Things You'll Need:
- The desire to have that once in a Lifetime Vacation...on the cheap!
- It's time to switch from cash and credit to points and miles.
- One way awards are now available with American Airlines.
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Step 1
Gold Coast AustraliaAmerican Airlines rolls out one way Advantage mileage awards. Last minute emergency trips, incomplete plans for returns and the flexibility that travelers have been asking for over many years.
Use Loyalty Points, Frequent Flyer Miles.
Gather up your points from car rentals, hotel stays and even see if Aunt Mary or Uncle Charlie don't have some loose points that may expire.
You can buy points you are short, you can exchange points, and you can earn bonus points when you sign up for participating bank visa or master cards. Earn more points as you spend money.
Learn to use the strategy of the premium and "elite status" travelers. Travel First Class using smart techniques upgrading your tickets, buy economy and use "points" to upgrade. -
Step 2
Wow, American Airlines just made it more flexible to travel on AwardsAmerican Airlines has just announced a revised and upgraded frequent flyer program. You can get an award for just what cabin you want to travel. Economy (coach), Business or First Class, you no longer have to buy a first class ticket to travel one way in coach, because first class was full and ride in coach part of your trip. One way awards and upgrades will be available. Example, you don't have enough miles for a round trip first class ticket to New York, 50,000 points. You now have the option of splitting your ticket. Travel from San Francisco (Continental US) to New York first class and return coach.
This is going to work for going to and from Hawaii or International Flights.
Another option would be to purchase a coach ticket and use miles to upgrade or split your tickets traveling one way coach returning first class. Especially nice because most flights to Hawaii return overnight.
This would work the same way traveling international. Going overseas you are several hours in the air. Traveling Business or First Class makes the flight just that much more pleasant. -
Step 3
Where was Points.Com when we had S & H or Gold Bond Stamps?An important part of putting together your loyalty programs is Points.com.
This revolutionary new service will track balances and manage your reward programs in one convenient location.
This is where you SWAP or Exchange points and miles between your programs, you will be able to purchase points or miles in order to get the flight or reward you want.
"Points dot com" is the place that you can SHARE or Transfer points or miles from your account to someone else's.
You can also GIFT miles, as a birthday gift or fill out the need for a few thousand more miles a person is short in their account.
Pay for your hotel stay with points and cash.
Another great feature using a membership in Point.com, you can turn points and miles into gift certificates to use with hundreds of retailers.
Hey Canada...check out Hbc! Yanks, that the Hudson Bay Company. They have quite an extensive rewards program. Canadian readers check Hbc for rewards. Air Canada is a member of the Star Alliance.
United Airlines is a member of the "Star Alliance" and offers a purchase program under the name "Give Miles" available on their frequent flyer web site, Mileage Plus.
Delta, SkyMiles, and Northwest, WorldPerks, are integrating their programs and are affiliated with SkyTeam Alliance.
Continental will leave United's Plus Program and has approval to join Delta's SkyTeam Alliance. -
Step 4
British Air Travels the world and is part of the OneWorld AllianceEven with of the many complex world conditions, International Travelers are being welcomed and in fact being lured by outstanding bargains. The three alliances mentioned in this article, OneWorld (American Airlines), MileagePlus (United Airlines & Air Canada), and the SkyTeam Alliance (Delta & Northwest) all offer extensive international airline connections and international partnerships.
Using mileage programs to travel abroad have tons of offers and they also offer "ground packages", cars and hotels at your destinations. Vacation packages including airline tickets have special departments you can shop. (American Airlines, Fly-Away Vacations) (Delta also offers cruises, SkyMile Cruises) -
Step 5
Never a better time to travel, loads are light, bargains abound.Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Mexico have become hot spots for vacation travel and bargains. Tourism is down and doors are open and hopefully by the time you get your trips together the "flu" should have been played out and Hawaii and Las Vegas have so much to offer.
Hotel specials and auto rentals to extend your visits are available, it's an easy round trip drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.
Hawaii is a truly year around paradise for vacations and with the troubled economy many excellent bargains can be found for the looking on the various islands. -
Step 6
Qantas Clubs use with American & British AirwaysHey Travelers, spending time in Airports?
When you need a place to do business, relax, plug into the internet and pickup your messages.
Qantas has a great deal for use in American Airlines Admiral Clubs, and British Airways Lounges. Check out the Qantas Club annual membership and international usage. The lowest price way to maximum number of airline clubs in the world.
With the US dollar its strongest in years against the Australian dollar, a down under getaway remains a much better value than a European vacation. You save money on your airfare now going to Australia, and when you're there traveling, you'll save heaps due to the favorable exchange rate! Australia and New Zealand are real Bargains you want to investigate. -
Step 7
Don't overlook specials..and don't be shy, ask!Shrinking or forgetting to ask is worth forty lashes and won't save you money. In Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, National Parks at 62 years you can purchase a lifetime Golden Age Passport. If you are visiting by car everyone in the auto gets free admission.
Senior Fares are few and slim to none, but hotels offer discounts with some membership cards.
Infants under two years not occupying a seat travel free on most domestic airlines and approximately 10% of the adult fare on international flights.
Leaving the United States will require a Passport or starting June 1, 2009 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will be implemented. A passport card; an enhanced driver’s license from an issuing state, territory or province, issued pursuant to an agreement with DHS will be required to enter the United States. (If you have questions, ask before you purchase any travel or accommodations outside the U. S. That includes Mexico and Canada!
Comments
nancys123 said
on 9/3/2009 Good article 5* and recommend
goldiec said
on 6/25/2009 Great article on how to award yourself the vacation of a lifetime! 5*