Or How the Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

Or How You Don't Get What You Don't Ask For

Or How to Cancel an American Airlines Award for Free

In early 2015, I booked an awesome award that would have allowed me to see Bangkok, Dubai, and Egypt while flying Etihad and Emirates First Class.

American Airlines is increasing the number of miles needed for most awards--including huge increases in First Class--on March 22, 2016.

You can only get the bonus on American Express credit and charge cards once per lifetime.

Later today, an Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Honolulu will intercept a total solar eclipse, much to the delight of the 163 passengers on board.

That's not by accident. Alaska Airlines altered the flight schedule and will alter the flight path to catch almost two minutes of the eclipse in flight after being alerted of the possibility by a veteran eclipse chaser. In fact over a dozen eclipse chasers got window seats on the flight for the rare opportunity.

Generous reader Caveman is donating two United Club passes that expire June 30, 2017–bout a year and a half from now–to one lucky winner.

United has lounges all over the world. The clubs are a pleasant place to relax in a comfortable chair, use free wifi, and enjoy free snack and drinks. Here are the amenities. One-time entry goes for $59, so this giveaway could be worth up to $118.

There are two ways to enter this contest:

Comment on this post for a chance to win the passes.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® now offers 50,000 bonus American Airlines after spending $5,000 in the first three months.

Quick Facts

Sign Up Bonus: 50,000 American Airlines miles after $5,000 in spending in the first three months
Admirals Club Membership: Full access to 90+ affiliated clubs and free guest access for two people each time you go.

Update 6/26/16: Singapore is ending its Barcelona <-> Sao Paulo route. The last flight is October 20, 2016. Singapore will continue to fly Singapore <-> Barcelona, but that isn't much consolation. Award space is great Barcelona <-> Sao Paulo through October 20.

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Fly between South America and Europe for 17,425 miles one way year round. Or for only 58,225, fly one of the world's nicest First Classes.

Delta has devalued its miles with no notice (again.)

Effective immediately, awards for travel from November 1, 2016 on are going up in price from the United States to the Middle East in Business Class.
USA to Middle East
Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen

Is: 40k/70k each way in economy/Business
For Travel October 1 to October 31: 35k/70k
For Travel November 1 on: 35k/85k
Change: 5,000 fewer Delta miles each way in economy to the Middle East starting October 1, 15,000 more miles