Massive Avios Devaluation? No, I Was Wrong
August 24, 2014
Well, this is embarrassing. As it turns out, there was no devaluation of the Iberia Avios program. The rates in this post have been consistent since November 2011.
Almost no one in the world knew the rates for Iberia Avios oneworld redemptions because they weren't bookable online. Thankfully this FlyerTalk thread and in particular these two posts set the record straight.
Travellair said:
"I don’t know what the fuss is all about. These have been the same Avios amounts for Oneworld redemptions through IB Plus since 2011.
LifeMiles Devalues Its Award Chart Effective October 15th
July 31, 2014
A few days ago, LifeMiles joined United and Delta in announcing an award chart devaluation, which will take place on October 15, 2014.
Bookings made until October 14, for travel until mid-2015 will cost the current mileage prices.
US Airways Devalues A Great Award with Two Months Notice
June 12, 2014
For bookings made August 1, 2014 or later, a roundtrip three-cabin First Class award within the United States and Canada will cost 65,000 US Airways miles.
Buy Miles,LifeMiles,Devaluation
LifeMiles Set to Increase in Price by 10%
June 11, 2014
Avianca LifeMiles sell for 3 cents each, but frequent 100% bonuses on purchasing miles have made the effective cost 1.5 cents each for most of us.
LifeMiles have a number of strategic uses like Lufthansa First Class between the United States and Europe for 72,500 miles (instead of 110,000 United miles) or hidden city tickets that get you from the United States to Japan for 12,500 miles.
LifeMiles are valuable enough that I've suggested converting Arrival miles to LifeMiles.
Frontier Airlines Will Now Charge $20+ for Carry On Bags
April 28, 2014
Frontier Airlines announced today that will begin charging $20+ to bring a carry on bag onto its flights. Personal items that fit under the seat in front of you will remain free.
Frontier, predictably, is spinning this new fee as a good thing the way that airlines always justify new fees: "only pay for what you use and get a lower base fare."
This change is bad for folks flying on award tickets.
Where are the Bright Spots on the Airline Award Charts after the Devaluations
April 15, 2014
The last year has seen all four of the American legacy carriers make their miles less valuable.
Delta bumped its business class awards up in price.
United put premium cabins on partner airlines out of reach.
US Airways went to the slightly inferior oneworld alliance from the Star Alliance, then bumped up the price of roundtrip business class awards to North Asia.
American eliminated its Explorer Awards and free stopovers on all awards.
But great value awards still exist with all four types of miles.
US Airways Has Eliminated One Sweet Spot to Asia, but There is a Sweeter Spot
April 8, 2014
US Airways--with absolutely no notice--made some award chart changes today. The big change to Saver award prices is that a roundtrip in business class to North Asia is now 110k miles roundtrip.
US Airways' definition of North Asia includes:
China
Hong Kong
Japan
Macau,
South Korea
Taiwan
and a bunch of 'stans
Business class awards to North Asia had been under-priced at 90k US Airways miles roundtrip, and many people in this hobby had taken advantage with awards that included a stopover in Europe and Asia in business class.
Massive Southwest Devluation Happens Monday, How to Beat It
March 29, 2014
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are currently worth 1.69 cents each. Starting Monday, March 31, 2014, they will be worth about 1.44 cents each.
What is the exact devaluation?
Among the Six Types of Frequent Flyer Miles, Southwest has a fixed-value program. For every dollar of the “Wanna Get Away?” base fare, you have to spend 60 Rapid Rewards for an award ticket.
So a $220 Southwest ticket with a $200 base fare would be 12,000 Rapid Rewards + $5 in taxes as an award.
Delta Announces 2015 SkyMiles Award Chart
March 6, 2014
Delta has released its award chart for awards booked on or after January 1, 2015. Check it out here.
Great News: The lowest priced "Level 1" awards (formerly "Saver") will remain at the same price or drop compared to the award chart that goes into effect on June 1, 2014.
SkyMiles have seen a lot of changes the last few months:
First Delta announced a devaluation of its award chart for awards flown June 2014 or later.

