Australia is one of the most difficult destinations to get to on points and miles, with limited award availability. I had my work cut out for me when I tried to book three round-trip, first-class awards to Sydney this past December.
Burning Through Dividend Miles to Sydney
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Program Review
Who Is Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Good For?
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has an intriguing fan base. People who live in the Northwest, near the airlines hubs, love its availability, perks and pricing. But many people who don’t live near or regularly fly Alaska Airlines routes are also devoted Mileage Plan members.How Does Applying for Credit Cards Affect Your Credit?
One of the main things that keeps people from taking advantage of the myriad generous reward credit card bonus offers out there is the fear that applying for credit cards will have a negative impact on their credit score.
Gambling on Getting Home from Vegas
After sending my son off to college last fall, I wondered if he’d be able to make it home for the holidays and whether there would be award availability during one of the busiest travel seasons. But I was happy to find a round-trip ticket for just 25,000 miles from Las Vegas to Newark on Thanksgiving weekend.
Capital One Venture Rewards Program Review: The Best Ways to Use Your Miles
Capital One Venture Rewards are ideal for people who are NOT loyal to a particular airline or hotel and don’t want to spend time sifting through award inventory or waiting for award seats to open up.
What Credit Score Do You Need to Apply for Reward Cards?
Hong Kong and Macau—Las Vegas of the Far East
Hong Kong is a fascinating and wonderful destination all on its own, but nearby Macau is an added bonus when visiting this part of the world. It’s become a gaming paradise for tourists and has many historic places of interest, duty-free shopping, and shows like the House of Dancing Water—an amazing, extravagant, and bigger-than-life performance that’s definitely worth the side trip.
American Express Membership Rewards Program Review
Who Is American Express Membership Rewards Good For?
Like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards is a transfer program. It’s not intrinsically tied to any one hotel or airline, soThe 5 Things You Need to Get in the Miles Game
I’ve seen it time and time again.
Your friends do it.
You see them doing it and enjoying it!
And you get curious.
Manaus: The Amazon Capital of Brazil
Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon, was our last stop in Brazil after the beaches of Buzios and the World Cup matches in Rio.
American Airlines AAdvantage Program Review
Who Is American Airlines AAdvantage Good For?
Long a favorite among frequent flyers, American Airlines AAdvantage has garnered the Freddie Awards (the top honor for frequent flyer programs) for the Program of the Year and the Best Elite Program for three years straight. But it’s in a really interesting position these days for two reasons: its merger with US Airways and the huge changes going on with the United and Delta programs.Maximizing Your Grocery Shopping for Miles
When it comes to earning miles for fabulous and nearly free vacations, don’t limit yourself in the ways in which you earn those precious miles. Sure, flying nets plenty of miles, as do credit-card sign-ups, but there are tons of everyday ways to build up your cache of miles or points. Something as simple as grocery shopping for your family can help you achieve your goal to fly somewhere for free or get a few free nights at a hotel.
Buzios: Brazilian Beach Break
Buzios is a seaside resort town about three hours north of Rio de Janeiro. I go to Buzios every time I visit Rio, and my recent trip to Brazil for the World Cup was no exception. The town is picturesque and peaceful, even moreso after the hustle and bustle of the FIFA games.
Starwood Preferred Guest Program Review
Who Is Starwood Preferred Guest Good For?
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) is much more than it seems. On the surface, it looks like a simplePlane Spotting – American Airlines A321 and JetBlue A321: Transcontinental Style
There was a time when transcontinental travelers dreaded the flight from New York to Los Angeles or San Francisco. Aircraft comfort and amenities seemed to be going downhill. That’s changed.
Fly to Vienna and Get a Taste of Eastern Europe
When you travel to Europe, consider visiting a few countries in one trip. Just pick a starting point anywhere on the continent. It is small enough that getting from one country to another can be as easy as getting from Manhattan to the Hamptons.
Barclaycard Arrival Program Review
Who Is Barclaycard Arrival Good For?
The newest travel award program on the scene, Barclaycard Arrival, takes a very different approach than Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards. There are no transfer partners. No bonuses when you redeem for travel with airlines or hotels. Just use your miles to pay for travel directly.Crediting Airline Miles: A Primer
There has been a lot of talk lately about a shift in the industry to revenue-based frequent flyer programs, where travelers are awarded miles based on the cost of the ticket and not the number of miles flown.
FIFA in Rio on a Saver Award Ticket
There is a belief among travelers that it is nearly impossible to book a peak-season award ticket, especially to a popular destination. I beg to differ. I flew to Brazil for the World Cup. And yes, I flew using two award tickets for only 60,000 miles each just three weeks before departure when American Airlines Saver Awards opened up.
Delta SkyMiles Program Review
