I just wrapped up 3 days in Luang Prabang, Laos. Like those who went before me, I absoluetly loved it and expect it to be one of the places I rave about going forward. Despite increasing tourism, for now there's still no clear delineation between the traditional way of life and what the tourist sees. At the same time, it has good infrastructure, preservation, … [Read more...]
Where to see REAL Alms Giving in Luang Prabang, Laos
Updated map to include where to avoid. Luang Prabang is a special place where centuries-old tradition lives on openly. Saffron-robed monks are easily spotted in temples along the streets and beyond, going about their daily lives. It's beautiful and historic like Hoi An, Chiang Mai, and Ubud (Bali) - with a fraction of the crowd and accompanying tourist … [Read more...]
I Feel Sorry For People Earning Hotel Points Primarily Through Modest, Unbonused Stays
I always knew flying and sleeping in hotels don't earn many points, but a recent example brought home how relatively terrible they are. A friend just stayed in a Hyatt for ~9 days, spending over $700 before taxes ("eligible amount"). He excitedly logged in to his account to see how many points he earned, to find a whopping ~4,200 points - after the 10% bonus for his … [Read more...]
My Best Trip – Torres del Paine “W” Hike
I just want to say a few words, then I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I went to Torres del Paine (TDP) in March 2016 and did the 5-day "W" hike on my own (actually, I stayed an extra day, and am very glad I did). It remains arguably my favorite travel experience to date. My pictures don't do it justice, but they'll give you some ideas. I … [Read more...]
Life After 5/24
Life after 5/24 means you can't get many of Chase's credit cards, including all Ultimate Reward (UR)-earning cards. I'm well above 5/24, have zero UR, and don't foresee that changing soon. If you're wondering what it feels like, I'm here to tell you... well, I barely notice it. UR is extremely valuable - there's no doubt. One of the common questions … [Read more...]
Thanks For Quietly Killing Sweet Spots, Hilton
Thanks to comments in my 10 favorite Hilton low category redemptions, I uncovered (so far) 2 devaluations that took place between the time I initially composed the post (last year) to when I published it (a few days ago). I actually have 20-30 unfinished posts in the queue right now - I have lots of ideas and lack time to finish them. Anyway, the 2 no-announcement … [Read more...]
Churning in the Age of Chase Shutdowns
Recently, we're seeing a surge in churning-induced Chase shutdowns, as reported by various outlets. Miles Per Day dubs it Chase Shutdown Week. Both Vinh and TravelinPoints have shared their thoughts on churning best practices going forward. In this post, I'll share my path forward. First, it's good to keep in mind why Chase is conducting the … [Read more...]
Easily Assign Seat 2A on Cathay Pacific First Class
The short version: Twitter. 2A is my favorite seat on Cathay Pacific First Class onboard the 777-300ER (77W). Other than the new Emirates first class that just came out, Cathay Pacific is the only airline I know of that put just 3 seats across on this aircraft; every other first class I'm aware of has 4 seats across on the 77W. Here's the layout on Cathay Pacific … [Read more...]