{"id":4845,"date":"2013-08-05T07:30:10","date_gmt":"2013-08-05T13:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=4845"},"modified":"2016-06-14T10:23:05","modified_gmt":"2016-06-14T16:23:05","slug":"i-know-you-hav-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=4845","title":{"rendered":"“I Know You Have Skills – Get Three to Seattle for Under $150”"},"content":{"rendered":"

[As you know if you’ve been coming here for a while, we do make a little money when you apply for cards using some of the links on our site. \u00a0We have and will continue to share these travel trips regardless of whether we get paid and we want you to know that we’re in this not just to make a little money, but to help you travel the world for a fraction of a fraction of what you’d expect to pay. \u00a0Thanks to all who wanderlust with us!]<\/em><\/p>\n

A burgeoning WorldWanderluster texted me tonight. \u00a0He says, \u201d I know you have skills. \u00a0I need to get from Phoenix to Seattle.\u201d I say, \u201cNot a problem.\u201d He says, \u201cI can\u2019t pay more than $150.\u201d \u00a0I say, \u201cStill no problem.\u201d He says, \u201cThere are three of us\u2026 and a baby.\u201d I smile and say, \u201cYou\u2019re trying to stump me, aren\u2019t you? Not.a.problem.\u201d Then he says, \u201cWe need to go in 2 weeks.\u201d Me: \u201cProblem.\u201d<\/p>\n

You see, we do have skills. \u00a0In fact, we’re magic workers. We’ve helped people plan some incredible journeys, including an epic 11 flight, 9 country, 5k mile, $4800 mega South American journey all for a meager $800 in taxes and the frequent flyer miles from one credit card.<\/a>\u00a0 We work miracles, like the cruise you get paid to take<\/a>\u00a0and the Las Vegas getaway for $95 a person<\/a>. \u00a0Yet, if you want to see behind the curtain… if you want to us to fizzle and see our magic fail, just put us in a time crunch.<\/p>\n

\"Pike<\/a>

Pike Place Market in Seattle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)<\/p><\/div>\n

WorldWanderlusting is about being travel-spry. \u00a0It’s about being agile, nimble, anxious, willing and prepared to pounce. \u00a0We want you to have the points well before you ever need to call on them. \u00a0Dry powder. \u00a0Oil in your lantern. Pick your preferred metaphor… but what we’re saying is “Do all this now.”<\/p>\n

Yes, points can expire, but you won’t let them. \u00a0The moment you enlist in our WorldWanderlusting army, you become passionate about points. \u00a0You learn about them. \u00a0You know their efficiencies, you know their weaknesses. \u00a0You care for them like a newborn baby. \u00a0You will be attentive to them and suddenly the world will open its doors to you. \u00a0You’ll realize that you could go halfway around the world – or maybe even all the way. \u00a0You’ll find comfort in knowing that in thousands of cities around the world you could find comfort – in the form of a free hotel room.<\/p>\n

Now, I’m going to tell you how I would help my friend if he had a little more time before he needed to get to Seattle.<\/p>\n

The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Solution<\/h2>\n

For another day or two, Southwest is still offering its “2 RT flights” offer on the\u00a0Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0Premier Card<\/a>. \u00a0They promote it that way, but we WorldWanderlusters can be even more efficient – we can squeeze 3 RT flights out of that baby.<\/p>\n

\"wanna<\/p>\n

You see, what you actually wind up with after you pay the $99 annual fee and meet the spending requirement of $2000 in the first 3 months are 50k Rapid Reward points<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Southwest’s system is super friendly for those of us who are flexible with our travel plans. They just want 60 points for every dollar of the value of a Wanna Get Away fare. \u00a0What that means is that you can grab some flights for as little as 7,000 points each way.<\/p>\n

Let’s take a look at the PHX-SEA flight for example. \u00a0I very easily found direct, convenient flights to and from SEA at a rate of 7080 points each way. \u00a0Southwest charges a booking fee of $5 for each ticket, but they are gracious enough to also throw in free checked bags. \u00a0In the end, if my friend had already accumulated these points<\/span>, he’d only be spending 42,480 of his points, and $114 ($99 annual fee+$15 booking). He, his wife, his child, and baby would all be on their way to Seattle with ear-to-ear grins, plus he’d have almost 8k more points to play with for his next adventure.<\/p>\n

\"Southwest<\/p>\n

The Chase Ultimate Rewards Solution<\/h2>\n

Now, it’s time to try to make lemonade with these late-preparing lemons. \u00a0Even if he didn’t have the Rapid Rewards, if he had gotten going with some Ultimate Rewards, they could be easily transferred to Southwest<\/a>. \u00a0Alas, he has none of them, either.<\/p>\n

The Barclaycard US Airways Mastercard Solution<\/h2>\n

My next thought was to try US Airways, as it has a major hub there in Phoenix. \u00a0Luckily, they have a great offer right now on the Barclaycard US Airways MasterCard<\/a>– 30k points after you spend your first $1… he could get the card, spend a dollar, and have 1.5 free flights to Seattle…. but… the points may take too long to post. \u00a0It also gives you a $99 companion pass for up to 2 accompanying passengers – again, great for next time.<\/p>\n

The Barclaycard Arrival World Mastercard Solution<\/h2>\n

Now, I’m left with one final last-ditch effort to maintain my magician reputation. \u00a0I’m going to tell my friend to get the Barclaycard Arrival World MasterCard<\/a>. \u00a0We’ve been raving about it a lot lately, and with good reason. Why? \u00a0Well, the #1 reason is its flexibility. \u00a0It’s not as complicated as some of these others, requiring some knowledge of the exchange rates and how the programs work… it’s just simple:<\/p>\n