I’ll admit it. Ive missed out on some pretty terrific deals in the frequent flyer world for one reason and one reason only: I wasn’t prepared to take advantage of them. Sometimes a fare war makes a trip to a specific destination incredibly affordable. Or an airline may be offering reduced mileage rewards to certain destinations.
The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas is not a budget trip by any stretch of the imagination. The least expensive room will set you back at least $200 a night. These rooms are very basic. But you’re not going there to stay in your room. You are there to play in the water park or swim the private beaches and lagoons filled with tropical fish.
Disney World is not one of those exotic destinations we usually write about, where you can reap huge savings on airfare by using frequent flyer miles to get there. The tickets to Orlando don’t cost an arm and a leg, and most airlines serve the destination so it’s not difficult to get to.
Now that we’ve looked at the best airport lounges in the United States and Asia, we’re heading to Europe with pit stops in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Turkey. They all have excellent places to spend a few hours between flights. Here are our favorite spots.
Most travelers to Russia go to Moscow. Because of its proximity to the Russian capital, St. Petersburg is a great destination to add to your itinerary. Redeeming miles for a flight to Russia is not difficult. Airlines from all three alliances fly to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other parts of Russia.
Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Europe. It’s modern yet ancient, Spanish yet Catalonian, with architecture so unique and breathtaking that you’ll be in awe.
Last month we looked at the Best Airline Lounges in the United States. This month we look at some of the best places to spend time in airports in Asia.
Bermuda is a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean off the Eastern Seaboard. Because it has a subtropical climate, many people think it is part of the Caribbean. But it actually lies north of those islands. This British territory is perfect for a short getaway from east coast departure points. It’s just a two-hour flight from New York. Late spring or early fall are the best times to enjoy this archipelago.
It’s no secret. Airline fees are up. There are more surcharges today than just a few years ago. And sometimes they cost more than the flight itself. According to a study from USA Today, airline fees have hit a record high. Delta is now charging $400 to change an international flight–a $150 jump from three years ago.
I don’t know anyone who didn’t want to steal away to a Caribbean island at some point during the past few months of bad winter weather. When you have a stash of miles and points, its easy to do just that. Here’s how my husband and I spent four days in Jamaica for just a few dollars.
The beautifully restored ruins of Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan capital in the Peruvian Andes, were voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. An iconic destination for tourists from all over the planet, it is not an easy destination to reach.
I’ve always regretted not taking a semester to study overseas when I was in college, so when my daughter said she wanted to take advantage of her study-abroad program in Paris, I was thrilled. The cost would be the same as a studying here, except for the airfare. As soon as her departure date was set, I wanted to lock in her award flights. But I wasn’t sure if she would be staying on after her program ended or even if she might be coming back from another city.
In frequent flyer forums, I keep seeing the same question: If my flight is cancelled because of weather, do I have to wait for an award seat at the same redemption rate to open up on another flight?
No, it’s not the latest chip dip. A dance move. Or a football play. The triple dip is one of the most rewarding travel hacking tactics. While it’s great to earn miles by making purchases with a co-branded credit card, one purchase can often earn miles or points in multiple ways. That’s what triple dipping is all about.
I decided to take my own advice and book an award flight for the 2014 holidays. I just scheduled a week in Hong Kong culminating in the New Year’s Eve celebration.
Among award travelers, Delta is somewhat notorious. You can’t book one-way awards. Inventory at the lowest redemption rate is known to be limited to the point of non-existence.
A roundtrip award ticket to Europe from the United States usually costs an average of 50,000 miles in coach or 100,000 in business class. There are some exceptions, like a 40,000-mile American AAdvantage off-season award ticket to Europe. There is also a way to fly to Ireland for only 25,000 miles. You just have to use a distance-based program rather than a regional one.
Want to jump the security line at the airport? You can start your trip in style, feel like a rock star, and waltz by the masses shuttling along through glacial queues. As far as perks go, it’s an oldie but goodie. Front-of-line privileges have never been more important than now.
Credit card companies have introduced some exciting offers in the past month or two. Citi made some waves with its offer for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Approved applicants were enticed with 100,000 American AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 in three months.
I love traveling off season. It’s less crowded and more affordable. American Airlines AAdvantage redemption rate for off-peak travel to Europe between October 15 and May 15 is only 40,000 miles.
