Free Giveaway: $49 Southwest Gift Card

Longtime reader Cave Man is offering one lucky reader a $49 Southwest gift card.

Southwest gift cards are fully transferable and don't expire. There are two ways to enter, and you can enter both ways.

The Myth of the 10 Cents Per Mile Award and Why Miles Are Most Valuable to the Rich

The other day, I booked myself a direct flight from Tampa to Charlotte with 4,500 British Airways Avios and $5.60.

100,000 Point American Express Platinum Offer and Other Targeted Offers from Cardmatch

Some folks who type their information into the Card Match tool are getting offers for the:

American Express Platinum with 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards after spending $3,000 in the first three months
American Express Premier Rewards Gold with 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards after spending $1,000 in the first three months
Amex Everyday Preferred Credit Card with 30,000 bonus Membership Rewards after spending $2,000 in the first three months.

Hat Tip The Points Guy and View from the Wing

Head to the Card Match tool, and you'll find out if you're matched in just a

Third Harbor: Web Designers Who Designed MileValue.com

Last month, the new design of milevalue.com went live, and I walked through some of the changes in "MileValue Looks Different."

The team behind the design was Third Harbor, specifically Tyler and Emily.

Tyler has a lot of experience in the field, but this specific company is new, and he was too busy working on several client projects to get his own website up until now. This is how Tyler explained to me what Third Harbor is:

My new company is called 'Third Harbor' (http://www.thirdharbor.com).

Easiest Places to Book with American Airlines Miles

Earlier today, I explained why American Airlines miles are not very good to go to Europe in Business Class (and what the best option is.) Every type of miles has strengths and weaknesses, and overall I consider American Airlines miles the most valuable miles.

Easiest Places to Book with American Airlines Miles

Earlier today, I explained why American Airlines miles are not very good to go to Europe in Business Class (and what the best option is.) Every type of miles has strengths and weaknesses, and overall I consider American Airlines miles the most valuable miles.

Getting to Europe in Business Class with American Airlines Miles

Reader Judy emailed to ask:
I've got a ton of American Airlines miles, and I want to go to Europe in Business Class. What is my best option?
 

That's 106,000 American Airlines miles just for getting two cards and meeting the minimum spending requirements.

American Airlines miles also happen to be the most valuable miles because Delta and United jacked up the prices needed for Business and First Class awards last year, but American's chart has been steady for years.

Getting to Europe in Business Class with American Airlines Miles

Reader Judy emailed to ask:
I've got a ton of American Airlines miles, and I want to go to Europe in Business Class. What is my best option?
 

That's 106,000 American Airlines miles just for getting two cards and meeting the minimum spending requirements.

American Airlines miles also happen to be the most valuable miles because Delta and United jacked up the prices needed for Business and First Class awards last year, but American's chart has been steady for years.

Another Reason Miles Are Better than Cash: Free Cancellations

Using miles to book trips instead of using cash has tons of advantages:

Easier access to First Class and flat beds: An international First Class ticket can cost $10k or the amount of miles you can get from opening a pair of credit cards.
Better open jaw and stopover rules: Few revenue tickets allow you to stopover without increasing in price.

$314 Roundtrip to Russia, and Cheap Deals to Europe, Africa, Middle East

The Flight Deal posted some cheap flight deals last night that are still valid to Russia, Turkey, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Deals to Russia (including San Fran to Moscow for $314 roundtrip)
Deals to Turkey (including Chicago to Dublin for $408 roundtrip)
Deals to the rest of Europe (Dublin as low as $390 roundtrip)
Deals to Africa and Middle East ($550 to $750 range roundtrip)

If one of the flights interests you, BOOK NOW. These deals might not last more than a few more minutes or hours.