There has been buzz since this summer about Avianca's new co-branded credit card.

Each day we edge closer to the end of the year, which is significant if earning elite status is on your radar. You've got just under two months to meet elite qualifying requirements if you want status in 2017.

And the American Express Delta credit cards have limited time, enhanced sign up offers that end day after tomorrow--November 9.

On April 24, 2017, Delta will begin service between Washington D.C. (DCA) and Los Angeles (LAX) on a Delta One-configured 757-200. You can book Domestic First Class flying Delta One between the two cities with fully flat beds for 25,000 Delta miles.

This is the third post in a series about how I used Singapore miles to book United BusinessFirst between San Francisco and Buenos Aires, as well as a review of the product and travel experience. 

Trip Report Part I: United Clubs in San Francisco and Houston
Trip Report Part II: United BusinessFirst Houston to Buenos Aires
Anatomy of an Award: Booking United BusinessFirst with Singapore Miles (this post)
Changing a Singapore Award (future post)

I had a one week window during which I wanted to fly Business Class from San Francisco, back home to Buenos Aires.
Checking Award Space of

Delta has devalued its miles with no notice (again), but this time is even worse than prior instances. While Delta's never announced an award price change, they at least have increased the prices for travel a few months in advance. For example, at the end of this past August, Delta increased the price of a Business Class award to Europe from 62,500 miles to 70,000 miles for travel beginning January 1, 2017 and on.

This time, there's no buffer period whatsoever.

Hilton has increased the category of 21 hotels and decreased the category of 33 hotels for bookings effective October 12, 2016. There are also a number of new Hiltons, mostly in the United States, that were built between last June and this October-- check out the list here.

These are the hotels getting cheaper. They're almost all in Turkey except for a few in Miami Beach.

There are data points rolling in from Reddit of people claiming the $450 annual fee on their American Express Business Platinum card is (unexpectedly) waived the first year.

This is not true of every single report, but many have noticed in their card agreements with American Express a line about the $450 annual fee being waived for the first year of card membership.

In case you missed the news: through January 25, 2017, the American Express Business Platinum Card is offering 100,000 total bonus Membership Rewards after spending $15,000 in the first three months.

This is the second post in a series about how I used Singapore miles to book United BusinessFirst between San Francisco and Buenos Aires, as well as a review of the product and travel experience. 

Trip Report Part I: United Clubs in San Francisco and Houston
Trip Report Part II: United BusinessFirst Houston to Buenos Aires (this post)
Anatomy of an Award: Booking United BusinessFirst with Singapore Miles (future post)
Changing a Singapore Award (future post)

United Airlines Flight 819
Houston (IAH) – Buenos Aires (EZE)
Depart: 9:40 PM on Wednesday October 5, 2016
Arrive: 9:45 AM next

Through November 31, 2016, United MileagePlus is offering a transfer bonus when you move points over from a hotel loyalty program.

Transfer from most chain hotels earn a 25% bonus
Transfers from Club Carlson earn a 40% bonus
Transfers from Choice Privileges earn a 50% bonus

Since Marriott bought Starwood, one of the benefits the company has announced to members of both loyalty programs is the ability to transfer reward points between accounts.