Aer Lingus,United,British Airways,AAdvantage
British Airways Buying Aer Lingus? What Does It Mean for Your Miles?
May 27, 2015
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.
Everything You Need to Know about Discounted British Airways Avios Off Peak Awards
May 18, 2015
I'm on record saying that I don't think the British Airways devaluation from last month is a big deal. Only Business and First Class awards went up in price, and the vast majority of good Avios redemptions are short, direct, economy awards.
Well there's another good part of the "devaluation" that I haven't covered yet: the introduction of cheaper off peak awards on British Airways and Iberia flights. Here's the new award chart that shows off peak award prices next to peak award prices.
New Award Chart
Off peak awards are only possible on British Airways and Iberia flights.
United,Free Oneway,US Airways,AAdvantage,Avios,Delta
Current State of Free Oneways
April 6, 2015
This blog became famous because I was the first to articulate how to book free one ways on United and US Airways awards.
A free one way is a one way trip to or from your home airport that is tacked onto another award for no extra miles.
Avianca,British Airways,Swiss,Flying Blue,Singapore
Best Ways to Get from South America to Europe
February 23, 2015
I'm intrigued by flights and awards that don't involve America. If there's a cool award to get from Australia to SE Asia, that can be integral to a longer, better, and cheaper trip.
My two favorite continents to explore are South America and Europe.
British Airways Buying Aer Lingus Would Be Terrible for Your Miles
January 26, 2015
Aer Lingus has decided to accept IAG's takeover bid, which would mean that one company would own the flag carriers of the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland, since IAG already owns British Airways and Iberia.
The deal is far from done because the Irish government owns a 25% stake in Aer Lingus and governments always seem to fear losing control of their home airline.
Rapid Rewards,Avios,Award Booking
Another Reason Miles Are Better than Cash: Free Cancellations
January 6, 2015
Using miles to book trips instead of using cash has tons of advantages:
Easier access to First Class and flat beds: An international First Class ticket can cost $10k or the amount of miles you can get from opening a pair of credit cards.
Better open jaw and stopover rules: Few revenue tickets allow you to stopover without increasing in price.
Qantas,British Airways,AAdvantage,A380,Etihad,Qatar
Fly Two A380 First Classes on One Award (British Airways and Qantas)
December 29, 2014
Your miles are as valuable as you are creative. For instance, you can combine two luxurious A380 First Classes onto one American Airlines award.
British Airways flies an A380 daily between Los Angeles and London.
Avios,Award Booking,AAdvantage
Better Mile for South America? Avios or AAdvantage
November 3, 2014
Are you better off using Avios or American Airlines miles for a trip to South America?
I'm at the beginning of probably nine months of travel, with almost no flights booked and only the vaguest sense of where I'll head and how I'll get there.
United,US Airways,AAdvantage,Avios,Delta
Five Underpriced Countries for Your Next Award
September 25, 2014
Sometimes you can go really far for not very miles by finding underpriced countries on your favorite award chart.
Award charts, by their nature, group several countries together for a single price. The countries at the extremes of each group are often underpriced relative to the rest of the group, leaving you the chance to get a great deal with your miles.
Here are five examples of underpriced countries on the American Airlines, United, Delta, US Airways, and British Airways award charts.
1.
US Airways, American Airlines, and British Airways Not Sharing All Award Availability
August 13, 2014
US Airways, American Airlines, and British Airways are all members of the oneworld alliance who should be equally sharing award space on their own flights with their partners.
For the first time, I've found a case where US Airways "Low" (their name for "Saver") price award space is not bookable with American Airlines or British Airways miles.
Either the US Airways space is phantom, or it isn't being shared with American Airlines and British Airways, which would be a huge problem because American Airlines and British Airways awards are often cheaper than US Airways awards.
Refresher on Partners Sharing Space