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Travel Addiction Confessions You Need to Know

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Some people like to play sports for an adrenaline rush.  That is one of the reasons I go to UFC fights, after all, it’s the biggest adrenaline rush I have had without playing sports.  Over the last several months, I have looked back at my travel hacking and wondered if I do it due to the adrenaline rush or if it’s become a travel addiction. You are always looking for the next deal, the easiest way to get points.  It’s almost like any other addiction as you are looking for your next fix, best/cheapest way to get your next trip.
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Travel Addiction – Extra Miles

Over the last year, I have found I have miles for airlines that I do not know of any trips or reason to take planned to the areas that they cover.  Over the last year, I have started to use some of these off the path miles such as Alaskan Airlines to take partner flights to Las Vegas. My goals always had an endpoint, but it was more of just throwing out processes to see what would stick.
Travel Addiction

Challenge Accepted

Several years ago, someone told me “Miles will never get you a trip.  You are wasting your time…”.  So what started as something to maybe get one free Vegas Trip turned into several set goals.  The smaller of the goals was to reduce costs to flying to Las Vegas.  Back when I started, it was for people watching and the weather.  With the lack of humidity, it seems like that is the only place where my body does not hurt.  Over the years now it has turned into Las Vegas flights for UFC fights.  This little travel addiction has at least been able to pay for the airline flights each time.
Travel Addiction
The more significant challenge has been being able to provide memories.  Earlier this year I was able to fly to Hawaii with Joni and Cheyenne.  I do not know if I would be able to make this trip again due to the length of the flight.  Joni always said she wanted to go to Hawaii for our 15th wedding anniversary.  I always thought it would never happen because it would be too expensive.  “We will see…”.  That gave me three years at the time to get enough miles and hotel points for this trip.  Challenge accepted.  We were able to book the flights during our 15th year all due to miles.
Travel Addiction
Now that I have accomplished those two goals I have had a chance to sit back and look closely at my hobby.  Are there things I would do differently?  Yes.  But sometimes its the journey and the steps you have to take along the way.  Just make sure you take a step back to enjoy your life. Read our article about Why Travel? 5 Reasons You Should and you don’t let your travel habits become an actual compulsion.

How Many Credit Cards Should I Have?

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How many credit cards should I have is something we ask ourselves quite often. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, the most extensive collection of active credit cards was 1,497. I don’t think any of us need that many.

How many credit cards should I have?

This answer widely depends on multiple factors such as your budget, credit score and what you plan to use them for. If you are Travel Hacking, this question becomes even harder to answer. The easiest way to get miles/points is the use of credit card sign up bonuses and daily use.  Unfortunately, it isn’t one card fits all to get the most points.  Most have strong categories or items that you purchase for bonus points and a flat point amount for other things.  To get the best bang for the buck, I split my spend between four different cards.

Below is the list of credit cards I feel like I need to have, with most of my flights being to Las Vegas, Orlando, and Cancun. Now does this answer the question of “How many credit cards should I have?”. I’m not sure, but I think you will find the information helpful in making your credit card decisions.

Credit Card List

1.)    Chase Ink

This card is no longer available in the form we use, but they do offer the Chase Ink Preferred.  The version I have allows for 5x Ultimate Rewards points on my cable/cell phone bill along with purchases at office supply stores.  I like to pick up gift cards for the 5x Ultimate Rewards points for stores my wife or I go to often such as Starbucks, Lowes or Target.  They provide other benefits such as 2x Ultimate Rewards Points on gas.  You receive 1 point on all other purchases
The Chase Ink Preferred only does 3x Ultimate Rewards points on cable/cell bill and office supply stores.  Another perk we enjoy is the cell phone insurance through their card if you pay for your cellular bill with this card.

2.)    Chase Freedom Unlimited card

This is one of the two default cards we usually use.  This allows for 1.5x points for all purchases.  Worst case, you can cash these out and its a 1.5% cash back card.  But since we have the Chase Freedom Unlimited card , we can transfer the Ultimate Rewards Points to that account and converts those into miles giving us about 3% back on all purchases for travel through Southwest, Hyatt, United, and other programs.

3.)  MGM Mlife Card through the First Bankcard

This is due to my loyalty to MGM casinos.  Each purchase for gas and groceries is 2 points in loyalty and 2 points in credit at one of their casinos.  We are fortunate that our Walmart counts as groceries.  This is what allows me to maintain my higher than average rewards/loyalty status at MGM and provides better deals through their program for free nights and food comp credits.  I only use this card for gas and groceries.

4.) Paypal through Synchrony Bank

This is my other default card.  This is a simple and plain 2% cashback card.  When all else fails, this cash back covers those items that come up on travel such as taxis and food on the trips.  With this being 2% on everything with no annual fee, it will beat most of the cards that offer only one point per dollar.

How Many Credit Cards Should I Have? – Conclusion

Keep in mind; values change for what airline and hotels are worth.  As flights get cheaper at times, the number of miles it may take may not.  My general rule of thumb is if you do not get at least two percent value per dollar or some ancillary benefit like additional warranty, don’t overlook a simple cash back card at times.

Best Vacations for Teens

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Best Vacations for Teens

We believe that everyone should travel. That doesn’t mean you need to fly somewhere or even go far. You can travel in your own state or do a road trip and we encourage you to read more about why we think everyone should travel. Since we have a teenager, we get asked a lot where we think the best vacations for teens are. Now we travel a decent amount but we certainly don’t travel everywhere; and we’ve never been overseas. But we do have some favorites for you to consider when planning your best vacations for teens.

  • Las Vegas – Yeah that sounds odd, it’s a mecka of lots of things you probably don’t want your teenagers to know or see, but with that said there are also a lot of opportunities in Las Vegas you may not get other places. Sporting events, fights, lots of things to do that are family friendly.
  • Florida – Florida has many things to do from swimming at the beach, to planning a Disney destination vacation.
  • Wisconsin Dells, WI – There are so many waterparks and things to do here it’s often overlooked. Visit in the summer to take full advantage.
  • Hawaii – There is something extra special to be said about visiting an island. Combine that with all the great things to see and do and you can’t really go wrong. Plus a stop at Pearl Harbor lets you sneak in some learning too.
  • Mexico – We’ve only been to Cancun but I imagine the experiences are similar in other places around Mexico too. Try to get in a few excursions to see historical sites, dolphins and snorkeling opportunites you can’t get other places.

Need some other ideas? Check out this list of the 20 Vacations places for Teens by Travel Advisor.

Tips to make the Best Vacations for Teens memorable

  1. Anytime you are planning trips with teens involve them in the trip planning. If they feel invested in the trip they are more likely to enjoy it and not complain if something outside your control goes wrong. When we travel we make Cheyenne research wherever we are going. With today’s easy access to YouTube and social media reviews this isn’t that hard for her. She then gets to pick 1 must do activity as do each of us. That is the thing we make sure we do first so that we get everyone’s item in on our vaction. For example: When we went to Hawaii – Cheyenne’s must do thing was to visit the Dole Plantation which we actually ended up doing twice.
  2. Make them accountable. There is no reason your teenager can’t pack their own bag, be responsible for souveniers they want and help you navigate around the airport, etc.
  3. Plan downtime. We’ve found that most people want to pack everything they can into their vacation. I get that, I really do, but will you enjoy it if you don’t have some downtime? We’ve found that if we plan in downtime we enjoy the fast, action packed, busy days way more. This can be helpful if you have a rainday or something goes wrong like being able to move your tours if a hurricane threatens your trip such as when Hurricane Laine decided to visit us on our Hawaii trip. This is in my opinion the most important tip when considering the best vacations for teens.
  4. Plan your photos. Our daughter hates to have her picture taken. That’s probably because Joni takes about a million of them. We set the expectation up front we are going to take pictures, probably a lot them. If you don’t complain and you go along with them things will be easier and you will be happy we have them when we get back. With that said Joni tries to limit our family snaps to a handful a day so they aren’t overwhelming

Do you have other tips or places to making the best of vacations with teens? Comment or contact us to let us know so we can share with others!

Homework: Travel for Teens

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My daughter Cheyenne is in Junior High School.  Her teachers know that she often travels as some of the areas they discuss she has been able to visit.  As I was sitting in Cancun, I got a call from her asking if I can help her with her homework. They had received an assignment to help them figure out travel costs and wanted my help when I returned home. Of course, I will help her with her assignment. I will help her figure out how to travel for teens can be incorporated into our everyday lives.

The Assignment

They were discussing the costs of living in her class. The assignment they were given was to figure out what it would cost to go on their dream vacation.  At the end of class, she walked up to her teacher and asked: “Do I have to do what everyone else pays or what my family pays?”.  So there was my twelve year old daughter explaining travel hacking to her teacher.  Cheyenne said the teacher’s jaw dropped when she was told that the cost of our flights to Hawaii this summer cost us $35 in taxes.”.  Once the shocked teacher paused and replied, “But you still have to pay for the hotel.”.  As she packed up to leave, Cheyenne replies “Oh, he got that for $35 a night in resort fees, that is it.” and walked away to her next class.

Travel for Teens

Our daughter has been taught early on that her ability to travel as a teen as often as we do is not average. The ability to travel is due to the hobby her dad has, and not everyone does this.  She has already asked to learn how to do this in the future. This will allow her and her friends to travel more often and travel as teenagers to places they otherwise couldn’t. After all, She already has accounts for when she flies.  This hobby allows us the opportunity to teach her many other life lessons. We show her about savings, expenses, and cost of travel.  Strange teaching a thirteen year old about travel sites, resort fees, and what TSA PreCheck is.  It isn’t just the flight and hotel but a whole trip that has to be planned.
I see her starting her own miles journey. After all travel for teens teaches lots of life lessons and she knows this ‘not normal’ travel habit allows her opportunities others don’t get
We have been doing family trips each year.  Cheyenne has been able to go to Florida several times, Las Vegas, and Hawaii.  After all, we are trading in miles for memories…

5 Amazingly Easy Strategies to get Cheap Eats in Las Vegas

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With any trip to Las Vegas, it isn’t just the hotel and the airfare.  You have to eat also.  The first trip we had we were going out for a friends wedding and a delayed honeymoon.  Very little money and very little knowledge of Las Vegas.  Back then luckily you could eat at a Coffee Shop or a buffet for cheap.  Nowadays that isn’t as much of an option.  There are options for cheap eats Las Vegas style.  Additionally, check out our article Where can I purchase snacks while visiting Las Vegas?

My Cheap Eats Las Vegas Strategy

Plan for only two meals.  If you eat a more substantial meal in the morning most likely you will find you can get by with just dinner after.  I found I don’t eat as much with walking.
Food is always cheaper off the strip.  Depending on if you decide on a rental car, you can find some hidden gems that are reasonably priced.  Buffets at most off strip casinos such as Main Street Stations or other Boyd properties can be a diamond for your budget.
Fast food is your friend for Cheap Eats Las Vegas Style! There are McDonald’s and other fast food areas all down the strip.  I have found that I tend to eat a couple of times at Denny’s.  If I do not want to venture off the strip, it is a quick meal with their $2-$6 side menus.
Watch hotel booking deals – Usually, every trip when booking the hotel, there are usually food/drink credits depending on when you book.  This is a great way to assist with some of the splurge restaurants.  Check out our favorite hotels to stay at in Las Vegas: Preferred Options: MLIFE Casinos and Hotels
Off menu items.  If you research beforehand, you can find off menu deals.  Sometimes you just need to ask for what some of the specials are.  It can be that simple.  Otherwise looking online you can find hidden options such as “$7.77 special” at Mr. Luckys at the Hard Rock Casino.  Steak and shrimp for under $10.00 were always one of my friend’s favorites.
The biggest thing is to plan accordingly.  If you do not plan where you will end up eating, your cheap eats will be expensive eats.

3 Amazing Breakfast in Las Vegas places you must visit!

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As many are aware I feel like Las Vegas is my second home. Unlike most in Vegas, I am an early riser.  My habit of getting up early drives Joni nuts.  I do prefer getting up early before the crowds hit, especially if you want to go site seeing.  If you are going site seeing check out our article on how to find snacks in Las Vegas. With getting up earlier, I have three places I love for breakfast in Las Vegas.  Two of the best breakfast in Las Vegas places are off of the strip; one is on the strip.

Off-Strip Breakfast in Las Vegas places

Dupars at Suncoast Casino.  Dupars has some of the best pancakes you will ever have.  Keep your diet at home.  The melted butter is poured onto these pancakes by the spoonful.  Dupars is a 24-hour coffee shop, but it is about 20-minute drive off the strip.  With this being a 24-hour coffee shop it has everything that you would expect from burgers and fries to french toast.  If you are looking for something for that sweet tooth, they always have multiple kinds of pie and donuts at all times of the day.  Prices are higher than a standard coffee shop but are a must for my trips.  They had several of these located in California and used to be located down on Fremont Street before that location closed.
Mr. Lucky’s at Hard Rock Hotel.  Mr. Lucky’s is another coffee shop that seems to have everything.  It is a little more expensive, but the portions are worth it.  I love the Cornflake Crusted French Toast. Just make sure to bring your sweet tooth as this delightful breakfast in Las Vegas is a fan favorite.  Mr. Lucky’s is another 24-hour restaurant that will give you an extensive menu of options

On Strip

Avenue Cafe at MGM Grand.  This place typically ends up being my most expensive breakfast in Las Vegas.  Usually, this will be one of my comp meals for food/drink.  This place is a favorite for the Fried Brioche French Toast.  The French toast usually comes with berries and white chocolate.  It is very sweet but my one splurge on the trip and it’s so worth it. If you are a fan of French Toast, this place has to be on your list of places to visit.  This meal is more expensive than some of the other breakfast in Las Vegas options. I think you will agree that it is worth the cost once you’ve had a taste with this fantastic treat/splurge.
This again points to the cost of meals being significantly more expensive on the strip.  The more you can plan to eat off strip the more affordable of a trip it will be. Check out our article: Las Vegas Fast Food: 5 wonderful places you need to try.
3 Amazing Breakfast in Las Vegas places you must visit!