Visit the Dominican Republic for $202

Posted on April 3, 2013 by wpengine

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You can probably tell that we live in a not-so tropical climate because we’re always talking about getting out of the cold.  You might find now to be early, but planning a trip to somewhere warm next year should start RIGHT NOW.  Today we’ll focus on how to visit the Dominican Republic for about $200 per person.

Accruing points and miles takes some time and patience.  You’ve got to book your trips early to ensure that you’re maximizing your miles.  That is why you shouldn’t wait until November to start looking into your trip for January.  There simply isn’t enough time.

Dominican Republic Sunrise

Boca Chica Sunrise

How do I Get to Visit the Dominican Republic for $202?

You’re normally looking at $600 for a trip to Hispanola.  This lowers the price by 66% of what most people are paying for their flights.  Everyone loves paying 33%, why don’t you?

First you’re going to need to score the The Frontier Airlines World MasterCard®. If you’re a couple, then you both need to get the card. We always advocate applying separately, because it doesn’t make any sense to share a huge frequent flyer bonus when you can each have one for your own. For more information about the card you can read an earlier post we did about the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard.

This card is going to offer you 40,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases in the first 90 days. Then up to 10,000 bonus miles on balance transfers (1 mile per $1 transferred) in the first 90 days . You pay off any charges immediately and don’t have to pay any interest- in fact, if you’re paying interest, you shouldn’t be doing this.

A visit to the Dominican Republic is only going to burn 30,000 of your EarlyReturns miles, which leaves you with 5K in the tank. You’ll have to be flexible to find the availability, but for that reason it is important that you’re starting this now for next year.

Here is a summary of your costs for the flight to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic:

  • $69 Annual Fee on Credit Card (Not Waived)
  • $103 Taxes (ouch)
  • $40 Baggage (1 checked bag each way)
  • = $202 Total

What Can I do in the Dominican Republic?

Visit the Dominican Republic

Rolling Tobacco leaves

Learn how cigars are made-  I know you’ve all wanted to smoke a Cuban.  Even our Mormon readers have probably thought about it.  Although these aren’t Cuban cigars, their tobacco is grown in a similar climate and they follow the same basic rules.  Certain tobacco leaves are designed for flavor, others for smell, and some for the outside.  This is all explained, by a professional, but it is incredible to watch them roll the cigars.

Learn about Christopher Columbus-  The Dominican Republic is the nucleus of Columbus.  Everything in Santo Domingo is named after the Italian born explorer who flew under the Spanish flag.  His attempt to find a faster way to the Orient “discovered” a new world.  His first of four voyages landed him on the island that we now know as Hispanola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  Check out a book at your local library and learn about him and the island before you head out.

Downtown HaitiBlow your mind with a trip to Haiti- Even a well seasoned traveler has come across some very poor circumstances.  Having visited 30 countries I’ve been to some very poor countries, but absolutely nowhere is comparable to the country of Haiti.  I lived in Paraguay for 2 years and I’d tell you that Paraguay is a palace compared to Haiti.  The earthquake definitely didn’t help the poverty, but definitely made it worse.  It will humble you more than a slice of humble pie.  My trip in 201o, post-earthquake, made me more grateful for my circumstances than anything else I’ve ever experienced.  

Beautiful Beaches- The Dominican Republic is definitely known for its beaches.  Spend a lot of your time relaxing on the beach.

Visit the dominican Republic

Cathedral of the Americas at Night

Visit the Oldest Cathedral in the Americas- My trip to the Dominican Republic was perfect in that they did a midday mass in the cathedral during the Semana Santa (Holy Week).  The cathedral was packed, and we were in the very back of the building, which  made it really hard to see what was happening.  Even though I’m not Catholic, it is incredible to see the first cathedral in the Americas.

Walk the Plank Zipline- There is an ecotourism resort in Samana, about 2 hours from Santo Domingo that is an incredible and inexpensive adventure.  Hike to waterfalls and isolated beaches, see how chocolate is made, feed the monkeys, and zipline through the jungle.  Check it out at http://walktheplankzipline.com/

Visiting the Dominican Republic is something that everyone should do in their life.  Why not do it for 33% of what it would normally cost you with The Frontier Airlines World MasterCard®?

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Free Hotel Hopping on a Tour of Great Britain

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Brad Christensen

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I was amazed to hear that one of our most diligent wanderlusting fans was surprised to learn of the incredible “Buy one free night – get one free night” deal that Club Carlson generously bestows on holders of its already generous rewards points card.

So, let’s get it out there [megaphone voice] “Attention everyone: Club Carlson Premier Visa Cardholders get the last night of their stay free.  What that means is that if you book one night (with the 97k points you’ll have including the 85k bonus and the 5x points you get while meeting the $2500 spending requirement) you’ll get the second night free!!!”

I know that even if I yelled it til I were blue in the face, it wouldn’t quite connect until you were able to see how it would work for you when making vacation plans.  We’ve done this already with our post about a Florida Family Vacation, but let’s go big this time… I’m taking you to the motherland. England.

Flights to England

Our favorite “free-way” to Europe right now is the American AAdvantage shoulder season rate of 40k AA points for a RT flight from the US.  You can generally get these flights in April and October… times fewer people travel, but those are amazingly gorgeous times to be in England.  You can get 40k AA points with the Citi AA cards.

Another option would be United, but even at the best points-rate, you’ll need to cough up 60k miles.  If you already have Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer them to United.

Delta will also cost you at least 60k.  If you just need to top off your account, you can get 30k with the Gold Delta Skymiles Card.

No matter how you do it, you’ll likely arrive in London in the early morning. You could also do this tour from Manchester(MAN) or Birmingham(BHX) if those flights happen to work better. We’ll assume you start and finish in London, which makes it a little easier.

Renting a Car

You can rent a car for 10 days in England for less than $250.  Many of our trips are centered around renting a car because we love the freedom it allows you to go at your own pace and discover things on your own.  Book with Autoslash.com or Expedia and keep checking back for better rates as you get closer.  Most car reservations don’t even require a credit card and thus are totally risk-free.

Yes, you will be driving on the left side of the road.  Isn’t that exciting? That’s part of what makes this such a fun adventure. The other part will be attempting to spend an entire day talking to your travel companion in a British accent.  You need simple joys like this because with a few exceptions, the food in England is bland.

Britain travel mapTour of Great Britain

What to do in Southampton

Bargate, part of the historic Southampton city wall (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Arriving in London early, you step inside your fuel-efficient rental car and hit the road. You’re headed for Southampton, which, among other historic notes, was the port from which the Titanic departed, where you’ll at least want to see:

After lunch, you’ll backtrack a bit to make a visit to Stonehenge. Stonehenge is on almost everyone’s bucket list… and for good reason.  We won’t enter into the debate about what the site is or isn’t… regardless, it is an impressive site of historical import and you have to see it. Now.

how to get to stonehenge

Take Stonehenge off your bucket list

Once you are done marveling at the mysteries of this site, head towards Cardiff, the capital of Wales, where you’ll stay the first two free nights at the Cardiff Park Inn, a category 3 hotel that will burn 28,000 of your 97k points for the two nights there.

Day 2

CardiffSpend it recouping from the drive on the first day.  You are in Wales, so you may even notice that some people are speaking Welsh. There are many ways to spend your time, but here are some ideas:

  • Cardiff Castle
  • Llandaff Cathedral
  • Historic Coal Exchange Building
  • Pierhead Building

Day 3 

You’re on the road again today, but it’s not too bad a drive.  You do want to get on the road early though.  Make a stop at Tintern Abbey – the subject of Wordsworth’s contemplation. It’s worth a look. Then head directly towards Bath where the main attraction is, not surprisingly, the Roman Baths. Yet that is hardly all there is to see.  In fact, you’ll spend the better part of the day here checking out some of these beauties:

  • The Roman Baths
  • The Bath Abbey
  • The Royal Crescent
  • Pulteney Bridge

That night you’ll arrive at the Birmingham Walsall Hotel, a category 1 hotel where it will cost you 9,000 of your free points to stay 2 nights. I know it feels like thievery… just enjoy it.

Day 4

Cannock Chase by Karel Varhaník (PhotosofEngland.com)

Cannock Chase by Karel Varhaník (PhotosofEngland.com)

Today you have your choice.  You can opt for the metropolitan center of Birmingham, where you’ll find a combination of history and modernity.  Or you can opt to escape the city and head for the Cannock Chase Forest – one of few undeveloped areas nearby.  There you can walk or bike the trails and discover a wilderness that has played host to many a werewolf sighting.

Day 5

After another free night stay, you’re on the move again – this time headed to Leigh, which is centered between Liverpool and Manchester. We’ll spend the first day in Liverpool, home of the Beatles. Here are a few things you should check out there:

  • A Beatles Tour
  • Speke Hall
  • Liverpool Cathedral
  • World Museum

When you’re all tuckered out, rest your head at the brand new Park Inn by Radisson Leigh. (15k points)

library

The reading room of John Rylands library – a cathedral to books

Day 6

Now, to have a look at Manchester. You may want to park on the outskirts and ride the Metro in.  There are many things to see in this town, but here are some highlights:

  • Manchester Town Hall
  • The People’s Museum
  • Old Trafford Stadium Tour (Soccer)
  • John Ryland’s Library

Back to Leigh to rest for tomorrow’s adventure.

Day 7

You’ll be in Nottingham tonight, so go ahead and let that invoke visions of Robin Hood.  That’s a great lead in, because en route to Nottingham we’ll take you by Sherwood Forest, which is just outside Mansfield.  There you can put yourself in the legend by visiting the Major Oak, an enormous oak tree which was Robin Hood’s main hideout.

If you happen to be there on a weekend, you can check out the Mansfield Marketplace – a 700 year-old tradition.

Or maybe you’re more of a literary fiend and you’d like to see Lord Byron’s hometown of Ravenshead, also nearby.

Either way, tonight you’ll land at the Park Inn by Radisson in Nottingham, where you’ll save yourself more than $220 on two nights for merely 15k of your CC points.

Day 8

Waking up in Nottingham, it might be nice to feel like you’re in a little smaller town.  You’ve got a full day ahead of you though.  Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

  • Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem Pub
  • Nottingham Castle
  • Caves of Nottingham
  • Mortimer’s Hole

Day 9 and 10 – London

So far you’ve stayed 8 free nights and spent 67k of your 97k bonus points from the Club Carlson Premier Visa.  That leaves 30k points left – just enough to get you two more nights in a historic hotel on the outskirts of London.  Club Carlson has the Park Inn by Radisson in Thurrock.  If you’re hoping to be right in the center of London, you could opt for the cash+points option and stay in one of their other fine properties.

I can’t even begin to tell you what you need to see in downtown London.  Nicole and I visited London several years ago and here were some of our favorites:

  • See the Crown Jewels and historic London at the Tower of London
  • Westminster Cathedral and Big Ben
  • Picadilly Square at night
  • See a show in the Queen’s Theatre
  • The British Museum

Two days is hardly enough to see London, and hopefully you’ll have time on this trip to stay even a little more.  Even if you don’t, you have countless memories from an incredible tour of Great Britain.

—

I hope you can grasp the amazing possibilities that are right there for the taking if you will just use your credit responsibly to obtain hotel and airline loyalty points that will open the door to the world for you.

I have a hard time even believing that I’ve just mapped out an 11-day tour of Great Britain with 10 absolutely free nights in hotels.  I know it sounds too good to be true, but read our “Doesn’t it Hurt My Credit” post and do some research on the subject.  We’ve been wanderlusting like this for more than 2 years and my only regret has been not getting an earlier start.

Finally, let’s get something straight… this is cool stuff and you don’t want to miss informative posts like this.  Why don’t you join hundreds of our other readers who subscribe to our posts by email?  You just type your email in the right sidebar and we’ll never abuse your information.

If you liked this post.  You’ll also like:

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Discovering New Zealand’s Greatest Cities

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Brad Christensen

This article is a guest post by our friends at Transfercar, a car rental Australia service that provides connects travelers with rental car relocation needs, enabling free rental car use between cities in Australia and New Zealand.  Keep an eye out for future posts on how to use their service in combination with hotel and airline points for more free travel ideas!

New Zealand’s Greatest Cities

New Zealand enjoys a reputation as one of the most beautiful countries in the world.  Whenever the subject comes up, however, most of the conversation turns to the stunning coastal areas, the beautiful sounds, the dense forests, or the awe-inspiring wine regions.

The cities of New Zealand unquestionably get a bum deal. They are some of the best on the planet, having to suffer only because the rest of the country is a cut above most other locations, too.

With that in mind, it is time to show some love to the very best cities in New Zealand, and remember that they, too, go a long way to making the country such a great one.

Wellington

New Zealand’s capital city calls itself the capital of cool. Is that a fair reflection or desperation for attention? We are happy to announce that they are definitely on the right track with that description. On a global level, too, not just in terms of New Zealand itself or the Southern Hemisphere.

Photo taken from Wellington Botanic Garden loo...

Photo taken from Wellington Botanic Garden lookout in Kelburn, Wellington, New Zealand, looking East. Wellington Cable Car parked over the maintenance pit at Kelburn station. Doors are open. Kelburn Park is undergoing resurfacing in preparation for Cricket season. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wellington Zoo and the Museum of New Zealand are both great places for culture and heritage while the Wellington Cable Car starts at the city’s main shopping street and heads high above it. For great views, the latter is somewhere you simply have to head.

Stay at the Cambridge Hotel, a stunning heritage building, and grab something to eat at the Boulcott Street Bistro. The city is right at the south of the North Island, perfect for taking the Cook Strait ferry to South Island.

Auckland

Alternatively, you might head to the top of North Island to Auckland, one of the most modern and desirable cities in the world. More than just a city, Auckland gives you access to stunning nature reserves, woodland, nature trails, and some of the most historic places in the whole country.

Auckland waterfront at night

Auckland waterfront at night (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Auckland is another great zoo city, but your first choice should be a trip to the observation deck of Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest building. While you’re there, have a dining experience with a difference, whether it is gourmet food or a simple sandwich and a coffee.

Sky City has a hotel, too, but The Langham is a great place to stay if you want to get away from spending all of your time in Auckland in one city.

Christchurch

You cannot do a ‘discover New Zealand’ piece and not talk about the South Island. Christchurch is our city of choice, especially given the work that has gone into rebuilding the city following 2010s devastating earthquake.

Make a trip to Christchurch all about the great outdoors, with botanical gardens, fountains, and open spaces almost everywhere you look. The Christchurch Art Gallery, with its distinct shape and mirrored exterior, is also a great place to head.

Stay at The George Hotel in the centre of the city. The food on offer there is divine, but to try something a little different head to Tiffany’s, just a short distance away.

You still have time to discover the countryside, glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and everything else that makes New Zealand great, too. Just don’t forget these amazing cities!

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Priority Club PointBreak

Posted on March 27, 2013 by wpengine

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Priority Club PointBreak is the most efficient way to use your Priority Club points.  You’ll recall that I recently scored 80,000 Priority Club Points in my most recent app-o-rama.  You can too by using the link found on Flyertalk.  Because this isn’t our link, we can’t guarantee that you’ll get the 80,000 but it is a pretty good shot because I just scored the deal about two months ago.

PointBreak Priority Club

Priority Club PointBreak

Here is the list of properties: Priority Club PointBreak

These deals continue through June 30, 2013.  So if you’re headed to one of these locations between now and the end of June, this is a great way to stay.

Your Chase Priority Club Visa card that gives you 80,000 would allow you to stay for 16 nights at these properties.  It makes me want to rent out my house for 1/2 a month and live in the hotel.  If that were possible, then you know I’d probably do it.  It just might be tough finding someone who is interested in renting a house for 16 days.  Maybe if I get my wife the card, and I get the card then we could rent out our house for a month.  Now we’re talking…

These hotels normally go for 10,000-50,000 points per night.  If you’re already headed to one of these locations it is like showing up at Cabela’s all ready to purchase that shotgun, only to realize that they’ve dropped the price by 85%.  That is my kind of sale!!  You won’t even have to think twice about staying there.

Amazing Avis Weekend Car Rental

Never have I seen a deal like this on Car rentals.  I don’t see it lasting very long because it is really too good to be true.  Use Coupon Code “TUEA002”

Weekend Car rental

Amazing Deal Alert

You’re reading that right. I booked a two night weekend car rental from my home town for $2.44. Not $24.44 or $244.44, but a measly two bucks and forty-four Abe’s. It isn’t everyday that you can find something like this, so it is worth jumping on. If you wanted to do a quick run to Vegas to visit your grandma (at least that’s the excuse that you tell your wife) then you can do it for less than a $5 footlong. It will keep you from putting the wear and tear on your own vehicle.

Please also note:  There is no road to rough for a rental car.

Booking the Deal

Make Sure you enter the Coupon Code!!

Reserve your rental car today and hope that Avis doesn’t try to claw back and take this deal away from you. It is very possible they realize the horrible mistake they’ve made and they try to cancel all of these. The deal ends on June 30th, so book now for any weekend between now and then and score this great deal.

 

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Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

Posted on March 22, 2013 by wpengine

Sometimes when I tell people that I’ve been to Vietnam and that I really enjoyed my time there they look at me like I have a (guaca)mole on my face.  The give the look like, who would ever want to visit Vietnam.  I guess growing up in my generation and not knowing much about the whole conflict has given me a different perspective on the country. One thing you can’t miss are the Cu Chi Tunnels. I can’t wait to go back!

Please Note:  I have the highest respects for anyone who spent time in the service in Vietnam.  We lost many great people in the conflict and I mourn for the losses that so many families experienced from that time frame.  A big thank you to all those who served and currently serve our country.  

Vietnam

Mekong Delta

Vietnamese Mangrove on the Mekong Delta

I know this isn’t a history class, nor do I profess to be an expert on the subject, but having been there gives me a more unique perspective than someone who hasn’t ever seen the terrain.

Vietnam is beautiful.  They’ve got amazing beaches, wonderful hillsides, and dense jungles.  For us to show up in their backyard and try to fight them is not an easy thing to do.  It is tough enough to win at your own game, but to play one that you don’t know very well is going to be tough.

The people of Cu Chi were a group of native Vietnamese who were basically sick of people trying to run their lives.  The Chinese had ruled over them for 3000 years.  Finally the French liberated them, only to then rule them and put a heavy influence on them for the following 300 years.

This sounds like a great time for the USA to show up and to try and tell the Vietnamese what to do…NOT. They were so sick of governing bodies that their willpower was stronger than that of my 1.5 year old.  Basically they wanted everyone else to leave them alone.  Ho Chi Minh rallies the troops and tells them that we’re trying to come in and dictate what they can and cannot do. We felt the effects of their bottled up anger that was ready to blow.

Seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels

Vietnam

Cu Chi Tunnel. I’m underneath there.

This has to be part of your vacation when visiting Vietnam.  Going there without visiting the tunnels would be missing out on a big part of history.  Many companies offer day tours of the tunnels and the traps that these people used to fight against our soldiers.

Don’t worry about breaking the bank either.  You’re in Southeast Asia.  These tours usually run between $10-25 for the trip which includes the bus ride.  I’m just not sure how they make money on the deal, but it is beautiful for you.  Bring along a big water bottle because this place is hotter than Hades.

Cu Chi vietnam

Pic a boo. I see you.

The People of the Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi people were very inginutative.  They lived roughly 40 kilometers from Saigon, as it was called at the time, but now it’s been renamed to Ho Chi Minh City.  There are tons of companies that offer day tours to the Cu Chi tunnels from HCMC.  Most of them will have a tour guide who speaks great English, and will explain everything regarding the tunnels.

Cu Chi tunnel

Cu Chi Tunnel Fake Entrance

They had fake entrances that would fool soldiers who mistakenly would think they had found an entrance to the tunnel.  Once they got to the dead end, someone was waiting there to take their life from another angle.

The Cu Chi people did everything underground.  They had hospitals that cared for the sick, homes, and even cooked underground.  Because helicopters were so prevalent during the conflict they knew that a smoking fire would direct a helicopter to the exact spot where the people were living.  For this reason they learned how to make fires underground and created a series of small rooms that were dedicated to absorbing the smoke from the fire.  When the smoke finally came from the ground it looked like this:

Underground kitchen

Cu Chi Underground Kitchen

This would even be tough for someone on the ground to notice.  This way they were able to avoid the bombs from the helicopters and continue to live their lives.

Other things to see at the Cu Chi Tunnels

As a part of the tour they’ll give you the chance to shoot some heavy artillery.  Each bullet will probably cost you between $1-10.  It isn’t cheap, but the gun fanatic might drool at the thought of shooting an AK47, or other guns reserved for war.

They’ll also show you other traps that the Cu Chi people built to stop the Americans from treading on their soil.  Because it was their home field advantage the camouflage was all natural.  They had things like this that were disguised by leaves and soil.

Trap

Sticking Trap

An American would step on the lever in the middle and the bamboo spines would stab them in the leg.  Not only would it hurt to be stabbed, but they would rub animal dung on the spines, so it would definitely cause an infection.  They were ruthless, and it makes me feel really bad for our soldiers.

Vietnam bombs

Leftover Artillery

Check out all of the artillery that are remnants from the war.  They’ve got all kinds of bombs, bullets, and other types of things that were used against them.  Fortunately they don’t have any agent orange laying around.

 

 

 

Why you should visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

I was super grateful to have visited the Cu Chi Tunnels.  It gave me a much more comprehensive perspective of what happened to our soldiers, and why the conflict was so controversial.  I’m grateful to all those who served and risked their lives, but definitely questioning the motives of those making the decisions.

Travel teaches things that the books don’t.  Nobody in high school showed me these pictures.  Having been there has taught me much more than I ever could have learned in the classroom.  I recommend you make the trip so you can see, feel, and experience so much more than you could any other way.

It will emotionally help you to understand why a soldier returning from Iraq might have some struggles.  We really need to show more appreciation for our men and women in uniform as they sacrifice so much for us.

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Travel- Do it While you’re young

Posted on March 20, 2013 by wpengine

Let’s be honest.  You don’t take enough vacations.  You’ve got a bucketful of excuses and you’re not afraid to use them.  You go through life wishing that you would travel more, but don’t do anything about it.  You’ve already accepted that you just won’t do it until later, or never.

Traveling while you’re young is the best time to travel.  The experiences that you have early in life will carry with you for the rest of your life.  Whether you’re visiting holy sites like Jerusalem, Mecca, Palmyra, or the Vatican or hiking the Himalayas, the Andes, or the Alps it is all worth it.   I’ve never regretted a trip that I’ve taken to date and I’ve visited 30 countries before 30.  You can do it.  Take courage from the smashed excuses below.  Open your eyes and make it happen: Travel while you’re young.

Beautiful lake

Banff Canada

Travel strengthens your relationship with your spouse

When was the last time you spent a week straight with your spouse?   It’s probably been……never.  Imagine how you could re-ignite the flame by spending more time together.  No children to stop your intimate encounters.  You’ll remember the time that you spent when you were dating and couldn’t get enough of each other. Now you just want to avoid each other.  Leave the computer at your desk, turn down the thermostat at your house, and go.

In the daily grind it becomes really easy to neglect your spouse whether it be with quality time, physical touch, or whatever the love language.  Too many people get to retirement, where they now are spending all day with their spouse and they end up in divorce after 40 years of marriage.  Don’t let that happen.  Book a trip together so you can keep the fire burning like the first time you set eyes upon him or her.

couple hiking

Loving Hikers

I don’t have very much vacation time

You’re probably right.  America feels like the No-Vacation Nation as we are cheated on our vacation time.  You’ll just have to look at the time that you do have and make the best of it.

We don’t have the money

(Used Car Salesman Voice) Oh man, do we have the deal for you.  JK.  That is why we created this blog.  We’re just ordinary guys who don’t make millions.  Our objective is to teach guys and girls like you to do what you think is out of reach, because it’s not.

If you haven’t been following our site, now is the time.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook. We’ll give you the travel tips and tricks that will lower the overall cost of your vacation by at least 50%.  In some cases we’ve been able to save 80% on our vacations from the normal costs.

Your children will survive with a babysitter

A little time away from the children is healthy. It’s good for them, and it’s good for you.  Start with a weekend away to test the waters if you need to start with something small. Work your way up to a longer trip.

Asking family to watch your kids is the most affordable way, but sometimes you might have to hire a nanny.  Imagine if you’ve got a parent who lives far away, there couldn’t be a better time for them to bond.  Use some frequent flyer miles to fly them out to your house (which won’t cost you anything) and they’ll love it.  Most grandparents I know would be more than willing to do this.   The best part is…it’s cheap!

Your health might not last

Let’s be honest.  Taking a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia at 75 doesn’t sound like reality.  Nor does taking the Eurorail and couchsurfing across Europe work for most people who are 72.  It’s not because their hearts are too young.  Their bodies are simply too old.  Some medical conditions don’t allow for the flexibility that travel requires.

I’ve got a friend whose husband is on dialysis.  They have a hard time going anywhere that is over an hour away.  You just never know medically what might happen to you.  For that reason it’s important to go when you know your health is good–right now!

If you don’t take your spouse traveling now, someone else might later

I know a lady whose husband worked hard his whole life.  He was approaching 65 and getting prepared for retirement.  They had worked and saved their entire lives for their retirement, and they were looking forward to the trips they would take as a couple and all the time they would spend together.  Everything seemed like it was going perfect.

About six months before he turned 65 she woke up morning next to her husband who had passed away in his sleep.  They never took those vacations they had always dreamed about.  All their preparation for the “twilight” of their life had been flushed down the toilet.

Just Do it

Take a deep breath.  Close your eyes.  Imagine that place you’ve always wanted to go.  Whether it’s the beach in Hawaii, the ruins of Machu Picchu, or the beauty of the Alps, it doesn’t matter.  Now tell yourself that you really can travel now.  If you’re not smiling, you’re not human.

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Starwood Preferred Guest American Express: More than just free hotels

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Brad Christensen

We have given you abundant reasons invite the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express into your wallet.  First, we lured you with the Exploring Europe Itinerary, that would take you from the canals of Venice, to Juliet’s Balcony, into the Alps, then on to Pisa and the Duomo of Florence.  Then, for the homebodies who fear attempting to speak to people in a non-native tongue, we invited you to take a loop through New England – we even made a video to make it easy for you to understand.  If that weren’t enough, we tempted you with an American History Tour, and then poured it on with posts about hotels in Orlando and even Indonesia.

My favorite part about the card was of course the big up front bonus that allowed me to take my boys to San Francisco for four free nights and still have 4 more to spare.  But beyond that, I have to say that I’m most excited about the low hurdle for me to rack up more and more benefits.  Starwood’s Category 2 redemption level is just 3,000 points on weekends and 4,000 points on weekdays.  What that means is that for every $3000 I charge on the card (in normal, everyday expenses, which I pay off in full and on time), I have another free night.  I like it so much, actually, that when I tried(halfheartedly) to cancel the card before the $65 annual fee, and they offered me 2,000 points to hang on, I whistled all the way to the bank.

I’ve started to get more and more serious about getting the business version of this card to begin to accrue Starpoints more seriously.  Why? Because in addition to all of the great free hotels I can stay at, there’s an exhaustive list of Starwood partner programs that I can transfer to and get a 25% bonus when I move points in 20k blocks. Here are some of my favorite transfer options.  I listed the ratio assuming we always transfer in 20k blocks.

Frequent Flyer Program Exchange Ratio (Starpoints : Miles)
Aeroplan/Air Canada 1:1.25
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan 1:1.25
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club 1:1.25
American Airlines AAdvantage 1:1.25 (Amazing value)
British Airways Executive Club 1:1.25
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles 1:1.25
Flying Blue 1:1.25
Hawaiian Airlines 1:1.25
LAN LANPASS 1:2.5(great for LatAm)
US Airways Dividend Miles 1:1.25
United Mileage Plus 2:1 (not usually worth it)
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1.25

To illustrate, I’ll just give you some ideas of what you could do with the 25k bonus plus the 5k (30k) you’ll get from meeting the minimum spending requirement ($5k in the first 6 months) by using your card to make only necessary purchases at a rate of $850-$1000 a month for the first 5-6 months you have the card.

Inca ruins

A great shot of Machu Picchu from our friends at www.1000fights.com

  1. To Machu Picchu from LAX – Move 27k of your Starpoints to LAN for a total of 64k LAN kilometros (points). 48k will get you roundtrip flights LAX/LIM and 16k will get you to and from Cuzco. (Thank you www.milez.biz)  Of course, it might be hard to get those flights all in one day, so use your remaining 3k Starpoints to book a free night in the Sheraton Lima Hotel. Did one credit card sign up bonus just get you to and from LAX to one of the premier tourist destinations on the planet? Yep, with a free hotel along the way. – See why we’re always smiling?
  2. Two RT flights in the US – American Airlines AAdvantage is likely my favorite Airline loyalty program. AA is especially generous to holders of their Citi AAdvantage cards, to whom they offer special reduced mileage bookings to specific destinations each quarter. You’ll need to be a Citi AAdvantage cardholder to pull this off (something we’d recommend anyway), but simply transfer the 30k Starpoints to your AAdvantage account and use the 35k points to book two 17.5k RT domestic tickets to any of the featured destinations.
  3. From Mainland US to Alaska – Alaska Airlines has partners that serve most major cities in the United States and they’d love to take you to Alaska for as little as 25k miles.  Lucky for you, your Starpoints will get them for you.  Just move 20k of your 30k Starpoints to Alaska Airlines and you’ll have the 25k to book a flight. What to do with the 10k remaining? I guess that’s up to you…

I’ve told you before that flexibility is the key to obtaining value with your points and miles. The Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints program is among the most flexible – an excellent way for you to accumulate free travel by making everyday purchases.

One last hint.  When you apply for this card, don’t do a joint application with your spouse.  Wait a few months until you’ve met your spending requirement, and make a separate application for them.  That way you double your bonus, double your free travel, and double your pleasure.

If there are any questions we can answer for you, please comment below.

As we’ve told you before, the beauty sharing these travel tips is that not only do you benefit from thousands of dollars in free travel, but we also get a small commission when you use our links.  You certainly don’t have to, but we love it when you do.

Thanks for always wanderlusting with us!

 

Posted in American Express, Citi, Starwood Preferred Guest | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment