2015 was a great year of travel for me and I have so many great adventures to look back on! I got to try many new airline products and added several new destinations to my travel journal. New countries this year for me included Hong Kong, Macau, (if you want to be technical, special regions of China) Taiwan, Monaco, Japan, and Indonesia. Some of this journey was solo for work, some of it with friends and family.
Exploring Verdon Gorge in Provence
Exploring France with some of my favorite people!
Indonesia Bound
Taipei fun with Chris!
Posing with the ladies of Cathay Pacific
Airline firsts for me in 2016 included Air France, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Virgin America. I racked up 134,825 miles in 2015!
I covered a lot of airspace in 2015!
I am still planning to be AAdvantage and OneWorld loyal in 2016. While we saw lots of disappointing changes to American’s AAdvantage program in the last few months, I’m still content with American especially with their continued fleet renewal and pure convenience being based in Dallas.
My First Virgin America Flight
Cathay Pacific “The Bridge” Lounge at HKG
First time in Monaco
AirFrance Business Class
My Ride: JAL 777-300ER
2016 is already looking exciting with a few new destinations already on the agenda with Maui, Hawaii; Park City, Utah; and Budapest, Hungary to start! I’m also looking forward to my first British Airways flight and my first time back in Utah in over 10 years! If 2016 is half as fun as 2015, I have a lot to look forward to. I hope you’ll continue to follow me on Avion Addiction in 2016. I look forward to sharing my story as well as the ways you too can travel well for less!
You can always keep up with on Twitter (@benjaminj84/@avionaddiction) as well as Instagram (@benjaminj84/@avionaddiction).
Earlier today, I saw an article claiming that it was somehow possible to travel to Bora Bora on a “budget” with all kinds of tips and tricks for achieving this dream vacation without breaking the bank. While the article claimed that technically this was possible, the reality is that Bora Bora is a very expensive and quite exotic destination. As a savvy traveler who knows how to find lots of incredible deals to avoid paying “retail”, I know that there are just some destinations that require quite a splurge in spending. Bora Bora is one of those destinations. Retail price will easily set you back $10K for a couple simply flying economy!
Two round-trip tickets to Tahiti in Business Class on Air Tahiti Nui? One could use 250,000 AA miles to fly on Air Tahiti Nui. The average traveler doesn’t have 250,000 airline miles just sitting around to snag two Business Class tickets for a couple to jet over to Tahiti. Many of us in the miles hobby know this is achievable with the right credit cards and earning tools but not everyone has the desire or patience. I certainly don’t write on this blog to sell fantasies of signing up for a credit card or two and all of a sudden you’re jetsetting around the globe in first class daily!
Tulum: Featuring Gorgeous Beaches, Flanked by Mayan Ruins
Actual Deal: Riviera Maya, Mexico- Playa Del Carmen & Tulum
While Mexico may not be as “exotic” as Tahiti, here’s a sample vacation that can make you feel like royalty while you lay in the white sands of the Caribbean.
Off-Peak Dates: September 7 – November 14
Easy to access from just about anywhere in the U.S., the Rivieria Maya has become and extremely popular yet still peaceful and enjoyable. Cancun is quite commercialized for me and the smaller towns of Playa Del Carmen and Tulum are much more peaceful, offering something for everyone. The Riviera Maya is great for solo travelers, couples, or families of any age. For the scenario below, I’ve used the sample dates of Oct 20-27, 2015. Sample AAdvantage fees are Denver to Cancun round-trip.
2 Round-trip Economy Tickets from U.S. to Cancun: 50,000 AAdvantage miles + $164 award taxes & fees
7 Nights for 2 Adults at Dreams Tulum Resort, All-Inclusive: $324/night = $2271 total inc. taxes
Round-trip private transfer in Chevy Suburban from Cancun airport to resort: $250
Dreams Resorts is one of the most highly regarded all-inclusive hotel brands. Source: Orbitz.com
Since Dreams Tulum is an all-inclusive resort, you don’t need to budget for your daily food and drink expenses. Your entertainment on the resort is also included although excursions off the resort and spa services are typically an additional cost. Currently, there is a promotion for a $400 resort credit with your booking to use for items like spa services, upgraded meals, or excursions.
Grand total for two, we’re looking at 50,000 AAdvantage miles and $2,685 out of pocket for a very nice week-long getaway in Mexico at a prime resort. Not a bad deal!
Some of you are rolling your eyes at me as you think about all the Starwood points or HHonors points you would have redeemed for a resort stay. But the reality is, John Doe who’s just getting into the points and miles game, doesn’t have hundreds of thousands of points in multiple airlines and hotel currencies. Most folks have a small balance in various accounts but tend to accrue miles with one airline or one transferable points currency like Amex Membership Rewards.
Why do I consider this a good deal?
You’re saving 20,000 AAdvantage miles on two tickets by flying off-peak vs peak.
Rooms during the peak season are easily $100 more per night, if not more.
It’s all-inclusive! Don’t knock it until you try it. The vast majority of folks who try high-end, all-inclusive resorts, love them.
Do you agree that this is a deal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Avion Addiction 