You’ve been saving up those airline miles for a long time and you are ready to make all your effort and discipline pay off.  Can you be sure you are getting a worthwhile deal when you cash those hard-won miles in?

In general, there are two kinds of miles collectors: those who want to cash in their miles in a practical way, using them to help pay for standard domestic flights, and those who want to use their miles to help fund a dream vacation to far-flung places.

The key for both, but especially for those planning their dream escape, is flexibility.  How can you earn the most miles without restricting yourself to the prices and schedule of a single airline.

Airline alliances make it easier to earn frequent flier miles every time that you fly without having to rely on a single carrier.  There are three major alliances, One World, Sky Team, and the Star Alliance.  Member airlines of each alliance allow customers to earn frequent flier miles by flying on other airlines that are also alliance members.  Almost always (though not 100% of the time), it is possible to earn the same amount of miles by flying on an allied airline as you would on the airline whose loyalty program you belong to.

It is best to sign up for the frequent flier program with the airline that you will use for your dream vacation.  Which one should you choose? See the regional breakdown below.  If your chosen airline has a no-fee, miles earning credit card, sign up for it.  If there is a fee, you’ll have to decide if the benefits outweigh the yearly fee.  If there is no card, or if the annual fees are unreasonably high, opt for an American Express or Discover card that earns at least one mile per dollar spent.  If you plan to fly internationally, American Express cards are the safest option, as their miles are accepted by major international carriers.

The most common mistake miles-savers make is neglecting to keep track of their frequent flier account.  Some fliers forget to input their number while booking or checking in, and others never check their statements to make sure that miles have been properly added to their account (mistakes are quite common).

Which airline should you choose to use its frequent flier miles?  With 26 members, the Star Alliance is, by far, the most far-reaching alliance.  Airlines operating under the Star umbrella include United, US Airways and Continental.  Major industry players like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways and Air New Zealand are also part of the alliance, and give it a truly global reach.

That said, some of the largest airlines with the farthest reach are not part of the Star Alliance.  In the end, your airline of choice depends on your destination.

Europe

There are plenty of choices for trans-Atlantic flights.  European low-cost-carriers (such as Ryanair and Easyjet), which are even cheaper than their American peers, make it possible to fly between European cities easily.  That means that it is not necessary to choose the national carrier of the country that you plan to visit.  Air France and KLM are part of the Sky Team Alliance with Delta, the largest domestic carrier in the US.  That means would-be Europe visitors can earn miles on domestic flights and apply them to their Air France or KLM tickets.  Both Paris and Amsterdam (respective hubs of the two aforementioned carriers) are great entry points into Europe.  Connecting flights on low-cost-carriers are cheap and easy to come by.

An alternative is Virgin Atlantic, which is currently not part of an alliance, but offers cheap flights to Europe (and beyond) and has a generous credit card that offers 1.5 miles per dollar spent, rather than the typical $1 per mile offered by other cards.

Africa

Virgin Atlantic also code shares with other airlines, making it possible to reach more remote destinations in Africa and the Middle East for reasonably low prices.  It is a viable option, though Star Alliance airlines like South African Airlines and EgyptAir offer reasonably priced flights to the two most popular destinations on the continent.

Asia and Australia

Qantas Airlines, Australia’s national carrier, is part of the Oneworld Alliance, and is the best (sometimes the only) choice for people headed Down Under.  As in Europe, low-cost-carriers are a part of the air travel landscape in East Asia.  This means that traveling to entry points like Hong Kong or Singapore (on Cathay Pacific – Oneworld and Singapore Airlines – Star Alliance) will be the most expensive part of the trip.  To make your miles go the farthest, use them on the trans-Pacific part of your journey, then rely on code-sharing flights or LCCs like AirAsia to get to your final destination.

Americas

Major gateways to the Caribbean and South America are Houston Intercontinental Airport and Miami International.  These are major hubs for Continental Airlines and American Airlines, respectively.  If you combine these airlines’ domestic frequent flier programs with their miles earning credit cards, they are the best bang for your buck if you want to travel anywhere in the Americas outside of the US.

$375 & up to Ski & Stay at 5-Star Montreal Westin, and this price includes BONUS 3rd night free & $300 air credit per person. With easy access to the nearby pedestrian village and skiing areas of Tremblant, this 5-star resort features a luxurious lobby and fine Japanese and Sushi dining.

$335 & up for 3 Nights at a 4-Star Ottawa Hotel, and this price includes BONUS 3rd night free & $300 air credit per person. The tasteful rooms and suites have air-conditioning, a city or courtyard view, windows that open to the outside, a television with the On Command system, a coffee maker with complimentary coffee and tea, a refreshment center, a clock radio, bathrobes, an iron and an ironing board, and a hairdryer.

This could be the year you tour Asia! With the 2010 All Asia Pass from Cathay Pacific Airlines you could visit magnificent Hong Kong, tropical Bali, culturally-rich Bangkok, ultra-modern Singapore and legendary Tokyo, plus many other destinations all for just $1,599.

A couple other great airfare deals just in, $446 to fly to Shanghai or Beijing from San Francisco, $515 to fly to Sydney from New York, and $399 & up to fly to Shanghai or Beijing from Boston, each way.

Occidental Hotels and Resorts, whose all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and Mexico, include dining, drinks (alcohol included), use of the Kids’ Club, and a myriad of both water and land activities in its rates, is offering a Winter Special sale on its 13 resorts in Aruba, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, with savings ranging from 20% to 50% for stays from January 4 through April 30, 2010.

$699 for this New Riviera Maya *Dreams* Getaway w/Air: Save $450 on vacations at the Caribbean’s coast of Mexico, with blinding white strands of sand embracing clear turquoise waters, shores that curve into calm lagoons, and are beloved by scuba divers, snorkelers, bird watchers, and beach combers. The Pacific coast contains some of Mexico’s principle beach resorts as well as other lesser-known, beautiful spots and small coastal villages, backed by sweeping jungles that reach down to the clear blue waters of the Pacific.

$129-$139 a night for this Westin in Jersey City, just minutes from Manhattan. With spectacular views of Manhattan, The Westin Jersey City Newport Hotel is providing guests with a significant reduction on normal rates for Friday-Sunday nights through January and February. Rates for this property are regularly $230.

$90 a night for the newly renovated Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel St. Louis on Friday and Saturday nights through March 28. The same room is regularly $190 on weekdays.

$109 a night for a top-rated Cleveland hotel. The Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center is rated the #1 hotel in Cleveland on Tripadvisor and is conveniently located within walking distance from the city’s downtown attractions. Guest rooms are newly renovated and feature plush bedding, marble bathrooms and spectacular Lake Erie views, and this deal is 40% OFF the regular rates.

$71 a night for a Junior Villa at Palm Springs Resort. This offer is for Sunday-Thursday stays and is 30% off regular rates. Weekends are $16 more per night. Bonus: Guests looking to extend their stay will receive their fourth night free, as well as an upgrade to an 800 square foot, one-bedroom villa. Each spacious one-bedroom villa features a full kitchen and private balcony.

Is it possible to combine the convenience of a resort vacation with the excitement of adventure travel?  Boundless Journeys is a tour company that offers well-planned trips to some of the world’s most exciting and least-visited destinations.  The options cover six continents and dozens of countries.  Each trip puts a premium on experiences rather than on standard sightseeing-centered activities.

A pre-season promotion is currently being offered for customers who can book their Boundless Journey’s adventure by December 31st.  Anyone who reserves by the deadline will receive 5% off the cost of their trip.

The discount itself might not seem that substantial, but the menu of itineraries offered by the company is quite impressive.  Safaris and nature-themed adventures are the most prevalent.  There are Southern and Eastern African destinations, and also a full menu of alternatives, including Mongolia, South America, Iceland and Vancouver Island.

Trekking tours in Nepal and the European Alps and sea-kayaking expeditions are alternatives to the popular safari trips.  Boundless Journeys also offers cultural immersion experiences and family-friendly safaris.

In order to qualify for the 5% discount, you must book on the Boundless Journeys web site by December 31st.  The price range for the adventures is quite wide.  Some trips cost less than $3000, while others have a price tag that exceeds $7000.  The company also offers gift certificates.

The holidays bring cold weather.  And cold weather brings thoughts of cruises and tropical vacations.  The Yachts of Seabourn is offering the ultimate luxury cruise experience at a steeply discounted price.  But the experience doesn’t start once you arrive at the port.  Seabourn is luring customers with door-to-door luxury.  Packages, which start at $7,980, include round-trip business-class airfare to destinations in Asia, as well as airport transfer and luxury accommodations.  Pricey? Yes.  But these are no mere quick, generic Caribbean cruises.  The line’s ship Seabourn Pride has ports of call including Dalian, China and Kagoshima, Japan.  Each 12-day leg includes multiple stops.

The $7,980 price tag represents a 45% discount.  To take advantage of the door-to-door packages, tickets must be purchased by February 15th.  The Pride’s journey on the other side of the Pacific begins in January.  The cheapest leg includes stops in China, Vietnam and Thailand.

Other options include trips from Shanghai to Kobe, Japan and Bangkok to Shanghai.  These legs are priced at $8,500 each, if booked before the February deadline.

Seabourn offers an ultra-luxury experience.  This is the kind of cruise line that stocks its wine cellar with vintage fine wines and has as many crew members and service personnel as passengers.  The ships are smaller than most luxury liners, accommodating just over 200 passengers with plenty of room to spare.  The line also offers cruises in Europe, though these are not part of the business-class airfare deal.  More information about that can be found on the Seabourn web site.