Check FT several times a day, or at least daily. That's how I learned about, e.g., the 2 day Twitter fare to SYD. Look for unusual routings that generate extra miles (am going MSY-ord-sfo-SYD rt for $715 ai, which generates a little over 20K EQM's. US had Twitter fares, some of which lasted just minutes, tho I did manage to get two rt's MSY-DCA for about $60 each, ai.

Sometimes the best "deals" in terms of $/status mile are domestic - do a google search for FARECOMPARE FLYERTALK PAGE and you'll find a neat tool telling the best flights for generating miles.

The Chase credit card can (or could) generate 15 K EQM's (5 on first use, 5 for tickets booked on .bomb and 5 for spending 35K/yr). The current deals may not be as good.

Vacation packages, booked on .bomb or Orbitz are a good value. Went in May from MSY-BKK, about $1050 ai w/ 4 nights in a (pretty rough) hotel. The value of multiple 2 hr traditional Thai massages at $9.00 almost paid for the trip!

Unfortunately cheap int'l fares are generally not upgradeable, tho if booking far ahead w/ seat guru you can get some excellent coach seats.

happy travels