Many people ask me a variety of the question: should I focus my earning on one airline program, or should I try to earn miles in all programs?

Let's divide mileage accrual into two categories:

Miles earned from flying on paid tickets. (Butt-in-seat miles)
Miles earned from other sources.

My friend, Ryan from MA, recently took a trip to Italy and Taiwan during which he flew Lufthansa First Class, Asiana First Class, Thai First Class, ANA First Class and entered some of the world’s nicest lounges. I’ve asked him to do a series of trip reports, so we can all be inspired by some of the otherwise out-of-reach experiences miles can afford us. Previously Lufthansa First Class.

One of the absolute best experiences with miles and points is entering the Lufthansa First Class Terminal.

My friend, Ryan from MA, recently took a trip to Italy and Taiwan during which he flew Lufthansa First Class, Asiana First Class, Thai First Class, ANA First Class and entered some of the world’s nicest lounges. I’ve asked him to do a series of trip reports, so we can all be inspired by some of the otherwise out-of-reach experiences miles can afford us. Previously Lufthansa First Class.

One of the absolute best experiences with miles and points is entering the Lufthansa First Class Terminal.

Two Star Alliance carriers are selling miles at a discount this month.

US Airways will sell you up to 100k Dividend Miles for $1,881.25 (1.88 cents each.)
TACA/Avianca will see you up to 150k LifeMiles for $2,250 (1.5 cents each.)

Is either your ticket to a deeply discounted vacation?

US Airways

US Airways constantly runs its 100% purchase miles bonus. Sometimes the bonus is targeted that month, and sometimes it is open to everyone like the current August bonus.

During the promotions, you can purchase up to 100k US Airways miles for 1.88 cents each.

This is the thirteenth post in a monthlong series that started here. Each post will take about two minutes to read and may include an action item that takes the reader another two minutes to complete. I am writing this for an audience of people who know nothing about frequent flier miles, and my goal is that by the end, you know enough to fly for free anywhere you want to go.

Update: Congratulations to winners Matt and EGWG! The winners have been notified. Thank you to all for your submissions.

Today I'm giving away one travel essential for Argentina and one for Melbourne, Australia, and there will be two winners.

Argentina: Claro micro-SIM

Traveling with a cell phone makes life a lot easier.

A friend of mine was offered free Gold Status on American Airlines by email.

How did he get so lucky? Can you repeat it?

My friend has flown 3,500 paid miles over nine segments on American this year. But with his free instant Gold status, he'll have the same status as folks who have flown 25,000 miles this year on American.

His new status will last for about four 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.

You can increase the value of all your miles by using them for their highest-value uses. You can get more out of this hobby by collecting the right miles for your goal trip.

The first truism is why I started the MileValue Award Booking Service. The second is why I offer Free Credit Card Consultations.

This is the eleventh post in a monthlong series that started here. Each post will take about two minutes to read and may include an action item that takes the reader another two minutes to complete. I am writing this for an audience of people who know nothing about frequent flier miles, and my goal is that by the end, you know enough to fly for free anywhere you want to go. Previously How to Meet Multiple Minimum Spending Requirements at Once.

There are six basic types of frequent flier miles.

Award seats are bookable when airlines load their schedules. And there are two relevant airlines that need to load their schedules: the operating carrier of the flight and the airline whose miles you want to use.

You can't book a flight until both of the relevant airlines are ready.

For instance, American Airlines allows its miles to be used to book flights 331 days before their departure. Qantas loads its flights' award space space 355 days before departure.