Comments on: 24 Ways to Travel for (Almost) Free http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/ Unconventional Strategies for Life, Work, and Travel Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:32:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Sonja http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-6094 Sonja Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:53:20 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-6094 Another possible way of getting an upgrade or possibly even a free flight is to respond to a medical emergency in flight! Of course, you have no control over if this happens or not on your designated stretch, or if you are the most experienced to respond, but an airline was quite generous to me recently after I spent two hours on my knees in the galley with a woman who had collapsed. I merely asked the question where we might be and the possibility of landing in the circumstance that she would deteriorate further (she was genuinely sick) and by the end, had the crew fussing over me like I was the Queen! I suppose the airline saved big bickkies by avoiding an unscheduled emergency landing, and all the hotel bills of potential missed flights of unhappy diverted customers! Another possible way of getting an upgrade or possibly even a free flight is to respond to a medical emergency in flight! Of course, you have no control over if this happens or not on your designated stretch, or if you are the most experienced to respond, but an airline was quite generous to me recently after I spent two hours on my knees in the galley with a woman who had collapsed. I merely asked the question where we might be and the possibility of landing in the circumstance that she would deteriorate further (she was genuinely sick) and by the end, had the crew fussing over me like I was the Queen! I suppose the airline saved big bickkies by avoiding an unscheduled emergency landing, and all the hotel bills of potential missed flights of unhappy diverted customers!

]]> By: Pam http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-6052 Pam Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:39:07 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-6052 Another great article Chris! Thanks for the info. I checked out Ryanair today (from a link I found on Attitude Travel, and they are offering some free flights: http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/fares.php?dest=REU&base=BHX&pos=cday Thought I'd share. Another great article Chris! Thanks for the info. I checked out Ryanair today (from a link I found on Attitude Travel, and they are offering some free flights:

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/fares.php?dest=REU&base=BHX&pos=cday

Thought I’d share.

]]> By: Jeff Jowers http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-6047 Jeff Jowers Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:14:15 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-6047 Great great article. You are going to be bookmarked now. Great stuff cause Im planning on going to greece next month..... Have any tips? Great great article. You are going to be bookmarked now.

Great stuff cause Im planning on going to greece next month….. Have any tips?

]]> By: Chris http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-6038 Chris Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:11:04 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-6038 @Daniel and @Nathan, In short, yes, it's possible to churn AA Citi cards to earn upwards of 200,000 miles a year. Since I recently applied for a bunch of cards at once, I''m being a bit more conservative on the apps this year. However, I still expect to earn 100,000 additional miles from it. Read <a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other-credit-card-programs/778645-citicards-60-day-one-application-policy.html" rel="nofollow">this (very long) thread from Flyertalk</a> for more detailed info. @Daniel and @Nathan,

In short, yes, it’s possible to churn AA Citi cards to earn upwards of 200,000 miles a year. Since I recently applied for a bunch of cards at once, I”m being a bit more conservative on the apps this year. However, I still expect to earn 100,000 additional miles from it.

Read this (very long) thread from Flyertalk for more detailed info.

]]> By: Trackback from Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-6033 Trackback from Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:18:14 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-6033 [...] After all, affordable travel opportunities are still around, if you know where to look. Chris Guillebeau, the owner of “The Art of Nonconformity”, recently made a list of 24 ways to travel for (almost) free. The article contains practical advice, including the following: [...] [...] After all, affordable travel opportunities are still around, if you know where to look. Chris Guillebeau, the owner of “The Art of Nonconformity”, recently made a list of 24 ways to travel for (almost) free. The article contains practical advice, including the following: [...]

]]> By: Karen http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-5999 Karen Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:29:37 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-5999 I've done a home exchange before with someone in Groningen, Netherlands. It was a wonderful experience. The organization we used was http://www.homelink-usa.com/index.html I’ve done a home exchange before with someone in Groningen, Netherlands. It was a wonderful experience. The organization we used was http://www.homelink-usa.com/index.html

]]> By: Nathan http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-5993 Nathan Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:16:54 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-5993 How fast can you cancel the AA cards after you spend the first 750 and still get the miles. Can you do this with both the AA amex and mastercard? If so were talking 200,000 miles in a year. Thanks for the info. How fast can you cancel the AA cards after you spend the first 750 and still get the miles. Can you do this with both the AA amex and mastercard? If so were talking 200,000 miles in a year. Thanks for the info.

]]> By: Bill Riddell http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-5988 Bill Riddell Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:25:16 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-5988 Another way to travel free or at least quite cheaply is by rental car relocations. Rental companies often need there cars relocated to other locations and will give great savings if you take the car from point A to B as they specifiy within a set time period. I haven't used them myself, but I recently heard good things about <a href="http://www.standbyrelocations.com/" rel="nofollow">this service</a>, however you should be able to find deals by contacting any rental company with multiple locations. If your schedule is quite flexible then they can be a great option. Some not only give free rental but also contribute towards your fuel. Be careful to read the fine print though. Another way to travel free or at least quite cheaply is by rental car relocations. Rental companies often need there cars relocated to other locations and will give great savings if you take the car from point A to B as they specifiy within a set time period.

I haven’t used them myself, but I recently heard good things about this service, however you should be able to find deals by contacting any rental company with multiple locations.

If your schedule is quite flexible then they can be a great option. Some not only give free rental but also contribute towards your fuel. Be careful to read the fine print though.

]]> By: Chris http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-5983 Chris Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:00:56 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-5983 @Oliver, Well, that's a question of situational ethics, so my answer might be different from yours. But I'd say there is a big difference in those two behaviors. When you sneak into a lounge, you're not really hurting anyone. When you take someone else's drink, then you're hurting the next person who comes along and wants it. As for me, I'm comfortable with the first behavior but not the second. Also, a lot of lounges are just nice places to work - they don't always include free drinks or food. @Oliver,

Well, that’s a question of situational ethics, so my answer might be different from yours. But I’d say there is a big difference in those two behaviors. When you sneak into a lounge, you’re not really hurting anyone. When you take someone else’s drink, then you’re hurting the next person who comes along and wants it. As for me, I’m comfortable with the first behavior but not the second. Also, a lot of lounges are just nice places to work – they don’t always include free drinks or food.

]]> By: Daniel Mick http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-travel-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-5974 Daniel Mick Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:42:23 +0000 http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/?p=835#comment-5974 Concerning Citibank AA card churning, how soon after fulfilling the minimum purchase have you found your miles posted? Would canceling before that null the delivery? Ever had a problem churning? I've already received a Mastercard, but Amex wanted my life history and firstborn. I'm concerned they'll reject me because my pay statement salary does not make up my entire income. Concerning Citibank AA card churning, how soon after fulfilling the minimum purchase have you found your miles posted? Would canceling before that null the delivery? Ever had a problem churning?

I’ve already received a Mastercard, but Amex wanted my life history and firstborn. I’m concerned they’ll reject me because my pay statement salary does not make up my entire income.

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