Rapid Travel Chai: International Travel Bootcamp - Chicago Seminars 2014

International Travel BootcampChicago Seminars 2014

Stefan KrasowskiRapid Travel Chai

First, A Little StoryA man took his wife and mother-in-law to Disney World

He used Amex PRG for 3x on airfare

It was October 2012

Hurricane Sandy rolled in to New York

They had a LONG Disney vacation

Chase /Citi trip delay coverage vs earning 3x

Cards and miles are a start, but don’t lose sight of travel

A man took his wife and mother-in-law to Disney World

He used Amex PRG for 3x on airfare

It was October 2012

Hurricane Sandy rolled in to New York

They had a LONG Disney vacation

Chase /Citi trip delay coverage vs earning 3x

Cards and miles are a start, but don’t lose sight of travel

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

Itinerary

Planning

Tips

Miles and Points Beyond Cathay J to Bali


Who Am I?

I lived in China for 8 years

I work in international business

I plan obsessively

I travel fast

I come back exhausted

My wife is the opposite

I lived in China for 8 years

I work in international business

I plan obsessively

I travel fast

I come back exhausted

My wife is the opposite


Where Have I Traveled?


My Dream Trip

My Wife’s


How I Spent This Week

9-island Caribbean hopper

Delta: 35k for JFK-Grenada, return St Lucia-EWR

LIAT: 50k US Bank FlexPerks for $1,002.90 ticket

Corsair: Citi Prestige 11,071 points for $149 ticket

flyMontserrat: $189 in cash money

9-island Caribbean hopper

Delta: 35k for JFK-Grenada, return St Lucia-EWR

LIAT: 50k US Bank FlexPerks for $1,002.90 ticket

Corsair: Citi Prestige 11,071 points for $149 ticket

flyMontserrat: $189 in cash money


Before


Then


After


A Lot of This


A Little of That


Who Are You?

You have more miles up the wazoo…what matters to you?

The flight?

The hotel?

The destination?

The people?

The food?

What else?

You have more miles up the wazoo…what matters to you?

The flight?

The hotel?

The destination?

The people?

The food?

What else?


What Do You Want in this Session?

Planning?

Tips?

Cut the crap – gimme miles!


Planning?

Tips?

Cut the crap – gimme miles!

Planning


Where to Go?

Explore outside your social media bubble

Consider offbeat and offseason


Yamamoto’s Bunker,East New Britain,Papua New Guinea

Where to Go – UNESCO Sites

Jesuit missions and German yerba mate farmers, Paraguay


Where to Go – Traveler’s Century Club

Anne of Green Gables & lobster suppers,Prince Edward Island, Canada


Thorn Tree Forum for Destinations


Air – Research

Wikipedia’s airport and airline pages


Air – Passes

If you think awards are confusing and frustrating…

Passes come and go, often

Complicated booking

Gotchas abound

If you think awards are confusing and frustrating…

Passes come and go, often

Complicated booking

Gotchas abound


Air – Booking

Find flights on ITA Matrix

Locate booking options on Google Fights or Hipmunk


Air – Budget Airlines

skyscanner.com andwhichbudget.com

Price all the extras

Know the airport –where in ‘London’?

Know the terminal –Malaysian remote LCCTs

skyscanner.com andwhichbudget.com

Price all the extras

Know the airport –where in ‘London’?

Know the terminal –Malaysian remote LCCTs


Air – Obscure Airlines

OneTravel for hard to ticket airlines

Get reservation record AND ticket number


Air – China Flights

Global sites only price full-fare tickets

China sites price discounts: ctrip, eLong, travelzen

Expedia $212 eLong $111

©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

Rail – Where?

East Asia and Europe are great for rail

Overnight trains save time, save hotel


Photo by alantankenghoe, flickr

Rail – How?Advance web bookings can be difficult and deceptive

Man in Seat 61 and Deutsche Bahn

Multiple stations in cities


Rail Europe $131 SCNF $81

Rail – Passes

Compare & cost pass options and alternative transport

May need to purchase before arrival


Swiss Pass 2nd Class is $298 for 4 days – yikes!

Bus – Where?

‘Executivo’ business class services in South America


Bus – Tips

Beware the near empty bus that is ‘leaving soon’

Your stuff will be either with you or with someone else

Prepare for heat, prepare for cold


Taxis - Tips

Beware taxis hanging out at hotels

If the locals use radio taxis, you should too

Taxis for day trips vs guides


Taxis – India

India’s airport prepaid taxis:

Cheap and safe

Don’t exit the airport!


Driving

Exhilarating or stressful?

Driving on the left is surprisingly easy

International Driving Permit (IDP) is an annual pain


Rental Cars – Booking

Booking sites often ‘location not found’/’sold out’

Try rental agency websites

…but status is often worthless

Try AutoEurope (not just for Europe)

Booking sites often ‘location not found’/’sold out’

Try rental agency websites

…but status is often worthless

Try AutoEurope (not just for Europe)


Rental Cars – Gotchas


Riga, Latvia:$43 to pick up at 8 pm!

Ayers Rock:$0.23 per kmafter 100km!

Rental Cars – Insurance

Many Chase and Citi cards now cover ALL countries –get certificate of coverage (Ireland, Israel)

Insurance often mandatory, sometimes included in rate:• Canada rates include liability• Mexico/Central America require adding liability• Basic CDW included in Europe – Supercover enhances• Temporary licenses (Caribbean, Kuwait)

Many Chase and Citi cards now cover ALL countries –get certificate of coverage (Ireland, Israel)

Insurance often mandatory, sometimes included in rate:• Canada rates include liability• Mexico/Central America require adding liability• Basic CDW included in Europe – Supercover enhances• Temporary licenses (Caribbean, Kuwait)


Hotels

Don’t stress – so many options

Chain hotels…are chain hotels

Local hotels at hotels.com

Mom & Pops at booking.com

Alternative accommodation

Don’t stress – so many options

Chain hotels…are chain hotels

Local hotels at hotels.com

Mom & Pops at booking.com

Alternative accommodation


Tips


US Passports

Get the large passport book

Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID

Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI andadd to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck

Have scans and copies

Get the large passport book

Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID

Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI andadd to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck

Have scans and copies


Second US Passports

Great for frequent travelers who need visas

Easy process

Only valid for two years


Visa Requirements for US Citizens

166 countries Visa Free or Visa on ArrivalSources: Henley & Partners, Wikipedia


Visas for US CitizensCheck embassy websites

Check travel.state.gov

Specialist visa agents vs big generalists

10-year India and 3-year Russia tourist visas

Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance

Yes, you need a visa for Australia

Check embassy websites

Check travel.state.gov

Specialist visa agents vs big generalists

10-year India and 3-year Russia tourist visas

Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance

Yes, you need a visa for Australia


Money – Cash

Cash is still king

Traveler’s checks are dead

Carry a cheat sheet or app for fx rates

Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements

Avoid anything Travelex!!!

Cash is still king

Traveler’s checks are dead

Carry a cheat sheet or app for fx rates

Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements

Avoid anything Travelex!!!


Money – Credit Cards

Logo in the window may only mean local cards

Chip and Signature cards work most of the time

Chip and Pin cards for heavy EU travelers (Diners Club)


Handy Credit Card Benefits

Chase & Citi – trip delay coverage

Diner’s Club – cheap lounge access

Discover – accepted in China via UnionPay, Japan via JCB

Chase & Citi – trip delay coverage

Diner’s Club – cheap lounge access

Discover – accepted in China via UnionPay, Japan via JCB


Tech

Unlocked phone + local SIM card

T-Mobile – unlimited data & text to 120+ countries

Encrypt – TrueCrypt

Get a VPN – WiTopia

Unlocked phone + local SIM card

T-Mobile – unlimited data & text to 120+ countries

Encrypt – TrueCrypt

Get a VPN – WiTopia


Insurance

Insure yourself, your trip, or your stuff?

Credit cards often insureyour trip and your stuff

I insure myself – GeoBlueTrekker Choice annual plan

Annual or per trip?

insubuy.com,travelinsurancecenter.com


Credit cards often insureyour trip and your stuff

I insure myself – GeoBlueTrekker Choice annual plan

Annual or per trip?

insubuy.com,travelinsurancecenter.com

Health

CDC Yellow Book @ cdc.gov/travel

Know scientific names of your meds(aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid)

Plan ahead for vaccines

Malaria pills pros and cons

International Certificate of Vaccination

CDC Yellow Book @ cdc.gov/travel

Know scientific names of your meds(aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid)

Plan ahead for vaccines

Malaria pills pros and cons

International Certificate of Vaccination


Safety

Don’t be:DrunkDruggedDebauched

Especially when youdon’t speak thelanguage or know thelegal system

The Rapid Travel Chai ‘3 Ds’ of Travel Safety

Don’t be:DrunkDruggedDebauched

Especially when youdon’t speak thelanguage or know thelegal system


Luggage

Backpack = maximum flexibility, bag never leaves you

Wheeled = less flexibility, more comfort

Backpack/wheeled convertible = bad at both


Packing

Unless going to the moon, you are not going to the moon

onebag.com packing strategy


Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali

Miles and PointsBeyond Cathay J to Bali


Elite status

Carry all your frequent flyer cards (e.g. Star Alliance lounges)

Expect disappointment…and pleasant surprises


Airport VIP Lounge,Livingston, Zambia

Some Offbeat Star Alliance Awards

Copa in Latin America (with United upgrades)

Ethiopian from DC to Africa

Turkish flies to more countries than any airline, 100+

United now partners with Azul for Brazil

Copa in Latin America (with United upgrades)

Ethiopian from DC to Africa

Turkish flies to more countries than any airline, 100+

United now partners with Azul for Brazil


United Micronesia Island HopperJoin missionaries, military, dignitaries and islanders


Palau and Peleliu


Pohnpei


Some Offbeat One World Awards

Avios, Avios, Avios – fill in gaps on itineraries

Use for Canada, South America, Africa, Indian Ocean,Australia, Pacific and Russia

Example: Sri Lankan several daily flights to Maldives

Avios, Avios, Avios – fill in gaps on itineraries

Use for Canada, South America, Africa, Indian Ocean,Australia, Pacific and Russia

Example: Sri Lankan several daily flights to Maldives


Always Check Non-Alliance Partners, Too

+


+

Some Offbeat SkyTeam Awards

Delta seasonal flight to Prince Edward Island, Canada

AeroMexico for Latin America and even to Europe/Asia

Gol in Brazil and to Brazil from Orlando

Air France to Madagascar and Indian Ocean

China Eastern/Southern + China Airlines to Asia

Virgin Australia to Solomons, Christmas & Cocos Islands

Saudia for overflowing award space

Delta seasonal flight to Prince Edward Island, Canada

AeroMexico for Latin America and even to Europe/Asia

Gol in Brazil and to Brazil from Orlando

Air France to Madagascar and Indian Ocean

China Eastern/Southern + China Airlines to Asia

Virgin Australia to Solomons, Christmas & Cocos Islands

Saudia for overflowing award space


Lemurs in Madagascar


Thin Red Line in Solomon Islands


Air France KLM Caribbean Hopper

Visit Caribbean on the way to Europe

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have hoppers, too


Dominican Republic and Haiti


French Guiana and Suriname


Hotel Awards

Consider Carlson, IHG, Choice Hotels

International locations often much better than US


Holiday Inn ShanghaiPudong Executive Lounge

Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai

Hotels Have Partners Too


IHG Hotels AnywhereConserve cash when no chain hotels available,or even stay at competitor chains


Hilton Chicago O’Hare:30k IHG points vs 40k Hilton points(fluctuates by rate)

Thank You

[email protected]@rapidtravelchai

rapidtravelchai.com


Rapid Travel Chai: International Travel Bootcamp - Chicago Seminars 2014

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Transcript of Rapid Travel Chai: International Travel Bootcamp - Chicago Seminars 2014