At the beginning of the week I shared some web stats and plans for a Million Reader Giveaway.
I only wish I had realized the traffic milestones earlier for this blog, I could have reached out to my favorite travel providers and asked them to help me celebrate… with promises of riches beyond readers’ wildest dreams elite status and points.
Instead, I’ve had to get creative with the sorts of things I’m able to offer on my own.
So here’s part one of the Million Reader Giveaway!
Prizes will include:
- (5) Milepoint premium packages (1000 United miles, Hilton Gold status, National Car Rental Executive status, and more)
- $200 Gift Cards
- Amazon Gift Cards
- Miles in your choice of several programs
- Amazon Gift Cards
I might even throw in elite status and a club membership with an airline. There will be at least 15 prizes in this round, and probably more in round 2!
It’s a bit of a grab back of most high value prizes, half of which will be given away randomly and half will be give away based on quality or usefulness of entry.
Here’s all you need to do:
- leave a comment in this thread sharing either your best travel-related tip or advice, or the most useful thing you’ve learned from this blog.
- Since quality is key (as half the prizes will be given out based on quality), you may enter as many times as you like.
- All entries for this round must be submitted as a comment to this post by Sunday 5pm Eastern.
Thank you very much — in advance for your tips and for reading and sharing along with me, all these years!
Now enter away…!
Best,
Gary
- You can join the 30,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals. Don’t miss out!
Make sure you always use an app like trip it or worldmate to keep track of your flights
Alternatively, many airlines/hotels have status challenges that you can do to accelerate your promotion to top tier status. I’ve done one with Starwood, now I’m staying there a lot. Will be doing one with Hyatt in the coming year.
Hang up and call back. If things aren’t going your way or you’ve run into an uninformed rep don’t hesitate to use this tip. Oh and be nice!
Flip most of your circuit breakers before leaving on an extended trip. Every plug in your house drains small amounts of electricity even if the device isn’t on. Turning most of your circuit breakers to off will save electricity and money (but you probably want to leave the fridge on!).
Use your smartphone to take pictures of the front and back of at least one credit card (AMEX provides travelers with free assistance in case of loss or theft) and save these on a cloud based email (hotmail, yahoomail or gmail) so that you can retrieve these in an emergency situation.
Keep track! If you’re not organized this hobby can cost you more than the benefits. Pay your bills on time. Make sure you know when your annual fees are going to hit. If you aren’t using a spreadsheet, mint.com, lastpass, a calendar, etc, START!
A Southwest Companion Pass for almost 2 years with just two credit card applications and a few points from Chase!
Its almost always worthwhile going after free points or status. You may not even know exactly why when you do it, but later there’ll be a reason.
The value of diversification!
As others have said, pack light. I’ve found that merino wool socks are great, because they don’t stink like cotton socks. Same with shirts made of merino wool (they don’t itch like other wool stuff). So if you don’t mind wearing the same thing a few days before washing them, they are great weight and time savers!
All points/miles aren’t equal. 12X Hilton Points is only worth about 5% since Hilton Points are only worth about .4 cents each.
Buy and use gift cards at Staples with your Chase Ink card.
Oh, and if you’re lucky enough to be traveling in business class on international flights be sure to plan for a shower in the lounge.
When I travelled from DFW-EWR-LHR-ADD-LUS the only thing that kept me going was a nice hot shower at Heathrow. Unfortunately I didn’t think to pack a change of clothes.
When applying for credit cards, its almost never a good idea to just go to the issuing companies web page since that’s almost never the best offer. Do your research! And if you don’t have time–use Gary’s list!
On any ‘flight deals’ or mistakes, act first, think later, as you’ll have 24 hours to cancel on domestic carriers.
Best lesson from this blog: earn and burn. In an age of rapid devaluation, investment in miles is not wise. Enjoy the rewards of your hard work!
Golden Rule. Follow the golden rule. Keeps me sane on the road, earns me genuine smiles when I return to a hotel or airline check-in desk, and means that I meat some great people along the way. Motto: Be nice.
Congratulations, Gary! This is a great reminder that you are well loved and respected. No pressure, though, despite a million people relying on you 😉
Now, how in blazes am I supposed to single out one piece of advice that is the most helpful from the past year and a half of reading your page?! There are too many, and I have learned a lot.
If I needed to pick one thing that I’ve learned, I would say it is to not be afraid. Don’t be afraid to use your credit as leverage for great vacations. Don’t be afraid to hang-up and call-back when an airline rep doesn’t provide the info or knowledge you need. Don’t be afraid to stretch for elite status and use it respectfully to make your time away from home more pleasant. Just don’t be afraid; because, the system is designed for these activities!
Again, thank you for a great blog! I look forward to your wisdom (and sometimes zaniness) each day. Your time is appreciated, which is why I am surprised you have not offered the best prize you could provide: lunch or dinner with you. dedicated one-on-one time for a new reader or one-time vet would be invaluable for gleaning advice and knowledge as well as forming a friendship. This is especially true if the reader isn’t able to make the seminars.
Thanks again, Gary!
For a long trip, I print out all my confirmations (airline, hotel, car, tour guides) and place them in a binder with dividing tabs.
Anytime a transaction is handled in a foreign currency, make sure to use a credit card that doesn’t charge transaction fees. This can save big bucks!
*meet. sorry. long week.
On leisure trips where I’m not overly concerned with my appearance, I often pack clothing otherwise headed for the Goodwill donation box. I’ll wear it on the trip one last time and then dispose of it locally. Leaves room in the suitcase for the flight back, and there’s less laundry to do once I’m home.
I just enjoy your writing style. So many good tips. Well done!
It never hurts to ask and be creative – I guess technically that’s 2 tips. But it’s true. When I first started flying – I took that middle seat in coach in row 44 on my international flight. I did that even though I had was working my way up the FF rank – and then finally – I just started asking – is it possible, would you mind, are you aware of any…and then it started to fall into place. I also started to really understand the value of those FF and CC miles and points – don’t waste ’em just because the system says it’s 125k to Europe – spend the time, get creative – it’s no different than cutting coupons before you go to the supermarket or buying something in a store because it’s 25% off. Be creative – it pays.
While I never believed it until I tried it a few times, rolling up your clothes when packing really does help save space and reduce wrinkles!
No matter what miles / points / cash back a particular credit card may offer, it could easily be negated by a foreign transaction fee. Always, always make sure to take your no transaction fee card(s) with you when traveling internationally and make sure one is a Visa/MasterCard!
Don’t horde your points and miles (or even judiciously save them), as devaluation is just around the corner. I’m now packing in award trips as fast as I can earn the miles.
Pack your clothes in 2 gal size ziploc bags and use a backpack instead of a giant suitcase. We travel with 50L Osprey packs for ~2 week trip to Europe. Keeping your clothes separate in the ziplocs makes them easy to sort/find and easy to compress.
Open a Schwab account for easy foreign currency access via ATM and so you can get the ATM fee rebates!
If you don’t want to stand in the chaos and wait for your gate-checked luggage on a regional jet, just sit in the first couple rows on the ramp side of the plane and watch for your bag to come, then just get up and grab it on your way through!
When in a country where you don’t speak the language, print out directions from the airport to your hotel.
Nothing is easier than being able to hand the driver the exact directions.
Thanks for offering prizes Gary, keep up the good blogging.
When I know I’ll be picking up souvenirs or gifts for family and friends when traveling, I pack all my clothes in a carry-on sized suitcase. The trick is to then pack that suitcase within a larger checked bag (you can always pad the smaller suitcase with a bottle or two of wine!) and then add in a few Travelon compression bags. When I arrive at my destination and pick up some exotic gifts, I can then pack my clothes in the compression bags (saving space), check the large suitcase with gifts, and then carry on my smaller suitcase or check it also.
For your spouse’s first trans-atlantic/pacific flight, DO NOT get seats in first class. I learned this the hard way – when given the option to go to Milan a few weeks ago for $200 in economy, my wife declined because her seat “wouldn’t recline completely flat…plus I refuse to take a long flight that has less than a 5-course meal.” I’ve spoiled her rotten and it’s all your fault Gary. Thanks a lot!
Be sure to inform your credit card companies of your travel plans before you leave the country – avoid unpleasant credit card denials due to suspected fraud!
You can now select your seat on Airtran flights booked through Southwest. A select your seat button now appears on the reservation for the Airtran segment on your online account. There is a fee for reserved seating prior to checkin. This does not affect Southwest segments.
Bring an old, unlocked phone with you. SIM cards are very cheap in most countries and are great for staying in touch with your traveling companions.
Always keep your loyalty cards handy.
After booking and ticketing your award ticket, call each partner airline individually and confirm that you are actually ticketed and confirmed on that particular carrier. Also, be sure to obtain their record locator number as well – you may need it at check-in.
Avoid the all so common award ticketing glitches that occur with partner airlines!
When traveling to a foreign country bring ONE outlet adapter and ONE power strip….that way you can plug all your gadgets into the strip!
When travelling abroad or on a more adventurous journey, keep a $50 bill folded up between the under sole and bottom of your shoe. Even if you have to exchange in local currency in case of an emergency – you always have money on you.
I just came back from Europe – always have a scan of your passport; carry an Internet device (ipad or similar) to check flight status from anywhere in most airports; and always be there early for security!
Congrats Gary and thank you for sharing your wisdom with us! As I have the opportunity to travel more, I continue to remind myself to enjoy and experience the destination, not just the journey. Find out what it means to be a local at your destination and get to know what it’s like to live there. Forego the touristy spots and find where the locals go.
Use the $200 amex platinum travel refund credit.
Use a shopping portal + a reward based credit card when making purchases online to maximize your bonus points/cash back return!
Just go places! 100+ countries in, and it is absolutely clear that the greatest danger is from bad bus drivers, not terrorism or anything similar.
Don’t try to do everything there is to do in a city or place. Find a few things that will give you pleasure and do those, that will create lasting memories.
And do your best to speak the language, the locals always appreciate it much more than forcing them to understand English!
The most useful thing I get from this blog is to stay up to date with deals, offers, mistakes, etc.
The best thing I’ve learned from this blog was the Turkish Airlines status match for domestic access to the United Club. Thanks Gary, and congrats on your big milestone!
Wow. There are a ton of comments here. When I travel with suits or jackets, the first thing I do is hang them in the hotel shower and turn the water on hot for a nice long steam. It works great.