I tweeted this deal first from @MileValueAlerts. Follow @MileValueAlerts on Twitter and follow these directions to get a text message every time I tweet from that account.

The AT&T Access More Card from Citi comes with a $650 credit toward the purchase of a new smartphone after $2,000 in purchases in the first three months and 3x points on online purchases at retail and travel sites.

The $650 credit is enough to get a brand new iPhone 6 for free, and the 3x points on online purchases can turn into 4.8% back toward the purchase of American Airlines flights.
Quick Facts

Sign Up Bonus: A free phone (up to $650) after spending $2,000 in the first three months
Category Bonuses: 3x ThankYou Points on

Ireland's government announced its approval for IAG--the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, and Vueling--to purchase Aer Lingus, the flag carrier of Ireland. The Irish government owns a 25% stake in Aer Lingus.

Other shareholders, including Ryanair which owns a 30% stake in Aer Lingus, have not weighed in, but if the deal goes through it will have a big effect on your miles.

Right now Aer Lingus is not a member of any airline alliance.

The Citi ThankYou® Premier Card comes with 40,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Those 40,000 points are now worth $500 toward airfare, hotels, cruises, and car rentals (25% more.)

I went into my thankyou.com account to search for car rentals, and the results showed a 1.25 cents per point valuation.

It's fantastic that Citi made car, hotel, and and cruise redemptions more valuable, but I don't expect to use this new benefit.

I recently booked myself an award from Chicago to Buenos Aires in Business Class on a Dreamliner for 45,000 Alaska Airlines miles and $19 in taxes and fees.

AeroMexico releases a ton of award space from United States to Mexico City and from there to Buenos Aires (or elsewhere in Central and South America) in economy and Business Class.

Fresno only has a direct flight to Guadalajara from where you can connect to Mexico City and beyond.

Ethiopian Airlines will begin flying Los Angeles to Dublin to Addis Ababa on June 18, 2015 with a 787 Dreamliner. Ethiopian will have fifth freedom rights, meaning you will be able to fly any single segment of the flight, including Los Angeles to Dublin.

Normally direct award space from the West Coast to Europe is tough to find.

The new IHG PointBreaks hotels will be bookable May 26 for stays May 26 to July 31. The cost will be 5,000 points or $35 per night.

Below is a map and list of the properties. If you don't know what PointBreaks are, read IHG Rewards PointBreaks List Means $35 Hotels Until May 31.

Copa, the Panamanian Star Alliance carrier, has long been part of United's MileagePlus program. That relationship will end June 30, and Copa ConnectMiles will launch on July 1, 2015.

Copa has released two award charts in anticipation: one for flying Copa and one for flying Star Alliance partners.

The charts are nearly identical to United's award charts. Compared to United, the only value I see is in economy on the Copa-only award chart.

You need 17,500 United miles to fly to Panama, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Last month Citi improved the offer on the Citi Prestige® Card, which comes with 50,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $3,000 in purchases made with your card in the first 3 months the account is open, a $250 Air Travel Credit per calendar year, access to the American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Priority Pass lounges, 3x points per dollar on air travel and hotels, and a $450 annual fee.

The Citi Prestige® Card competes at the top of the market wi

Last month Citi improved the offer on the Citi Prestige® Card, which comes with 50,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $3,000 in purchases made with your card in the first 3 months the account is open, a $250 Air Travel Credit per calendar year, access to the American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Priority Pass lounges, 3x points per dollar on air travel and hotels, and a $450 annual fee.

The Citi Prestige® Card competes at the top of the market wi