Halloween Episode – Travel Horror Stories Episode 20: Show Notes While it may not be horror like Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers, today’s episode will definitely send chills down the spines of travelers as we share our experiences of when travel went horribly wrong. It’s easy to fall victim to scams in foreign countries as your unfamiliarity with the region makes you stick out as a prime target. So, we begin our conversation by assessing some scams to be wary of during your travels, including transportation disasters that could’ve been avoided with the right knowledge. Then, we discuss how theft is more common at airports than we may think, how to travel with money in a safe way,, and all the debacles we’ve experienced with layovers and missed flights. Finally, we’re given a quick lesson in devaluation and why you should always book first and ask questions later, before ending with a shoutout to the SkyMiles frenzy of September 2023.  Key Points From This Episode: [01:01] Travel scams to be wary of. [03:36] How Thomas was duped by a taxi driver in Shanghai.  [05:49] Avoiding disaster in Doha. [07:00] How to evade being scammed by transportation services. [10:35] Daylight robbery in Europe. [15:35] What to look out for regarding theft in foreign airports, and some travel money tips. [20:30] Problems we’ve encountered just before takeoff, and the trouble of MCTs. [27:51] The TAM Lounge in Rio de Janeiro, and the layover debacle that followed. [32:20] Why you should always be flexible and provide booking agents with multiple options. [33:15] More layover horror stories.  [42:38] How Tom missed his first-ever transatlantic flight. [45:18] A lesson in devaluation. [48:18] An honorable mention of the SkyMiles craziness from earlier this year. Quotes: “These are some of the things where hopefully people can learn from some of our mistakes. It’s not all perfect; you don’t get to be an experienced travel person [without] encountering some travails.” — @TktweetsKim [0:47] “I think the problem with us in particular is that airport’s are our second home. For some of us, this is the area where we thrive and we enjoy it. So sometimes, you have to calibrate a little – you can still enjoy the place, just have your eyes and ears open.” — @TktweetsKim [20:13] “Be flexible; learn from your mistakes; learn from all these bad experiences and hopefully you don’t repeat them.” — @TktweetsKim [45:10] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Delta  Alaska Airlines  LATAM Airlines Air Canada  Air France  Episode 27 - Alaska breaks Trevor's heart  Emirates  SkyMiles  The Milenomics Podcast Network Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 19: Show Notes. This week we talk all about the Maldives. Join the conversation as we take a deep dive into Trevor’s recent family trip to the Maldives, including a detailed look at his flights to and from, his thoughts on Virgin Atlantic food, and hear him tell about the worst mistake (of the entire trip!) he made. With a bit of strategic thinking, we dive into the primary topic of the episode with all things about the Maldivian experience. Trevor chronicles their experience with the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, from the butler at the airport to the welcome at the hotel, and more! He highlights why the overwater villa was the best redemption (of points) he’s ever made, recounts the champagne sabering tradition, and shares other uniquely Maldivian experiences. In essence, the Maldives offers a foolproof recipe of unparalleled natural beauty, luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, and serene tranquility that makes it an extraordinary destination for an unforgettable vacation! Tune in now to find out more! Key Points From This Episode: [00:00:17] Our topic for this week’s episode: The Maldives! [00:00:50] The structure of week’s episode. [00:01:20] We jump right in and discuss the flight (and travel) options.  [00:03:15] Trevor highlights his experience flying from Newark to Singapore. [00:04:00] Bulkhead or bust: the difference a bulkhead makes in when flying most Singapore aircraft. [00:06:30] The food, flight attendants, and IFE. [00:07:00] Thoughts on non-stop or stopovers, if they had to do it again. [00:08:55] The next leg: Singapore to Maldives. [00:09:15] The flight options back home and what they ended up doing. [00:11:11] Using some Travel Hacker cred.  [00:12:40] The cost of an upgrade (which they did at the terminal). [00:14:10] He talks about their overnight in Mumbai and the flight with Virgin Atlantic. [00:17:35] Dealing with unruly passengers. [00:18:30] The food on Virgin Atlantic from India (‘Virgin Atlantic: In-Flight Food’)! [00:20:00] The worst mistake of his entire trip: skipping a meal. [00:21:15] A quick note on cabin crew on Virgin Atlantic. [00:22:00] Moving on to the main event! The Maldives. [00:22:59] The reason Trevor decided to do the Maldives, now. [00:23:20] Why the Sheraton is not the Maldives experience. [00:24:30] Trevor chronicles their experience with the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. [00:27:14] He equates the experience to the first season of The White Lotus. [00:27:22] More about their arrival and Welcome at the hotel (and the kids club offerings!) [00:27:40] The “Stuffed Animal” and why it makes the best kind of advertising. [00:29:30] The overwater villa: the best redemption Trevor has ever made.  [00:31:30] A compliment to the staff in Maldives and the charm it adds. [00:33:00] More about the amenities and activities on the island. [00:34:15] The recipe that makes for an amazing Maldives vacation (according to Tim!) [00:35:23] The St. Regis tradition: a champagne sabering ceremony. [00:36:59] His overall experience: a feeling of overwhelm. [00:37:15] Other special, and uniquely Maldives, experiences. [00:41:00] The Maldives as a Mecca for Miles and Points people. [00:42:35] Realizing that a vacation to the Maldives will be expensive. [00:45:55] Guess the fare! Quotes: “[The Maldives] is one of those places where you don’t kno

We're doing things a little different with today's episode. You'll notice that at the top of this episode we call out episode 206 (not Episode 68). This conversation took place as the first 20 or so minutes of our subscriber podcast episode 206. Robert and I discussed it after we released that full episode and we're cutting just this conversation into a mini episode here today. Enjoy! 0:21 Status Match Opportunities JetBlue (Direct Link) Capped at 30,000 applicants with Delta Medallion status Matched status last [only] through end of 2023 *unless* you have Barclays JetBlue card -or- accrue enough pro-rated Tiles to requalify Detailed info on Mosaic nuances are hard to discern from JetBlue (Mosaic info page) and the latest iteration of the program is so new it seems not many people have really kicked the tires on it. So I asked them some questions on Twitter. Companions: Up to 8 people on an itinerary can get free same day changes and complimentary Even More Space seats at check-in (Mosaic Level 2) or booking (Mosaic Level 3). 8 is better than 2 with Delta! Move to Mint upgrade certs: Can only use 2 per itinerary. If you have more than 2 people on the itinerary, nobody gets upgraded, even if you have adequate certs. Processes at check-in if Mint seats are open. Kinda lame if you ask me. Mosaic 3 includes…wait for it..Founders Card Blue! I thought the idea with Founders card is that it provides perks for travel programs, but this is the other way around? These programs are starting to circle back on themselves. Get this: If FoundersCard identifies you as a prior member they deny the membership and try to sell you a renewal. What an operation. Move to Mint certs expire earned through this expire Dec 2023. Can’t get Barclays credit card so I’d need 24 Tiles by the end of 2023 to requalify. That’s $2,400 spent on JetBlue flights, vacations, or Paisly (ugh). Alaska (Direct Link) Pretty generous mapping and all you have to do to keep status through 2024 is have a BofA Alaska Visa Far out upgrades, certs, reciprocal benefits with AA/OneWorld - I’m interested. “A member may only receive one status match for the lifetime of their account.” Will they enforce this? Is it time to allow them to create a new Alaska account for me when I apply for a BoA business card? Hmm…

Episode 18: Show Notes Summer is drew to a close, but the adventures are far from over. Join us as we finish the summer with two very different trips. From airport lounges to ancient pyramids, from gourmet dining to high-seas adventure, this episode has it all. In our conversation, Trevor recounts his Lima trip. He also gives us the lowdown on the JW Marriott Hotel in Lima and why it's the second JW Marriott to have an excellent soft product but perhaps not the greatest hard product. Next, Tom takes us on his flight to London, describing the cabin and crew that made his journey memorable, to his pre-cruise adventure in London. Discover what makes the Anthem of the Seas cruise special as Tom shares highlights from the trip and favorite ports visited along the way. Tune in, pack your bags (mentally, at least), and get ready for a travel experience like no other in this episode of the Travel Stories Podcast! Key Points From This Episode: [01:00] Delta Sky Club offerings and why it is our first choice. [06:45] Trevor’s Lima trip, the food. [10:49] The JW Marriott Hotel in Lima. [13:48] Why Lima left Trevor underwhelmed and what he appreciated about the hotel. [19:48] Hear Trevor’s experience and opinion of Delta Sky Club. [20:40] Tom’s flight to London and what he liked about the cabin and crew. [24:45] His pre-cruise London adventure and stay at the St Giles London Hotel. [27:52] Anthem of the Seas cruise, what to do onboard, and fine dining. [31:30] How to get the most out of your points and miles on a cruise. [30:22] Disappointments regarding food choice and how cruises have changed. [32:28] Favourite ports along the cruise and Tom’s overall experience. [41:29] Lessons from Terminal 3 at Heathrow airport. [43:30] Another round of ‘Guess the Fare!’ Quotes: “You know what? Not every trip is a home run.” — @Tmount [14:15] “[Virgin Atlantic] is definitely one of those airlines where if you are light on miles but you have a little bit of extra cash to throw around it is pretty good value.” — @TktweetsKim [23:16] “Remember to have your platinum cards ready for all your guests [when at Heathrow airport], unless you want to pay extra.” — @TktweetsKim [42:19] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Delta Sky Club The Centurion Network  Episode 8: Epic Guys Trip JW Marriott Hotel Lima Virgin Atlantic St Giles London Hotel Anthem of the Seas  Milenomics Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

Annual Guys Trip to Rio Episode 17: Show Notes. We’ve recently returned from our second annual guys trip, and we’re feeling “Braziliant!” Last year, we headed to Manila, and this time we spent the weekend in Rio de Janeiro. This trip had a few “firsts” for us, including Tom’s first time flying United Polaris and both of our first times flying Air Canada. When traveling, there’s usually a trade-off between time and money, and for this vacation, we were willing to fork out a little bit of extra cash to enhance our experiences, and it was well worth it! From the pros and cons of our outward and homeward bound trips, to the night we closed all the bars in our vicinity, to the jam-packed day of sightseeing that was made all the more memorable thanks to our private tour guide, tune in today to hear why Rio is definitely a place that we will be visiting again (and again!).  Key Points From This Episode: [00:55] How our recent guys trip to Rio de Janeiro came about.  [02:04] Our experience of the Polaris Lounge. [04:48] The plane that flew us to Rio.   [06:28] Why we refer to this trip as “A Tale of Two Flight Attendants.” [09:02] Pros and cons of São Paulo International Airport.  [14:04] Money-saving hacks to use when traveling in Brazil. [16:07] Advantages of staying at the JW Marriott Copacabana Hotel in Rio.  [19:36] The night where we closed down all the bars in our vicinity. [20:37] Benefits of taking a Viator tour when you are visiting a new city and the sites that our guide took us to.  [26:47] Brazil’s national cocktail.  [28:32] Why we opted for the premium tickets for our Sugarloaf excursion.  [31:13] The atmosphere at the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro and how it compared to our time at the JW Marriott. [33:54] An overview of our homeward-bound trip on Air Canada. [39:12] Why Rio is a perfect weekend destination.  Quotes: “I called this flight, ‘The Tale of Two Flight Attendants.’” — @TktweetsKim [6:28] “We closed down the lounge, then we closed down the rooftop bar, then we closed down the lobby bar, and then we went across the street to a beach bar and closed that down.” — @TktweetsKim [19:46] “You can either trade time or money. This was definitely a trip where we really did trade money to get a better experience and to better be able to leverage our limited time in Rio.” — @tmount [21:40] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: United Polaris JW Marriott Copacabana Hotel Viator Christ the Redeemer Sugarloaf Escadaria Selarón

Episode 16: Show Notes. Award booking is often a combination of haphazard gyrations and creative problem-solving to find the fares that you are happy with and that makes it worth traveling! In this week’s episode, we take the time to discuss our personal experiences and share thoughts on some of the awards-booking search tools we’ve explored lately, including AwardLogic, Point.me, PointsYeah, and many more. We then jump in and talk about the recent trips we booked (to Australia and Brazil) using our miles, discussing both flights and hotels and why we made the different (and multiple) tweaks throughout the process. Join the conversation as we share our thoughts and ideas on what works for us and how we approach award booking. Start listening now!   Key Points From This Episode: [00:20] What’s expected in this week’s episode. [01:00] Our thoughts on some of the new available booking tools. [02:55] Awards search tool comparison and the blindspots of these tools. [08:19] Why we don’t fully trust these tools. [08:45] What makes these tools useful. [10:30] A recap of the tools we’ve already discussed. [12:20] We continue with the tool comparison: starting with seats.aero. [12:45] How Trevor is using ChatGPT alongside some of these tools. [15:00] Our thoughts on PointsYeah and Skypesos. [17:49] Trevor’s power tool. [18:20] We talk about domestic bookings (as they relate to the search tools). [19:00] Things that have helped the most, according to Thomas. [20:20] We explore Thirfty, Straight to the Points, The Flight Deal, and more. [22:00] Looking at the Wikipedia pages for Dulles Airport and how that factored in. [22:25] We pivot and discuss our travel planning for Rio: a fun story. [24:56] Rio: our flights. [26:35] A lightbulb moment for Trevor regarding excise tax. [29:30] The final flight plan (after many tweaks). [32:20] Rio: our hotels. [36:25] Cash plus points option. [38:20] We talk about hotels in relation to airport location and our final decision on hotels. [39:17] Jumping into Thomas’ Australia trip. [41:20] Getting to Sydney, AUS with awards: The (possible) Unicorn. [49:00] This week’s Guess the Fare! Tweetables: “What I found with these tools is, you really do need to have a whole bunch of them in your arsenal.” — @tmount [0:02:10] “For me, a lot of these tools, I ultimately don’t trust them.” — @TktweetsKim [0:08:12] “The [search] tools, I find, are useful in going from scatter-shop to hand-grenades to being able to narrow in.” — @tmount [0:08:45] “We’ve mentioned again, time and time again, [that] miles and award points are a very inflationary currency.” — @TktweetsKim [0:11:19] “It’s good to know that these [search] tools exist because it’s not only about doing your own searches, it’s about getting ideas from these different newsletters and other people who are award-booking all the time, or in the community, and know or have certain tips that they can share with us.” — @TktweetsKim [0:21:30] “Sydney is definitely one of the hardest places to fly on rewards tickets to these days.” — @TktweetsKim [0:41:17] “Sometimes you find the fare you are comfort

Episode 15: Show Notes. Today we have a great summer catch-up, rounding up all the flights we have taken and destinations we have visited recently! We talk flights, hotels, cruise ships, river boat cruises, penguins, and more! Trevor unpacks his Greek Isles cruise, and the highs and lows, to include far, far more than normal travel gaffs! We touch on Mykonos' iconic color palette, and when he would like to return in the future. We then get to hear from Tom about his time in South Africa, where he visited Cape Town and then Zimbabwe, where he visited Victoria Falls, the great food he ate, and the majesty of the impressive feats of nature! From the wildlife to the weather, the trip was mostly a really memorable one. Perhaps more humorously, both Trevor and Tom’s way home was overly long, so make sure to stick around to hear all about the unnecessary layovers and over-packed lounges! Key Points From This Episode: [02:40] Trevor's recent trip and reflections on connecting airports, customs, hotel bookings, and more. [08:36] The different levels of service available on cruise liners and their biggest signifiers. [12:08] More gaffs and faux pas in Piraeus, Athens, and the stereotypical beauty of Mykonos. [17:39] The last stop in Greece, wandering around an island and enjoying its gelato. [24:35] Tom talks about his departure from Dulles Airport and his disappointment with the lounges. [28:00] Why you should never compare first class and business class! [32:10] Tom's stop in Cape Town, South Africa, penguins, and affordable fine dining. [34:22] A little about the history of Robben Island and Tom's experience taking the ferry. [37:50] Flying to Victoria Falls and the perfect weather in Zimbabwe at this time of year. [43:18] New Visa requirements and reasons to always carry one of the major currencies. [47:15] Tom's return journey and why it took so long. [55:04] Delicious Ethiopian flavors and the food that was served in the lounges and flights. [1:03:18] This week's round of 'Guess the Fare!’ Tweetables: “We'll go back to Athens, but I think we'll wait until our daughter is old enough to enjoy it.” — @tmount [14:31] “Some people make their own serendipity, I guess.” — @TktweetsKim [17:34] “South Africa, and Cape Town in particular, has a very Mediterranean, almost California-esque climate.” — @tmount [33:49] “I would say that Victoria Falls impresses quite a bit more than Niagara.” — @TktweetsKim [38:37] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Qatar Airways Lufthansa  Nelson Mandela South African Airways  Ethiopian Airlines Milenomics Thomas Kim on Twitter Trevor Mountcastle on Twitter

We're back with a chat about Sam's 2023 summer trip to Japan.   0:34 Overview: 14 days, spent as follows: 5 nights in Kyoto at Mimaru Apartment hotel. 430 square foot. Not spacious but good for a family of 4. 2 nights in Hiroshima at the Hilton Hiroshima: One bedroom suite booked with points (90k per night). Very new hotel, opened in 2022. 5 Nights Ishigaki island near Yonehara beach. Car rental 2 nights in Tokyo at another Mimaru in their pokemon room Robert's previous trip report (required listening) 04:37 Travel: JL from LAX nonstop to Kyoto Pickup from the airport (Booked on Klook.com) worked really well Used the "Visit Japan Web" site to generate QR codes before landing. Be sure to make a QR code for each person (for immigration) and one per family for customs. 08:09 Kyoto: Transit was difficult Not easy for us. Lack of numbers and signage really chewed us up. BUSY stations with people who definitely knew what they were doing. Helpful staff–but still difficult to execute train to train transfers Local vs. Express was not well signed. Got easier when we limited ourselves to busses + a single train. Busses in general were easier and better in Kyoto (can see the city as they Drive). Would take a cab directly to the bus stop. 15:51 Universal Studios: Brutal to get to. Issues with kids and trains. But once there, small size and express pass made the day a complete success. Conflicting information about swapping rides–but we were able to swap for different rides than those listed on our express passes (but not different times) Lines are crazy long, express pass is a must.  We bought a 4 ride pass due to height restrictions limiting possible rides, but 7 ride passes were not much more. The Mario Water party parade was fantastic and over the top. Japanese to the max and loved by my kids. Super Mario World is incredible. The kids had a blast, we spent about 6 hours at the park, just enough time in my opinion. Getting home to Kyoto was equally brutal. The train line leaving Universal encountered a full stop due to a train on the loop hitting a passenger. 30:10 Cabs: We took so Many and They Saved Us Combination of lots of walking and young kids meant we needed to use cabs. We were 'close' to multiple train stations and bus stops. But the walking before, during and after sightseeing meant cabs were the way we extended days. Uber app worked well in Kyoto/Hiroshima to call cabs. In Tokyo we had to be careful--there was a 300-500 yen pickup fee plus the meter -- lots of times the uber black fare was less. Uber black cars are the nicest possible car I've ever been in. Loved these in Tokyo. 38:40 Kyoto to Hiroshima with Luggage: Train travel Gion Matsuri in Kyoto made the train station packed. Train runs nearly every 20 minutes. Amazing. Kiosk did not work with CC and I couldn't get 3 seats together (with luggage access). Pivoted to a desk agent who

A Milestone Trip with Joe Petrovic Episode 14: Show Notes. We welcome Joe Petrovic from Award Travel 101 to the podcast, to talk about how he used his miles and points to take him and his father on a first-class strip to Croatia. Before speaking about his special trip, Joe explains how he got into the rewards game and what he did to become an expert and the value of meet-ups. Then, we discuss the magnanimity of loyalty programs and how it’s impossible to know and understand every single one, the importance of community and multiple perspectives, the brilliance of imperfection, and the ins and outs of Joe’s memorable trip to Croatia. He reflects on a unique Emirates experience, and he goes into detail about everything he loved from his first-class trip both in the air and on the ground. We end the show with the second edition of our new game, Guess the Fare, so tune in to see if you can guess the right price of today’s fictional trip!          Key Points From This Episode: [00:19] Introducing Award Travel 101’s Joe Petrovic, and how he got into miles and points. [02:15] How Joe became an expert in miles and points.  [10:26] Why it's impossible to know every single rewards program and/or mileage currency.  [12:10] How attending conferences helped Joe to level up, and the importance of community. [17:31] The role that Joe’s personality played in him learning the game as quickly as he did.  [20:30] How having multiple perspectives speeds up the problem-solving process.   [21:34] Joe describes his travel style.   [26:04] How striving for good enough is better than seeking perfection.   [27:01] The ins and outs of the milestone trip that he took with his dad to Croatia.  [32:17] How long in advance he tracked prospective routes before booking his trip.   [35:49] Joe's Emirates experience.   [40:32] The highlights and stand-out moments of Joe’s first-class air travel adventure.   [42:20] Exploring the perception of space on airlines, and a love for first-class amenities. [43:20] What he enjoyed the most from his time on the ground during his milestone trip. [47:58] How travel can give you a new appreciation for your home country.  [50:52] Joe’s advice for mileage seekers and prospective travelers: keep asking questions.    [52:46] We end this episode with the second edition of our little game show, Guess the Fare.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Joseph Petrovic on Twitter Award Travel 101  Award Travel 101 on Facebook Award Travel 101 on Instagram Award Travel 101 Podcast  Award Travel 101 8-Step Free Mini-Course  Award Travel 101 Milestone Trip  United Airlines  Thomas Kim on Twitter Trevor Mountcastle on Twitter

Talking All Things with Michael Trager and ZorkFest Episode 13: Show Notes. This week, on our lucky Episode 13, we welcome Michael Trager from TravelZork. We sit down and hear from Michael about his comical, but just as incredible, TWA story, and how he got into revenue luxury travel. We discuss all things related to rewards credit cards, the 5/24 rule, and what we like and dislike about loyalty points. We also include a quick game, called Guess the Fare and hear about Michael’s best-ever aggressively priced airfare. Michael then tells us, and listeners, all about what they can look forward to for the upcoming ZorkFest 2023, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. It’s going to be October 13-14, and is a mix of gambling and casino topics, points and miles discussions including featured guests, and their no BS approach that combines practical and expert advice for both travel and casino loyalty, and so much more. Don’t miss out on this great episode, with our knowledgeable guest, Michael Trager.   Key Points From This Episode: [00:00:20] An introduction to our guest on this week’s episode. [00:01:08] More about Michael Trager; a self-introduction, if you will. [00:03:50] His incredible TWA story. [00:06:30] Michael tells us about doing revenue luxury travel. [00:11:00] He tells us about his new American Airlines AAdvantage credit card. [00:13:30] We discuss the 5/24 Rule. [00:17:30] The art of calculating points, rewards, and the game of it. [00:19:15] What we like about AA loyalty points. [00:20:42] A quick tangent on TSA pre-checkpoints. [00:21:45] We close the segment with a game: Guess the Fare? [00:31:00] Booking an itinerary and thinking outside the fare. [00:31:45] Michael’s best ever “aggressively priced” airfare. [00:33:28] The problem with people, according to Michael (when booking fares). [00:36:30] Why you should ‘let it sit’ for a while. [00:39:30] Michael’s spiel on airport lounges. [00:42:00] We talk about ZorkFest 2023. [00:49:58] A quick tip on flying to ZorkFest 2023. [00:50:05] Where to find Travel Zork and Michael Trager. Tweetables: “But, remember, if you get a credit card you should always start with Chase, and you should be very aware of 5/24.” — @TravelZork [0:13:12] “I think AA as a partner is very strong because you have so few paths to accumulate AA miles and I still find AA miles to be quite valuable.” — @TravelZork [0:15:50] “This is the problem with people [when buying airfare] — they’re impatient.” — @TravelZork [0:33:27] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michael Trager on LinkedIn Michael Trager on Twitter Zorkfest 2023 TravelZork Travel - Inquire & Book - VIP SERVICE American Advantage Marriot Bonvoy La Première Air France AA Credit Cards Patreon