Welcome to Points Adventure!

Hi!  I’m italdesign from Saverocity forums (great community).  I decided there weren’t enough points & travel blogs, so I am starting my own blog.

Actually, here’s what happened.  Recently, around the same time, I was asked by multiple people why I wasn’t blogging yet. I took that as a sign that I should at least consider. I love talking about travel and think I have some unique things to say, so I decided to give it a shot. Thanks to Matt for hosting me!  If this blog inspires some trips and ideas along the way, then it has served its purpose.

What’s this blog about?

This blog is mainly about ideas.  I will discuss my evolving approaches to points and travel, as well as what the hobby has done for me – for better and for worse.  I’m fairly settled on my earning approach, obviously subject to changes in the ecosystem.  My approaches to burning and travel continue to evolve, as these are the areas that interest me more and I keep trying new things.  Nonetheless, there is adventure in every aspect of the hobby, and I will chronicle these adventures.

I’ll tell you about my mostly solo travels and how that’s evolved.  I’ll share my strategic use of Frugal Hotel Redemptions (my acronym) – high value category 1 & 2s that let me stretch my points and enjoy fun places. Stay tuned for my top picks from each hotel program.

As an IT guy, I want to add value to the community with my programming and analytics skills. Tools like AwardWallet, Expert Flyer, and Credit Karma make things easier for their section of the hobby. There’s more that could be done, and I have some ideas. I’m not sure any of my ideas makes sense, but I’ll explore them.

Hopefully you’ll find some interest in what I have to say. If so, please comment in the posts or on Savoercity forum (hopefully new blog posts will show up in the New Threads tab). Interaction is important to me. Bloggers are humans too (I’m starting to realize this); they need love and encouragement just like everyone else.

A bit about me

Ever since my first AOR in 2013, I’ve been addicted to miles and points. The next part may sound familiar: I got to experience some of the who’s who of aspirational redemption after strategic applications of reward credit cards, including Park Hyatt Vendome, Lufthansa First Class Terminal, and Cathay Pacific First Class (seat 2A and The Wing were my second homes).  I also took advantage of status matches to become top tier elite with Hyatt and Hilton. I traveled like a king without paying much, thanks to points.

As I visited more far-flung places, I fell in love with the more authentic, less touristy experience, such as hiking the edge of South America with a backpack and taking a slow train across Sri Lanka jam packed with smiling locals.  While the aspirational redemptions gave me giggles, the authentic experience made my heart feel complete. 

Nowadays, my travel is a mix of points-enabled pampering and backpacking-ish exploration. I love a clean hostel with good people as much as a 800 sqft suite in a five star hotel. I like both for different occasions. Airline miles are always good for the flatbed on those long hauls.

So…

Thanks for reading. Check back for more. Tell me if the blog is helpful or not (in time).

Ciao!