Last month, the new design of milevalue.com went live, and I walked through some of the changes in "MileValue Looks Different."

The team behind the design was Third Harbor, specifically Tyler and Emily.

Tyler has a lot of experience in the field, but this specific company is new, and he was too busy working on several client projects to get his own website up until now. This is how Tyler explained to me what Third Harbor is:

My new company is called 'Third Harbor' (http://www.thirdharbor.com).

Earlier today, I explained why American Airlines miles are not very good to go to Europe in Business Class (and what the best option is.) Every type of miles has strengths and weaknesses, and overall I consider American Airlines miles the most valuable miles.

Reader Judy emailed to ask:
I've got a ton of American Airlines miles, and I want to go to Europe in Business Class. What is my best option?
 

That's 106,000 American Airlines miles just for getting two cards and meeting the minimum spending requirements.

American Airlines miles also happen to be the most valuable miles because Delta and United jacked up the prices needed for Business and First Class awards last year, but American's chart has been steady for years.

Reader Judy emailed to ask:
I've got a ton of American Airlines miles, and I want to go to Europe in Business Class. What is my best option?
 

That's 106,000 American Airlines miles just for getting two cards and meeting the minimum spending requirements.

American Airlines miles also happen to be the most valuable miles because Delta and United jacked up the prices needed for Business and First Class awards last year, but American's chart has been steady for years.

Using miles to book trips instead of using cash has tons of advantages:

Easier access to First Class and flat beds: An international First Class ticket can cost $10k or the amount of miles you can get from opening a pair of credit cards.
Better open jaw and stopover rules: Few revenue tickets allow you to stopover without increasing in price.

The Flight Deal posted some cheap flight deals last night that are still valid to Russia, Turkey, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Deals to Russia (including San Fran to Moscow for $314 roundtrip)
Deals to Turkey (including Chicago to Dublin for $408 roundtrip)
Deals to the rest of Europe (Dublin as low as $390 roundtrip)
Deals to Africa and Middle East ($550 to $750 range roundtrip)

If one of the flights interests you, BOOK NOW. These deals might not last more than a few more minutes or hours.

The Flight Deal posted some cheap flight deals last night that are still valid to Russia, Turkey, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Deals to Russia (including San Fran to Moscow for $314 roundtrip)
Deals to Turkey (including Chicago to Dublin for $408 roundtrip)
Deals to the rest of Europe (Dublin as low as $390 roundtrip)
Deals to Africa and Middle East ($550 to $750 range roundtrip)

If one of the flights interests you, BOOK NOW. These deals might not last more than a few more minutes or hours.

United is offering award sales, several of them unannounced, to destinations all over the world at the moment.

United's unannounced sale on Business Class awards to Europe is ongoing And now, via Dan's Deals, United is offering three more discounts:

Business Class between the United States and Central Asia for 70,000 miles each way on partner airlines for awards flown by March 31, 2015.

United is offering award sales, several of them unannounced, to destinations all over the world at the moment.

United's unannounced sale on Business Class awards to Europe is ongoing And now, via Dan's Deals, United is offering three more discounts:

Business Class between the United States and Central Asia for 70,000 miles each way on partner airlines for awards flown by March 31, 2015.

January 1, as promised, Delta began to allow one way award redemptions for half the price of roundtrips. Delta also went from three tiers of award prices--Saver, Standard, Peak--to five--Levels 1 through 5.