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Category: Tips

  • Our Ultimate Guide to Healthy Travel

    Our Ultimate Guide to Healthy Travel

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether or not you follow a healthy lifestyle at home, traveling can throw a wrench in whatever routine you had going on. When we’re home, we try to follow the 80/20 lifestyle – healthy eats and alcohol-free 80% of the time and head to the gym (or for a hike) most days of the week.

    But, as soon as we head to the airport the overpriced snacks and glasses of wine come into view and it can be downhill from there. Over the years, between travel for business and pleasure, we’ve figured out ways to make our trips a bit healthier (while still always enjoying the delicious food our destination has to offer!).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”957″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Be Prepared

    Researching the best restaurants to head to while you’re exploring a new city or country? Check out some menus. Most of the time there are healthy options but you’ll want to be prepared that if there’s not, you balance out your day with a healthier breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Is there a place nearby to grab a smoothie or green juice to get you some nutrients you might be missing out on? Knowing these things beforehand can help stop you from picking up a bag of chips or other unhealthy option while you’re exploring.

    I also tend to make worse decisions when I find myself hungry with no healthy snacks on hand – at that point, anything goes and something unhealthy usually sounds like the best idea. In order to try and combat this as much as possible, I buy bars and snacks that are easy to travel with, can fill that sweet or savory craving, and help me avoid making poor decisions during our trips. Some of my go to snacks are:

    Quest Bars – my favorites are Cookie Dough or Cookies & Cream but there are plenty of flavors to choose from!

    190 calories – 1g sugar – 21g protein – 21g carbs – 280mg sodium (for cookies & cream flavor)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Luna Bars – lately I’ve been craving the chocolate dipped coconut, but again, plenty of flavors to choose from. They aren’t as healthy as quest bars but I find them to be a nice, sweet snack.

    200 calories – 8g sugar – 8g protein – 24g carbs – 190mg sodium (for chocolate dipped coconut flavor)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Larabars – another bar alternative, these basically only contain fruit and nuts, which also means their sugar content is a bit higher. They also sell some varieties in “mini” size which is a nice alternative if you’re just looking for a couple of bites. They have everything from lemon or key lime pie to chocolate peanut butter – I find most I’ve tried to be delicious!

    190 calories – 18g sugar – 4g protein – 24g carbs – 4mg sodium (for Apple Pie flavor)[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1505271245360-4018aa62-ec4e-10″ include=”972,973″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Trader Joe’s Organic Fruit Wraps – sometimes you don’t want or need a bar and just need a little bit of sugar and something sweet. In comes Trader Joe’s Organic Fruit Wraps. Small, so you could bring 20 with you and not make a dent in your suitcase, and gives you that sugar boost you might be needing after a long day (or night)!

    50 calories – 11g sugar – 0g protein – 12g carbs – 0mg sodium (apple strawberry flavor)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Raw Almonds – or…any raw nuts or combination. Even salted, they still make a better snack than many other options! Trader Joe’s has a good selection of individual serving size packs of nuts, and grocery stores have 100 calorie packs as well.

    100 calories – 1g sugar – 4g protein – 4g carbs – 0mg sodium (Emerald 100-calorie pack raw almonds)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Run out of time to pick any of these up before you leave? Wherever you’re going there’s probably a grocery store that carries these items, or items like them, or worse to worst, an expensive airport or hotel store.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You’ve Arrived. Remember to Make Healthy Choices.

    Sounds easy, right? Or, maybe it doesn’t. Before you think I’m going to tell you to eat a salad for every meal, I’m not. Eat your empanadas in Buenos Aires, your pasta in Florence, your curry in Ko Phi Phi. I did. And I would again. But, in the middle of all of that goodness, you can still make some healthy choices.

    • Drink water. This really starts on the airplane, maybe even before you get on the airplane. But once you start flying – hydrate! Yes, the free alcohol you might get in first class or on an international flight might entice you – and I’m not saying don’t have a glass of wine – but don’t forget to drink lots of water. Especially if you’re flying to a higher altitude.
    • Order a salad! Okay, I said it. But after a couple of days of eating whatever your heart desires you might start craving one – so order it!
    • Get a healthy start. Yes, brunch is amazing. But, you don’t have to load up on buffets and french toast every single day you’re on your trip. Switch things up and have eggs, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, maybe even a couple of slices of bacon (my weakness!). You’ll still be having a yummy breakfast without starting the day stuffing yourself.
    • Mix and match. Are you on a couples trip? With a group? Order a variety of plates that are a mix of healthy and not-so-much so you can get a taste for everything without having to commit to eating an entire serving of whatever fried, cream filled, or salty dish you want to order.
    • Watch the alcohol. I’m not saying don’t drink. But, just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you need to have a cocktail in your hand every minute of the day. And, it doesn’t mean you have to have a fruity cocktail full of a week’s worth of sugar at every meal. Enjoy yourself, but remember choosing red wine or a vodka soda is usually a better choice than that frozen strawberry daiquiri.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1505271245373-afc1d9d4-91e2-10″ include=”962,963,960″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stay Active!

    Okay, so you’re eating healthy. Or maybe you’re not. Either way – get moving!

    • Have a quick workout at your hotel gym. Not every hotel gym is created equal and this may not be the route for you, but it can be the easiest and quickest way to burn some calories during your trip.
    • Check out local gym or yoga classes. Immerse yourself in the city, country, culture you’re visiting and try a class. You get culture and calorie-burning at the same time!
    • Go for a hike – we’ve hiked volcanoes, mountains, through jungles and rainforests, in the country and right outside large cities.
    • Paddleboard. Kayak. Swim. Vacationing on the water? Get in and move around!
    • Rent a bike. Whether you’re in the city or country, renting a bike is probably an option and a healthy, cheap way to get around town or enjoy an afternoon riding around whatever park, island, or city you’re visiting.
    • Take the stairs. It’s a small change, and I don’t take the stairs when I’m staying on the 10th floor of a hotel, but more and more we see elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks. Just take the stairs.
    • Walk! A no brainer. Of course you’re walking. In larger cities it’s becoming easier and easier to hop in an Uber. In smaller towns there is usually some version of taxi transportation available as well. It’s easy to throw a few bucks at them and hop in. You’re on vacation after all. Instead of that being your first inclination, walk a mile, or two.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1505271245384-70d69b02-7711-10″ include=”961,964,959″][vc_single_image image=”958″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At the end of the day, a long weekend, even a couple of weeks, of unhealthy eating and less activity shouldn’t kill you – but, it’s important to get right back on the health-train when you get back home. Get back in your routine the first day back – head to the gym, buy your healthy groceries, and you’ll be back to your normal self in no time!

    What do you do to stay healthy while traveling?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • 6 Benefits of Traveling During the Off-Season

    6 Benefits of Traveling During the Off-Season

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While summertime and winter holidays are popular times to travel, there are many benefits to traveling during the off-season. Peak travel can bring expensive price tags, overcrowded tours, and sold out flights and hotels.

    Of course, often times off-season travel means that you’re not getting the ideal weather for the location you’re visiting – however, that doesn’t mean rain or cold is going to ruin your trip.

    To give you an idea of some of the off-season travel we’ve experienced over the last couple of years…we’ve traveled to Mexico City and Guatemala during their rainy seasons, Cuba during hurricane season, Tokyo over Christmas, and Patagonia at the end of their shoulder season (in between peak and off-season). Each trip was wonderful and I would travel to all of those places at the same times again.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1502758719294-827113eb-0f11-8″ include=”940,941″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So, what are the benefits?

    1. Flights are cheaper. If you’ve ever tried to travel around Christmas you know you’re in for spending a bit more than any other time of the year. Domestic travel in the United States around Thanksgiving is no better either. And summertime travel? Yikes. Traveling during off-peak times when flights are less full typically means the fare will be cheaper – especially when you’re comparing them to the most popular times of the year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]2. Hotel deals. Going hand in hand with flights, many hotels drop their rates or run different deals and specials depending on the time of year, hoping to lure you there when the weather may not be as perfect. Plus, you don’t have to worry about booking your accommodation far in advance because the hotels will probably never get to capacity at an off-season time of year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]3. No crowds. No booking transportation, tours, activities, dinner reservations well in advance when it’s not busy. Of course, you still can if you want to! But traveling somewhere when it’s crowded gives you more flexibility to decide what you want to do that day, instead of weeks in advance. It also opens up the possibility that you might get a last minute deal for certain activities. Of course, if there are specific things you want to do that might not be offered the entire year, check into that before booking your trip.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]4. Less “tourists”. Okay, you might think this is the same as “no crowds” and perhaps it is, but typically if you’re booking a trip to Europe in the middle of summer, or Brazil over New Year’s Eve, your trip is going to be overrun with more tourists than travelers. This means less possibility of someone wandering into that perfect photo you were taking, less noise, and more opportunities to relax and take in whatever scenery is around you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]5. Friendlier locals. The crowds are gone. The “tourists” are gone. The locals can take a step back and relax. They have time to engage in conversation with you, offer to tell you their story, recommend the best restaurant no one knows about around the corner or the tour guide who doesn’t have a website but will give you the best tour for half the price tomorrow. These authentic experiences are not always readily available when place is overcrowded during peak season.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]6. There’s bound to be an adventure. When we were in Antigua, Guatemala, it rained so hard one day that rain was leaking through the ceiling and coming into the restaurant we were having lunch at [side note: the restaurant was located in some ruins so a leaking ceiling could be expected]. It rained so much before we went to that visibility was terrible for scuba-diving. We went to the beach instead and met a lobster fisherman who invited us to a $10 all-you-can eat lobster dinner in Trinidad that night.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1502758841252-c65d8a0e-955f-8″ include=”942,943″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Of course, with each trip we’ve taken during the off-season it could have been worse – hurricanes, snow, rain all day, we know when we’ve planned some of these trips we’re taking a chance, but so far the reward has far outweighed the risk and we’ll continue to do so – starting with Belize in just a few weeks (smack dab in the middle of hurricane season).

    Where have you traveled off-season that you would recommend?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • How to Tackle Chile in a Week

    How to Tackle Chile in a Week

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When we jumped on the $200 error fare to Santiago, I’ll be honest, I had NO idea what we were going to do for a week (okay, eight days) in Chile. I assumed we’d have to stick to a bunch of day trips from Santiago (which, upon my research, really wouldn’t have been such a bad trip at all!) and that getting down to Patagonia was going to cost an arm and a leg.

    Luckily, once I put my travel research hat on I realized that wouldn’t have to be the case at all.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”876″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you’re not one for action-packed trips and like a more leisurely pace, this itinerary may not be for you, but hopefully anyone reading gets some good tips and ideas out of here anyway![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Day 1: Arrive in Santiago. It probably depends where you are flying from, but we took an 8-hour redeye flight from Mexico City. We’re both lucky enough that we sleep relatively well on planes, and always try to hit the ground running after an overnight flight. We spent the afternoon exploring Santiago – eating, drinking, and taking it all in.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Day 2: Day trip to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. We were flying out early the next morning so an overnight trip wasn’t an option for us – it made for a pretty long day but I knew we wanted to fit in a trip to the graffitied city. This happened to be on a Sunday, and if that happens to you be forewarned that many restaurants will be closed, but we found a hilltop spot and then enjoyed wandering around the streets and checking out all of the art. We also weren’t sure when we would want to head back to Santiago so did not buy a bus ticket in advance – typically not an issue but at the end of the weekend everyone else was heading back to Santiago as well – we opted to take an Uber home rather than a bus that would have gotten us in after midnight. You live and you learn, right?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Day 3: Travel to Puerto Natales in Patagonia. Be prepared for a long day. This involved a 3-hour flight south to Punta Arenas (hello, 600-miles from Antartica!) and then another 2 1/2 hour bus ride north to Puerto Natales. We opted to fly their budget airlines, SKY Airlines, which got us there safe and sound, and then Bus Sur for the comfortable bus ride. Tip: You can buy your tickets online beforehand and choose your seats. Once we arrived, we settled into our hotel and then took a taxi over to The Singular Hotel for a relaxing late afternoon bottle of Chilean wine and snacks.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Day 4: Today’s the day! You’re going to spend the entire day exploring Torres del Paine. Obviously, due to our time constraints, we did not have time to do any of the 5-day treks, so we opted for a full-day tour allowing us to check out many amazing sites along the way and go for short walks and hikes as well.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Day 5: After your full day in Torres, followed by another delicious dinner in Puerto Natales (seriously – head over to our blog about Patagonia to check out where we ate!) you’re back on the bus and headed to the airport. While another long day, we were scheduled to arrive back in Santiago around 5pm, giving us a bit of time to relax before dinner. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed for a few hours so we didn’t end up arriving in Santiago until 8pm. Luckily I had made dinner reservations a block from our hotel and they still seated us an hour after our reservation time![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Day 6: Back at the airport. Yeah, I know! But there are no direct flights from Punta Arenas to Calamia so we were stuck with an overnight in Santiago. There are a couple of flights a day to Calamia but we chose to take the earliest one to maximize our time in San Pedro de Atacama. The flight was much shorter (under 2 hours) but make sure to maximize anytime you have to nap! Once we arrived in Atacama we dropped our stuff, headed to the hot springs, and then Valle de La Luna.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Day 7: Exploring Atacama. We had rented a car which gave us the flexibility to sleep in a little bit later than if we had booked a tour. We spent the day driving around, basically following the tour route that looked the most interesting to us, while avoiding all of the tourists. Want to learn more about what we did? Read more here![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Day 8: It’s time to start the long journey home. It’s still dark out when we leave our hotel – we’re catching the earlier flight to avoid any potential delays that could force us to miss our flight back home. When we arrive in Santiago we still have about 8 hours to kill so we head to the fish market, the yarn street, the historic center, and pretty much just walk the city until we’re in need of pisco sours, Chilean wine, and snacks to get us through. The sun sets and we are on another redeye back to Mexico City.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Once I started researching Chile I realized there was so much greatness all over the country – while we saw A LOT we barely scratched the surface of mountains, lakes, and wine country to see!

    Where should we go the next time we make it down to Chile?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Our Favorite Travel Websites

    Our Favorite Travel Websites

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]People often ask us how we get such great deals and are able to go on as many trips as we do. The truth is – there isn’t just one answer. Sometimes it’s luck when we search for a destination, other times it’s jumping on an amazing deal or error fare, and yes, there are plenty of times (like now, as we try to plan a Christmas/New Years trip to New Zealand) that we track and check flights for days, weeks, and months before deciding that we’ve gotten the best deal.

    That all being said, here are some of our favorite sites![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    1. Google Flights

    This has become a favorite of ours for a few reasons. If you don’t have a specific location in mind, you can use their map view and see different prices for all of the world without having to input individual searches. You can even pick a general length of time and month of the year if you’re schedule is wide open. If you do know the location you’re trying to get to, Google Flights has a calendar view so you can see the cheapest days to fly. Lastly, if you’re loyal to a specific airline or group of airlines (i.e. Skyteam, Southwest) you can choose to only see pricing for those specific airlines or partners.

    https://www.google.com/flights/[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

    2. ITA Matrix

    It would make sense that ITA Matrix is on our list, as it powers Google Flights. While I don’t find it as user-friendly and you can’t book a flight directly from the website, you have a lot of flexibility for more advanced searches and calendar views. Stay tuned for Toby’s upcoming blog post on how to get the most out of ITA Matrix (it saved us hundreds of dollars on Christmas flights to Vietnam in 2015!)

    https://matrix.itasoftware.com/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    3. Secret Flying

    Secret Flying became a fast favorite of mine last fall when AeroMexico had an error fare from Los Angeles, CA to Santiago, Chile for $208. The error existed on Orbitz so we had to book our flights through their website but all worked out and we had no issues – we were even given the MQD (Miles Qualification Dollars) that we would have received if we had paid $1,100 for the flight. Secret Flying is not just good for posting error fares – many times they are just posting great deals all over the world.

    Tip: If you do book an error fare, I recommend waiting a bit before booking any other travel, non-refundable accommodations, etc. While we didn’t run into any issues, I have read stories of airlines not honoring the error fare which can definitely throw a wrench in your plans.

    Tip: There are new deals everyday. I like to follow them on Facebook and every time I log on to my account I see the most recent deals at the top of my newsfeed.

    http://www.secretflying.com/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    4. Travel Pirates

    This is another one I like to follow on Facebook. The deals are all over the world and not just for flights – they’ll show you deals for hotels and vacation packages as well. This and Secret Flying are great sites to follow if you’re open to booking spontaneous trips (but not necessarily a flight that’s about to leave the next day).

    https://www.travelpirates.com/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    5. Momondo

    I’m a bit newer to using this site but they do allow you to filter by specific airlines or airline partners and have a nice calendar feature as well. It also seems like they some better deals than other sites from time to time.

    http://www.momondo.com/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    6. Fare Deal Alert

    Another website I don’t actually check, but get a daily summary email from. These flights originate from all over the country so depending on what your home airport is, they may not be worth it to you, but they usually provide 5-7 great deals on a daily basis, both domestic and international flights. This is also another one you can follow on Facebook.

    http://faredealalert.com/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    7. Chase Sapphire Reserve (or Preferred)

    Of course, this site wouldn’t apply to those that don’t have these cards, but I have had some good luck booking hotels and rental cars through this site. I have never transferred my points to an airline or hotel, rather I book the travel directly through the site. I have come across hotel listings where the price point on Chase is a bit higher than the hotel’s website (or a third party booking site) but other times Chase has a cheaper rate. And, in one instance, when renting a car at Logan Airport in Boston for a weekend in October was topping out around $300, I was able to book through Chase for $130. Bonus, of course, is being able to use your points, or a combination of points and cash.

    https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/sapphire/reserve[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While those are our top sites, I still like checking sites like Kayak, Hotels.com, Airbnb, and Skiplagged (although I have yet to actually book something there!).

    What are your favorite sites?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Making the Most of a Long Layover

    Making the Most of a Long Layover

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I booked my first trip that had an extended layover in London, I knew I had to get out of the airport. One of my best friends from college had been living there for 8 years, and while we had traveled the world together, I had never been to London while she lived there. I started researching what I could do with an eight hour layover and came across many forums warning people not to bother leaving the airport, it’s too far, just stay in the lounge, etc. etc.

    Well, I was determined, so I bought the more expensive Heathrow Express train ticket and found myself in Central London in no time. I had plenty of time to run around and quickly see the sights, have a delicious brunch, and enjoy some beers in Covent Garden.  After that I was sold on long layovers.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297397247-3b2ab382-3eeb-9″ include=”727,726,724″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]These are some things I would consider when deciding if you’ll be leaving the airport or not:

    • What time is your layover? (a 12 hour layover during the day is far different than a 12 hour layover overnight)
    • How far is the airport from the city you want to explore?
    • How long does it take to get to where you want to explore?
    • Do you have to get your checked luggage and then recheck your bag?
    • Or if you’re carrying on, where is the luggage storage?

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Once you’ve determined it makes sense to leave the airport and explore I always prefer to have some idea of what I want to see and do. On a 17-hour overnight layover in Tokyo I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the city. We decided to explore just a handful of neighborhoods and felt like we saw a lot in a short amount of time.

    Things we accomplished in 17 hours:

    • Took the train into the city (chose the neighborhood of Shinjuku due to it’s central location and ease of getting from the airport)
    • Ate sushi
    • Checked out the giant crosswalks and famous statue of the dog, Haichiko in Shibuya
    • Ate ramen
    • Wandered around the little alleyways and tiny bars of Golden Gai
    • Had some cocktails

    On the way back we had a 6 hour layover so spent some time in much closer, Narita. We ate some sticky buns, more ramen, had personalized chopsticks made (tourist alert!) and checked out some temples.

    • Took a shower and got some sleep
    • Spent the morning at the Meiji Shrine near Harajuku

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297434734-814b9500-3197-2″ include=”725,722″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297459027-8396eb72-d728-9″ include=”721,723″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A year later I was in a similar situation in Shanghai. An overnight layer on the way to Hong Kong and an afternoon layover on the way home. This time I was able to:

    • Take in the beautiful skyline at night and during a bright, sunny day
    • Head to 86th floor of the Hyatt Jin Mao for drinks and (some) views – it was pretty smoggy up there
    • Enjoy authentic Chinese food
    • Wander around The Bund
    • Visit Yu Yuan Garden
    • …and of course sleep and shower!

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1487297488004-4f20b5e3-1fd4-6″ include=”728,729,730″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Now I am not only determined to make the most of any long layover, I actually look for them when booking flights! Where’s your favorite long layover or stopover you’ve been?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Review: Chase Sapphire Reserve

    Review: Chase Sapphire Reserve

    I had been a Chase Sapphire Preferred customer for about four years when the Chase Sapphire Reserve came out. I had no complaints. The 2x points that I received for all travel-related purchases were great, the flexibility I had to use my points for travel was wonderful. So did I need to the Chase Sapphire Reserve? No. Did I want to go from a $95 annual fee to a $450 annual fee? No. But 3x the points on travel-related purchases, the $300 annual travel credit, 100K point bonus and the Priority Pass Lounge access did me in.

    So what do I think now that I’m two months in? I love it!

    $450 Annual Fee – Yes, this is a big increase from $95 a year. But if you take the $300 annual travel credit into account that’s leaves you with only a $55 difference. Plus the fact that you’ll be racking up 3x the points on travel-related purchases, resulting in more points to spend (at a better rate) in the future.

    $300 Travel Credit – I’ve heard this can get slowly credited back to you over time for small purchases, like Uber rides. However, I happened to be purchasing over $300 worth of flights soon after I received my card and by the next day the $300 travel credit had been issued to my account.

    100,000 Point Bonus – I’m one of those people who puts everything on their credit card and [almost] always pays it off that month. I see spending money through a debit card as a waste – no one is rewarding you for that! So I hit my $4,000 spend in less than 2 months and a few days later the 100,000 points were sitting in my account. Pretty sweet! I know that I won’t get this bonus every year, but the fact that this bonus points will help pay for 8 nights on my upcoming trip to Chile isn’t anything to shrug your shoulders at!

    Priority Pass – What I like about this is the flexibility (especially internationally, you usually have access to multiple lounges compared to say, one United or Delta lounge), the fact that I can bring a guest for free, or even add someone to my account for $75 a year and they can use it on their own, and that this was just an added benefit of the card – not another additional fee. Beware though – this is not automatic and you need to activate this through your Chase Account once you get your credit card. Update: I used this for the first time in November 2016 – I checked out the lounges in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila. Log Angeles and one of the lounges in Hong Kong were definitely my favorite – but at the end of the day they all give you a little bit of a quiet escape with free snacks, meals, drinks, etc. and I can’t really complain about that!

    Rewards Flexibility – While this isn’t just limited to the Reserve card, I love the flexibility I have with using my points. I can transfer them to a number of hotel or airline partners (if it makes sense) or I can just book rewards through the Chase Rewards Portal at a 1.5 rate. This also means I’m not tied to booking at a Marriott or a Hyatt, but I could end up at any number of different boutique hotels – which can be especially important if you are traveling to a smaller town or somewhere off the beaten track. I do recommend always checking the hotel’s rates on their websites or sites like hotels.com or agoda.com as sometimes you can get a great deal and the valuation on the Chase site is not a good one.

    Chase Sapphire Preferred – What did I do with this guy? Well, I knew once I had my Reserve card I wouldn’t be using the Preferred card much anymore and it seemed silly to pay two annual fees, so I downgraded it to one of the no-fee Chase Freedom cards (rather than canceling it and affecting my credit). Make sure you do not just upgrade the Preferred to the Reserve either, or you will lose out on the 100,000 point bonus!

    In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a new card (or maybe even if you are not) I highly recommend considering the Chase Sapphire Reserve! Feel free to comment with any questions you may have and I’ll be happy to share my experience!