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![Best Hotel Rewards Program [InfoGraphic 2019]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Screen-Shot-2019-07-29-at-3.30.43-PM-350x250.png)
![Map of Choice Hotels [with Choice Points]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/complete-map-of-choice-hotels-350x250.png)
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The Extreme Maximizing of JAL Miles
Whenever I've done posts comparing the prices across different programs I've already found that JAL Miles are among the lowest, but today I'll show you how to potentially double the value of these already great miles.
As you'll see, I first try to figure out the rules preventing me from abusing maximizing this program with stopovers, stops in my home town, open-jaws, etc... Once I figure out the rules, I have ideas for loop-holes, then I do tests. Then I either find "deals", or I find a new rule.
These fundamentals are things I'm going to apply to other distance based programs as I work my way across every program, which I'm dissecting for my day job.
No one reads this site for the artful writing (-I can barely spell my name-), but I consider this unpublished rule dissection my art.
Hopefully you learn something about JAL miles that can open up an amazing trip, and learn something about program dissection.
Read more
British Airways Avios: Award Efficiency Rating
"Drew, what in the world is an award efficiency rating, and how does British Airways Avios have one? Did you just make this up?"
Yes, I did. But get used to it! Because I'm going to be doing posts with efficiency ratings more often!
And not just British Airways Avios, but for many programs. In fact, I got the idea working on an upcoming JAL post.
So this post is really just to introduce the concept of an "award efficiency rating".
Let me explain what it is, and what cool things you can discover from it (using Avios)...
Read moreJapan Airlines (JAL) Miles Award Charts & Rules
Right now I'm digging into JAL Miles and before I do a post on the best uses, I wanted to give an overview of their four award charts.
I have made condensed, easier to read charts and a map for JAL flights, and will generally explain which award chart you use for which redemption.
I also made a chart showing which chart is better under which distance range, the JAL Miles "OneWorld Award Chart" or the "Partner Award Chart".
I'll give a list of partners, and a brief overview of the rules.
Read moreStarting A New Chapter
I've got a big announcement... And I'm going to tell you about it, and I'm going to do it in my typical overly-honest way.
In 2010 I started a wordpress blog. In 2011 Carrie and I took our millions of miles (and little else) and booked a oneway ticket to Asia.
We really had no idea where that journey would take us. If you've followed along, you know that it took us all over the world. That journey - of full-time globetrotting and living in hotels for years - was nothing short of fantastic!
Read more![Best Hotel Rewards Program [InfoGraphic 2019]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Screen-Shot-2019-07-29-at-3.30.43-PM-601x375.png)
Best Hotel Rewards Program [InfoGraphic 2019]
Carrie and I both wanted to redo our Hotel Rewards Program infographic and my post on the best rewards program.
The infographic does a good job of giving a visual display for the following areas:
- Number of hotels
- Which brands have the most 4/5 star hotels
- Which loyalty programs earn free nights most quickly
- Status benefits
- Best credit cards
The rest of the post will discuss some of the things not included in the infographic and more details...
Read more
How To Get Free Travel With Car/RV Relocation
I've recently been intrigued by the idea of car/RV rental relocation as a way to get cheap (or even free) trips.
That's right. You can get a rental of an RV with beds and your gas reimbursed for free (or $1 a day) for simply relocating the vehicle. Your only expense on such a trip would be airfare, food, and possibly paying for an RV campground night.
And while you can't choose just any route, there seems to be popular routes for vacationing and RVing. For example Salt Lake City to Vegas or LA... Which could be an amazing RV trip through Utah, as there are so many interesting, remote areas (like Canyonlands National Park).
In this post I'll list the best websites for finding and booking these rentals and then go over the details of a typical rental.
Read more![Map of Choice Hotels [with Choice Points]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/complete-map-of-choice-hotels.png)
Map of Choice Hotels [with Choice Points]
Finally, here is the map of Choice Hotels by points price. This is one of the last hotel chains as part of the Complete Map series (which can also be found on the Resource Page). So be sure to check out Marriott, IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, and Radisson there as well.
Read more![Best Use of Virgin Atlantic Miles [by Partner]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/virgin2.jpg)
Best Use of Virgin Atlantic Miles [by Partner]
Like Alaska miles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has a unique set of mileage redemptions that varies by partner, some of which are amazing deals.
In truth, I made a note to look into their partners after OneMileAtAtime booked and posted about a first class flight on ANA for 120,000 miles... Which ended up being only 92,500 Amex MR points (due to a transfer bonus). An amazing first class deal.
But there are lots of great deals that are even better with a 30% bonus. With a 30% bonus, a oneway to New Zealand for 30,000 miles is nearly 23,000 miles. A 25,000 miles business class ticket to Africa would be 19,200. And a 10,000 mile flight to Europe would be 7,700 miles.
Read more
Whenever I've done posts comparing the prices across different programs I've already found that JAL Miles are among the lowest, but today I'll show you how to potentially double the value of these already great miles.
As you'll see, I first try to figure out the rules preventing me from abusing maximizing this program with stopovers, stops in my home town, open-jaws, etc... Once I figure out the rules, I have ideas for loop-holes, then I do tests. Then I either find "deals", or I find a new rule.
These fundamentals are things I'm going to apply to other distance based programs as I work my way across every program, which I'm dissecting for my day job.
No one reads this site for the artful writing (-I can barely spell my name-), but I consider this unpublished rule dissection my art.
Hopefully you learn something about JAL miles that can open up an amazing trip, and learn something about program dissection.
Read more
"Drew, what in the world is an award efficiency rating, and how does British Airways Avios have one? Did you just make this up?"
Yes, I did. But get used to it! Because I'm going to be doing posts with efficiency ratings more often!
And not just British Airways Avios, but for many programs. In fact, I got the idea working on an upcoming JAL post.
So this post is really just to introduce the concept of an "award efficiency rating".
Let me explain what it is, and what cool things you can discover from it (using Avios)...
Read moreRight now I'm digging into JAL Miles and before I do a post on the best uses, I wanted to give an overview of their four award charts.
I have made condensed, easier to read charts and a map for JAL flights, and will generally explain which award chart you use for which redemption.
I also made a chart showing which chart is better under which distance range, the JAL Miles "OneWorld Award Chart" or the "Partner Award Chart".
I'll give a list of partners, and a brief overview of the rules.
Read moreI've got a big announcement... And I'm going to tell you about it, and I'm going to do it in my typical overly-honest way.
In 2010 I started a wordpress blog. In 2011 Carrie and I took our millions of miles (and little else) and booked a oneway ticket to Asia.
We really had no idea where that journey would take us. If you've followed along, you know that it took us all over the world. That journey - of full-time globetrotting and living in hotels for years - was nothing short of fantastic!
Read more![Best Hotel Rewards Program [InfoGraphic 2019]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Screen-Shot-2019-07-29-at-3.30.43-PM-360x180.png)
Carrie and I both wanted to redo our Hotel Rewards Program infographic and my post on the best rewards program.
The infographic does a good job of giving a visual display for the following areas:
- Number of hotels
- Which brands have the most 4/5 star hotels
- Which loyalty programs earn free nights most quickly
- Status benefits
- Best credit cards
The rest of the post will discuss some of the things not included in the infographic and more details...
Read more
I've recently been intrigued by the idea of car/RV rental relocation as a way to get cheap (or even free) trips.
That's right. You can get a rental of an RV with beds and your gas reimbursed for free (or $1 a day) for simply relocating the vehicle. Your only expense on such a trip would be airfare, food, and possibly paying for an RV campground night.
And while you can't choose just any route, there seems to be popular routes for vacationing and RVing. For example Salt Lake City to Vegas or LA... Which could be an amazing RV trip through Utah, as there are so many interesting, remote areas (like Canyonlands National Park).
In this post I'll list the best websites for finding and booking these rentals and then go over the details of a typical rental.
Read more![Map of Choice Hotels [with Choice Points]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/complete-map-of-choice-hotels-360x180.png)
Finally, here is the map of Choice Hotels by points price. This is one of the last hotel chains as part of the Complete Map series (which can also be found on the Resource Page). So be sure to check out Marriott, IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, and Radisson there as well.
Read more![Best Use of Virgin Atlantic Miles [by Partner]](https://travelisfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/virgin2-360x180.jpg)
Like Alaska miles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has a unique set of mileage redemptions that varies by partner, some of which are amazing deals.
In truth, I made a note to look into their partners after OneMileAtAtime booked and posted about a first class flight on ANA for 120,000 miles... Which ended up being only 92,500 Amex MR points (due to a transfer bonus). An amazing first class deal.
But there are lots of great deals that are even better with a 30% bonus. With a 30% bonus, a oneway to New Zealand for 30,000 miles is nearly 23,000 miles. A 25,000 miles business class ticket to Africa would be 19,200. And a 10,000 mile flight to Europe would be 7,700 miles.
Read more