Aer Lingus has decided to accept IAG's takeover bid, which would mean that one company would own the flag carriers of the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland, since IAG already owns British Airways and Iberia.

The deal is far from done because the Irish government owns a 25% stake in Aer Lingus and governments always seem to fear losing control of their home airline.

Right now there is a ton of First Class award space available on American Airlines flights to Santiago, Chile for 2015.

I flew First Class on American Airlines to Buenos Aires two years ago. The flight and bed were comfortable, though the service was uninspired.

Update January 23: Cave Man is giving away four more Southwest drink passes. Ben S won the last four. All previous commenters are entered. New comments will also count for entry.

Generous reader Brandon wants to give his four Southwest drink passes that expire December 31, 2015 to one lucky reader.

If you can use them, leave a comment. Put your real email address into the email field when making the comment.

My friend just booked a Singapore Airlines award with two stopovers, one destination, and one open jaw. He'll be hopping through the Americas for six weeks for 60,000 miles and $123.

I'm especially keen to highlight this award because:

it's interesting
easy to copy
similar to awards I've written about theoretically
Singapore miles are the easiest to amass. Singapore KrisFlyer is a 1:1 transfer partner of American Express, Chase and Citi.

Singapore Routing Rules
The type of miles you use determine the rules your award has to follow.

Etihad and Qantas both fly their stunning A380s with ultra-luxurious First Classes out of London.

I get almost all my miles from credit cards.

I rarely fly a paid flight on an airline that offers miles (and when I do, it's usually not paid by me)
I don't do much online shopping through airline portals
My dining program earnings are minimal

For me, it starts and ends with sign up bonuses and category bonuses on credit cards.

Citi ThankYou Points now transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles at a 1:1 rate.

That makes one hotel and 12 airline partners for Citi ThankYou Points earned on the Citi ThankYou® Premier Card and Citi Prestige® Card.

The Citi ThankYou® Premier Card comes with 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

Some credit card offers in this post have expired, but they might come back. If they do they will appear –> Click here for the top current credit card sign up bonuses.

I've got 2.5 weeks between high school and law school reunions this spring.

The Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature Card offers 85,000 bonus points after spending $2,500 on the card in the first 90 days.

Last month, I wrote about saving money on paid tickets by using a "fake location." The idea is that airlines charge different amounts for the same ticket depending on where you're from or where you say you're from.

I just had the opportunity to use the trick, and I saved 47% on an intra-Egypt flight.

I'm going to spend a week in Egypt in May, and I want to split the time between Luxor and Cairo.