Anyone can book themselves a roundtrip to Europe this winter for 30,000 US Airways miles. Award space is excellent, and you can get the miles you need from opening one credit card and making one purchase on it.

Yesterday, I wrote about the unannounced demise of US Airways off peak awards to South America.

On Sunday, I hosted a MileValue dinner in Los Angeles. Unfortunately there was a "Korean Agriculture & Marine Product Expo" across the street, which severely limited parking and caused some people to miss the dinner.

I'll share five tips I gave to attendees. I wouldn't classify any as secrets, but most of them were unknown to people who, in some cases, have redeemed hundreds of thousands of miles, so the tips might be pretty useful for your next award booking.
1.

US Airways offers some of the best off peak awards in the world. During select dates each year, you can fly:

Between the United States and Europe for 35,000 miles roundtrip in economy
Between the United States and the Caribbean for 25,000 miles roundtrip in economy and 50,000 in business

Plus, US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® cardholders get an extra 5,000 mile discount on off peak awards, so they can fly to Europe for 30,000 miles roundtrip or the Caribbean for 20,000 miles roundtrip.

Earlier this month, the 50,000 mile bonus offer on the United Explorer Card publicly ended.

My sister asked me a few weeks ago: "Didn't you say there are no stopovers allowed on American Airlines awards?"

"Yes," I replied. "In April, American removed the ability to add a free stopover to awards under all circumstances.

Last week, I did a 2 day/1 night hike on the Great Wall of China near Beijing that included 10 miles of hiking on the Wall, several meals, transportation, lodging, and a massage. My brother and I paid $370 per person.

Hiking the Great Wall was one of my best travel experiences ever. The history, the scenery, the outdoor exercise, and spending time with my brother were a potent combination.

I went with Great Wall Hiking (which gave me no discount and doesn't know I'm writing this review), and I enjoyed the tour immensely.

Through Monday September 22, 2014, you can buy 100,000+ IHG Rewards points for 0.575 cents each.

Buying IHG points for under 0.6 cents each means you can book certain IHG hotel rooms for less than $30 per night.

This sale virtually ties the cheapest I've ever seen the points for sale.

I just arrived in Los Angeles after 10 hours flying Asiana First Class on its brand new A380. I booked my seat last month for 70,000 United miles (at pre-devaluation prices using this trick.)

This is a really important trip report because Asiana First Class is a true luxury product that is extremely easy to book with miles!

Award space on the Asiana A380 is wide open in Business Class and First Class between Los Angeles and Seoul, especially at the last minute.

Enjoy one of these 50 free upgrade codes to six months of Award Wallet Plus. Award Wallet is the free way I track my 35 miles and points balances and store my login information for those programs.

Read more about Award Wallet.

Sign up for Award Wallet.

Click "Continue Reading" to see the codes.

I'm sitting in the Asiana First Class Lounge in Seoul, about to fly one of the newest and hopefully best First Class products in the world on the Asiana A380.

I booked the ticket for 70,000 United miles and around $150 all in because you can still book awards at the old pre-devaluation United award prices.

On a whim, I checked the cash price for the ticket.