Last week, Singapore Airlines premium cabin award space suddenly popped up on Star Alliance partner redemption websites. Was this an error a new trend? First, note the space is gone as of this morning. I just spent 20 minutes...
How To Maximize The 40% Transfer Bonus From AMEX To British Airways
In short, the shorter the route, the more valuable the redemption. The British Airways redemption chart is distance-based and longhaul flights in premium cabins rarely make sense, especially when competitors offer the same flights for so much cheaper. But...
Warning: Fiji Airways + Malaysia Airlines Now Bookable On AA.com
Fiji Airways and Malaysia Airlines are now easily bookable online using your AA miles. I know I say this every time a partner is added online, but I do consider this bad news, not good news. Think of it...
How Delta SkyMiles Could Instantly Become A Leading Loyalty Program
Two words: first class. You can now book China Eastern First Class awards using your Delta miles. The value is not great, but it is fair…especially compared to how much Delta asks for some of its own flights. This...
Planning My Final Korean Air Award
August 24th is the last day to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Korean Air SkyPass. That has me planning what could potentially be my final redemption on Korean Air. I’ve procrastinated flying Korean Air First Class for years....
Why Did AA Really Pull Back Partner Award Space Online?
After briefly appearing on the American Airlines’ website for several hours on Tuesday night, partner award space on five carriers disappeared like a subway car leaving the station. What really happened? First, let’s breakdown AA’s own statement on the incident....
Why AA’s Expanded Online Award Space Is Devastating News
AA is making it easy than ever before to book oneworld partner award space. That’s devastating news to savvy travelers. Last night, award space on the following partners appeared on AA.com for the first time: Cathay Pacific LATAM Malaysia...
Booked! Aeromexico + Air France Business Class
Last week I wrote about my dilemma over an expiring Korean Air award. I’ve now found a solution and thankfully salvaged the ticket. Since Korean Air SkyTeam partner award tickets must end in the same country as they begin,...
How I Saved $600+ On Aeroplan And STILL Booked Lufthansa
While there is no way to fully avoid fuel surcharges when using Aeroplan miles to book Lufthansa, there is an easy way to at least reduce them. An Award Expert client earlier this week needed a round-trip from Washington,...
Saving My Expiring Korean Air Award…
Like most airline tickets, both award and revenue, Korean Air tickets expire one year from date of issue. That presents quite a problem for me… You might recall that Ben from One Mile at a Time and I flew...
Booking Aeroflot Award Space With SkyTeam Partners Proves Difficult
After a superb trip nearly a decade ago, Aeroflot Russian Airlines is a carrier I planned to fly this year. But booking award space has proved extremely difficult. I was hoping to get to Russia next month, but am...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 01, 2018
It’s a beautiful summer evening in Los Angeles and I’ve spent the day with family and friends. My thanks to Kyle and Carly for giving me the chance to take a break on Sundays. Over the last week, we’ve...
The 10 Best Airlines For Last-Minute Award Space
Which airlines are most likely to release award space at the last-minute? We book a lot of last-minute tickets at Award Expert. In fact, booking tickets less than a week prior to travel has developed into our main business....
Bold Confidence: Waiting Till The Very Last Moment To Book Award Ticket
My wife woke up this morning without a ticket to Zurich. She had told her friends and family she was leaving today and would arrive on Saturday afternoon. She even told her parents her flight number. Small problem: the...
Introduction: An Asian First Class Adventure to Europe
Next up, a classic trip report that has been in the queue for too long. In 2016, I had the chance for a cool trip around the world. The purpose was to sample new premium cabin products and hotels...
Pros and Cons of the Illogical New Flying Blue Program
A new pricing scheme kicked in for Air France/KLM Flying Blue award redemptions on June 1st. Figuring it out has been like trying to figure out the writing of Faulkner. But I’ve been able to make a few general...
Massive Fuel Surcharges Return To Air Europa Award Bookings With Flying Blue
I had a feeling it was too good to be true… Earlier this week I wrote about Flying Blue no longer collecting fuel surcharges on Air Europa flights. Well, the fuel surcharges are back. Suddenly, taxes/fees that were $100...
British Airways Officially Acknowledges AA Award Booking Issue
For several weeks, it has been difficult (though not impossible) to book award flights on American Airlines using the British Airways Executive Club website. While the problem is not fixed, at least British Airways has acknowledged it. Lately, AA...
Flying Blue Drops Fuel Surcharges on Valuable SkyTeam Partner
Big news if you like using your miles to travel to Europe in business class and don’t like paying high surcharges: Flying Blue is currently not collecting fuel surcharges on Air Europa flights. Airline award space, particularly in premium...
An Abortive Argument Against An Arrogant American Airlines’ Agent
I don’t know when I am going to practice what I preach, but I could not help but to argue with an AA reservation agent on Saturday. As always, it was to my own detriment. Here’s the story. An...
