Latest Posts

$293 Roundtrip Nonstop to USA to Spain

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. I tweet from…

Basic Economy 101: Navigating Today’s Lowest Fare Class

Delta was the first to sell a sub-economy cabin class titled Basic Economy in 2012. United followed suit last year, so it should be no surprise that American Airlines has also just jumped on the…

Where I Slept in 2016

I've been traveling full time for over two years, never staying in one city for more than a few months. Here are the main questions I get from people who can't wrap their heads around that unusual…

Redeem American Airlines Miles: Part 5 — Taxes, Fees, Fuel Surcharges

I am updating and re-posting this series on redeeming American Airlines miles in light of the fact that right now it’s super easy to earn 146,000 American Airlines miles. For a limited time, the Citi…

Cathay Pacific’s New A350 Route: Vancouver to Hong Kong (With Lots of Business Class Award Space)

Cathay Pacific will begin a new route between Vancouver and Hong Kong on March 28, 2017 flying an Airbus A350. The A350 will depart Vancouver and Hong Kong on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays…

New PointBreaks List Now Bookable! Hotels You Can Stay in For $30 a Night

The brand new PointBreaks list allows us to book hotel rooms for stays today through April 30, 2017 for $30 per night. Even if you’ve read other posts on the PointBreaks list, read this.

Top 3 Twitter Accounts to Follow for a Free Roundtrip to Europe

We've been seeing tons of affordable economy fares between the United States and Europe.

Getting An Instant Credit Card Number Upon Approval

We've all been there. With no prior warning, you're faced with a large expense that must be paid ASAP. Most cards cards take a week if not more to arrive in the mail. But to spend that much money and…

4+ United Flat Bed Business Seats to Europe Open Many Days This Summer

There's a large amount of United Business Class available from the United States to Europe for the coming summer months of July and August. We're talking up to eight seats available some days and up…

Maximizing Ultimate Rewards: Korean Skypass #2 (on SkyTeam Partners)

This post is part five of a series about how to maximize value when transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards to loyalty program partners.  Maximizing Your Ultimate Rewards Series Index Maximizing…

15 Miles per Dollar Today Only at United Portal

The United shopping portal is offering 15 miles per dollar today only (until 11:59 PM ET on 1/22/17) at a number of stores that normally offer only 2-5 miles per dollar. I value United miles at 1.6…

Guide to Low Cost Carrier Travel in Europe

Taking no-frills, short distance flights on low cost carriers is a great way to fill in the hole on an open jaw award and to hop around Europe if you're traveling light. You often cannot redeem…

Economics of Churning: Who Pays for Those Credit Card Bonuses?

An interesting post on Reddit caught my eye called "The Economics of Churning: who pays for the rewards?" ("Churning" is the milesphere's term for opening cards, getting their bonuses, closing the…

Maximizing Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles are easier to earn than ever thanks to the Avianca Vuela Visa that was introduced at the end of 2016.  In light of that fact, today I'm going to go over strategies for maximizing…

Redeem American Airlines Miles: Part 3 — Where to Search Award Space for All Partners

I am updating and re-posting this series on redeeming American Airlines miles in light of the fact that right now it’s super easy to earn 146,000 American Airlines miles. For a limited time, the Citi…

You Can Redeem Alaska Miles on Virgin America & 1st Class Space is Abundant

Update 1/18/17: A reader reports that he tried to book San Francisco to Boston Virgin America First Class award space with Alaska miles--he tried various summer dates--and every time received an…

Maximizing Ultimate Rewards: Korean SkyPass #1

This post is part four of a series about how to maximize value when transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards to loyalty program partners.  Maximizing Your Ultimate Rewards Series Index Maximizing…

Don’t Make This Mistake with Your Priority Pass Membership

The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Citi Prestige, and all American Express Platinum cards offer free Priority Pass Select membership, emphasis on "Select." Last month I got this email from a vexed reader:…

When Do Arrival Miles Expire?

Arrival miles never expire as long as you hold your Barclaycard Arrival PlusTM World Elite MasterCard®. They do disappear the second you cancel the card though. Other than canceling the card, the…

LATAM’s New Santiago-Melbourne Route Has Tons of Flat Bed Business Award Space

Beginning October 5, 2017, LATAM will fly a Boeing 787-9 three times a week on its first non-stop route to Australia, between Santiago, Chile and Melbourne, Australia.

The Business Platinum’s 50% Points Rebate Benefit In Practice

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is offering 100,000 total bonus points through January 25, 2017 (which is just a couple weeks from now): 50,000 bonus points after spending $5,000…

Did You Receive 10k Free Alaska Miles Over the Weekend?

UPDATE 1/10/17: If you have a Virgin America Elevate account and an Alaska Mileage Plan account that were both opened prior to December 5, 2016, you should have gotten/be getting the 10k Alaska mile…

Six Ultra-Luxurious First Classes to Book with American Airlines Miles

“Redeeming American Airlines Miles” Series Index Part 1 — 5 Ways to Stretch American Airlines Miles on Economy Redemptions Part 2 — 6 Ultra-Luxurious First Classes to Book with American Airlines…

Maximizing Ultimate Rewards: Singapore Krisflyer #2

This post is part three of a series about how to maximize value when transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards to loyalty program partners.  Maximizing Your Ultimate Rewards Series Index Maximizing…