I have two fundamental travel aspirations: See the world. Get good value out of miles & points. The 2 goals were in unison in my early days of the hobby. Seeing the world meant flying premium cabin to a major destination, staying in a high-value points hotel, and sightseeing in the vicinity. I did this in Hong Kong, Sydney, Bangkok, Paris, Banff - to … [Read more...]
The Importance of Different-Styled Travel Companions
I just got back from a few days in Maui with a group of friends. The variation of travel styles in the group was interesting. Some were super active thrill seekers who hiked in torrential rain faster than I could in perfect condition. Others were beach bums. We accommodated everyone with selective participation and a little compromise. Overall, I … [Read more...]
Dear Friends: No, I Haven’t Won Lottery. Yes, I Still Work Full Time
Nov 19, 2017 - Updated to add cost of acquiring points. This article is for my non-travel addict friends who see my pictures on social media and think I either won the lottery and/or quit my job. In fact, I haven't accomplished either. While it might seem mysterious how I manage to travel "so much", I want to give you the secret sauce in this post. There are … [Read more...]
Maximizing Limited Vacation Days for Travel – My Dos and Don’ts
You have a full time job with limited vacation days. Time is of the essence - but so is enjoying your trip. Cramming a bunch of activities in a short time is great - if you enjoy that. The key is to maximize your free time - in a way that fits your travel style. If you've been doing this for a while, chances are you have your own way … [Read more...]