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Andy Shuman

Andy Shuman

Andy Shuman is a freelance travel blogger and the author of the Lazy Travelers Handbook series. He is also a miles and points aficionado with a strong knowledge of frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. Most of all, he is a travel junkie who wants to be on the road as much as possible.

Loyalty programs: American, United, US Airways, Delta, Alaska Airlines, Southwest, Jet Blue, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Iberia, LAN, Japan Airways, Air Nippon, Bangkok Airways.

Favorite program: American Airlines. It is still the best despite some shortcomings.

Favorite travel destinations: Latin America, Southeast Asia.

Most memorable trip: Argentina/Brazil 2005. Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls, Oktoberfest in Blumenau and short resort stay in Camboriu.

Travel rewards credit cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Platinum, Chase IHG Club, Citi AAdvantage, Chase Ink Bold, Chase Ink Plus, Barclays Arrival, etc. I’d better stop right here or it will take up the whole page.

Favorite rewards: Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can transfer your points to several airline and hotel programs, book travel, or redeem for cash. It’s a very versatile program.

Andy Shuman Andy Shuman’s posts:

Serene and Mysterious Mount Koya, Japan

Serene and Mysterious Mount Koya, Japan

Nestled between eight mountain peaks in Japan, Mount Koya was once home to just one Buddhist monastery. The area, known locally as Koyasan, has since grown into a small, tranquil town with about 120 temples.

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How to Book Aeromexico Club Premier Awards

Aeromexico is Mexico’s largest airline, with 14 non-stop routes between Mexico City and the United States. Its extensive network also makes it easy for U.S. travelers to fly to Central and South America with one connection in Mexico City.

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Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Plus Program Review

Aerolineas Argentinas, the country’s flag carrier, is the largest airline in Argentina, flying to 24 cities in 14 countries. The airline also has an extensive domestic network connecting Buenos Aires to 35 cities. From its hub in Buenos Aires, it flies to two U.S. destinations: Miami and New York.

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Citi Premier® Card Review

Who Is the Citi Premier® Card Good For?

Anyone who enjoys traveling will appreciate the multiple options the Citi Premier® Card offers for redeeming points, as well as its generous earning potential.

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Medellin’s Magnificent Mountain Setting

Medellin's Magnificent Mountain Setting

Nestled among seven hills, it almost feels like Medellin, the second largest city in Colombia, was built especially for tourists. That wasn’t always the case. In the 1980s and 1990s, it was home to drug cartels and intense violence. But city planners have transformed the area into an international tourist destination.

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How to Book Etihad Airways Guest Awards

Etihad Airways is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. It flies to over 120 destinations around the world, and it’s growing rapidly. In 2014, the airline carried almost 15 million passengers, which is roughly a 22 percent increase from the year before.

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China Airlines Dynasty Flyer Program Review

China Airlines, Taiwan’s flag carrier, began operating charter flights in 1959 with fewer than 40 employees. Today’s China Airlines, which employs about 11,000 people and serves more than 100 destinations across Asia, Europe, North America and Australia, has come a long way from its humble beginnings. It flies to 10 cities in the continental U.S.: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. China Airlines also serves Anchorage, Honolulu and Guam.

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Aeromexico Visa Signature Card From U.S. Bank Review

Who Is the Aeromexico Visa Signature Card From U.S. Bank Good For?

Anyone who flies regularly between the United States and Mexico or South America, will benefit from this credit card. Aeromexico has a strong network in those regions, but it is also a SkyTeam member and has some partners of its own. Its global network and partnerships make the airline’s Club Premier kilometers very valuable, especially since its award chart is quite reasonable and generally offers a better value than partner Delta Air Lines.

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The Mountainous Mediterranean Island of Corsica

The Mountainous Mediterranean Island of Corsica

The French island of Corsica is not only Napoleon’s birthplace, but also an idyllic land of deep forests, stylish coastal towns and craggy peaks. Much of the island remains undeveloped, adding to the natural beauty of its stunning coastlines and mountains.

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How to Book Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns Awards

Frontier Airlines and its EarlyReturns frequent flyer program underwent a considerable overhaul in March 2015, putting it firmly on the path of becoming a true ultra-low-cost carrier. Fortunately, the EarlyReturns award redemption levels have not changed even though the economy rates are getting a bit harder to find nowadays.

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Aeroflot Bonus Program Review

Aeroflot is Russia’s flag carrier and one of the oldest and largest airlines in the world, flying to 123 cities in 52 countries. From Moscow, Aeroflot flies to four cities in the U.S. including New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Miami. It also serves 47 destinations in Europe and 13 in Asia, making the airline a good option for connecting flights between the U.S. and those regions.

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Frontier Airlines World MasterCard From Barclays Review

Who Is the Frontier Airlines World MasterCard From Barclays Good For?

The Frontier Airlines World MasterCard is the perfect way to earn more miles and enhance your flying and booking experience on the Denver-based carrier. Frontier’s loyalty program, EarlyReturns, offers some good deals, and the card comes with some essential benefits for cardholders. So if you’re a member of the program, or thinking of becoming one, having the co-branded MasterCard is a no-brainer.

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The Baroque Palaces and Gardens of Valletta, Malta

The Baroque Palaces and Gardens of Valletta, Malta

Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea located about 50 miles south of Sicily. Valletta, the capital of Malta, is nicknamed Superbissima, or “most proud” because of its many impressive and ornate Baroque palaces, churches and gardens. The preservation and historic importance of Valletta resulted in the entire city being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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How to Book Asiana Airlines Asiana Club Awards

Asiana Airlines is Korea’s second largest carrier after Korea Air. Asiana Club, the airline’s loyalty program, offers members exceptional deals on certain routes, including flights between the U.S. and Korea, Europe, and parts of South America. The program also has some unique perks, like its generous family mile sharing and pooling program and the ability to pay for excess baggage with miles.

Asiana’s program isn’t the most flexible, though. It doesn’t offer miles plus cash awards or free stopovers. You can book complex itineraries, but you have to call and you’ll probably have to pay extra. Fuel surcharges, however reasonable, are also levied on all Asiana flights and most partner airlines.

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Asiana Airlines Asiana Club Program Review

Asiana Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance and one of the two major Korean airlines. The airline is well-respected by both industry insiders and passengers for its excellent service and product.

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Asiana Airlines American Express Card from Bank of America Review

Who is the Asiana Airlines American Express Card from Bank of America Good For?

The Asiana Airlines card appeals to anyone who regularly travels to Asia and appreciates Asiana’s impeccable service. Asiana miles can also be very valuable. Premium class award seats on Asiana flights and some Star Alliance partner flights are notably cheaper when bought with Asiana miles rather than United MileagePlus miles.

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How to Breeze Through Airport Security

There was a time when airports had very little security. By the late 1960s, terrorists recognized how vulnerable civil aviation was. Skyjacking reached a crescendo of 40 attempts on U.S. planes in 1969, forcing the implementation of new security measures designed to protect the flying public.

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Take Time to Explore Tunis

Take Time to Explore Tunis

Golden Mediterranean beaches, perpetually sunny weather, affordable luxuries and world-renowned resort villages abound in Tunisia, an amazing North African country rich in culture and history. Most visitors use Tunis, the country’s capital, as a stepping stone to the nearby Mediterranean resorts of Hammamet and Sousse, or as the starting point for tours of the Sahara Desert. But you shouldn’t rush to get out of Tunis.

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Tourists are Flocking to Oman’s Outstanding Beaches and Rich History

Tourists are Flocking to Oman's Outstanding Beaches and Rich History

Oman, a Middle Eastern country bordered on three sides by the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is undergoing a tourism boom.  The country’s miles of pristine beaches, rich history, friendly people and stable political regime all but ensure a steady influx of travelers.

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How to Book ANA Mileage Club Awards

All Nippon Airlines, or ANA, is the second biggest airline in Japan after the flag carrier Japan Airlines. It consistently receives high ratings from both customers and industry organizations, such as Skytrax. The praise is well-deserved as the airline offers superb service in all classes, both in the air and on the ground.

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