Although Flying Blue is touted as the frequent flyer program for Air France and KLM, several other airlines also use the program, including Air Europa, Kenya Airways and TAROM. It’s a flexible program, since it has members from all three of the major airline alliances, as well as some nonalliance carriers.
Andy Shuman
Andy Shuman is a freelance travel blogger and the author of the Lazy Travelers Handbook series. He is also a miles and points aficionado with a strong knowledge of frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. Most of all, he is a travel junkie who wants to be on the road as much as possible.
Loyalty programs: American, United, US Airways, Delta, Alaska Airlines, Southwest, Jet Blue, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Iberia, LAN, Japan Airways, Air Nippon, Bangkok Airways.
Favorite program: American Airlines. It is still the best despite some shortcomings.
Favorite travel destinations: Latin America, Southeast Asia.
Most memorable trip: Argentina/Brazil 2005. Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls, Oktoberfest in Blumenau and short resort stay in Camboriu.
Travel rewards credit cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Platinum, Chase IHG Club, Citi AAdvantage, Chase Ink Bold, Chase Ink Plus, Barclays Arrival, etc. I’d better stop right here or it will take up the whole page.
Favorite rewards: Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can transfer your points to several airline and hotel programs, book travel, or redeem for cash. It’s a very versatile program.
How to Book Air France/KLM Flying Blue Awards
Using LANPASS Miles to Buy a Ticket on SriLankan Airlines
A reader asked: Can I use my LANPASS miles to buy a ticket on SriLankan Airlines? Do I need to create a SriLankan Airlines FlySmiLes account? We explain how it all works.
Avianca LifeMiles Visa Signature Credit Card Review
Who Is the Avianca LifeMiles Visa Signature Card Good Fo
If you often fly to Central or South America, Avianca could be the right carrier for you. The Colombia-based airline is a holding company for seven South American carriers, making it the second-largest in South America after LATAM, which is composed of TAM and LAN Airlines. Avianca is a member of the Star Alliance, and it operates a frequent flyer program called LifeMiles.Sri Lanka: Bountiful Biodiversity and Tranquil Temples
Sri Lanka, a small island nation located off the southern coast of India, is a land of cultural wonders and natural beauty. Despite its small size, the island has the highest biodiversity density in Asia, making it one of the top biodiversity hot spots in the world.
How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Chase Ultimate Rewards is a very flexible reward program that competes with American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Diners Club Rewards. There are several ways you can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but the two most valuable, at least for
China Eastern Airlines Eastern Miles Program Review
China Eastern Airlines has two main hubs, and both are major international airports in Shanghai: Pudong and Hongqiao. The airline flies to more than 200 domestic and international destinations, including Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in the U.S.
Korean Air SkyBlue SKYPASS Credit Card Review
Who Is the SkyBlue SKYPASS Card Good For?
Korean Air offers several co-branded credit cards to U.S. residents. The SkyBlue SKYPASS credit card is the only one without an annual fee. As you might expect, the card doesn’t have all the benefits that come with the premium SKYPASS Visa Signature card, which has a $75 annual fee. But the SkyBlue card is a good fee-free choice for collecting Korean Air miles.How to Book Virgin America Elevate Awards
Virgin America is a San Francisco-based airline licensed by Virgin Atlantic. Its 21 destinations are mostly in the United States, with the exception of Cancun, San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.
TAM Airlines Fidelidade Program Review
TAM Airlines is the biggest airline in Brazil, and part of the LATAM Airlines Group, which was created when LAN Airlines merged with TAM in 2012. For the most part, the airlines still maintain separate operations, but they are slated to fully complete the merger in 2017.
LAN Airlines LANPASS Visa Signature Credit Card Review
Who Is the LANPASS Visa Signature Card Good For?
LAN Airlines is the flag carrier of Chile. Its award program, LANPASS, has some very nice features, and since the merger with Brazilian giant TAM, it has become even more valuable. The LANPASS Visa Signature card from U.S. Bank is a great option for earning extra kilometers with the program, so anyone who frequently travels to South America should consider adding it to their portfolio.How to Book Aer Lingus Gold Circle Awards
Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland and the country’s second-largest airline after Ryanair. It flies to 80 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States, where it serves Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Program Review
Turkish Airlines, with its main hub at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, is the flag carrier of Turkey. It’s the fourth-biggest airline in the world, and it flies to 261 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Its U.S. destinations include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Korean Air SKYPASS Visa Signature Credit Card Review
Who Is the SKYPASS Visa Signature Card Good For?
Korean Air has several credit cards available to U.S. residents, all issued by U.S. Bank. Although the SKYPASS Visa Signature card has the highest annual fee of any of the offerings, it’s worth the extra cost if you’re serious about earning Korean Air miles. It has a higher sign-up bonus, better earning potential and more benefits.Magnificent Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is twice as high as Niagara and more than twice as wide. Located in southern Africa in Livingstone, a town named after the first European to discover this natural wonder, the waterfall is on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
How to Book Malaysia Airlines Enrich Awards
Malaysia Airlines, the flag carrier of Malaysia, is based in Kuala Lumpur. It flies to 60 destinations in 28 countries, but it doesn’t currently serve any cities in North America.
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Program Review
EVA Air is a Taiwanese carrier based in Taipei. It flies to over 40 destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. In the United States, EVA Air flies to Houston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. The airline will be expanding to Chicago in 2016.
Alitalia American Express by First Bankcard Credit Card Review
Who is the Alitalia American Express by First Bankcard Good For?
The Alitalia American Express card is a great option for earning some extra miles with the airline’s generous loyalty program, MilleMiglia. The card also offers some nice perks to cardholders who often fly on Alitalia, including two free checked bags, two lounge passes a year and a $50 annual coupon.Stunning and Surreal: Goreme, Turkey
Goreme is a beautiful and otherworldly town in Cappadocia, Turkey. Carved into volcanic rock by time and human ingenuity, Goreme and its surrounding valleys contain underground cities, cave churches and striking pinnacles known as fairy chimneys.
How to Book Alitalia MilleMiglia Awards
Alitalia, the national airline of Italy, serves 102 destinations in 51 countries. In the United States, the airline flies to Boston, Miami and New York, and seasonally to Chicago and Los Angeles.
Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles Program Review
Garuda Indonesia isn’t well-known in the United States. It doesn’t serve any cities in America, and it has a relatively small footprint, with only 21 international destinations in 14 countries. But this luxurious airline is worth getting to know,