Takeoff To Travel

Hi everyone! The travel bug hit me at the age of eight on my first flight and ever since then I’ve loved planning vacations for my friends and family. I’m a recent college graduate who has a goal to try out new hotel chains and sample the many airline cabins out there. Having been both a city boy and living in the suburbs, I love traveling to all destinations both big and small.

Review: Charging Electric Vehicle with Electrify America

Review: Charging Electric Vehicle with Electrify America

Posted by | Jun 8, 2021 | , , | 5

Background: Electrify America operates an electric vehicle DC fast charging network in the US, with 612 charging locations currently and 125 new stations in the works. It was founded by Volkswagen, and was established in 2016 as part of its efforts to offset emissions during their emissions scandal. They have a decent footprint with some locations in shopping malls, Walmart, Target and Bank of America parking lots. Charging Experience: My family has an Audi e-Tron, and with that came some Electrify America charging credits. So on a recent trip to Santa Barbara, California we utilized the Electrify America station...

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Resort Review: Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Resort Review: Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

Posted by | Jun 6, 2021 | , , , | 6

Background: Last year, a family member of mine who qualifies for the State Government Rate was able to reserve rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara for approximately $200+tax/resort fee for one night. A great deal that was, as standard rates were upwards of $700. When the Bacara Resort joined the Ritz-Carlton brand in 2017, it quickly caught my eye and became a hotel I eventually wanted to stay at. Glad I could experience the resort and this was actually my first hotel stay since the pandemic began. The resort opened in 2000, and it actually is located in...

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How to Use Delta eCredits and Gift Cards in One Reservation

How to Use Delta eCredits and Gift Cards in One Reservation

Posted by | Apr 16, 2021 | , , | 0

Background: Last week I was planning to book a trip to Hawaii in September. I have some Delta eCredits for flights that I had planned to take last year but cancelled. At this point in time, Delta has been quite generous and extended the eCredits from changed/cancelled flights until December 31st of 2022. Additionally, I have some Delta Gift Cards I recieved from a Christmas present. When you go online to apply your eCredits, it will take you to a page that also can show your gift cards, but unfortunately online it states that “Gift Cards cannot be applied...

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Priority Pass Review: PGA Minneapolis St. Paul Lounge

Priority Pass Review: PGA Minneapolis St. Paul Lounge

Posted by | Apr 11, 2021 | , , | 0

This is a guest post from my friend Lauren, who was connecting in MSP last month in March 2021 and kind enough to share her experience. Background: The only Priority Pass option at Minneapolis St. Paul is the PGA MSP Lounge located in Terminal One. It is a pretty unique option with a restaurant portion mixed with simulators, PGA Instruction, and putting green! Access: Take the stairs or elevator located between Concourses D and E (corner) up to the Upper Level. The lounge is open daily from 11:00am – 8:00pm daily. With Priority Pass, cardholders and any registered guests...

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Vegas Buffet Wicked Spoon Reopens On March 25

Vegas Buffet Wicked Spoon Reopens On March 25

Posted by | Mar 17, 2021 | , , | 0

Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas plans to reopen on Thursday, March 25th Wicked Spoon was one of the only buffets to reopen on the Las Vegas Strip in June of 2020 after the initial closure from the COVID-19 pandemic. I previously wrote about the Wynn Buffet reopening last June, only to close again in September. The Wicked Spoon Buffet at the Cosmopolitan reopened last June, but closed again on January 10th of 2021. Now, the Wicked Spoon is coming back on Thursday, March 25th. The buffet will offer limited capacity and staff will be serving diners...

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Spirit Airlines Credits Extended, and Chat Don’t Call!

Spirit Airlines Credits Extended, and Chat Don’t Call!

Posted by | Mar 12, 2021 | , | 2

Background: I had a flight to New Orleans booked last year and I wanted to try the Big Front Seat on Spirit. So I had flight booked for March 2020 and in February 2020 I decided to cancel due to COVID worsening and get a voucher (I should have waited for my flight to get cancelled, which it did, and get a full refund, but I did not know how bad the pandemic would get). Unfortunately, Spirit credits are only valid for 60 days so my voucher was only valid until May 2020. Fast forward and I kind of...

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Free Silvercar 7 Day Rental with Purchase or Lease of a New Audi

Free Silvercar 7 Day Rental with Purchase or Lease of a New Audi

Posted by | Feb 8, 2021 | , , | 1

Background: I recently got a new Audi e-tron to try out for a lease last year, and with that purchase I found out I would get 7 days of Silvercar rentals for free as part of the Always Audi Program! Pretty cool offer. Silvercar by Audi started in 2012 to revolutionize the rental car industry. It offered an all-Audi fleet equipped with navigation and wifi, and didn’t charge huge fees for tolls or gas refills. Sometimes, it would be even cheaper or not much more than a standard rental car. In 2017, Audi fully acquired Silvercar and I had...

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My Alitalia Flight Got Cancelled, Got A Refund 4 Months Later!

My Alitalia Flight Got Cancelled, Got A Refund 4 Months Later!

Posted by | Nov 12, 2020 | , | 4

Background: In December 2019, I planned a Europe Trip for July 2020. Due to COVID, I obviously wasn’t planning to take this trip, but I didn’t proactively cancel any of the flights I had booked because I wanted the airline to cancel them first so that I could get a full refund rather than a travel credit. My first leg to Europe was thankfully booked on points, and I was able to cancel and receive a refund of my American AAdvantage Points. I wrote about my cancellation experience and it was pretty easy. I saw my miles return back...

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Earn a Free Night with $4000 in Spend on the Hyatt Credit Card Plus 5x Amazon/3x Grocery

Earn a Free Night with $4000 in Spend on the Hyatt Credit Card Plus 5x Amazon/3x Grocery

Posted by | Oct 29, 2020 | , , | 0

Yesterday I received an email from World of Hyatt regarding my Hyatt Credit Card that stated: This season, the holiday shopping you do for others, plus your everyday spend, can mean an exclusive gift for you – a free night at an unforgettable category 1-4 hotel. That’s on top of the free night you receive on your cardmember anniversary. Use your Hyatt Credit Card from October 27 through December 31, 2020, and enjoy a free night after spending $4,000. Register by November 30, 2020. I think receiving a free night certificate after spending $4,000 on an existing credit card...

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Park MGM Las Vegas Reopened Yesterday Smoke-Free

Park MGM Las Vegas Reopened Yesterday Smoke-Free

Posted by | Oct 1, 2020 | , , , | 1

Yesterday, the Park MGM Las Vegas welcomed guests back for the first time since March. But with an added twist. The resort opened up smoke-free. Park MGM Las Vegas becomes the first casino-resort on The Strip to do so. Vegas is all about options. With the reopening of @parkmgm as a smoke-free destination, we’re glad to be able to provide a new option for guests looking to have the same Vegas experience in a smoke-free environment.https://t.co/NagksxSHbg pic.twitter.com/LdPDMFkh1i — MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) September 30, 2020   Despite being the first resort on the Strip to go smoke free, this isn’t...

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