Category: <span>Budget Travel</span>

United MileagePlus Nonstop: Houston to/from Sydney round-trip (75,000 points +$104 tax) [Feb-Mar]
Image Credits: paul bica, Creative Commons 2.0 (Flickr)
Published February 3, 2024 by

United MileagePlus Nonstop: Houston to/from Sydney round-trip (75,000 points +$104 tax) [Feb-Mar]

United has round-trip flights from Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) for 75,000 miles/points, NONSTOP. 37.5k miles/points each way. Regular economy, not basic. Fare allows for carry-on bag and seat selection. Flights in February and March.

Booking flights with miles/points is worthwhile when the cost of airfare is high.

The best way to put together a round-trip itinerary with United points would be to look at both one-way calendars and then write down the available dates that have the lowest point redemptions, then plug those dates into a separate round-trip search to book. See links to calendar provided on our webpage. A laptop or a real computer will be easier to search with than a phone browser, this is because the United mobile calendar sucks, it removes fare details when the displaying the calendar.

Click for more details and booking links United MileagePlus Nonstop: Houston to/from Sydney round-trip (75,000 points +$104 tax) [Feb-Mar]

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points Star Alliance United

EXPIRED OFFER: United℠ Business Card: 100,000 MileagePlus sign-up bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Published January 25, 2024 by

EXPIRED OFFER: United℠ Business Card: 100,000 MileagePlus sign-up bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The welcome bonus for the United Business Card is now 100,000 after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of being approved for the card. This card has an annual fee of $99. APR: (Loading APR Value).

This is a business card, but you can apply for this card as a sole proprietor. If this is the case for you, then use your personal social security number when applying instead of your Business EIN. If you don’t have a DBA, use your real name as the business name.

We’re recommending this card now because the 100,000 bonus is much higher than the previous 50,000 and 75,000 mile offerings that we’ve seen over the past 12-months.

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED OFFER: United℠ Business Card: 100,000 MileagePlus sign-up bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

EXPIRED DEAL– Inc Business Cash® / Ink Business Unlimited®: 90,000 Ultimate Rewards sign-up bonus after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $0 Annual fee.
Published January 4, 2024 by

EXPIRED DEAL– Inc Business Cash® / Ink Business Unlimited®: 90,000 Ultimate Rewards sign-up bonus after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $0 Annual fee.

EXPIRED DEAL – This deal is scheduled to end on 01/18/2024 @ 9:00 AM EST.

Chase has increased the sign-up bonus for the Inc Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card to $900 from $750. Bonus will post to your account as 90,000 Ultimate Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is a great sign-up bonus for a no-fee card.

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED DEAL– Inc Business Cash® / Ink Business Unlimited®: 90,000 Ultimate Rewards sign-up bonus after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $0 Annual fee.

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

EXPIRED DEAL – Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards: New 75,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards bonus-offer after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Published December 6, 2023 by

EXPIRED DEAL – Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards: New 75,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards bonus-offer after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Chase has increased the sign-up bonus for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card to 75,000 points. Bonus will post to your account after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

If you’re going for a Companion Pass, the best timing for meeting the spend requirement is right after the start start of next year. Doing so will get you a Companion Pass that lasts all of that current calendar year, and all of the NEXT calendar year. A companion pass will require earning 135,000 points.

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED DEAL – Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards: New 75,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards bonus-offer after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

Recap: Southwest $500 gift-card for $399, Southwest 75,000 point, United 60,000 point, and Amazon Prime $200 gift-card welcome-offer / +25% Point transfer bonus for Air France, KLM, JetBlue via Chase / Hopper Coupons: $50 off Hyatt, $50 Fiji Airways, +more
Published November 27, 2023 by

Recap: Southwest $500 gift-card for $399, Southwest 75,000 point, United 60,000 point, and Amazon Prime $200 gift-card welcome-offer / +25% Point transfer bonus for Air France, KLM, JetBlue via Chase / Hopper Coupons: $50 off Hyatt, $50 Fiji Airways, +more

We update our list of the best limited time offers every week, but we only send out this recap when there have been significant additions to the list. In this post we list coupon codes, discount codes, gift card discounts, and we watch for increases in credit card offers. 

Click for more details and booking links Recap: Southwest $500 gift-card for $399, Southwest 75,000 point, United 60,000 point, and Amazon Prime $200 gift-card welcome-offer / +25% Point transfer bonus for Air France, KLM, JetBlue via Chase / Hopper Coupons: $50 off Hyatt, $50 Fiji Airways, +more

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

EXPIRED DEAL – United℠ Explorer Card: Sign-up bonus increased to 60,000 United MileagePlus points
Published November 18, 2023 by

EXPIRED DEAL – United℠ Explorer Card: Sign-up bonus increased to 60,000 United MileagePlus points

Chase has increased the sign-up bonus for the United℠ Explorer Card. It is now a 60,000 point bonus instead of 50,000. The bonus offer applies after spending $3,000 in the first 3-months of being approved for the card. This card has an annual fee of: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. We recommend this card for those of you who fly United because your first standard checked-bag for you and your companion is free, you get priority boarding, two United Club passes per year, and you get a 25% discount on inflight purchases on United-operated flights. 

The checked-bag perk will probably be the main draw for those of you who fly on the cheaper “Basic Economy” fares on United. Basic Economy fares on United don’t include a free checked-bag and this perk can save you from paying additional bag fees. 

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED DEAL – United℠ Explorer Card: Sign-up bonus increased to 60,000 United MileagePlus points

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

EXPIRED DEAL – Prime Visa Card: New $200 Amazon gift card welcome-offer for existing Amazon Prime members that get approved for the card (expires 12/4) [no annual fee]
Published November 18, 2023 by

EXPIRED DEAL – Prime Visa Card: New $200 Amazon gift card welcome-offer for existing Amazon Prime members that get approved for the card (expires 12/4) [no annual fee]

The Amazon Prime Visa Card has a new $200 gift card welcome-offer for existing Prime members. This offer is the best that we’ve seen for this no-annual-fee card.

We’re highlighting this card due to several reasons: the 5% cash-back on Chase Travel, Amazon, and Whole Foods purchases is really good, the $200 Amazon gift card welcome-offer is the best we’ve seen for this card, the 2% cash-back on restaurants, gas stations, and local transit is also an added bonus, and to top it off there is no-annual-fee.

The catch is that the $200 gift card welcome-offer is only for existing Amazon Prime members.

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED DEAL – Prime Visa Card: New $200 Amazon gift card welcome-offer for existing Amazon Prime members that get approved for the card (expires 12/4) [no annual fee]

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Amsterdam or Paris round-trip (less than 33,750 points +$241 tax/fees) [15,000 to 16,875 points each way] [Oct-Mar] – KLM / Air France / Flying Blue
Published October 3, 2023 by

Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Amsterdam or Paris round-trip (less than 33,750 points +$241 tax/fees) [15,000 to 16,875 points each way] [Oct-Mar] – KLM / Air France / Flying Blue

Flying Blue is the combined points program of KLM and Air France. At the start of each month they discount select routes. This month, Houston long-haul economy flights to Amsterdam and Paris are about are -11,250 cheaper due to this discount. It’s a good idea to check the promo landing page at the start of each month to see if anything worthwhile pops up.

This time KLM has round-trip flights from Houston (IAH) to Amsterdam or Paris (AMS, CDG) for 30,000 to 33,750 points + $241 tax/fees, NONSTOP. Fare allows for carry-on bag and seat selection. Promotional ends 10/30/2023. Flights between October and March. Promo awards are refundable (with a €50 Euro fee) and changeable (with a €50 Euro fee + fare price difference).

Leave the departure date blank to pull up a fare calendar. If you enter in dates, it will give you only a week-long list of fares near the dates you selected.

Click for more details and booking links Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Amsterdam or Paris round-trip (less than 33,750 points +$241 tax/fees) [15,000 to 16,875 points each way] [Oct-Mar] – KLM / Air France / Flying Blue

Air France Airfare Deals Budget Travel KLM Miles and Points SkyTeam

New 90,000 point credit card offers with $0 annual fee and 0% intro-APR / Coupons: $25 off Hyatt / $50 off Fiji Airways / $50 off Abu Dhabi / Gift-Cards: $50 off SWA / $50 Alaska Airlines
Published October 2, 2023 by

New 90,000 point credit card offers with $0 annual fee and 0% intro-APR / Coupons: $25 off Hyatt / $50 off Fiji Airways / $50 off Abu Dhabi / Gift-Cards: $50 off SWA / $50 Alaska Airlines

There are several new 90,000 point credit card sign-up offer on cards with a $0 annual fee. If you are a sole proprietor or small business owner we feel this sign-up offer is excellent due to the 0% 12-month introductory-APR and $0 annual fee. The ongoing APR after the introductory period is variable: 18.49% – 24.49%.

There are some new Hopper coupons: $50 Fiji Airways. $25 off Hyatt Hotels. $50 off Abu Dhabi, and more.

Alaska Airlines and Southwest have their gift-cards on sale again at Costco and Sam’s Club for -$20 to -$50 less than the total redeemable value. If you’re planning on booking flights on those airlines, you may be able to get some additional savings by buying a discounted gift-card.

Click for more details and booking links New 90,000 point credit card offers with $0 annual fee and 0% intro-APR / Coupons: $25 off Hyatt / $50 off Fiji Airways / $50 off Abu Dhabi / Gift-Cards: $50 off SWA / $50 Alaska Airlines

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

Our updated list of coupon codes, discount codes, gift card discounts, and credit card bonuses as of 07/15/2023
Published July 15, 2023 by

Our updated list of coupon codes, discount codes, gift card discounts, and credit card bonuses as of 07/15/2023

We update our list of the best limited time offers every week, but we only send out this recap when there have been significant additions to the list. In this post we list coupon codes, discount codes, gift card discounts, and we watch for increases in credit card offers.

Current standout offers are a new 120,000 card sign-up offer which is almost enough points to qualify for a Southwest Companion Pass, some new Hopper coupons: $50 off Portugal, $50 off Panama City Florida, $50 off Savannah flights, and more.

We didn’t find any worthwhile gift-card discounts that were better than the “-10% off” threshold.

Click for more details and booking links Our updated list of coupon codes, discount codes, gift card discounts, and credit card bonuses as of 07/15/2023

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

EXPIRED DEAL – Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: You can now earn up to 120,000 Rapid Rewards points
Published July 12, 2023 by

EXPIRED DEAL – Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: You can now earn up to 120,000 Rapid Rewards points

Chase has recently increased the offer on their Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card. You can now earn up to 120,000 Rapid Rewards points; (60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of being approved for the card and an additional 60,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 9 months). This is the highest potential earnings we’ve seen offered for this card.

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED DEAL – Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: You can now earn up to 120,000 Rapid Rewards points

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

EXPIRED DEAL – Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Welcome offer increased to 65,000 SkyMiles
Published June 15, 2023 by

EXPIRED DEAL – Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Welcome offer increased to 65,000 SkyMiles

THIS DEAL HAS EXPIRED. Welcome offer has reverted to 40,000. We are leaving the expired details on this page as a reference for comparison for future deals.

The welcome offer for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has increased from 40,000 to 65,000, an increase of +25,000. The welcome offer applies after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months of being approved for the card. This card has an annual fee: $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99. Terms apply. American Express is an Escape Houston advertiser.

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED DEAL – Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Welcome offer increased to 65,000 SkyMiles

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Amsterdam round-trip (33,750 points +$201 tax/fees) [16,875 points each way] [Aug-Oct] – KLM / Flying Blue
Published June 4, 2023 by

Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Amsterdam round-trip (33,750 points +$201 tax/fees) [16,875 points each way] [Aug-Oct] – KLM / Flying Blue

Flying Blue is the combined points program of KLM and Air France. At the start of each month they discount select routes. This month, Houston long-haul economy flights to Amsterdam are -11,250 cheaper due to this discount. It’s a good idea to check the promo landing page at the start of each month to see if anything worthwhile pops up.

This time KLM has round-trip flights from Houston (IAH) to Amsterdam (AMS) for 33,750 points + $201 tax/fees, NONSTOP. Fare allows for carry-on bag and seat selection. Promotional ends 06/30/2023. Flights between August and October. Promo awards are refundable (with a €50 Euro fee) and changeable (with a €50 Euro fee + fare price difference).

Click for more details and booking links Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Amsterdam round-trip (33,750 points +$201 tax/fees) [16,875 points each way] [Aug-Oct] – KLM / Flying Blue

Air France Airfare Deals Budget Travel KLM Miles and Points SkyTeam

Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Paris round-trip (30,000 points +$198 tax/fees) [15,000 points each way] [Jul-Nov] – Air France / KLM / Flying Blue
Published June 3, 2023 by

Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Paris round-trip (30,000 points +$198 tax/fees) [15,000 points each way] [Jul-Nov] – Air France / KLM / Flying Blue

Flying Blue is the combined points program of KLM and Air France. At the start of each month they discount select routes. This month, Houston long-haul economy flights to Paris are -10,000 cheaper due to this discount. It’s a good idea to check the promo landing page at the start of each month to see if anything worthwhile pops up.

This time, Air France and KLM have round-trip flights from Houston (IAH) to Paris (CDG) for 30,000 points + $198 tax/fees, NONSTOP. Fare allows for carry-on bag and seat selection. Promotional ends 06/30/2023. Flights between July and November 30, 2023. Promo awards are refundable (with a €50 Euro fee) and changeable (with a €50 Euro fee + fare price difference).

Click for more details and booking links Flying Blue Points Nonstop: Houston to Paris round-trip (30,000 points +$198 tax/fees) [15,000 points each way] [Jul-Nov] – Air France / KLM / Flying Blue

Air France Airfare Deals Budget Travel KLM Miles and Points SkyTeam

Offer Expired: Chase Ultimate Rewards: 80,000 point sign-up offer (an increase of 20,000 from March) –  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Published May 24, 2023 by

Offer Expired: Chase Ultimate Rewards: 80,000 point sign-up offer (an increase of 20,000 from March) –  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

EXPIRED DEAL – American Express® Green Card: Welcome offer has increased by +15,000 to 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards® points
Published May 19, 2023 by

EXPIRED DEAL – American Express® Green Card: Welcome offer has increased by +15,000 to 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards® points

THIS DEAL HAS EXPIRED. Welcome offer has reverted to 40,000. We are leaving the expired details on this page as a reference for comparison for future deals.

Amex has recently increased the welcome offer for the American Express® Green Card from 45,000 to 60,000. The welcome offer applies after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months of being approved for the card. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit. Terms apply.

One of the main reasons why you may want this card is that Amex Membership Rewards® has a different set of airline/hotel point-transfer partners than Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Click for more details and booking links EXPIRED DEAL – American Express® Green Card: Welcome offer has increased by +15,000 to 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards® points

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

United MileagePlus Nonstop: Houston to/from Rio de Janeiro round-trip (60,000 points +$33.25 tax) [May, Jun, Mar]
Image Credits: selbst fotografiert von, creative commons 3.0
Published May 4, 2023 by

United MileagePlus Nonstop: Houston to/from Rio de Janeiro round-trip (60,000 points +$33.25 tax) [May, Jun, Mar]

United has round-trip flights from Houston (IAH) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) for 60,000 miles/points, NONSTOP. 30,000 miles/points each way. Regular economy, not basic. Fare allows for carry-on bag and seat selection. Flights depart in May, June, March. Flights return in May, June, August, April.

Booking flights with miles/points is worthwhile when the cost of airfare is high.

Click for more details and booking links United MileagePlus Nonstop: Houston to/from Rio de Janeiro round-trip (60,000 points +$33.25 tax) [May, Jun, Mar]

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points Star Alliance United

Ending Soon: American Airlines AAdvantage 75,000 point sign-up offer (an increase of 10,000 from last month) – Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Published April 28, 2023 by

Ending Soon: American Airlines AAdvantage 75,000 point sign-up offer (an increase of 10,000 from last month) – Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED.

THE DETAILS IN THIS POST ARE FOR AN EXIPRED OFFER. WE WILL LEAVE THE ORIGINAL OFFER TEXT HERE SO YOU CAN COMPARE IT TO FUTURE OFFERS.

The limited time sign-up offer for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is ending soon. If you are a regular customer of American Airlines, this card may be worthwhile for the large sign-up bonus of 75,000 points after spending $3,500 within the first 4-months of your account approval.

Click for more details and booking links Ending Soon: American Airlines AAdvantage 75,000 point sign-up offer (an increase of 10,000 from last month) – Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points

United MileagePlus Business/Polaris one-way Nonstop: Houston to Tokyo (72200 points +$5.60 tax) (Limited availability) [April 18 and 30]
Published April 13, 2023 by

United MileagePlus Business/Polaris one-way Nonstop: Houston to Tokyo (72200 points +$5.60 tax) (Limited availability) [April 18 and 30]

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Los Angeles Miles and Points Star Alliance United

Points Strategy: One-way Business Class Nonstop Houston to Tokyo Haneda on ANA (75,000 points + $55 tax/fees) [Mar 2023, Feb 2024] – Chase Ultimate Rewards® / Air Canada Aeroplan / ANA
Published March 9, 2023 by

Points Strategy: One-way Business Class Nonstop Houston to Tokyo Haneda on ANA (75,000 points + $55 tax/fees) [Mar 2023, Feb 2024] – Chase Ultimate Rewards® / Air Canada Aeroplan / ANA

There is a good chance that the limited award availability listed in this post will be gone by the time you read it, but it should provide you with a way to consistently find this award on your own, without my help.

Hi! Ren here. 

In this “points strategy” session we’re going to cover getting from Houston (IAH) to Tokyo (HND) on ANA by transferring 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points into Air Canada Aeroplan via the Chase portal. If you don’t currently have Chase or Aeroplan points, I’ll also go over some basic point earning strategies later in this post. The taxes and fees for the redemption is $76 Canadian, which is about $55 USD.

We know that ANA flies both “Houston – Haneda” and “Houston – Narita” flights. We will be concentrating on Haneda because it is closer to Tokyo and you can avoid the extra transit costs incurred getting from Narita to Tokyo. 

Click for more details and booking links Points Strategy: One-way Business Class Nonstop Houston to Tokyo Haneda on ANA (75,000 points + $55 tax/fees) [Mar 2023, Feb 2024] – Chase Ultimate Rewards® / Air Canada Aeroplan / ANA

Airfare Deals Budget Travel Miles and Points