Ends Sunday: 25% Transfer Bonus from Citi ThankYou Points to Virgin Atlantic

Transfers of Citi ThankYou Points to Virgin Atlantic miles will have a 25% bonus through Sunday August 23, 2015.

You must transfer ThankYou Points in 1,000 point increments, so until August 23:

1,000 ThankYou Points = 1,250 Virgin Atlantic miles

This is huge news as it is the first transfer bonus of Citi ThankYou Points to an airline partner. American Express Membership Rewards has historically run transfer bonuses, including to Virgin Atlantic, though Chase Ultimate Rewards never has.

Three Reasons Why You Want Virgin Atlantic Miles
1.

American Airlines Off Peak 20k Awards to Europe Start in 8 Weeks

Every October 15 to May 15, you can fly to Europe for 20,000 American Airlines miles each way in economy. This off peak pricing extends to American Airlines and its partners.

Book the Longest Flights in the World in First Class with Miles

From February 1, 2016, Emirates will fly daily between Dubai and Panama City, which will be the longest scheduled commercial flight at over 8,500 miles. The flight is blocked for 17:35 heading west. Hopefully the flight will be bookable with Alaska miles, and it will definitely be bookable with Japan Airlines miles.

I have a special interest in long flights because when I am flying an ultra-luxurious First Class, I don't want the flight to end. Eight hours--a typical transatlantic flight--are not enough.

Ends Tomorrow: 21k Delta Awards to Europe, 43.5k in Flat Beds. Here are the Rules

Update 8/20/15: Delta now advertises this fare sale and says the deals must be booked by tomorrow August 21, 2015.

This page also lists some of the fare sale city pairs, though definitely not all.

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Yesterday, Delta started selling awards to Europe for 21,000 miles each way in economy and 43,500 miles each way in Business Class. These are huge discounts off the "normal" price of 30,000 miles each way in economy and 62,500 miles each way in Business Class.

Sale on United Awards to Brazil and Chile

United is offering a 25% discount on roundtrip economy awards to Brazil and Chile this Fall (their Spring.) For 45,000 United miles, you can fly roundtrip to Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, or Sao Paulo.

This is nearly an exact re-run of a deal we saw in April.
Key Terms

Book by November 30, 2015.
Travel by November 30, 2015.
You must fly only United and United Express flights--no partners.
Discounted Saver Award is only valid for travel between the U.S.

You Can Avoid Airbnb’s 3% Currency Conversion Fee with This New Trick

Until a few weeks ago, you could change the payment currency on Airbnb to the host's currency. That saved you Airbnb's ridiculous 3% currency conversion fee. As long as you paid with a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card, you got the conversion done for a 0% fee.

Since I've spent most of the year in Airbnb properties, that saves me a lot of money.

Then Airbnb took that option away.

The Best Award Space Option to Australia Has Completely Dried Up

For a few years, Virgin Australia Business Class award space to Australia has been a gimme. I would often find 12 Award Seats (half of which were Business) to Australia over Christmas and New Year's on Virgin Australia flights.

Glitch Causing Partner Award Space Not to Appear On Delta.com. How to Book It

Update 8/19//15:

The glitch is fixed. One way search results now include partners as they should. Here's a screen shot of Los Angeles to Sydney in February 2016 in Business Class. I can assure you that none of those days with 80,000 mile Saver seats are on Delta flights. ;)

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Virgin Australia, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France flights are not displaying on delta.com on one way searches. You can search them as part of roundtrip awards. You can book them by calling Delta at 800-323-2323.

Let's take a look at the problem with Virgin Australia award space.

Buy United Miles with up to a 50% Discount

Until August 31, 2015, United is selling miles up to 50% off.

The exact maximum discount is targeted, so you have to sign in to see your discount. My maximum discount is 50%. Even if you get the 50% discount, it only applies to purchases of at least 50,000 miles. United miles normally cost 3.76 cents each, so with a 50% discount, they cost 1.88 cents each.

After the 50% discount, 50,000 miles cost $941.