I thought I would share a list of ideas for future blog posts. My travels have been limited to North America and Europe so much of the content will be influenced by those experiences and interests. Points and miles also figure heavily in my travel research and planning so those topics will appear frequently. I hope to highlight as many good airfare deals and loyalty program promotions as is feasible along with some assessment of their value. These are in no particular order…
Non-Stops to Europe From Halifax
The grounding of the 737 Max 8 has affected the options for flying to Europe from Halifax and it’s yet to be seen how that will play out as the year goes on. I plan to compile a list of the current options for flying non-stop to Europe from Halifax and note what good fares are currently available.
Nested Aeroplan Itinerary
Next week my mother and I will depart on the third and final portion of our nested Aeroplan trip. We made two redemptions that resulted in three separate vacations. This was due to the generous stopover options with Aeroplan that allowed us to use Halifax (our home airport) as an extended break in the journey.
Saving for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World
My brother and I plan to visit the new Star Wars land in Disney World in Orlando sometime in 2020. A Disney vacation is an expensive proposition to begin with, but adding the popularity of a huge expansion puts it on another level. We are using various credit card point strategies and other angles to attempt to put together a wonderful trip. Hopefully the force will be with us.
Lessons Learned from a Flight Cancellation
Last December I discovered that I was not very well prepared for the possibility of a cancelled flight. I have had cancelled flights in the past, but those were dealt with quite easily. This one was different and although it all worked out fine in the end, I am going to make some changes going forward in case it happens again.
Destination Dilemmas – Overtourism
You may have read about places that are experiencing an influx of tourists in recent years. This can have negative consequences for both locals and visitors. These destinations are popular for a reason and it can be a difficult decision to cross them off your list. There is also the argument that now is the time to go before it gets even worse. Based on a trip to Europe last year, I think perhaps an itinerary with a bit of balance between the well-trodden and the off-the-beaten-path is a nice way to go.
Seasonal Sweet Spots
It’s a common refrain to hear it recommended to travel in the off-season to get a better deal. However, I think it is a bit more nuanced than that and I’d like to write about some interesting angles to save money by being very selective with your planning.
Tricky Travel Terminology
There are a lot of travel terms that are used interchangeably but have different meanings: stopover vs layover; customs vs immigration; open-jaw vs multi-city; direct vs non-stop etc. There are also terms that might be familiar but aren’t widely understood such as dynamic currency conversion. I’d like to delve into these definitions in part to ensure that I actually understand them all correctly.
Travelling with Anxiety
I have suffered from depression and anxiety to varying degrees my entire adult life. Researching and planning travel is therapeutic to me but the actual travel can be something of a challenge at times. I know that others experience similar obstacles and they can manifest quite differently in people. I would like to share a few thoughts on how I try to manage my mental health while travelling and hopefully receive a few tips from others who can relate.
Buying Choice Privileges Points
Last year, in addition to using accumulated Marriott, Best Western, IHG and Radisson points, I redeemed some Choice points purchased from the annual US Daily Getaways sale. It was a great way to save some money on hotel costs in Germany and the Czech Republic. This sale is coming up again soon with a preview to be released April 29. There are also periodic discounts throughout the year. I’ll present the case for buying these points if your travel plans line up accordingly.
Well, that’s all I can think of at the moment. We’ll see how this goes. Thanks for reading.
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