JetBlue is running a killer promotion with up to 75,000 free TruBlue points up for grabs. If you have Virgin America's eleVate or Starwood Preferred Guest points, this giveaway is definitely worth a look. In this week's show, Erik and AJ break down how you can turn 40,001 SPG points into a total of 125k Virgin America and Jet Blue Points. You'll also learn about some of the best opportunities to use points from each program for travel. www.abroaders.com/goblue

Language instructor Idahosa Ness has created a revolutionary method for taking the fastest (and least boring) path to conversational fluency. This week, he joins Erik in Barcelona for a discussion about language and the challenges of building a location independent team. www.abroaders.com/mimic

Big bonus offers are back! Also, we go in detail on your credit score, how it's calculated and broken down.We also give you step by step ways on applying for applications and what you should do if you don't get automatically approved.

 Learn how Joost Scheve took his knowledge and expertise and turned into not only one but two different platforms that now help connect travel experts to those of us who are looking for a custom made adventure. Shownotes at www.abroaders.com/kimkim

Listen to this week's show and learn:

• New airline travel partner with Chase

• Alaska offering a bonus earning
• The deal with upgrades on American, United, and Delta

People on this episode

Locations on this Episode

For today’s episode, Erik and AJ check in from Barcelona, Spain

Links  Mentioned in this episode

* Indicate a new bullet point by hitting return twice (i.e. leave a blank line in between)

* TextExpander = wplink

NEWS AND UPDATES

Chase transfers to KLM

Earn points on Alaska with global partners

Starwood points on sale

Free Roaming on AT&T in Mexico & Canada

1,000 Easy United Miles with Prosper App

Earn 250 Virgin America Elevate Miles

Stay at all 11 SPG brands for 11,000 Bonus Points

Hilton Status Matches

Auckland-Honolulu route with Air New Zealand Upgraded to 787

Air India Fifth Freedom Route

CORE CONTENT

AA upgrades

AA upgrades on BA and Iberia flights

AA 500-mile upgrade

United upgrade chart

United Upgrade overview

Delta Mileage upgrade

Delta Upgrade with miles

Delta changing upgrade companion

Core Content:

Upgrading with the three major players

AA:

• May upgrade to the next cabin of service for a single one-way trip from a purchased ticket depending on the type of fare you buy there will either be a full mile upgrade or an additional paid fee (per one-way)

• Buy Discount ticket will need to pay $75-$350 and use 15K-25K to upgrade from economy to business

• Buy Full fare economy and use 5K-15K to upgrade

• Buy discount business and pay $175-$550 as well as 15K-25K to upgrade to First class

• Buy Full fare Business and use 15K-25K to upgrade to first

• https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/redeemMiles/mileage-upgrade-chart.jsp

• Taxes may be different when upgrading

• Must book ticket first then call AA representative to upgrade

• Can call before hand and find out if seats are available for upgrade or there are open seats in business that may become available for award upgrade before departure.  

• These Upgrades available with AA carriers

• Just like booking an award ticket, upgrades may not be available on all segments for the one way trip.

• Maximum of 3 segments will be upgraded on a one way

• Fare conditions will still apply to original purchased fare will apply

• Will only occur miles based on fare portion that was purchased, not upgraded

• You can upgrade on BA and Iberia flights using AA miles (tickets must be purchased on AA)

• https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/redeemMiles/jba-upgrade-award-reservations.jsp

• 500-mile upgrade

• Elite status members can upgrade for free on AA carrier flights 500 miles and more ( may use multiple 500-mile upgrades to be combined) Anything less than 500 will automatically be on the upgrade list.

• Gold and platinum member receive 500-mile upgrades every 12,500 EQM

• May purchase upgrades for $40 (If you are elite)

https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/eliteStatus/upgrades/500mileUpgradesContent.jsp

United

• Can upgrade most flights on United, Copa, and ANA flights

• To Request upgrade as you booking your ticket, you can do so by either calling customer care, or selecting “Mileage upgrade award” when in the advanced search page

• If request after a ticket has been bought, must call the United Mileage program

• The price of an upgrade is based on region of travel, fare class and status

• Upgrades may be confirmed as soon as you make the booking, otherwise you will be put on a waitlist and notified when one comes available

• If no upgrade becomes available by the time you depart, miles and taxes will be refunded to your accounts  

• Can pay anywhere between 7,500K -35K in mile upgrades and pay $75-600 for a copay to upgrade (check out pages 4-5 in link to see exactly how much, very easy to navigate)

• Complimentary premier upgrades are available on select Untied carrier flights for premier members and their companion traveling

• Premier members who are primary cardholders for some Chase-issued mileageplus credit cards are eligible for premier upgrades when traveling on award tickets on United flights.

• This does not include companions traveling on the same reservation.

• Call Premier Priority Desk number listed on the back of their membership card to request upgrade consideration .

• contact the Premier Priority Desk number listed on the back of their membership to request upgrade

• Star alliance upgrades with United miles is possible, check out page 5 of the award chart

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/upgrade/saua.aspx

Delta

• Two ways to upgrade: (no award chart to see how much in fees, though it looks like there may not be any fees, only the amount in miles needed to upgrade, you won’t be able to view how much the upgrade with miles will cost unless you have enough miles in your account)

• Upgrade with miles

• Must login to view upgrade availability

• You will automatically see the option to upgrade with miles in your trip summary

• Only flights all must be within the 50 states of the U.S

• Must have enough availability and miles in your account to upgrade everyone in your party.

• Upgrade with Miles is only available during an original booking at delta.com or with a Reservations Specialist.

• You will earn miles and MQMs based on the cabin flown.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/use-miles/upgrade-with-miles.html

• Mileage Upgrade Awards

• redeemed for fixed mileage amounts according to area of travel and are only valid with certain fare classes.

• Most flights Delta operated flights and some KLM flights eligible

• Delta bulk fares, companion fares, group fares,  Round the World fares, Award Travel of any kind cannot be upgraded with a separate award or by paying an additional fee

• If you are not confirmed for the upgrade before 3 hours before departure, it does not carry over to the airport standby list

• Earn miles based on the fare you purchased.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/use-miles/mileage-upgrade-awards.html

You’ve heard of co-working. Have you heard of co-living? Essentially, it’s co-working on steroids. This week A.J. talks with Chris Reynolds of theentrepreneurhouse.com about his journety to connect entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses (while exploring new cities and cultivating meaningful relationships). Shownotes can be found at www.abroaders.com/chris

American, Alaska, and Avianca are all selling miles at a significant discount right now. Although buying miles is not always a good deal, you can often get a significant discount on business and first class airfare by purchasing miles to redeem in premium cabins. This week AJ and Erik cover the ride up front at a 20-50% discount by purchasing points. Shownotes can be found at www.abroaders.com/buymiles

News & Updates

Air France Promo

https://www.flyingblue.com/promo-awards.html

Boston to Europe biz class

Europe to ME 25k one

Alaska offers 50% bonus on buying miles

1.97cpp at max

Devalued, yes, but still nice

Avios Transfer Capability

No more phone booking fees with

Tanks JT (&TPG for publishing)

Do my barclays points expire? -

Through 6/15

Virgin Atlantic

Amex transfer

Etihad Amex Transfer

Etihad

30% transfer bonus through 6/15

Own Flights -

Partner Flights

Abroaders Master Booking

http://www.etihadguest.com/en/contact-us/

ANA

NRT-LAX - 5,400 miles

63,000 biz

37,000 econ

GOL

Um … wow short

Sao Paulo to Salvador - 899

Sao Paulo to Rio - 200 miles @

Compare that to Delta at 12,500

Air Berlin

62.5k biz (Berlin - LAX or

Virgin Australia

Super reasonable for flights

Royal Air Maroc

- 6000 from BCN to

10,000 would cover most of

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?R=1500mi@CMN

Asiana

Under 6,000 miles

ICN-LAX or SFO  - 59,000

American Airlines

Off peak to Europe - October 15

Off Peak hawaii - January 12 –

Brussles

NYC -

TLV - 20k biz 12k

South African

JNB to GRU - 4,628

Econ - 38,889

Biz - 66,667

Not worth considering: Alitalia