TravelStories Episode 49: Talking a World of Topics With Ryan Smith
Jan 1, 2025
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In this captivating discussion, Ryan Smith, a seasoned travel writer who has visited every country, shares his insights on the world of travel and points. He recounts his exhilarating first experience flying business class and dives into the allure of South America, sharing invaluable tips for savvy travelers. Ryan reflects on unique cultural encounters from his adventures in Nigeria and Bhutan, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse cultures. The conversation also tackles major shifts in the airline industry, providing an intriguing look into the future of travel.
Ryan Smith shares insights from his extensive travels, emphasizing the importance of authentic experiences and engaging with local cultures.
The podcast discusses significant disruptions in the travel writing industry due to major websites shutting down and changing market dynamics.
Shifts in airline loyalty programs and award redemption strategies are evolving, requiring travelers to adapt to new opportunities and challenges.
Ryan highlights the unique cultural experiences in Bhutan that reflect sustainability and personalized hospitality, showcasing a distinct approach to tourism.
Deep dives
Southwest Airlines and the Companion Pass Dilemma
The discussion highlights the concerns regarding Southwest Airlines' pricing strategy, particularly as it pertains to their companion pass program. While many travelers still prioritize Southwest due to its two free checked bags, others find better deals on competing airlines, urging a shift in loyalty. The hosts note that the company’s marketing strategy is clever, but there’s an anticipation that travelers will eventually reassess their choices. Especially with the companion pass set to expire, the desire for cheaper alternatives could lead to significant changes in customer behavior.
Impact of Recent Airline Website De-indexing
Recent events in the travel writing industry have led to significant turmoil, with several major sites like Forbes Advisor being de-indexed by Google for reputation abuses. This issue affects not only the websites but also the freelance writers and bloggers who depend on them for income. As a result, many writers face uncertainty about their future work prospects within the industry. The shifts may result in smaller websites gaining traction, as former competitors are removed from search rankings, prompting a reevaluation of the travel content landscape.
The Job Market Shake-Up for Travel Writers
The conversation uncovers the looming job market disruption among travel writers due to the recent closures of major websites. With many writers and freelancers now seeking opportunities in a shrinking market, there is speculation regarding how the redistribution of talent will reshape existing websites. This sudden influx of potential candidates could saturate the job market, making it more challenging for individuals to secure employment. The discussion emphasizes that while there are opportunities, the situation may create significant competition and instability.
Navigating the Changing Landscape of Award Redemptions
Attention is brought to the evolving strategies in the miles and points landscape, particularly regarding how programs manage award redemptions. As more airlines shift their models, the ability to navigate these changes is becoming increasingly complex. The hosts discuss the implications of shifts, including opportunities arising from stronger competitors and revamped loyalty programs. Notably, Alaska Airlines’ upcoming enhancements to their redemption process present a glimmer of hope for travelers looking to maximize their points.
Ryan Smith's Journey Across the Globe
Ryan shares his extensive travels to every country around the world, recounting his experiences and the insights gained from diverse cultures. His journey has led him to fascinating places, including a memorable night in Nigeria that involved attending an underground rap battle. He emphasizes the significance of engaging with locals for unique travel experiences, often discovering events and places not listed in guidebooks. This narrative captures the essence of authentic travel and the unexpected adventures awaiting those willing to explore.
Discovering the Unexpected in Travel
An exploration of unexpected cultural experiences leads to reflections on Ryan's visit to Bhutan, where he encountered an all-inclusive hotel offering tailored experiences. The personalized approach to wellness and hospitality epitomized the distinct cultural values of Bhutan, underscoring the importance of sustainability in tourism. Such experiences reveal the depth of travel, going beyond mere sightseeing to engaging with local customs and practices. Ryan's journey to Bhutan embodies the essence of discovering the heart of a place through genuine interactions.
Insider Insights on Travel Trends
As the podcast concludes, there's a keen interest in how travel trends, particularly airline policies, will evolve in years to come. Observations about shifts in loyalty programs and the evolving nature of travel resources indicate that consumers will need to stay adaptable. The hosts predict that as companies like Marriott and Alaska Airlines maneuver through changing landscapes, new opportunities will emerge for travelers seeking value. This forward-looking discussion encapsulates the dynamic nature of the travel industry and the importance of staying informed as trends begin to unfold.
In this episode, we welcome Ryan Smith, the news managing editor for upgraded points and a prolific writer published by Award Wallet, TPG, Forbes Advisor, and more. One of the things that makes Ryan special is that he is one of very few people on the planet who have visited every country in the world! Join us as Ryan shares his experience as a writer, traveler, and points and miles user over the years. You’ll learn what it was like for him to travel in business class for the first time before we unpack the airlines diversifying their fleets today. Ryan speaks to three major events in points and miles this year, and as someone with dual citizenship in Brazil, he shares why he recommends going to South America, especially if you have points and miles. We discuss memorable cultural experiences that Ryan has had and what has struck him most from traveling to places that are furthest away from his childhood experiences. We also dive into the details of his experiences in Nigeria and Bhutan, and what makes Bhutan so special. Join us today to hear all this and more!
Key Points From This Episode:
[00:54] An overview of which journalistic websites are shutting down and why.
[08:02] Context for Ryan’s work and where he first learned about points and miles.
[14:28] Why he recommends going to South America and what some barriers might be.
[19:18] The story of the first time he redeemed miles to fly in business class.
[26:38] Airlines diversifying their aircraft makes.
[33:30] Three major events in points and miles this year.
[44:57] The mechanism that Southwest has used to capitalize on sales.
[49:31] Ryan’s predictions for the rest of the year.
[57:14] Traveling to every country in the world and why Togo was the biggest challenge.
[01:08:45] What struck him about traveling to places that are different from where he grew up.
[01:14:50] How he ended up at the finals of the Best MC Rap Battle in Nigeria by accident.
[01:18:55] What it was like to visit Bhutan and what makes the country so exceptional.
[01:22:33] Bhutan’s visa and visitor’s fee and why you should visit as soon as possible!
[01:29:41] Ryan’s hot takes on Alaska and more.
[01:35:28] Thoughts on Bluesky and whether it will survive as a platform.
Quotes:
“The average – person might never meet someone who has been to every country, but you could go to a points and miles conference, and there might be three or four of us there.” — @RyanSmithTravel[58:51]
“I enjoy going to places – [where] it feels like, this place ain’t like where I grew up – That’s North Korea, that’s China, that’s Bhutan, that’s Madagascar. I grew up in Ohio outside Columbus and those places feel so different that it’s just really interesting.” — @RyanSmithTravel[01:08:12]
“I don’t want the concierge to send me where all the foreigners are going. I want the people who take the bus to work to tell me what’s something that I shouldn’t miss while I’m here.” — @RyanSmithTravel[01:15:29]
“[Bhutan doesn’t] worry about GDP. They worry about their Gross National Happiness.” — @RyanSmithTravel[01:19:00]
Post Production Note: We discussed LCCs possibly working with Apple Tours to add odd routes; this was actually wrong, it was Alaska that started St Louis and Kansas City to Mexico and is further discussed on Dots Lines and Destinations: https://moredotsmorelines.com/2024/07/18/dld-492-whoopsie/
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