US Airways announced yesterday that it is leaving the Star Alliance March 30, 2014 and joining oneworld March 31, 2014 as part of its merger with American Airlines that legally closed yesterday.

US *A exit date: 3/30/14.

You can earn up to 55,000 Starpoints referring your friends to open the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express and the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express, two of my favorite cards.

I got both of the cards for myself in September because Starpoints are the single most valuable mile or point on the planet.

With my 70,000 Starpoints earned so far on the cards, I plan to do a Nights &

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

The undisputed kings of credit card benefits are the American Express Platinum Cards, which come with airport lounge access, airline fee reimbursement, Global Entry reimbursement, hotel status, and a Platinum concierge.

All Platinum cards have access to these benefits, whether they are personal or business Platinum cards.

I recently got The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN. The card has a $450 annual fee. I got it because the card member benefits far exceed $450.

After getting the card, I did something I do embarrassingly often, I consulted a MileValue post to refresh my memory.

United and Delta have devalued their charts in the last few months, but American and US Airways, which close their merger tomorrow, have not devalued theirs recently.

I have made my own tables comparing the economy, business, and first class award prices on each of the big four US-based airlines' worst announced award chart.

For United, that is the chart for awards BOOKED February 1, 2014 and later. For Delta, that is the chart for awards FLOWN June 1, 2014 or later.

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

Generous reader Debashish has donated a pair of United Club passes that expire January 31, 2014. Thanks, Debashish!

Here are the United Club locations to check whether you’ll be able to use a pass on your next trip.

If you can use the passes between December 15, 2013 (because they will take a few days to get to you) and January 31, 2014, there are two ways to enter to win them!

Comment on this post.

Here is my response to the people who think I shouldn't have shared the deal in $200 Flight to Japan with Hidden City Ticketing on LifeMiles Awards:

All deals in the miles world die. If an airline, hotel, or bank offers outsized value in some way such that it thinks it is losing money, it will discontinue the deal.

The question is what responsibility folks who know a deal have to keep that deal secret to prolong its life.

My basic moral philosophy is broadly utilitarian.

TACA/Avianca LifeMiles are being sold for 1.5 cents until December 30, 2013. The normal price is 3 cents per mile, but LifeMiles is running one of its frequent 2 x 1 sales.

Your LifeMiles account must have already been open on December 3, 2013 to enjoy this promotion.

Cyber Monday is the Black Friday of online shopping. Many airlines and hotels are participating with discounted airfare and hotel stays if you book today.