Common Mistakes When Getting Free Flights

I got the new iPhone this weekend because fellow Content Creators were making fun of my outdated phone, the iPhone 11 Pro. 

I'm glad the camera is better on the new device but it's basically the same damn phone. 😑

Either way, my videos will look better now. 

---

Getting a free flight with miles feels good. However, most people make big mistakes. They only get one free trip when they could've gotten more. 

Below are the most common mistakes I see when people book flights with miles.

Overpaying with miles: Reward redemption feels free, but they are not. There's an opportunity cost to all things. Sometimes it's better to buy the trip in cash than use miles. Obviously, a trip from Washington D.C. -> Tokyo at 100k miles is better than a trip from Washington D.C. -> New York at 100k miles. Thus, I would pay cash for my flight ticket to New York than use points. 

Before booking a trip, compare the cash price of the journey first. The Points Guy has a conversion calculator that provides guidance. Check it out.

Not factoring in fees and surcharges in your award conversion ratio: A service fee can easily make redeeming a flight with miles too expensive. Account for all costs when evaluating redeeming miles.

Not using miles before they expire: Some airlines have miles that expire, so read the fine print. Don't let your points go to waste! Getting free flights may seem complicated, but that's only because the airlines don't want you to use your miles. Once you get the hang of the process, it's easy.

Not looking at partner airlines: Most people look at the big 3 airlines (American, United, and Delta), and if they can't find award availability, they stop looking. WRONG.  

The big three have alliances, which is a network of airlines that work together.

Even though Delta may not have flight availability for a particular route, a partner in the Skyteam alliance, like Air France, may have availability, and they'll honor the flight.

Here's a list of the alliance airlines. 

---

What mistakes have you made when using your miles for free flights?

---

Previous Posts

Follow Me on Instagram

As with anything in life, there’s always an excuse not to do something. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect, because it never will be. Make travel a priority, and it will happen. Follow for more travel content

Ireland’s most iconic beer. No brewery starts off with this title, so how did Guinness get it? For their first 170 years of brewing, Guinness let their beer do its own talking. When they finally decided to advertise, the Guinness family wanted their ads to be as good as their beer. And the rest was history! Ads featuring funky animals, Guinness strength, and catchy slogans became a staple. Even the Guinness Book of World Records started as a marketing stunt by the company! I learned all this history and so much more at the Guinness Storehouse in Ireland. The experience was fun, interactive, and of course ends with a pint of Guinness in the storehouse’s Gravity Bar (which is iconic in its own right).

I get it, not everyone can be the busy traveler! Sometimes, despite having the vacation days, you just can’t get out on that world trip like you want. But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience a new part of the world! Visit museums and gardens in your area to get a sneak peak at the country. Take cooking classes at authentic restaurants to try the food. Join celebrations in your neighborhood during different holidays and cultural months to experience the culture. Don’t forget that the world is your oyster, even if you can’t visit the whole world.

Does the fear of being lonely during solo travel keep you from catching that flight??? Don’t let it! There are so many ways to solo travel with others! Excursions: I am almost always able to meet people on excursions. It’s easy to strike up a conversation when you’re spending a few hours or even a day with the same people. Plus, we’re all tourists, so it helps that everyone is looking forward to new experiences. Hostels: A great place to meet other open-minded travelers. Chances are that everyone there is traveling alone or in small groups, so they can be more open to making friends. Many hostels will even run events, like local bar crawls, for their guests. Bring your hobby with you: I love to Salsa. I make it a point to visit salsa clubs all around the world to bond with new people over this shared activity. We’re guaranteed to have at least one common interest and its a great way to meet locals! Just because you’re traveling alone, doesn’t mean you have to be alone! How do you make friends while traveling?

The funny thing about seeing what you can’t see at home is that it will affect your everyday life once you get back home. When you get out and meet people from diverse backgrounds, engage in local customs, taste exotic cuisines, and learn about the history and heritage of different regions; it broadens your perspective, increases your tolerance and empathy, and fosters a greater appreciation for the diversity of the world.

Taking your time to view things on your next trip can offer numerous benefits, including better appreciation, authentic connection, mindful experience, unique discoveries, and relaxation. It can result in a more meaningful, enjoyable, and fulfilling travel experience that creates lasting memories. So, think about slowing down and savoring the moments during your next vacation!

The Palace of Fine Arts is a stunning architectural landmark located in San Francisco, California. Here are some fun facts about this iconic structure: 1. The Palace of Fine Arts was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. 2. Because it was built for a temporary exposition, the palace was made mostly of plaster, wood, and burlap. However, due to its popularity and significance, it was rebuilt in permanent materials in the 1960s. The current structure stands as a replica of the original. 3. It has been a popular location for many movies, TV shows, and music videos. Some notable films that have featured the Palace of Fine Arts include “Vertigo,” “The Rock,” and “The Joy Luck Club.” 4. The palace is surrounded by a beautiful park that offers picturesque views of the structure and its reflection in the lagoon. The park is a popular spot for picnics, leisurely strolls, and photography for tourists and locals alike. 5. It’s designated as a San Francisco City Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I get asked about solo travel all the time. Don’t you get lonely? Isn’t it dangerous? I’m too shy to travel alone. I’m here to tell you whatever reason you think you can’t travel alone isn’t true! Read my solo travel article and you’ll be praising solo travel too. Link in bio!

Photo backstory!! This photo was taken outside the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. They were the first stop of my first day in Rabat, Morrocco! After all my research, I was very excited to see these landmarks. However, when I arrived, I saw that they were unexpectedly closed for a religious ceremony. At first I was crushed! But, I decided that I didn't want to let one small thing ruin the rest of my day. I was still able to see the outside of these beautiful buildings as well as their grounds through the gates. Plus, next to these monuments was a garden with an amazing overlook I could still enjoy. Mural of the story, no matter how experienced you are at traveling or how much research you do, unpredictable things will happen! It's your attitude and how you react to these surprises that will impact your experience, not the surprises themselves.

The Busy Traveler’s Five Tips to Avoid Dressing like a Tourist when Traveling: 1. Adapt to Cultural Dress Codes: Be aware of any cultural dress codes or modesty requirements in the region you’re visiting. In some places, for example, it may be inappropriate to wear shorts or sleeveless tops. By dressing appropriately, you’ll not only avoid looking like a tourist, but you’ll also show respect for the local culture. 2. Research Local Fashion Trends: Before you travel, take some time to research the fashion trends and cultural dress codes of the region you’ll be visiting. This can help you pack appropriately and avoid looking out of place. Look for popular styles, colors, and fabrics, as well as any customs or traditions related to clothing. 3. Pack Versatile Clothing Options: Choose clothing items that can be dressed up or down and mixed & matched to create different outfits. This can help you blend in with locals who tend to dress more conservatively and avoid standing out as a tourist who is wearing brightly colored, logo-covered clothing. 4. Avoid Wearing Items that Scream “TOURIST”: These items include fanny packs, visors, or bulky cameras. Instead, opt for a small crossbody bag or backpack that can hold your essentials without drawing attention to yourself. 5. Observe Locals and Take Cues from Them: When in doubt, observe how locals are dressed and take cues from them. Pay attention to the styles and colors they’re wearing and try to emulate them in your own clothing choices. This can help you blend in and avoid standing out as a tourist. If you follow these five simple steps, you’ll blend right in on your next trip! #thebusytraveler #dontlooklikeatourist #dresslikerhelocals #travelfashion #fashion #thebusytravelertraveltips #traveltipsandtricks #traveltips101 #traveltips4trips