Redeeming Frequent Flyer Miles

I have the travel bug... Don't take me wrong: I ALWAYS have the travel bug but usually, at this time of year, I feel it stronger than perhaps other times. And the stronger I feel it, the farther I want to go!

We live in the Adirondack Park, in New York's State North Country. As you can well imagine, winter here means winter: cold, blustery winds, feet (not inches!) of beautiful snow, and sometimes, weeks of temperatures below zero. The below zero temperatures are hopefully behind us as we experienced a few weeks of those in late January and early February.

So here we are, in the middle of winter, snow falling (I could not get out of our driveway this morning because it had not been plowed! Luckily, my co-worker came to the rescue...) and all I can think of is getting away.

The problem our family has this year is that my husband has not been able to find gainful employment since July 2006. You can well imagine what this means: a lean and mean budget that does not allow much room for travel.

But I am the Queen of Cheap Travel and if someone can find a solution to our dilema, it should be me! So I got to think: how can our family go to Europe without costing us an arm and a leg and more importantly, without incurring debt - that's rule #1.

Here is what I am thinking about: We have enough frequent flyer miles to get three tickets to Europe. Typically, airfare is the most expensive part of the trip so we have that covered. Then, I thought: instead of renting a house in the country, why not rent an apartment in a city. Doing so means we will not have to rent a car and therefore, cut on expenses. Then it hit me: my cousin's aunt, has an apartment in Paris that she sometimes rents out. Perhaps we could rent it from her at a friendly price? So I e-mailed my cousin and am waiting to see if this is a possibility. If it is, then we're getting closer to our goal, depending on the rental price, of course.

I will keep you posted on what the status is on the apartment in a future posting.

In the meanwhile, I got on American Airline's website to see when I could travel. Utilizing frequent flyer miles can be maddening as dates can be blocked out or, if they are already utilized by other frequent flyers, they become unavailable. When traveling with frequent flyer miles, it is best to be flexible - and luckily, we are!

I found days that we can use our frequent flyer miles on and that fit into my work schedule. All I am waiting on is if we can rent my cousin's aunt apartment or not. If not, then I can check online what is available and at what price. If we can make it work, then we will probably be on our way to Paris. If not, then I will start planning a camping trip this summer, closer to home.

The best part about planning travel is the possibilities. Sure, I would prefer to spend a couple of weeks in Paris but on the other hand, taking the pop-up trailer to the east coast and Canadian Maritimes could be a very nice alternative.

Utilizing 5-Star Hotel Services Without Breaking the Bank

Recently, I picked up a copy of Travel & Leisure Magazine to pass some time as I was waiting for an appointment. In it, there was an article that examplifies what the Queen of Cheap Travel preaches: How to get five-start hotel services on a Queen of Cheap Travel budget.

And no need to maximize a credit card limit to achieve it! The author of the article - and I wish I had taken down the information to relay it back to you - explained that she does not stay at expensive hotels, she uses their services, namely the concierge.

Concierge of high-end hotels are extremely well connected as they often need to attain the unattainable to satisfy their exclusive clientele. Her tip is to utilize concierge services at exclusive hotels. But beware! The author mentioned that she never took advantage of the concierge by deceiving them. She tells them that she is not staying on the property but mentions that a friend, who does stay there often, recommended them.

The author said she ensures that paying guests have priority over her - meaning, she waits until the concierge is not busy to ask questions. By applying this rule, think of the possibilties! The concierge can be a source of inside information - where does he or she entertain his/her guests? Which restaurant does he/she like to eat at? Is it possible to obtain tickets to the hottest show in town?

In conclusion, the author said that she tiped the concierge very well and that she also took down his/her work schedule in case she needed additonal information.

I am eager to try this tip on my next trip!

Visit Your Friends - But in Moderation...

The first time I went to France, I thought I had done everything and could die happy! Little did I know how it would actually start a quest of visiting other places and never wanting the quest of discovery to end!

One of the wonderful things about (cheap) travel, is that you can include visiting friends as part of the trip. That is what my friend Nathalie and I did when we met up in Paris. I was coming in from Albuquerque, NM, she was flying in from Montreal. The lucky girl even got there a day ahead of me!

We spent a few days in Paris, at a two-star hotel (Rule #4) that had en suite bathrooms (meaning, in the room!), which was a priority for us - no trips down the hallway in our pyjamas, however thick they might have been!

Then, we headed out to the Juras, which is where my friends Annie and Jean-Luc had moved to from New Mexico. French, they lived in the Southwest for a few years and decided to go back to Europe. So, I arranged for us to visit them for a few days. Their region, bordering the Geneva area in Switzerland and a couple of hours drive from Chamonix in the Haute-Savoie, it was perfectly located to discover the French and Swiss countryside.

When we arrived, Nathalie and I rented a car at the train station so that we would not be imposing too much on our hosts. We rekindled our friendship (Nathalie made new ones!), caught up on old times and were lucky enough to have Annie be our guide for a couple of days. She made us discover the "old" Geneva, and took us to a wonderful little town on the side of the Lake Léman called Hermance. Hermance is actually one of my best memories of that trip (Rule #5).

Moreover, we were able to stay in a quaint little French town, visit the boulangerie and other specialty stores, just like the French do as part of their daily routine. It was a wonderful option that definitely met the requirements of cheap travel.

A word of caution on this: Always be the guest that you want to welcome in your home. The requirements on this can change depending on the level of friendship but the bottom line is that it is very important to realize when it is time to go. Using a friend as a base for a two-week vacation can be pushing the envelope...

Nearby Urban Centers Can Make Wonderful Destinations!

In my last posting, I discussed how we can discover our own backyards by being tourists in our immediate city or region and using our home as a base for the traveling. This post takes this to another level: discovering nearby urban centers.

If you live in a large city, you can visit a neighborhing larger city - for example, if you live in New York City, you can easily travel to Philadelphia. For those who live in suburbia, you can use the nearby metropolitan area as your base and if you are in a rural area, you can travel to the nearest metropolitan area.

This is more expensive than being a tourist in your own town or region because in some cases, it will mean an overnight stay somewhere but it does bring a flair of escape that brings excitement! Because this is a bit more involving in planning, it is important to refer back to the Queen of Cheap Travel's 10 tips of cheap travel.

Again, and I will stress it over and over again, if you plan to travel, it is because you can afford it. Credit cards can be used for reservations, etc., but must be paid in full upon returning. Otherwise, that would defeat the purpose. That is Rule #1.

Second, and that is Rule #2, the Internet is your best friend. You can use this great tool to compare prices, locations for accommodations. One of the tip that I have to find affordable accommodations in metropolitan areas is to stay outside the downtown area. Typically, downtowns are the place to be: they are close to attractions, shopping, restaurants, and the likes. Because of their popular location, they can also be expensive. That is Rule #4: No Hiltons allowed!

Staying off the beaten path is a great way to discover the soul of a city. That is because you are more likely to find the accommodation in a neighborhood which means that you will be interacting with locals.

In a future posting, I will take you step by step on how I plan a getaway to an urban center close to my house.

Use Your Backyard as a Vacation Spot

Travel does not necessarily mean going across the globe to an exotic - and expensive - faraway place. The Queen of Cheap Travel's Rule #1: Credit is not your travel friend, says it all. The reality we sometimes face is that we might have to stick closer to home versus jet-setting across the ocean. There is nothing wrong with that.

As a society we are sometimes compelled to compete with the Jones' but we must keep in mind that this so-called competition, is created by marketing and in reality, we do not need it. Each should plan according to his or her situation. This makes for Queen of Cheap Travel travelling!

The idea of travel is to discover and immerse yourself with the culture, people, history, culture, and geography of a place. Being a traveler in your own backyard can bring rewards at an affordable price.

Our family lives in a touristic area - New York State's Adirondack Park. It's a place prized for its natural beauty, art, quaint villages and friendly people. Yet, as residents, we sometimes overlook what our region has to offer. For example, we have two historical forts (Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Henry) close to our home. Their significance is important to the history not only of the region but of the United States and Canada. Yet, many people in our community have never set foot there.

The point is this: sometimes, when the budget is tighter than we would like it, we can still enjoy travel by discovering our own backyard.

Plan a day or two, using your home as a base and play tourist in your area. Highlight places that visitors enjoy, bring a picnic to enjoy in a park, and don't forget to bring your camera to capture wonderful memories. Just treat the experience with the eyes of a newcomer, it will yield endless pleasures and perhaps, a side trip off the beaten path to share with your neighbors.

Facts That Cannot Be Avoided

Now that you are familiar with the 10 Rules of Cheap Travel, I must say that there are facts that unfortunately, cannot be avoided.

For example, airfare is airfare. When planning a trip overseas, taking a plane cannot be avoided (trans-Atlantic cruises are more expensive and therefore not an option for a Queen of Cheap Travel).

The best way to afford airfare is combining rules 2 and 3. Use the Internet to research the airfare and check company websites to ensure that the general travel planning sites gives you the best airfare – and vice versa. Do not forget to research your destination’s air carriers as well. Sometimes, you might find better fares from them and most often than not, they have understandings and use air carrier companies that you are familiar with.

Also, check out major airports within a couple of hundred miles from your home. A drive to a major urban center might mean shaving off a few hundred dollars per ticket. This option can be valuable, especially if a connecting flight to your hometown is four hours after the arrival of your overseas' flight. Instead of waiting at the airport, you can be on your way driving. For example, when my husband and I went to France for our honeymoon during the 2002 Holidays, we drove to Chicago O'Hare Airport from our small town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We could have flown from Green Bay to O'Hare and then on to Paris but on our return, we had a four-hour wait in O'Hare. By the time we would have made it to Green Bay, we were already home!

The best way to limit airfare damage to the travel budget is simple: travel during off seasons. Europe in November? February? Caribbean in June or August? Nothing wrong with that. It actually even has advantages: lower prices for accommodations and fewer tourists at popular sightseeing places. However, in some places, such as the Caribbean’s, summer can also mean hurricanes. Wherever you plan on going, know that things can go wrong.

Another way to afford airfare is to subscribe to a frequent flyer program that offers access to a credit card. Basically, the program works as follow: for every dollar spent on the credit card, you receive a frequent flyer mile for the chosen air carrier. But as with any credit card, there must be a disclaimer. The only way to accrue significant miles using a credit card is to put as many purchases on it as possible – which means using it to pay for mundane items such as food and gas – but that (and this is the important part) it must be paid in full every month. Cheap travel cannot happen if you cannot afford it. That is rule #1.

10 Rules of Cheap Travel

These are some rules that I developed to ensure affordable travel. They must be followed with a grain of salt but overall,

1. Credit is not your travel friend - Everything must be paid for before or after the trip – no exceptions!
2. The Internet is your best tool.
3. Travel during off-seasons.
4. No Hiltons allowed - Be ready to stay in different types of accommodations and expect
differences in accommodations and accept them.
5. Plan but don't overplan - leave a little room for unexpected discoveries and don't be afraid to
get off the touristic beaten path!
6. Never settle for filth
7. Backpacks are best
8. Only underwear and sox can be changed daily
9. Cameras are a must
10. HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE DISCOVERIES!