What is a Fuel Surcharge?

May 23, 2013 by 2 Comments

what is a fuel surcharge

This is Part 1 of the Defeating the Fuel Surcharge series.  Other posts include:

  • What is a Fuel Surcharge?
  • How to Find a Fuel Surcharge using the ITA Matrix
  • Which Airlines Charge Fuel Surcharges and Which Don’t
  • My Frequent Flyer Mile Earning Strategy to Avoid Fuel Surcharges

One of the most important things that anyone who wishes to earn or use frequent flyer miles must learn about is fuel surcharges. Continue Reading…

Filed Under: Defeating the Fuel Surcharge, Tricks/Tips Tagged With:

EPoP 005: Chris Christensen, Travel Podcasting Legend, on How to Best Utilize 2 Weeks of Vacation a Year

May 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Chris-Christensen-Amateur-Traveler-EPoP-Podcast

 

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In this episode of the Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast, travel podcasting legend Chris Christensen joins me to discuss how the average American can best maximize their two weeks of vacation time a year.

He’ll also share the best travel tips he’s gotten over the course of recording over 500+ travel podcasts, discuss the state of the podcasting industry and why it is undergoing such a resurgence,  and tell you how you could possibly be a guest on his show, the Amateur Traveler. Continue Reading…

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My April 2013 App-o-Rama Recap: The Best Laid Plans…(Part 2)

May 17, 2013 by 35 Comments

ugly doll

[This is the continuation of my April App-o-Rama recap.  You can read Part 1 here.]

Now that you’ve heard all about the good things that happened during this App-o-Rama, let’s dive in to the bad things that happened, and the lessons I learned from them.

For those keeping score at home, we are at three full approvals and one at a lower level. Continue Reading…

Filed Under: American Express, App-O-Rama, Barclays Tagged With: , ,

My April 2013 App-o-Rama Recap: The Best Laid Plans…(Part 1)

May 16, 2013 by 21 Comments

Lego plans

[If you don't know what an App-o-Rama is, check out this post first.]

Well, that didn’t go exactly as I expected.

And while I knew that this App-o-Rama might be a little tricky, even I was thrown for a loop by some of the decisions, both positive and negative. Continue Reading…

Filed Under: American Airlines, App-O-Rama, Bank of America, Chase, Citi, Club Carlson, US Bank, Virgin Atlantic Tagged With: , , ,

EPoP 004: Jason Lewis on His Amazing, Inspiring, Guinness Book of World Record Feat

May 9, 2013 by 2 Comments

Jason Lewis Expedition 360 podcast

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In this episode of The Extra Pack of Podcast, Jason Lewis of Expedition360 joins me to talk about one of the most amazing feats in travel history, going around the entire world using just human power.

Jason began his trip “on a lark” in 1994, believing it would take him and a friend 3 or 4 years to complete the journey. Continue Reading…

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EPoP 003: Colin Wright on Changing Countries Every 4 Months, The Beauty of Being an Idiot, and Minimalism

May 2, 2013 by 2 Comments

Colin Wright Extra Pack of Peanuts Podcast

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In this episode of the Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast, Colin Wright of Exile Lifestyle joins me to discuss a variety of travel topics, including why he allows strangers to pick which country he will move to every 4 months, how being an idiot abroad is a positive thing, and why he currently has only 70 items to his name. Continue Reading…

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Mixed Nuts: May 1, 2013

May 1, 2013 by 1 Comment

mixed nuts

A little bit of housekeeping to get done on this beautiful first day of May, so I wanted to give you a few quick notes about what’s going on here at EPoP headquarters and also what to look forward to in the coming months.

Here we go!

EPoP Award Booking Service

I’ve just re-launched my award booking service and I’m looking to add a few clients. Continue Reading…

Filed Under: Mixed Nuts

Taking (AA)dvantage of American Airlines Third Award Chart, the OneWorld Explorer Awards

April 30, 2013 by 39 Comments

OneWorld Explorer Award Chart

If you’re reading the title and thinking “wait, Americans Airlines has 3 award charts?”, you’re not alone.  Many, many people don’t realize (or forget) that American Airlines actually has 3 different award charts.

These award charts can be used in different circumstances and of course, can be maximized in different ways. Continue Reading…

Filed Under: American Airlines, Award Booking, OneWorld, Tools/Resources, Tricks/Tips Tagged With: , , , , ,

EPoP 002: The FUNdamentals of Frequent Flyer Miles

April 25, 2013 by 5 Comments

The Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast

 

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Welcome to the 2nd episode of the Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast!

In this episode, Trav answers some of the most frequently asked questions about frequent flyer miles so that you can start understanding them, earning them and traveling for free.  He also discusses why airline alliances are so important and the awesome power they hold, as well as the two types of award charts and how to maximize each. Continue Reading…

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