Author Archives: Andy Shuman

The New Citi 48 Month Rule Now Covers All Citi AAdvantage Cards INCLUDING Business Cards and No, It Isn’t Good!!

Posted on July 8, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 8 Comments

The new Citi 48-month rule changing their AAdvantage cards eligibility language from 24 to 48 months has mostly been met with a stamp of approval from the blogosphere. I respectfully disagree. As a reminder, here are the old restrictions: You can’t get a sign-up bonus for the card from the same “family” if you’ve… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Cheap Travel, Miles and Points

UPDATED! New Delta Award Sale: Europe in Premium Select and Economy (Mostly Paris or Amsterdam) From 35,000 and 62,000 Miles per ROUND TRIP!

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 0 Comments

This Delta Award Sale to Europe is focusing on a Premium Select cabin, although deals in Economy are available too. The savings are real, and the price is really good. I’ve never flown Premium Select, but reviews tend to be glowing, and some compare it favorably to domestic First Class. With 68,000 SkyMiles you would… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel, Miles and Points

Avios: Iberia vs British Airways: Which Avios to Use to Fly Iberia in Spain?

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 5 Comments

Avios is the common currency for all 3 airlines, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia, which might give you a false idea that all these programs are the same or similar. Nothing can be further from the truth. They have very different programs, separate peak and off-peak calendars, and, most importantly, different fuel surcharge… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel, Miles and Points

Deals and Unicorns in the New Citi 25% Bonus to Flying Blue — Part 2: USA to Europe and South America

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Andy Shuman • 0 Comments

Previous post: Deals and Unicorns in the New 25% Citi Transfer Bonus to Flying Blue — Part 1: USA to Israel UPDATE 6.2019: This article was posted 3 months ago when Amex had the same 25% transfer bonus to Flying Blue. I’ve completely rewritten it by looking for new deals (and duds) in the Citi… Continue Reading

Filed Under: Bargains, Cheap Travel, Miles and Points

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 • 8 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

Author Archives: Andy Shuman

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