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Articles by Brie Bash
Lower Fees and Great U.S. Pricing: The Best Finnair Avios Sweet Spots
Of all the programs that use Avios, Finnair Plus is one of the least talked about. But it’s not one you should overlook — Finnair offers some excellent sweet spots, both on its own flights and on select partners like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Best of all, Avios are easy to earn. With the right strategy, these Finnair Avios sweet spots are well within reach. Here’s how to use Finnair Avios for maximum value.
First Look: Inside the Massive New United Club in Houston
Texas may be famous for its Friday night lights, but United Airlines is stealing the spotlight with a new lounge nearly the size of a football field. Its newest United Club, at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), spans a whopping 54,000 square feet. With seating for 800 travelers, it's also the largest airline lounge in the Americas. AwardWallet got a firsthand look at the massive new space before it opened its doors on October 22, 2026, and there's plenty to be excited about.
How To Use Your Amex CLEAR+ Credit To Unlock a Seamless Airport Security Experience
Most people know the pain of standing in a slow-moving, never-ending line at airport security. For many, credit cards that offer TSA PreCheck enrollment or renewal fee credits are a lifesaver, allowing cardholders to enter the shorter, quicker-moving PreCheck line. But you may have noticed a third airport security line: the CLEAR lane. Those willing to shell out over $200 annually for a CLEAR+ membership can access these exclusive, often short lines.
United Million Miler: How To Earn Premier Elite Status (And Star Alliance Gold) for Life
Your progress toward United Premier status resets every January. But if you fly enough, you'll eventually reach a point where that stops. United's Million Miler program offers lifetime Premier status, beginning with Premier Gold at 1 million flight miles and going all the way up to Global Services at 4 million. But it's a long road to get there.
Amex Points Sharing Rules: How To Use Membership Rewards for Someone Else
A two-player points strategy can be a great way to earn more rewards, but sharing those rewards isn’t always straightforward. If you and your Player Two both earn American Express Membership Rewards through U.S.-issued American Express cards, you can't combine your points into one account. However, there are still ways to use your points for each other.
Ghosts, Ghouls, and Points: The 9 Best Haunted Hotels You Can Book With Points
Halloween is nearly upon us, and all the spooky feels are in the air. For those of you who want to embrace the season of the supernatural, what’s better than spending your All Hallows' Eve at a haunted hotel? Doing it with points, of course! Here's a list of nine fantastically freaky haunted hotels you can book with rewards. The Driskill [World of Hyatt] The Driskill was designed by cattle baron Col. Jesse Driskill and constructed in 1886.
Points Path Review: Compare Cash and Award Prices in Google Flights
When I start searching for an award flight, I usually begin with Google Flights. It's the easiest way to get a quick look at the schedules, airlines, and routing options for a trip. The problem, of course, is that Google Flights only shows cash prices. From there, I could cross-check award prices with individual airlines or use another search tool, such as Point.Me or Seats.aero, to find award pricing. But the whole process can become rather time-consuming.
How a Hilton Free Night Reward Helped Me Finally Stay at the Waldorf Astoria
Over a decade ago, I had a trip planned to New York City for my bachelorette party. I was going to stay at the famed Waldorf Astoria in Midtown Manhattan, a hotel that, as a native New Yorker, had always loomed larger than life. Let’s just say, things did not go as planned. It turned out that my sister-in-law and I each thought the other had booked the room, and neither of us actually had. I vowed I’d get back there and actually spend a night at the Waldorf Astoria someday.
SkyTeam Elite Plus Status: What It Is and Why You Should Earn It
Having status with an airline can get you lots of perks when flying. But if you don't always fly the same airline, you can lose out on those benefits. Luckily, the three major airline alliances offer reciprocal benefits to travelers who hold elite status with a member airline. SkyTeam is one such alliance. With 18 member airlines, SkyTeam lets you enjoy your elite benefits when flying with carriers like Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France-KLM.
What Priority Pass Airport Amenities Can You Access With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
Did you know that we display your elite status progress within the list of accounts? Each block in this progress bar represents an elite level. If you mouse over any of the blocks, it will show you the name of that elite level. Clicking it will open the account details on the 'Elite Levels' tab. This will show you exactly where you are regarding your elite status and what you need to do to reach the next level.
How Adding a 'Player Two' Supercharges Your Points and Miles Strategy
Most people enter the points and miles world as a solo player. That person opens a card, earns a welcome bonus, and starts reaping the rewards. But eventually, you may run into natural limits. Earning is tied to one person’s spending and one set of welcome bonuses, which can make larger trips harder to plan over time. That is where a “Player Two” comes in. Below, we break down the Player Two concept and share practical ways to involve others in a points and miles strategy.
How to Earn United Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) on Credit Card Spending in 2026
The past few years have brought major changes to the United MileagePlus program. From increased spending and flying requirements to positive updates like increased Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) earnings through credit card spending, United has kept MileagePlus members on their toes. Earning United Premier elite status became more challenging in recent years, making spending on United credit cards an even more integral part of earning status.
How to Use and Maximize the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Card $600 Annual Hotel Credit
8 hours ago Subscribe for free and never miss another video: https://www.youtube.com/@SunderlandAFC WEBSITE | https://safc.com/ TWITTER | https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/sunderlandafc INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/sunderlandafc TIKTOK | https://www.tiktok.com/@sunderlandafc #SunderlandAFC #SAFC #PremierLeague #Football
How to Use ANA’s Award Calendar to Find Hard‑to‑Get Business and First Class Seats
Japan is one of the hottest destinations in award travel right now. That can make finding award space, especially for premium cabins, more difficult than ever. As many points aficionados know, one of the best deals out there is All Nippon Airways (ANA) business class between the U.S. and Japan from 50,000 ANA Mileage Club miles each way. Finding ANA business class or even premium economy seats to or from Japan bookable with miles can be like looking for a unicorn.
How I Saved 44,000 Miles By Booking a Cheap Positioning Flight
When it comes to booking award travel, scheduling flexibility is usually the best way to get a good deal. But what happens when you have no flexibility? That was the situation I found myself in when trying to book flights over Columbus Day weekend. I needed to get my whole family to Albany, NY, for a wedding, and the dates were set in stone. Like many smaller regional airports with limited service, Albany can be tricky to book flights to.
Our Two Favorite Amex Card Combos to Maximize Your Membership Rewards Points Earnings
American Express Membership Rewards is one of the best flexible rewards programs available. You can earn Membership Rewards via a slew of different credit cards — which you can then combine into a single account and transfer to 20 different airline and hotel Amex transfer partners. Each card features a different set of high-earning bonus categories, and Membership Rewards points convert to (most) airline partners at a 1:1 ratio.
How the Amex Business Platinum Adobe Credit Works
If you carry the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, there’s a newly revamped benefit that might be flying under the radar. The Adobe credit gives cardmembers a $250 annual credit after spending $600 or more directly through Adobe’s U.S. website. For businesses or creators who already rely on Adobe tools, this credit can help offset a recurring expense.
Delta SkyMiles Sweet Spot: Fly WestJet to Canada for as Few as 6,000 Miles
WestJet is one of Delta’s underrated SkyMiles partners. This partnership can offer surprisingly strong value for your Delta SkyMiles. SkyMiles redemptions on WestJet began March 28, 2017, opening the door to an often-overlooked sweet spot in Delta’s partner network — which has yet to be devalued. In case you aren't familiar, WestJet is self-proclaimed as Canada's low-cost carrier, but it's known for great service and an extensive network of North American routes.
How and When to Use Your Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates
If you already have The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card tucked in your wallet, you’re holding onto one of the most underrated premium travel cards out there. While it’s no longer open to new applicants, cardholders in the know are aware that a product change from a Chase-issued Marriott cobranded card can still unlock access. With generous perks that easily justify the $450 annual fee — especially if you maximize the benefits — this card quietly delivers outsized value amongst premium cards.
Chase Sapphire Reserve New $300 Dining Credit: Where It Works — and Where It Doesn’t
After the recent Chase Sapphire Reserve® overhaul, you might be wondering how to make the most of the card’s brand-new statement credits and perks. One of the newest benefits is dining credits, worth up to $300 each year. So, how do they work, and where can you use them? Here's everything you need to know about the Sapphire Reserve dining credits. What is the Sapphire Reserve Dining Credit?
How to Transfer Credit Limits Between Your Chase Cards Online
Maybe you’ve been approved for a new card with a lower credit limit than you’d hoped. Or maybe you’re trying to consolidate your spending on one card to better match your lifestyle. Until now, moving credit between your Chase cards meant calling in and possibly facing a credit check. But that’s changed. Chase has introduced a new feature that lets you transfer available credit between your cards online, in just a few clicks, with no phone calls or credit checks required. Here’s how to do so.
United Club℠ Business Card Review: Elite-Like Perks and Lounge Access, High Annual Fee
For small business owners who value United Club access, the United Club Business Card is worth a look. It’s the business counterpart to United’s premium personal option, The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees). In March 2025, the United Club Business Card got an overhaul, just like the rest of Chase’s co-branded United cards. The changes introduced new statement credits and partner benefits designed to help offset the increased cost. So, is it worth the steep price for your small business?
TAP Miles&Go Elite Status: How to Earn, the Benefits You Get, and How to Keep Them for Life
TAP Air Portugal may not be the largest airline in Europe, but as the national flag carrier of Portugal, it flies to over 80 destinations across over 30 countries and connects several U.S. cities to Europe through its primary hub in Lisbon. Its frequent flyer program, TAP Miles&Go, flies under the radar for many. But for those who frequently fly on TAP or its partners, it can be a compelling opportunity for travelers looking to unlock elite benefits and earn Star Alliance elite status.
Amex Business Platinum Wireless Credit: How It Works and How to Use It
Running a business often means looking for ways to maximize value in every corner: cutting unnecessary costs, stretching your dollars, and getting the most out of every tool in your wallet. If you carry The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, there’s a practical perk that’s easy to overlook but worth taking advantage of.
Alaska Million Miler Status: A Lifetime of Perks for Mileage Plan Loyalists
If you're a frequent flyer with Alaska Airlines, you're probably used to the yearly reset of elite status. However, like many major airlines, Alaska’s Mileage Plan offers a special milestone for its most loyal customers: Million Miler status. Unlike other elite tiers, Million Miler is a lifetime achievement that provides lasting benefits for those who reach it. So how do you earn Alaska lifetime status, and is it worth the effort?
Earn 5X Amex Points on Vacation Rentals and Travel Packages With the Business Platinum Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express remains a go-to for business owners. While its annual fee is steep (Rates & Fees), generous welcome offers and a long list of valuable perks often justify the cost, especially for frequent travelers who know how to maximize the benefits. One of these benefits is the ability to earn 5X Membership Rewards on select travel booked through the American Express Travel portal. Until last week, this bonus was limited to flights and prepaid hotel stays.
How to Use Your Amex CLEAR Plus Credit to Unlock a Seamless Airport Security Experience
Most people know the pain of standing in a slow-moving, never-ending line at airport security. For many, credit cards that offer TSA PreCheck enrollment or renewal fee credits are a lifesaver, allowing cardholders to enter the shorter, quicker-moving PreCheck line. But you may have noticed a third airport security line: the CLEAR lane. Those willing to shell out nearly $200 annually for a CLEAR Plus membership can access these exclusive, often short lines.
More Fees, More Perks: My Take on the Winners and Losers in United's Credit Card Overhaul
Another day, another round of credit card fee hikes. This time, United and Chase are shaking things up, rolling out sweeping changes across their entire family of co-branded cards. The updates include higher annual fees, paired with a range of new benefits intended to offset the added cost.
United Million Miler: How To Earn Premier Elite Status (And Star Alliance Gold) for Life
Many frequent flyers chase elite status, but what if your airline loyalty could unlock perks that last a lifetime? Enter United’s Million Miler status, an exclusive tier reserved for passengers who log an extraordinary number of miles in the sky. Unlike traditional elite status levels, which reset annually, Million Miler perks last for life. So, how do you earn it, and is it worth the effort? Here's everything you need to know about United’s Million Miler status.
A Lifetime of Perks: A Guide to Just-Expanded American Airlines Million Miler Status
American Airlines Loyalty Point earnings reset every year on March 1st. But there’s one way to jump off the hamster wheel and lock in lifetime benefits: American Airlines Million Miler status. But how do you earn it, and is it really worth the effort? This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from qualification requirements to the perks that come with reaching this milestone.
Leverage a Chase Transfer Bonus to Virgin Atlantic and Fly to the U.K. From 5K Points per Way
If you're looking for an ultra-affordable way to cross the pond using points, we've got the deal for you. Ever since Virgin Atlantic Flying Club introduced dynamic award pricing in October 2024, we've seen incredibly low redemption rates on flights from the U.S. to London and Manchester — some as low as 6,000 points one-way from the East Coast with very reasonable taxes and fees. And it gets even better.
Maximize Your Amex Hotel Credit With This Fine Hotels & Resorts Search Tool
One of the many credits on both American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a $600 statement credit toward Fine Hotels & Resorts® (FHR) or The Hotel Collection stays booked through the American Express Travel® portal. Most Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection stays are fairly pricey — as you might expect from a luxury hotel booking platform. That makes it hard to utilize this credit without spending a ton on a hotel stay.
Grow Your Rewards Balance: How To Earn Bonus Points When You Buy Flowers for Valentine’s Day
With Valentine's Day approaching, you might be thinking about ordering flowers online — and, of course, earning rewards with your favorite credit card when you pay for those pricey bouquets. But did you know you can maximize your rewards even more? By shopping through a rewards portal or taking advantage of credit card offers, you can stack up even more points on your flower purchase. Let’s explore the best ways to earn extra rewards on your flower order.
Bonus Points, Upgrade Certificates, and More: How to Unlock Alaska Airlines Milestone Rewards
It's been a busy year for Alaska Airlines loyalists. Following the merger with Hawaiian Airlines and the launch of its brand-new loyalty program Atmos Rewards, there are lots of new things to get used to. Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards members have several routes to earn valuable perks. Alaska introduced milestone rewards at the beginning of 2025 to grant members exclusive benefits between elite tiers, and these have rolled over to the new rewards program.
American Airlines Award Chart: How Many AAdvantage Miles Do AA and Partner Award Flights Cost?
American Airlines remains one of the largest U.S.-based airlines, with over 350 destinations worldwide. It is also part of the massive Oneworld Alliance, expanding its reach to over 900 destinations on 15 airlines. AAdvantage® members can use American miles to book award flights on both AA and partner flights. Both can provide excellent value. Although American award flights are priced dynamically, partner award flights still price according to a fixed chart.
U.S. Passport Renewal Just Got Easier: Here’s How To Do It Online
My passport is set to expire soon, and knowing it can take a while to process, I went to the Department of State’s website to download the renewal form. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that — two years after the program was officially announced — the public can finally renew a passport online. That is, if you meet the criteria. If you, too, want to renew your passport online, here is what you need to know.
Boost Your Miles: A Guide to the United MileagePlus Shopping Portal
Are you a frequent United Airlines traveler looking to boost your MileagePlus miles? If so and you shop online, the United MileagePlus Shopping portal is worth exploring. With just a few extra clicks, you can earn miles on everyday purchases, helping you reach your next reward flight even faster! Here’s everything you need to know about the United MileagePlus Shopping portal. What Is a Shopping Portal? Shopping portals offer a way to increase your rewards or cashback earnings when you shop online.
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles: A Guide To Earning and Redeeming Miles, Earning Elite Status, and More
Copa ConnectMiles is the loyalty program of Copa Airlines. Headquartered in Panama City, Panama, Copa Airlines began operations in 1947 and is one of the leading passenger carriers between the U.S. and South America. As of mid-2024, the airline serves 32 countries in the Americas. Whether or not you have flown on Copa Airlines, it may be worth your time to get to know its frequent flyer program, Copa ConnectMiles.
Changes to JetBlue Mosaic Status Are Coming in 2025. Here Are the Details.
Here we go again! JetBlue is once again in the news with some big announcements. In the Spring of 2023, JetBlue revamped its TrueBlue loyalty program by adding new status levels and changing how Mosaic status is earned. There have been some tweaks since then, including just this past summer when the airline announced that Blue Basic fares would now include one piece of carry-on luggage. Now we're here bearing news about what will take effect in 2025.
Air France/KLM Flying Blue: A Guide To Earning and Redeeming Miles, Achieving Elite Status, and More
Flying Blue is the loyalty program for Air France and KLM, formed when the two large and well-respected airlines (along with Transavia) merged their loyalty programs to create one of the largest European mileage programs. Flying Blue provides many great redemptions — not just within Europe but also on transatlantic flights to and from U.S. cities. Additionally, as a member of the SkyTeam alliance, the Flying Blue program also has valuable partner booking opportunities.
Positioning Flights Explained: Save Miles and Money on Your Next Award Trip
If you don't live near a major airport, it can feel like you’re missing out on the best award travel opportunities. After all, many of the world’s top airlines focus on larger hubs. Meanwhile, it can be difficult to find an all-in-one award itinerary that begins at your home airport. Since I live in Houston, I thought I was limited to what United and Southwest offered. Then I discovered a simple but powerful strategy that opened up far more options.
Positioning Flights Explained: Save Miles and Money on Your Next Award Trip
Now CNN — In travel news this week: an accidental megadeal on first-class tickets, the world’s best-connected airport and why now is a good time to plan a trip to Europe. Plus a bit of relief for those of you traveling this Labor Day weekend. Goodbye to EU passport stamps Paper mementoes of our travels, …
Can You Transfer Amex Points to Another Person?
American Express Membership Rewards are some of the most valuable points you can earn. On average, AwardWallet users typically redeem them for 1.88¢ apiece when transferred to one of Amex's lucrative transfer partners. Moreover, American Express offers an array of cards that earn Membership Rewards, many of which carry generous welcome offers. If you've accumulated a stockpile of Membership Rewards, you may wonder if you can transfer some of your points to a friend or family member.
Easily Compare Award Pricing and Cash Pricing With This Simple Google Flights Extension
Everyone has their own process for finding award availability. I usually start by running a Google Flights search to identify most of the flight possibilities for my itinerary. But unfortunately, Google Flights only provides cash prices for flights. So, I'll then take my Google Flights search results and narrow down the options by cross-checking award prices with individual airlines. I often consult another search tool, such as PointsYeah or Seats.aero, to find award pricing.
A Guide to Capital One Cafés: Locations, Amenities, and Cardholder Perks
Scary reason why every plane in the world avoids flying over this zone Just like there's parts of the ocean that cruise ships avoid sailing over, there's also parts of the world that planes don't fly over either. Drake's …
A Guide to Capital One Cafés: Locations, Amenities, and Cardholder Perks
There's been a lot of buzz around the Capital One Lounges located in a trio of airports, plus more on the way. And the buzz is warranted with Capital One Lounges widely regarded as some of the best you can visit airside. Travelers are drawn to the welcoming, modern aesthetic and excellent amenities on offer. If you want to access one of these awesome lounges, you'll have to have a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Business card in your wallet.
AAdvantage® Business Program: Double-Dip on Rewards When Flying American
1 hour ago Fingers crossed you sit next to this chef on your next flight. It's a relatively well-known fact that food simply doesn't taste as delicious at 30,000 feet. As a study conducted by Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics found, it all comes down to the plane's lower pressure, which …
Thrifty Traveler Premium Adds Hotel Alerts. Here's Our Review So Far.
For the past few years, Thrifty Traveler has steadily grown its reputation in the travel world as an excellent resource for scoring low-cost flight deals. Additionally, points and miles award collectors can find great value in the Thrifty Traveler Premium membership, which sends out award flight deals from over 200 airports. As a Premium member, I've received customizable alerts for both cash and points deals and found some fantastic, bookable flight options.
SkyTeam Elite Plus Status: What It Is and Why You Should Earn It
Having status with an airline can get you lots of perks when flying. But if you don't always fly the same airline, you can lose out on those benefits. Luckily, the three major airline alliances offer reciprocal benefits to travelers with elite status in any of their member airlines. That means having status with any of the airlines in the alliance will get you perks no matter which alliance member you're flying. SkyTeam is one such alliance with 18 partner airlines.
A Guide to Alaska Airlines Wi-Fi — And How To Get It for Free
Internet access is more important than ever. Whether for work, staying in touch, or enjoying entertainment, we want to stay connected — especially when traveling. Thankfully, most airlines have made it a priority to install high-speed Wi-Fi across their fleet. Alaska Airlines is among the airlines committed to providing high-speed internet on most of their flights. Here's what you need to know about Alaska's Wi-Fi service, how to connect, and how much it will cost.
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