Sometimes you can go really far for not very miles by finding underpriced countries on your favorite award chart.

Award charts, by their nature, group several countries together for a single price. The countries at the extremes of each group are often underpriced relative to the rest of the group, leaving you the chance to get a great deal with your miles.

Here are five examples of underpriced countries on the American Airlines, United, Delta, US Airways, and British Airways award charts.
1.

Virgin Atlantic is a London-based airline that serves or has plans to serve 12 American airports. Virgin Atlantic releases a ton of award space in Upper Class between the United States and Europe in the last days and weeks before departure.

You can book Virgin Atlantic Upper Class with Delta miles.

Emirates is releasing two First Class seats on its A380 flights from San Francisco and Houston to Dubai on a ton of days in Winter 2015.

My flight in Emirates First Class was my favorite ever because of the over-the-top service and amenities, like two onboard shower spas.

Emirates First: Chauffeur Service
Pre-Departure Services and Emirates Club Auckland
Emirates First: Suite, Seat, and Bed
Emirates First: Service and Food
Emirates First: Shower Spa

At the MileValue dinner, when I shared these five tips, a reader (wish I could remember a name for credit here) shared the tip that Emirates First

Monday I flew Allegiant Air in a Giant Seat, one of their First Class-sized seats up front, from Los Angeles to Honolulu.

Allegiant Air is a Las-Vegas-based low-cost carrier that survives by selling bundled hotel-air-entertainment packages, charging a fee for almost everything, and keeping its costs low.

It was a First Class-sized seat at an economy-class price.

Anyone can book themselves a roundtrip to Europe this winter for 30,000 US Airways miles. Award space is excellent, and you can get the miles you need from opening one credit card and making one purchase on it.

Yesterday, I wrote about the unannounced demise of US Airways off peak awards to South America.

On Sunday, I hosted a MileValue dinner in Los Angeles. Unfortunately there was a "Korean Agriculture & Marine Product Expo" across the street, which severely limited parking and caused some people to miss the dinner.

I'll share five tips I gave to attendees. I wouldn't classify any as secrets, but most of them were unknown to people who, in some cases, have redeemed hundreds of thousands of miles, so the tips might be pretty useful for your next award booking.
1.

US Airways offers some of the best off peak awards in the world. During select dates each year, you can fly:

Between the United States and Europe for 35,000 miles roundtrip in economy
Between the United States and the Caribbean for 25,000 miles roundtrip in economy and 50,000 in business

Plus, US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® cardholders get an extra 5,000 mile discount on off peak awards, so they can fly to Europe for 30,000 miles roundtrip or the Caribbean for 20,000 miles roundtrip.

Earlier this month, the 50,000 mile bonus offer on the United Explorer Card publicly ended.

My sister asked me a few weeks ago: "Didn't you say there are no stopovers allowed on American Airlines awards?"

"Yes," I replied. "In April, American removed the ability to add a free stopover to awards under all circumstances.

Last week, I did a 2 day/1 night hike on the Great Wall of China near Beijing that included 10 miles of hiking on the Wall, several meals, transportation, lodging, and a massage. My brother and I paid $370 per person.

Hiking the Great Wall was one of my best travel experiences ever. The history, the scenery, the outdoor exercise, and spending time with my brother were a potent combination.

I went with Great Wall Hiking (which gave me no discount and doesn't know I'm writing this review), and I enjoyed the tour immensely.