Author Archives: Andy Shuman

Deals and Unicorns in the New 25% Citi Transfer Bonus to Flying Blue — Part 1: USA to Israel

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 6 Comments

Return availability from Israel is equally good (at the time of writing). Your final round-trip ticket will cost as much as the journey between Chicago and Tel Aviv: 64,000 Citi points! For 64,000 points, even I would be fine with the ~$500 copay, and you know how much I hate fuel surcharges! Unicorn #3: Houston… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Miles and Points

Update: Almost EVERYTHING You’ve Heard About the Latest Hilton Honor Devaluation Is True! Hilton Honor Points in Asia, Africa and the Middle East — Any Deals Left?

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 10 Comments

UPDATED 6.2019 Please check my previous update to understand the methodology and the reasons for these updates. In brief, I intend to keep updating these posts periodically or after every devaluation to document never-ending Hilton Honors “enhancements.” Look for red ink for the latest updates. Previous Update: Update: Almost EVERYTHING You’ve Heard About the Latest… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Credit Cards, Miles and Points

Update: Almost EVERYTHING You’ve Heard About the Latest Hilton Honor Devaluation Is True! The Americas and Europe, Are There Any Deals Left?

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 13 Comments

UPDATED 6.19 I originally wrote a series of posts about the cheapest Hilton hotels in Spring 2018. Since then, I updated it twice — the first time in September 2018, and the second time in April 2019. I had no idea that I’d have to update it again so soon, but things don’t stay the… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel, Miles and Points

The New Sonesta Credit Card Review (65,000-95,000 Points) and 7 Best Redemptions

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 12 Comments

So there is a new kid on the block — the Bank of America Sonesta World Mastercard. I have never stayed at a Sonesta so I had to educate myself on the merits and peculiarities of this hotel chain. After digging into Sonesta, I can tell you one thing: I’d go for the Sonesta credit… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel, Credit Cards, Miles and Points

So You Want to Become an Air Courier to Save on Air Fare?

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 1 Comment

When I came to America in 1992, there was one important thing I had and an equally important thing I didn’t. I had a burning desire to travel the world, and – I should probably use the word but – I didn’t have any money. 🙁 Before I discovered credit cards, frequent flyer miles, and… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel

A Cautionary Tale: My Big InterContinental Hong Kong Fiasco

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 6 Comments

I’m back from my travel to Hong Kong, Bali, and Tokyo. Had a pretty bad case of food poisoning in Tokyo of all places (still under the weather but feeling much better now). I’ve flown on 3 airlines, stayed at 6 hotels and a pool villa. I had a fabulous time and saw amazing sights.… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Miles and Points, Trip Reports

My (Mostly) Miles’n’Points Epic Trip to Hong Kong, Bali, and Tokyo and a Plea for Help

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 8 Comments

I’m on the road again. Woo-hoo! In January, I was going to travel to the Bahamas (Atlantis) and Colombia, but it didn’t happen due to an illness in the family. Hopefully, the second time is the charm. I’m very excited about my upcoming trip, since I’m about to visit 2 places I’ve never been to.… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel, Miles and Points

First National Bank of Long Island: $1,000 Checking Account Bonus With a $2,000 Deposit (Brooklyn Only)

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 2 Comments

First National Bank of Long Island is “celebrating” the recent opening of its new branch in Bay Ridge, by offering a $1,000 bonus for new accounts. This is not the first time FNBLI has made a big splash. 2 months ago, it offered $500 bonuses for new personal and business accounts all over NYC and… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains

Update: Hilton Honors Points at Top Hilton Hotels

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 1 Comment

Previous posts: Update: Hilton Honors Points in the Americas and Europe Update: Hilton Honors Points Worth in Asia, Africa and the Middle East UPDATED 4.21. 2019 Look for the RED. When you see RED it means changes (mostly, but not always, for the worse). This is the final part of my long-winded Hilton Hotels saga,… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Credit Cards, Miles and Points

Delta SkyMiles Deals Are Getting Weirder and Weirder and Why It’s a Good Thing (Plus More Delta One Suites)

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 8 Comments

Here is a direct link to the newest March 2019 Delta SkyMiles Deals For someone who rarely uses Delta miles, I write about them a lot. In fact, I write more about Delta than any other airline. I even wonder if it wouldn’t be a good time to rename my blog into something like —… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel, Miles and Points

Author Archives: Andy Shuman

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