The Lesson I Learned On My President's Day Weekend

Over President's Day Weekend, I was invited to go to a cabin with a bunch of friends. The cabin located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia promised to be a relaxing weekend.

As I previously wrote, living in a city can be hectic and sometimes the city can start to feel overwhelming. For this reason, any time my friends invite me to escape the city, I jump on the offer regardless of the location.

This cabin weekend promised drinking, a fire-pit/Smores, a hot tub and high speed internet. In reality, only 1 of those happened. The Drinking!

The problems with the weekend started less than .1 mile from the cabin. A few days earlier, the region received a large snow storm. The final road to the cabin is a combination of gravel and broken pavement with a steep incline.

We were warned by the owner of the cabin that we would need 4 wheeled drive or chains on our tires. Us, city slickers, did not heed the advice. We made it half way-up the hill and started to slide down the hill backwards directly into a snow bank.

We parked the car and luckily hopped a ride with a local to our cabin. Thank you, Charlie!

After arriving to the cabin, we soon learned that the hot tub was broken. A quick call to the owner and we learned that the cabin lost power and the hot tub froze destroying the pump. Therefore, no hot tub.

Before coming to the cabin, we stopped at Lowe's to pick up wood for the fire for fire. The "fire pit" needed to be dug out and was more of an oven than a fire. Plus it was in the "driveway." Not a great place to sit by the fire.

What made the situation worse was the Marshmallows? The marshmallows, bought at Walmart, for the S'mores, were over 1 year past its expiration.  They were soft on the outside, but hard as rock inside.

The bedrooms in this place were decorated interestingly.

                                   

 

 Now the worst part....the plumbing stopped working; leaving us with only an outhouse.

Kidding! The plumbing never went out. But if it did, it would have been par for course.

The high-speed internet was just a little better than dial-up. I spent most of the weekend on my cell phone, but service could only be found in one corner of the house or by the nonworking hot tub.

After all the disappointments of the cabin, the best part of the trip was the company. Add in lots of alcohol and good times were had by all.

This trip was refreshing. No points were earned. No points were spent. There was no need to rush to the airport or hotels to check-out of. Sometime the best times occur when you do nothing. Its watching the Olympics watching the sun set behind a big hill. Or its playing beer pong, outside in 20 degree weather, with your fraternity brothers racing to finish before the beer freezes. I could have jetted off to some warm island and layed on a beach by myself; however, I don't think I would have had a great time.

What could have made the weekend better?

Probably earning points. However, it isn't always about points. That's something I am learning ....

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Why I Pay Cash Sometimes

The other night, Cash Back Boy and I had a heated argument about none other than "cash." Unlike other disagreements, I was defending the use of cash and he the use of credit cards. SAY WHAT!

www.creditcards.com -

Cash Back Boy just came back from the dry cleaners where he picked up one item. He paid his bill of $4.50 with a credit card which upset the owner of the dry cleaners. He told me the story and I stated that I agreed with the owner. Our conversation went like this:

Me: I agree with the owner
Him: Why?
Me:  They probably lost money on your transaction.
Him: That's not my problem. Then they shouldn't accept credit cards
Me: For many small businesses, after employee costs the next biggest expense is credit card swipe fees
Him: What about the points? You are leaving points on the table.
Me: Sometimes I decide to forgo points at small business like my barber.
Him: But the points....

Compliance Signs.com

As a points and miles blogger, I should be hammering away at you to use your credit card every chance you get. Earn those points! However, I am a product of small business owners. My family had multiple small business, so I feel for small business owners.

Credit cards are a necessary evil for many small business owners. Not accepting credit cards will result in the lose of some customers. If my dry cleaners stopped taking credit cards, I probably would look for another dry cleaners. I spend $30+ a week on dry cleaning, a little to much cash to bring each time. On the other hand, accepting credit cards adds costs and reduces profits. A very big decision for small business owners.

For this reason, I try to pay in cash at small business when I can. For instance, my barber has a sign asking people to pay in cash to keep prices low, but he still accept credit cards. Since he asks, I try to bring cash each time I go. Yes, I lose out on 20 points each haircut. However, I know by not swiping my credit card I am helping support a small business. That's more important than the points left on the table.

It isn't always about the points!

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Update: Earn Up To 16 Rapid Reward Miles Per $1 Spent @ Marriott

I wrote here about how to earn 16 Rapid Reward Miles Per $1 spent at Marriott. I wanted to follow-up with my experience. Even though I did the United promotion (expired), it is very similar to the Southwest promotion.

As a reminder, you can earn Rapid Reward miles for buying Marriott gift cards.

•       $100 = 1,200 Rapid Rewards Miles
•       $250 = 3,000 Rapid Rewards Miles
•       $500 = 6,000 Rapid Rewards Miles

I ordered my gift card on August 8th and the points still have not posted.

My next recommendation was to purchase the gift cards with the Chase Sapphire card to earn 2x per $1. As expected, I earned the 2x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on my next statement.

When its time to book your Marriott hotel stays, go through the Ultimate Reward shopping portal to earn 2 additional points per $1.

I am happy to say I earned my points this way as well. I book the stay on July 30th, stayed on August 24th and the points were credit to my Ultimate Reward account on September 8th.

My final suggestion was to switch your Marriott accounts to earn MileagePlus/Rapid Reward miles; instead, of Marriott points. I never did this, because I learned that by doing so I might not be eligible for the Unexpected Bonus's free night. Therefore, I left those points on the table. However, I did earn a free night.

If you haven't participated, this is a great way to quadruple dip: earn points for buying the gift card, using your Chase Sapphire, booking the stay, and staying with Marriott. These type of promotions are rare.

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Weddings: Just Say No

The Spring time bring warmer weather, but also, the start of the wedding season. In our twenties, weddings seem to happen nonstop. Your close family members, childhood and college friends, and co-workers all seem to be tying the knot. Of course, its never just one a year. They always seem to occur in groups.

Invitations to weddings = money out of your pocket. At the vary least, there is the obligatory gift. However, if you decided to go to the wedding there is the added cost of something to wear, drinks, and gas and that's if you are local. If the wedding is not near where you live, add in the cost of airfare, hotels and meals. The costs start to add up.

American Express conducted a survey of 1,500 adults which determined that the expected cost to attend a wedding in 2013 at $539 after adding in travel, attire and gifts. That's up more than 50% of last year's expected expense of $339. The increase in the amount of spending could be attributed to the approving economy and people's wiliness to spend more to attend a wedding. However, $500 per wedding can add up. 

Melanie Hicken, on CNN Money, wrote an article this week entitled, "My Friend's Weddings Are Putting Me Deep in Debt." The article details, PR Account Executive, Christopher Sledzik, who has racked up $10,000 in debt by attending 12 different weddings and being apart of 3 different wedding parities over an 18 month period. 

"For me, vacation time has been devoted to (weddings) for the past couple of years," said the 27-year-old public relations account executive. "I'm at that age where everybody's getting married, or at least it seems that way."

$10,000 in debt caused by attending weddings. Thats a little ridiculous. He goes on to say that the bill "is now accumulating $130 in interest each month." Assuming he makes the minimum payments, it will take 12+ years to pay off this debit. 12 years of his life chained to debt from attending other people's weddings.

Christopher needs to learn the phrase, "I'm sorry I can't attend." He is $10,000 in debt and what did he get? A few laughs, a rubber chicken dinner and some free booze. If you can't afford to pay to attend a wedding without credit than you probably shouldn't go. The bride and groom won't be upset, because its one less person/couple they have to pay for. No wedding is worth chaining yourself to debt for years to come. 

Here are some simple tips to reduce the costs associated with attending weddings:

1) Obviously, use points and miles to pay for airplane tickets or hotels.

2) Check to see if the "group" hotel is actually the lowest available rate at the hotel, sometimes its not.

3) Find other single people or couples to share hotel rooms or rental cars.

4) Buy gifts online and have them shipped to the Bride or Groom, saving you money on baggage fees.

5) Buy a Tuxedo. Spending $300 or $400 upfront will save you from renting multiple tuxedos later. One
     can always rent vest, cummerbund, or bow ties to match the wedding party, if necessary   

6) Extend the trip by a day or two and make it a vacation

Do you have any tips to save money while traveling to weddings?

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Antarctica: The Last Frontier

I have written many times of traveling to all 7 continents in business class by my 30th birthday. I turn the Big 30 in May 2015. To achieve my goal, I will need to head to the world's last frontier.

That is why I was shocked and saddened by this Yahoo article about tourism in Antarctica.

According to the article, 35,000 visitors visited Antarctica for tourism reasons, last year. That number is down from the height of 48,000 visitors in the 1980s, and up from 27,000 in 2011-2012.  Getting to Antarctica can only be done by boat or flight. For more information, go to the website of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

However, trips to Antarctica are no longer sightseeing excursions. The article says, "now people want to go paragliding, waterskiing, diving or a variety of other things."  The result of the increased tourism on the ecological system is unknown. However, "the United Nations' shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization, barred the use of heavy fuel oil below 60 degrees latitude south in 2011." This binding rule hurt the cruise industry by limiting the size of the ships going to the continent. Further proposed rules would further limit the size of ships touring around Antarctica to those with less than 500 passengers.

Why does this mean for me? Nothing really except that the trip is going to cost me more money than expected. Small cruise ships = more money. Points will only get me so far on this trip. Good thing that I have started my Antarctica fund, a little bit each paycheck. 

T-minus 26 months until the BIG 3 0!

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I agree and I disagree with Mile Nerd's Rant

Mile Nerd today goes on a rant in his post. BTW: I love his motto - "just the most miles in the fewest words possible" I don't know what set off his rant, but its a rant that is at the core of what everyone and I mean almost everyone, in this milage community has been talking about.

Go read the full post here

His rant is targeted for the newbies, but all of us can get something out of it.

He starts off simply by explaining the evolution into getting into the "game:"

         At first, you'll be too scared to apply for all those credit cards. You'll stall. You'll make up 
         excuses. You'll read and read and read. Then, one day, you'll build up the courage. Throwing
         caution to the wind...ignoring misinformation...you will apply for a couple of credit cards.
         Gulp! But things will actually go well. You'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago. The
         ability to travel without saving up weeks of paychecks will blow your mind. You'll book a
         flight without paying for it, and you'll be utterly and completely addicted.

This is the story of all of us. Chris and I have written about our first experiences on the blog. Similarly, I have two sets of friends set to take the plunge with their first credit card "app-o-ramas" (as some people call them) later this month, tailored to their dream destinations. He is correct, the true addiction begins when the wheels are up on your first points paid trip...then as he correctly says, "you'll be utterly and completely addicted."

At this point, Mile Nerd takes a sharp right turn to the dark side. His rant enters full drive, talking about the frequent traveler conferences:

         Currently, readers throughout the Internet are getting spammed with information on
         Frequent Traveler University. This event involves "special guest lecturers" who are always
         the same 5 or 6 people. These shrewd businessmen disguised as dorks will teach you the
         secret ways of making unlimited miles.

The past few days, most of the community has been buzzing about the number of conferences being held. Travel Blogger Buzz talked about in today's post. There is the April FTU event in NOVA, September FTU event in Tampa and the Chicago Seminars in October.

I agree with Mile Nerd's that it seems that it is, "always the same 5 or 6 people." teaching at these events. The faculty at both are very similar. FTU Tampa: Gary Leff, The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets,  Mommy Points, and Pizza Man. While Chicago Seminar has The Points Guy, Lucky, Mommy Points, Delta Points, Marshall Jackson etc. I took the list of the faculty members from their official event pages, things might change in the coming weeks and months. The only difference is who is hosting it. FTU is sponsored by Milepoint/Boarding area and the Chicago Seminar sponsored by Frugal Travel Guy and First to Board.

However, I disagree with the rest of that paragraph:

        Of course, none of this is actually a secret. They'll also skip the lesson explaining how much
        money they earn from credit cards links. See, this is all business. You are the customer. The
        majority of these bloggers sold out their content long ago so they could make a buck.

I don't believe that all these bloggers have sold out. Yes, they have monetized their blog to support their hobby, but is that selling out or the American Entrepreneurship? At the same time, they can provide some valuable information that can teach you a new trick, highlight a promotion that you may have missed or even "gasp" save you a few bucks.

Mile Nerd is correct, we are customers, but this is not a monopolised industry. You don't need to read only the BIG blogs. If you don't like the way they are pushing credit cards or what they are writing about, unsubscribe from them, take them off your Google Reader etc. Talk with your feet. I have with two major bloggers, because their quality of work has suffered.

He jumps off the deep end by the end of the post:

          You, innocent reader, will now develop strange personality quirks. You will bash these

          bloggers at every turn, but the minute you get some interaction with them, you'll
          shamelessly kiss their asses as if they were rock stars. You may have been a nerd before,
          but now you've become more of a weasel. You will actually be honored that an Internet
          blogger, of all people, would take the time to speak to you.

Yes, some might be in awe of the top bloggers in person, but trash them behind their backs. How many people trash the Kardashians, but watched their TV show? That is America way. Have I met any of the top bloggers, no? Have Chris and I chatted with them via email and twitter? Yes. And guess what...they provided us with some very valuable information, when we needed it. Yes, for that I am in awe/grateful to them that they took the time to help us out in a difficult situation.

Where I completely disagree with him is the second to last paragraph of his post:

          Eventually, your behavior will disgust you. You'll try to find an underground "pure" blog, but

          smaller bloggers only post sporadically. They don't make any money and aren't that

          motivated. In truth, they're just wannabe shrewd businessmen.

Chris and I are not wannabe "shrewed businessmen." We have had opportunities to turn this blog into a business, but declined. This blog is a hobby for us. Our friends were tired of hearing about credit card this or points that, so we started a blog. We write Do It For the Points as an outlet for our excessive excitement/energy for collecting miles & points. Many of the smaller bloggers write, because its their hobby and they love it. Through conversations and happy hours, Chris and I have meet a network of smaller bloggers, who aren't shrewd businessmen and women. The hype that bloggers are out to get unexpected people to sign up for credit cards they don't need is the same BS that I am fighting in the mortgage world. Yes, there are a few bad apples in the mortgage and blogging community, but does that make all of our motives the same. Many blog because its something to do.

If you are looking for as Mile Nerd calls "pure" smaller/medium sized bloggers, let me suggest a few should be following:

Heels First Travel

Will Run For Miles

The Miles Professor

Michael W Travels

TJ on Miles & Points

Travel Bug Diary

Frugal Travel Lawyer

These are just a few of the smaller bloggers, I read daily. I learn from them, I get inspired by them and sometime I cry with them. They are friends and I don't know they. I will eventually go to meet-ups to meet them in person. But with any hobby, there are conferences, meet-ups and interactions with like minded people. The frequent flyer/mileage addicts are not some strange breed. On any given weekend, there is the meet-up of people who like to crochet, like Deep Galaxy Nine or carve butter.

What Mile Nerd missed in his post was that our community is entering a "cold war" of sort. There are two major groups forming: Boarding Area, First To Board/Frugal Travel Guy. The rest of us bloggers could be called the "non-aligned movement." If the Cold War reference is too dark for you...lets call it Walmart vs. Target vs. Mom & Pop stores. Is the creation of these so called Super Powers bad? My opinion is no. The United States has survived with Walmart and Target for decades, so two blog sites writing on miles and points, should be able to survive. Yes, Mom and Pop shops have suffered, but others have survived. The small business that have survived have carved out niches for themselves. The same is happening in our community.

The best part is that You, the reader/consumer have power to shape the direction our blogging community follows. If you like what a blogger writes, Like the post on Facebook, retweet the article or leave a comment. Over time, if you like a blogger follow them on twitter, Facebook and Google+. On the other hand, if you don't like what a blogger is writing STOP READING. Similarly, if you are tired of the credit card posts that earn bloggers money, apply through links that aren't theirs. Hit them in the pocketbook.

I applaud Mile Nerd for his rant even if I disagree with everything that he said. He had the guts to write what all of us have been thinking. His honesty was a breath of fresh air and for his reward, I continue to read him.

*drops microphone and gets off soap box*


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Setting Travel Goals

Why do we go to these extremes to earn points? To go on vacation, of course! Earning points just to increase your frequent flyer account balances is crazy. Hoarding points is a dangerous tactic. The frequent flyer community has seen a devaluation of points on many airlines and hotel chains. The number of miles one will need for that coveted “free ticket or stay at a hotel” has gone up. If you have the points it is best to use them sooner rather than later.

Many of my family and friends disregard frequent flyer points because they complain that there are never “any free seats for 25,000 miles” or “too many blackout dates.” (Or they have seen the Alec Baldwin Capital One Credit Card commercial one too many times). I don’t argue with them because the more people in “the game” means fewer available award tickets or nights for the rest of us. Yes, I know this statement is harsh, but it’s the truth. The airline and hotel industries purposely limit the number award inventory on any given day or plane.  If people don’t want to join the game, I’m not going to fight to get them to join.

While the chance that you will score a free ticket home for Thanksgiving or Christmas is limited, a little planning and forethought can help you score tickets to almost any destination at almost anytime through the year. How do you score those difficult tickets to go on your dream vacation? By setting vacation goals and aligning your point earning strategies to accomplish those goals.

For example, earlier this year, Chris and his girlfriend, Kelsey told me that they wanted to go to London in the fall and were searching for cheap airlines fares. My first thought was "You are going to pay to go on vacation?!" After a long discussion, I convinced them to let me help them get to London with points. Oh, and to make things more difficult, they had to fly business class. The GF told me they didn’t need to fly business class, economy was fine. I smirked and told her by the time she was flying to London her ticket would be business class, not economy. She was skeptical, but I knew better.

With Chris and his Kelsey’s destination and timeframe picked, next was to figure out how many miles they need to get to and from London. From Washington, DC, direct flights to London are easiest flown on the Star Alliance (US Airways, United, Lufthansa etc.). Next go to these airline's award charts and see how many miles you will need for the trip. US Airways is here. United is here. 

I suggested they focus on United, as they already had small balances in their United accounts. Let's take a closer look at the United award chart:

		Planning as far ahead in advance as Chris and Kelsey were, each could get a Saver Award Ticket in business class for about 100,000 miles roundtrip . Saver Award Tickets cost less, but are not offered on every flight. However, I have been able to purchase saver award tickets with less than 48 hours notices, so it is the luck of the draw.

I know some might be thinking why I pushed them to go business class when it cost 40,000 more miles with the Saver Ticket (Kelsey had the same question). I am of the belief that the airplane ride is very much a part of your vacation experience, so why not pamper yourself getting yourself there? Many people dread the thought of riding on an airplane because they know their seat in the back of the plane will be cramped and uncomfortable. Why not spend the extra miles and make yourself feel better? I don’t always sit in business and first class; you will many times see me in economy on flights shorter than 4 hours, but for my long-haul flights, I spend the extra points for comfort.

With the information that each would need 100,000 miles each for the trip, Chris and Kelsey were now ready to do the hard part: earn the miles. They sat down and created a list of ways the two of them could earn 100,000 miles on United. Did they sign-up for the 75,000 mile American Airlines Chase Credit Card? Not at that particular time, because it did not help them get points on United. However, they did apply for the Chase Sapphire because it got them 50,000 miles on United. I am going to leave Chris to explain the various methods they used to obtain the miles for their trip. All I will say is that the two of them are going to London, in business class, and have most of their nights in hotels paid for by points as well.

The first step to any great vacation starts with a dream. That dream will eventually turn into a goal, which then requires a plan to get the miles needed to accomplish that goal. Then you are halfway to your dream vacation. With a direction and a plan, you can tailor your spending habits to earn the miles needed for that dream vacation (we will talk soon about the various ways to earn miles).  Earning enough miles for your vacation will not happen overnight, but with time and persistence, the points needed will start to accumulate in your frequent flyer account.

Until next time, keep dreaming!

Hilton Great Getaway Sale + Q3 Bonus

I received an email last night reminding me that Hilton has extended their “Great Gateway Sale” and I thought I would pass it along to you as well. (Just in case you have any upcoming stays)

From the email:

"Great news, The Great Getaway has been extended and now you have more time to save up to 40% at any participating Hilton Hotels & Resorts when you book by September 10, 2012, and stay by December 30, 2012, at participating hotels and resorts in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio.

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SAVE UP TO 40%

BOOK YOUR GETAWAY NOW BEFORE THE GREAT GETAWAY GOES AWAY.

Whether your getaway is around the corner or around the world, enjoy savings of 15% to 40% off our Best Available Rate at nine distinct hotel brands within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio for a limited time. So, plan your getaway now - you've earned it.”


The great part about this promotion is that you can purchase this rate up to 7 days before your stay. As a reminder, this is a prepaid non-refundable rate, so be sure that you are actually going to stay at the property before purchasing it.

Earlier this month, I used this sale for two nights at the Downtown Hilton Atlanta. The normal room rate would have cost me $129, but I got the room for $89 per night, a 30% savings.

Not all Hilton properties are participating. I checked the Hilton hotels in San Diego, for an upcoming trip, and about half of the properties in the area were offering the “Great Gateway Sale” rate. At most hotels offering the rate, on the weekend I needed, the savings was about 15% off the normal rate.

It is always important to check the small print on deals. At the bottom of the email, the small print reads:

"Book between May 10 and September 10, 2012 (ends August 1, 2012 for Asia Pacific region properties) and stay at participating hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio between May 17 and December 30, 2012 (ends September 30, 2012 for North and South America region properties). Some hotels may extend offer period. Subject to availability. Full non-refundable prepayment required at time of booking. Must book at least seven (7) days in advance of arrival, except where noted. Discounts vary and range from 15% - 40% off select rates. Blackout dates and length of stay restrictions may apply based upon which day of the week a stay is consumed, geographical location of hotel and/or by brand."

So for the majority of us, September 30, 2012 is really the last day we can use this rate on a stay instead of December 31st. However, if you are traveling to any other region of the world other than the Americas, you can use this rate through the rest of the year. Just remember to book by September 10th to grab this deal.

BONUS ALERT!!!!!!


If you are going to be staying in a Hilton brand hotel before September 31^st, you should register for their Quarter 3 promotion, Double or Triple Points! You must should register here!

For the Triple Your Trip promotion, the additional points you earn per night are calculated based on the average nightly folio (average of your base rates) of your total stay.  For example, if you have a two night stay, with one night costing $89 and another $109, you average nightly folio is $99 ($89 + $109 /2 nights = $99).

You earn the following:

Double Points for stays on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Triple Points for stays on Friday, Saturday, Sunda

For a recent trip to Atlanta, we stayed at the Downtown Hilton on Sunday and Monday. I earned triple points on my Sunday night stay and double Points on my Monday stay. The two night stay netted me a total of 5340 points. Not bad for taking less than 2 minutes to click a link and enter my Hilton Honors number.

A simple action can result in big rewards!

How I Became Addicted: JD

I have to blame my friends. Yes, this hobby of collecting points is their fault. Some might, including many members of my family, call this hobby an obsession. Yes, my friends are to blame for this obsession of mine.

It was a Friday night in January. I had plans to meet my friends in the city for dinner and drinks. However, it was one of those rainy cold nights. At the last minute, my friends bailed on me, leaving me home on a Friday night with TV. After 2 hours of flipping through 300 + channels, I was bored, to say the least. (How is it that we can have so many channels, but there is always nothing on to watch!)

My boredom led me to check the latest news on CNN.com and an article about extreme frequent flyers. I want to say this was the time George Clooney’s Up In the Air was out and everyone was talking about the frequent flyer lifestyle. This article, in particular,  caught my attention because the writer interviewed, blogger Gary Leff (View from the Wing) was talking about how he flies around the world for almost nothing. I remember thinking this can’t be true, but I was willing to take the bait.

The article linked to his blog, and so started my journey. Gary’s blog was filled with tricks, tips and amazing trip reports. I was awestruck. How did I not know this frequent flyer community existed before this night? How does this secret travel community stay so secret?

Gary’s blog had links to other bloggers, who had links to other bloggers. At one point, I had close to 20 windows open on my computer. The next morning, I went back to my bookmarks and saw 20 new blogs…to give you an idea of the magnitude of what I was reading that night. Throughout the entire time I was reading, I kept saying to myself, these bloggers make it sound so easy. This can’t be true.

At one point, I looked up and it was 4am. I had been these traveler blogs for over 6 hours. It was time to go to bed, but I was addicted like a child to candy after Halloween. I needed to read every article, every travel deal (even if it was dead), for fear that I would be somehow blocked from the community next day. Eventually, I put myself to bed and I woke up the next morning afternoon asking myself “was what happened last night a dream?”

After being the “game” for little under 18 months, this community is not a dream. What you read in this blog and others are not fairy tales. However, it is not easy. If you want to travel the world for close to nothing, it will take work. It takes reading travel blogs, some blind faith and an adventurous spirit. Looking back, I don’t blame my friends for not wanting to go out on the rainy night in January, I thank them. And some of them are thanking me now, as newly minted travel addicts.

Welcome to Do It For The Points!

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to our new blog, "Do It For the Points!" This blog is a little brainchild that we have been kicking around for awhile as we deal with our addiction to points and miles. We know that there are tons of points and miles blogs out there who provide amazing advice and have pushed us to where we are with our points and trips, so you might be asking yourself...why another blog? 

Well the answer is....we wanted to share our awesome travels with people and start a discussion of points and miles from the newbie side of things. We (JD and Chris) are both newly into the points game, JD is more of a veteran than Chris, but we are both still feeling our way into the miles and points world.  Overall, we wanted to share our perspective, trips, and just general questions we may have about points and miles that you might have but were too shy to ask. Don't worry....we don't mind embarrassing ourselves for you.

Now for a little bit about ourselves. We are both residents of the Washington, D.C. area and have lived here for a combined 16 years! We met in college where our motto was, "Do It For the Story" (thus the name for our blog) and we are always trying to live by that motto.

Chris graduated in May with his MA in public communication and now works in media and public relations for a non-profit organization. His goal in the next 7 years (before he turns 30) is to hit all 7 continents. He has already has 3 (North America, Europe and Australia) under his belt but needs to get going on the next four. 

Chris will be traveling with his girlfriend (a newly made points addict) Kelsey to London and Amsterdam in October on their first ever fully funded points and miles trip. The trip features UA Business Class, an overnight ferry to Amsterdam and a Lufthansa Business Class trip back home.

JD came to DC in pursuit of a degree in his passion, politics. As time went on, his love of politics diminished and he went to work in the mortgage industry. In his spare time, his hobby is points; collecting, hoarding, and spending. Like Chris, his goal is to travel to all 7 continents before he is 30 (in less than 3 years - eck!)

The goal of our blog is to bring you the tips and tricks along the way as we find them, and to also share our trip reports so we can hear your experiences on similar trips and start planning the next one. We also want this to be a place where we can all ask the questions we have as newbies to try and understand the points and miles world. We will then ask them to the people who are much smarter and well-versed in the points and miles world.

We hope you will tune in and have a chat with us on a regular basis so we can help grow this blog and tell all about our favorite trips and dream places we want to go. As always....Do It For the Points!