✈️ Here's Why Points + Miles Aren't Free, But Are Worth It 🧐

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Good morning ☀️ from Booked It On Points: A curated collection to keep you traveling for less money and more know how.

Let’s dive in.

Here’s what’s in store today —

✈︎ Flight Deal

Boston → Tokyo $5.60 🤯

📉It can’t be denied that flying business class is one of the most exciting ways to use your points. This flight from Boston→ Tokyo on Japan Air is no exception. For only 60k pts and $5.60 in taxes you can fly in business class. This flight in cash is over $6k! So cheers to lie flat seats and as much bubbly as you’d like 🥂 

✈︎ Points + Miles

Points + Miles Aren’t Free

Today (and always) we speak the truth→ using points + miles does not make travel free. Don’t be fooled by those who announce FREE TRAVEL in the headlines, making you feel as though they are not spending money on their latest epic adventures.

Using points + miles makes travel cheaper, sometimes so cheap it could cost less than $10 to fly internationally or actually cost $0 for a hotel stay. We can all agree that is CHEAP, but it doesn’t take into account the other pieces of travel that do in fact require cash. Things like: 

• Food

• Transportation

• Souvenirs

• Excursions

• Entrance fees

• Over priced morning coffee

• Afternoon gelato splurge

Sure, these things may all be an assumed part of travel, but it’s nice to hear someone remind us that we aren’t doing it wrong if it feels expensive to travel. Especially when you have kids along for the journey.

It lies in priorities and I guarantee that travel using points + miles will provide you with a cheaper option when traveling. 

Points + miles can cover airfare and accommodations, that’s HUGE. And the rest still requires being budget conscious.

Real life -> This is an actual upcoming flight I have from DC to Bali.

OR same flight:

I’ll spend all sorts of cash on other pieces of this trip, but you bet I’m going to save on the flight if I can with points + miles.

And opening up credit cards in order to use points + miles is easily justified in my opinion. I’m using points from this welcome offer for this flight. I’ll also be accessing lounges in both DC and Doha to help make my travel day more tolerable.

🛫 While you can never travel for free, you can learn to travel for MUCH LESS. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to get all the budget saving travel tips in your inbox*

For all the women here- check out Birdie: a smart, actionable, twice a week newsletter. Sponsored Content*

✈︎ The Informed Traveler

Ways we’re staying safe→ Summer travel is HOT

It’s quite the coincidence that I’m currently sitting in a (rather warm) air bnb, which happens to be in an attic in downtown Split, Croatia. I’m not complaining (although heat does rise). On the contrary, I’m utterly grateful to be exactly where I am right now, but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t make you aware (or remind you) that Europe is HOT right now.

The heat is here to stay and we’ve made some adjustments because of it.

Ways we combat the heat while traveling in Europe with kids:

• Hats and fans for all! We each have a hat readily available when out and about. The kids also have these fans that they can rest around their neck as we stroll. *not an affiliate link, just what we use

• Water bottles. Ice isn’t such a big deal here in Europe so we’re keeping our water bottles chilled in the fridge each night.

• Ice cream alllll the time. Maybe it’s just because we’re on vacation, but we’ll use the heat as our excuse.

• Siesta. Hours between 2-5pm you may find us back in our accommodation some days to rest before heading back outside to enjoy town as the sun goes down.

• Plan to enjoy the evenings. Our mornings are a bit later here because we are staying out after sundown to enjoy the evening weather which is perfection.

• Hang out by the water or in a park. We try to stay along (or in) the water, especially in the height of the afternoon to capitalize on the sea breeze. If not, we’re in a park, sharing a snack under the shade.

Want a few more tips on staying cool and safe during the heat of the summer? While I know it’s hot, I still believe it’s worth the summer travel regardless. So get out there and don’t let it stop you from exploring the world.

✈︎ Travel News

New research says these inflight behaviors will decrease jet lag

Early results from the University of Sydney in conjunction with Qantas Air have released data to demonstrate that certain in-flight behaviors tested from volunteers aboard specific long haul flights, each of whom were fitted with wearable device technology to determine results, will reduce jet lag and increase health and well being of international travelers. Measures such as on board lighting, meal times, specific food offerings, and stretching/movement exercises were all tailored to study the impact on international travelers.

Don’t miss these tips for 4th of July travel

For those of us residing in the US, the 4th of July usually means cookouts, parades and fireworks. For many, travel is on the docket as well and is projected to be quite a scramble. Here are some tips for making the day smooth if travel is in your plans this year. Pro tip- download the TSA app to get real time updates on airport status.

✈︎ Poll

Thanks for being here and have a great Tuesday!

Allie

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