Introduction to Free One Ways (this post)
Master Thread: Free Oneways on American Airlines Awards (dead as of April 2014)
Master Thread: Free One Ways on United Awards
Master Thread: Free One Ways on Delta Awards
Master Thread: Free One Ways on US Airways Awards
Three Vacations on Two Awards

Just in time for my talk about Free Oneways on Sunday at the LAX Frequent Traveler University, I've figured out how to add free oneways to US Airways awards.

Until this week, I hadn't thought free oneways on US Airways awards were possible (without phone agent error), but

Virgin Atlantic-35% Bonus on Membership Rewards Transfers

According to the American Express Membership Rewards website here, Virgin Atlantic is offering a 35% bonus when transferring Membership Rewards into Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles.

This offer is available through December 29th. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 Membership Rewards. The minimum transfer will yield 1,350 Flying Club miles.

 Is this a good deal?
Unfortunately not. Virgin Atlantic features an incredible onboard product and great club lounges.

I book a lot of awards to South Africa through my Award Booking Service. Most people want to hop around the country, seeing Johannesburg and Cape Town at a minimum.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're spending it like I am with family and friends about to munch on turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, pie, and as few veggies as possible. This is absolutely my favorite holiday of the year.

Several years ago when traveling became such a part of my identity, I started saying I was "thankful I live at a time when I can get almost anywhere in the world within a day" at the what-are-you-thankful-for pre-dinner grace.

Delta offers 1,500 MQM for one year Sky Club membership

According to this thread on FlyerTalk, Delta is offering elite qualifying miles for buying a Sky Club lounge membership. To take advantage, you must purchase a one or three year membership by December 31st.

You can choose between two additional free months on a one-year membership or 1,500 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs). MQMs are what Delta uses to calculate elite status.

United has announced a 20% discount on economy class awards to Europe from January 15 to March 13, 2013:

United and United Express operated flights
Booked between now and November 15
Roundtrip economy class awards for 48k miles.

I'll break this promo down and compare it to the discounted awards to Europe being offered by American and US Airways.

United

Roundtrip awards entirely on planes bearing United and United Express paint jobs between the continental US, Alaska, and Canada and Europe in economy class, flown between 1/15/13 and 3/13/13, and booked between now and 11/15/12 cost 48,000 United miles.

The American Express Platinum Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers. The card comes with Delta, American, US Airways, and Priority Pass Select lounge access. (American/US lounge access ends 3/22/14.) Coupled with no foreign transaction fees and $120 towards Global Entry, this is a great all around travel card.

Many people balk at this card due to the $450 annual fee.

See my previous posts on Getting to Tahiti with American and Delta Miles.

This post will be about getting to French Polynesia–Tahiti, Bora Bora, and more–with Hawaiian Miles, United MileagePlus Miles, US Airways Dividend Miles, and American Express Membership Rewards. Tahiti is an award I get asked to book frequently through my Award Booking Service, and I wanted to share some free tips.

French Polynesia is a French-speaking “overseas country” controlled by France. It is south of Hawaii and east of Australia. The main tourist spots are Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Mo’orea.

You've put them off. Do these two things today to save yourself hundreds of dollars on future travel.

First, send 50,000 US Airways miles to a friend or family member. This will cost you $567.50. Have her send you back 50,000 at a cost to her of $567.50. Both your accounts will have 50,000 more US Airways miles than when you started.

You will have purchased miles worth 1.95 cents for 1.13 cents.

Lufthansa has started to display flights from Los Angeles <-> Frankfurt as being operated by a fancy new 747-8, starting December 10, 2012. I've talked a little about Lufthansa's 747-8s before--see Get on an A380, 787 Dreamliner, and New 747-8 on one United Award--and I love them for a few reasons.

First, it's in the beautiful, iconic 747 line. Second, it is a brand new plane, so it has those improvements like bigger bins, bigger windows, LED lighting, and better fuel mileage.