This week, two airline programs announced higher award prices (i.e. miles devaluations). This news is always unwelcome, but especially so when we have no advance notice. Virgin Guts Delta One Awards to Europe with Huge Fees, Higher Rates A few days ago, Thrifty Traveler discovered a big devaluation with Virgin...

Europe 2024 Trip Report So Far: Back from 18-day Europe Trip, Review: Iberia Business Class DFW to MAD During our recent trip to Europe, my 13-year-old daughter and I sailed on MSC Euribia to the Norwegian fjords. Port stops included Copenhagen, Nordfjordeid, Alesund, Flam and Kiel, Germany. This cruise was...

I’m not going to sugar coat this: Finding award availability to and from Asia in business class for a family is difficult. Frequently, airlines release only 1-2 saver awards per flight, and those are snatched up quickly. And, unfortunately, flying to/from Asia requires long flights. Nonstop flights from Dallas run...

It’s July! Some newsworthy updates and promotions for today: TSA PreCheck Adds 4 New Airlines: It’s a bummer when you have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck when the airline that you’re flying doesn’t participate in the program. Thankfully, there are very few airlines that still don’t participate. Check out the...

Back in March, when my daughter and I flew on TAP Air Portugal from Chicago to Lisbon, my husband and son flew on Iberia business class to Madrid. My son said the flight was just “ok” and not as good as our experience on business class on Air France. Geez,...

One of the best ways to maximize free travel with miles and points is to transfer flexible points when there is a transfer bonus. This month, there are a few transfer bonuses that continue into July, and hopefully more will be announced. Bilt Up to 100% Transfer Bonus to Alaska...

New to miles and points travel? Check out Beginner’s Guide: 7 Steps to Free Travel with Miles and Points. Most of the cards we feature are regular consumer credit cards that can help you earn free travel. But, business credit cards are also an important tool to help you reach...

My daughter and I returned from our 18-day Europe trip a few days ago. We both are a little under the weather right now or I would have started posting sooner. Re-entry is hard! Overall, we had a great time. I will be writing more detailed posts over the next...

A few days ago, I wrote about one-sided partnership between Bilt and Wells Fargo, where the latter got the raw end of the deal. In it I’ve mentioned that it’s highly unlikely that we will ever see a bonus on transfers to Alaska (its newest partner) or Hyatt. Well, turns...

What can I say?  I’m a sucker for promotions like this one.  Wyndham Rewards is offering a hotel pass that allows you to stay up to 30 nights at select Wyndham hotels for $499. Sure, there are strings attached, such as blackout dates.  And,... The post Enter For A Chance To...

Using miles and points to offset travel costs is great, but you know what’s even better? Being sponsored by a large company in need of a PR win. We live in central Florida, far away (relatively speaking) from Disney and beaches. This is phosphate mining territory. Phosphate companies have been...

Note: I’m currently traveling and may not be able to respond to comments/emails immediately. Last month, my family stayed 2 nights at Alta Las Palomas, a Small Luxury Hotel (SLH) of the World property that was previously affiliated with World of Hyatt. This hotel is in the San Jose, Costa...

I recently saw a couple sit together in first class while their two teenage children sat several rows back in economy class. Everyone stayed in their seats during the flight. It resurfaced the issue of family separation on an airplane once again and I still find myself somewhat undecided on...

Hopefully, this is just a bug, but I came across some concerning data points on Award Travel Reddit page and wanted to make our readers aware. It looks like Lifemiles program  is now adding fuel surcharges to many  award routes. Here is an example for flight from JFK to Geneva,...