Round-the-World Example with Half in Flat Bed for 100,000 Miles

You can book yourself a tour around Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia stopping in four places for only 100,000 miles total with nearly half the trip in a flat bed. By stopping in four places, I am referring to actual destinations, not connections that have to be under 24 hours.

Much like the Mega Trip to the Caribbean and South America I wrote about a few days ago, this deal relies on piecing together some sweet spot awards (and this time also a low cost carrier flight within Europe) into one big trip.

Mega Trip to Three Destinations in South America & Caribbean, Half in Flat Bed for 64,500 Miles Total

You can book yourself a tour around the Caribbean and South America stopping in three places for only 64,500 miles total with half the trip in a flat bed. By stopping in three places, I am referring to actual destinations, not connections that have to be under 24 hours.

This incredible deal relies on piecing together four sweet spots awards into one big trip.

Reminder: Elimination of 4,500 Avios Awards within United States on February 2

This change takes effect for bookings made February 2 at 5 AM ET or later.

British Avios are great for short, direct, economy awards on flights with no fuel surcharges--but they are getting less great.

The price of an award flight booked with British Airways Avios is determined by only two things: the distance of the flight and the cabin you book. The price of an Avios award is the sum of the prices of each flight segment.

How to Search BA.com to Book British Airways and American Airlines Awards Like a Pro

One of the main reasons why people who don't know how miles work think that miles are a scam is because they searched award space in the wrong place! For instance, they wanted to use American Airlines miles and searched AA.com. While that sounds logical, that's often the wrong place to search. BA.com is often the better place to search.

Knowing how to use BA.com is crucial for making award bookings with British Airways Avios and American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

Anatomy of an Award: Avios Within South America on a Very Expensive Route

I just redeemed 5,650 Avios and $84 for a flight from Santiago to Buenos Aires (AEP), the closer airport to the city. Tickets to that airport were running over $400 one way.

Even tickets to the worse airport were $180+, meaning I was very happy to use an Avios & Money award.
Award Planning
I am planning to return to Buenos Aires in February. I am planning to come from Santiago (though I don't have a ticket to Chile yet).

Buenos Aires has two airports, EZE and AEP.

BA.com’s Secret Airports

MG asks:
I’m not too well-versed with AA miles, but I have about 100k. I really want to use them for off-peak to either Chile or Argentina and somehow use them to get down to either country’s Patagonia region. Where do you recommend searching for LAN and TAM to get to Patagonia… the airport codes don’t seem to show up on BA.com???
 

If you search ba.com for award space, which you should do a lot when trying to redeem American Airlines miles, you will notice some missing airports.

TRICK: Transfer Membership Rewards 1:1 to British Airways Avios

Membership Rewards used to transfer 1,000:1,000 to British Airways Avios, but the rate was cut to 250:200 on October 1, 2015.

Through the end of the year, though, you can temporarily get the old 1:1 rate through a two-step process.

Transfer Membership Rewards 1:1 to Iberia Avios during the current 25% transfer bonus.

Transfer Iberia Avios 1:1 to Brit

TRICK: Put Your British Airways Account in France for Big Savings

British Airways is happy to handle a number of transactions in dollars, pounds, or euros.

Buy Avios for 1.43 Cents with This One Trick

Through Friday December 4, 2015, British Airways is offering a 40% bonus on the purchase of Avios. The biggest bonus ever offered on the purchase of Avios was 50% in February, so this is a big bonus.

The maximum Avios you can purchase in a year is 35,000. With a 40% bonus, that means you can add 49,000 Avios to your account.