How You Can Transform Frequent Flyer Miles and Hotel Points They Earn Into Dream Trips of a Lifetime

The best free room I ever had? There have been many, but one that comes to mind is the six-night stay my family and I enjoyed at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo. Incredibly, there was no check-in desk. As we entered the hotel, we were ushered straight to our room on the 40th floor by elevator, where we walked through the elegant lobby marveling at the spectacular views over Tokyo. Only after we were situated in our room did a staff person visit us. We signed the necessary paperwork in about 2 minutes--all from the luxury and comfort of the desk in our own room.

The amenities alone made our stay memorable. The huge bathroom greeted us with marble everywhere, while a giant tub invited us to sit, soak, and relax. Not only were the best shampoos, conditioners, and lotions provided each day, but also a new, top-of-the-line hairbrush and nailbrush. We lounged in complimentary silk kimonos and donned thick bathrobes after using the pool and spa--just a quick elevator ride away on the 52nd floor amid a dazzling 360-degree view of Tokyo.

For all of this, we paid absolutely nothing, not even room tax. But, as we all know, there is no such thing as "free." It actually took 21 paid nights at Hyatt Hotels, using a promotional offer, to earn enough hotel points for that five-night complimentary stay.

But here is the key point: When you accrue hotel points or intend to use some promotion toward free nights, make the most of what they offer! Just as you would use those free nights you earn only at hotels which might otherwise be out of your budget, redeem your frequent flyer miles for the most expensive air tickets in business or first class.

Research consistently shows that almost two-thirds of all redeemed frequent flyer miles are used for free coach class trips within the US or between the US and Canada. This statistic amazes me. Because these awards usually cost 25,000 frequent flyer miles, travelers who cash them in towards domestic leisure trips--for which airfares are unusually low in today's competitive travel market--receive a poor return on their investment. The savvy traveler can reach almost any domestic destination today in coach class for under $400 using an advance purchase ticket. With low-cost airlines such as America West now offering first class cabins for travel anywhere in the US priced under $1,000 (and frequently matched by the major competing airlines), even premium class is more affordable than ever before. Why not wait until you have accrued 100,000 to 200,000 miles and splurge on one or two premium class tickets for travel abroad?

You may argue that you want to use your frequent flyer miles quickly--before the airlines go out of business. Critics across the board are heralding the demise of all major airlines, and with it the frequent flyer mile programs savvy travelers have come to love--and hate! Countless "travel authorities" wax lyrical in newspapers and journals, and "knowledgeable" pundits on radio and TV continue to warn travelers to use up their miles quickly before they are all worthless. How utterly ridiculous....

With the exception of US Airways, which I believe will disappear from the landscape in the next few months, the majors are here to stay for the time being--so continue to accumulate frequent flyer miles and be ready to book your dream trip one day in the not-too-distant future. Will airline miles be devalued in the future? Of course they will--and so will the greenbacks in your pocket and mutual fund account, but that hasn't stopped you going out and earning dollars each workday, has it? Get real now--the major airlines will need their frequent flyer programs for many years into the future, not only as a way to communicate with their customers, but also as a source of revenue from the thousands of businesses (banks, mutual funds, restaurants, long distance phone companies--how do we count the ways?) that offer frequent flier miles as rewards to their loyal customers. Your hotel points are even more secure, not least since the major hotel chains have not hemorrhaged money in the same manner as the major airlines. So keep earning those Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and Starwood loyalty points to enjoy the kind of stay I describe in the opening story.

It's really the exotic destinations--from Tahiti to Paris, Antigua to Rio de Janeiro--that should excite you, the sophisticated world traveler who lusts for the unique, the unusual, the spectacular experiences. Start imagining--and planning--the fabulous trips that will take you to a whole new level of exhilaration. Decide which portion of paradise has the highest priority on your wish list--and figure out the amount of miles you'll need for one or two or more business or first class tickets to transform your dreams into reality. Then begin working on strategies to start racking up the miles as fast as possible to accelerate your quest toward mileage nirvana.

And bon voyage!

How You Can Transform Frequent Flyer Miles and Hotel Points They Earn Into Dream Trips of a Lifetime   How You Can Transform Frequent Flyer Miles and Hotel Points They Earn Into Dream Trips of a Lifetime   How You Can Transform Frequent Flyer Miles and Hotel Points They Earn Into Dream Trips of a Lifetime   

Damage? Loss? Leave the Golf Clubs at Home and Hire!

Transporting golf equipment overseas can be a challenge even for the most intrepid of international travelers. The logistics involved in getting those prized assets onto the plane can lead you to question your decision to take them in the first place! Then throw the costs of insurance and airline oversize baggage fees into the mix and the doubts in the mind grow still further!

But arguably the biggest single fear of any golfer - one that has inspired the storyline of many a nightmare - is seeing the baggage carousel start up and your golf bag emerge in a state of disrepair, with your favorite seven-iron protruding out of a rip in a previously unblemished golf bag! Too much information?

Well information is one thing that is usually at a premium when the same carousel comes to an abrupt halt and your clubs are no where to be seen! Arriving on the next flight in, arriving tomorrow, or perhaps not arriving at all, just a few of the countless scenarios presented by the oh so helpful baggage handler!

And these painful visions are not reserved solely for us amateurs, damaged or lost equipment is also the bane of the tour pros. Hard to believe? Well two recent 'tweets' broadcast by European Tour golfer, Oliver Wilson and PGA Tour regular, Aaron Badderly, support this claim.

There is little accurate statistical information around to measure the value of insurance payouts on golf equipment damage, but it is thought to run into millions of dollars each year. Add to this the hidden costs of repair and replacing equipment for golfers without insurance, and the case for hiring golf equipment becomes stronger still.

Making claims to insurance companies can be a long and frustrating process and even when the assessor has completed his work and the claim is settled it is very rare that the full value of the missing or damage article is paid in full.

Then there is the emotional card. Us golfers are strange animals. The game we love is one of touch and feel, confidence plays a huge part and superstition and fickleness abounds! Indeed how many times have we read of Tour pros bringing a trusty old putter, out of hibernation in an attempt to break a run of poor form? How many times have you ventured into the depths of a storeroom or garage to find that old trustworthy seven-iron that once served so well? The loss or damage of a favourite weapon can be devastating!

So why take the chance? Why not leave all your worry and stress at home with your golf clubs and use the money saved from sidestepping insurance and airline baggage costs to hire a set at your destination? If the emotional tie is too strong then hire the same set as the one you have left behind, or try something new. The hiring option offers both opportunities and in turn adds value and enjoyment to your golfing vacation.

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