Anatomy of an Award: Flights to Cuba with Miles

I just booked myself a trip to Cuba with miles. One direction I am flying on a single award from the United States to Cuba. On the return, I am flying two awards: Cuba to Colombia and Colombia to the United States.

I used American Airlines, Asiana, and Lufthansa miles, all of which are easily available to Americans.
Can Americans Travel to Cuba?
Here is the State Department's page on visiting Cuba.

I am going to travel to Cuba on a general license as a journalist.

Today Only: $29 Hotel Rooms

Update at 7:48 PM ET: None of the packages have sold out.

Today is the second day of five weeks of discounted travel packages from the US Travel Association called Daily Getaways.

Today Only: Save $112 On Your Next Car Rental

Update at 1:22 PM on 3/23/15: I just got three. This deal has not sold out and may not during the entire five weeks. If you think you'll make a rental soon where Alamo will be the cheapest company, this is a phenomenal deal. Don't forget all the local taxes that you'll avoid with these certificates (detailed below.)

Today is the first day of five weeks of discounted travel packages from the US Travel Association called Daily Getaways.

American Airlines New Award Charts, No Changes

American Airlines updated the look of its award charts today with no update to actual award prices. (Here are expert predictions for the timing and extent of the next award chart changes from American Airlines.)

I liked the old charts better, especially the partner one where all prices could be displayed in one small image.

Now both the American Airlines chart and partner chart are spread across several pages.

Free Giveaway: $51 Southwest Gift Card that Never Expires!

Longtime reader Cave Man is offering one lucky reader a $51 Southwest gift card.

Southwest gift cards are fully transferable and don’t expire. There are two ways to enter, and you can enter both ways.

Daily Getaways Returns with Big Savings: Preview of Week 1

Daily Getaways is a series of daily discounted travel packages sponsored by the US Travel Association and American Express that starts Monday and runs for five weeks. Every weekday at 1 PM ET, a discounted travel package or packages will go on sale, and the best deals sell out in just a few minutes.

In 2013, I blogged every deal.

Daily Getaways Returns with Big Savings: Preview of Week 1

Daily Getaways is a series of daily discounted travel packages sponsored by the US Travel Association and American Express that starts Monday and runs for five weeks. Every weekday at 1 PM ET, a discounted travel package or packages will go on sale, and the best deals sell out in just a few minutes.

In 2013, I blogged every deal.

A Working Link to the 50k US Airways Card, Today at Least

Here's Barclaycard's page listing "all" its credit cards. Conspicuously absent from the list is the US Airways card.

We know that The US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® will no longer be offered to new applicants as soon as the US Airways and American Airlines frequent flyer programs integrate, some time in the next 23 days.

New York to Stockholm for $257 Roundtrip

Update: Still alive on March 19 (sample dates February 3 - 10) for $257 in Norwegian Krone.

Follow @MileValueAlerts on Twitter and follow these directions to get a text message every time I tweet from that account.

Four Advantages of Domestic Avios Awards

British Airways Avios are, counter-intuitively, way better for domestic travel within the United States than for trips to Europe.

That's because the highest value uses of Avios are short, direct, economy flights on partners without fuel surcharges. Within the United States, there are no fuel surcharges on American Airlines, US Airways, or Alaska Airlines flights, all of which are bookable with Avios.

Read: British Airways Avios Basics

This year, for the second straight year, I'll be following my basketball team through March Madness.