Countries Visited (21)
In chronological order (except for the US, which would be third chronologically):

Australia (11 days)
New Zealand (10 days)
Argentina (5.5 months)
Paraguay (8 days)
Uruguay (3 days)
South Africa (9 days)
Germany (7 days)
United Kingdom (2 days)
Sweden (2 days)
France (4 days)
Malaysia (8 days)
Thailand (7 days)
Austria (2 days)
Slovakia (2 days)
Hungary (4 days)
Croatia (3 days)
Italy (1 day)
Belgium (1 day)
Norway (1 day)
Netherlands (1 day)
United States (3.5 months)

Premium Airline Cabins Flown (12)
In chronological order (with links to trip reports):

United Global First
Emirates First

2013 was a year of several major devaluation announcements including:

United (kicks in February 1, 2014)
Southwest (kicks in March 31, 2014)
Delta (already kicked in on current award bookings for travel that starts February 1, 2014 or later)
Hyatt (kicks in January 7, 2014)
Ultimate Rewards (with three major transfer partners devaluing--United, Southwest, and Hyatt--the program took a major hit through no fault of its own)

But the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Qatar Airways has fantastic Business Class award space on its Dreamliner and on its routes from the US to Doha and beyond in 2014.

You can currently buy Avios for 1.37 cents each through a miles-transfer promotion.

Merry Christmas from everyone at MileValue to you and your family.

Christmas 2008, the View from the Conrad in Punta del Este, Uruguay

There will be no new posts the rest of the week. Check out some of these classics if you can't take a few days off from thinking about miles!

Negative Price Oneways to the Caribbean (Dies in One Month!)
My Favorite Hotel Promo of 2013 Will Return in 2014.

With Christmas tomorrow, I'll get on my soapbox for a second: Give experiences not things.

Having lived happily for much of 2013 with very few things--two carry on sized bags full to be exact--I can confirm what many more have said before me: things don't bring happiness.

If you're celebrating Christmas, what should you give your loved ones tomorrow?

Last second award availability is routinely fantastic on United flights and on certain Star Alliance partner flights. Use your United miles (or any other Star Alliance miles) to book a last minute trip right now to anywhere in the world for Christmas or New Year's!
Australia
You could be in Sydney Harbour for the fireworks. United flies daily from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both routes have Saver award space this week in economy, business, and first classes for two passengers.

In Part 1, I shared my experiences at the 2012 Euro Cup and how they informed my plan for the World Cup. I also discussed the flight and hotel awards I booked for myself.

I just booked myself a roundtrip First Class award from Honolulu to Sao Paulo, Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. I also booked myself five nights at a hotel in Sao Paulo.

Rooting for the Home Team (Poland) at the 2012 UEFA Euro Cup!

The cost?

125,000 US Airways miles
100,000 IHG Rewards points
$109

If you want to go see the biggest sporting event in the world in the world's best footballing (soccer) country, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The offers for the cards listed in this post have expired, so their links have been removed. Click here for the top current credit card sign up bonuses.

The 50k mile bonus offer is back on the Lufthansa card mentioned in this post until 6/30/14.