduction of Etihad's long nonstop from Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi will be a great jumping off point to the Middle East for West Coast flyers.

Qatar Airways awards are now searchable and bookable at ba.com and bookable by calling American Airlines. This is huge news because Qatar has an excellent route network from the US to the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Maldives.

As announced on the oneworld site, Qatar Airways will join the oneworld alliance on October 30th. This is great news for those with large American Airlines AAdvantage or British Airways Avios balances.