All posts by Michael W

Virgin America Has A Heart, American Airlines & Fiji Air, Not So Much

Trip Reports, , ,
Virgin America
image: Virgin America

While planning our 5 week summer trip to the Pacific I needed to find a way to and from California.

I used American Airlines miles to fly to Tonga and home from Vanuatu. Those flights started and ended in California. Since we live in NYC and AA didn’t have saver awards from NY-LA and SF-NY, I had to look at other options or I would’ve had to pay around 30,000 miles per person each way.

Considering our international flight cost 80,000 round trip, how could I pay 60,000 to go from NYC – Cali?

In the end, I found flights with Virgin America totaling a little over 63,000 to get us to and from California. Continue reading Virgin America Has A Heart, American Airlines & Fiji Air, Not So Much →

What Did We Try At McDonald’s Samoa?

Food, Trip Reports, ,

mcdonalds samoa

Over the summer the Michael W Travels family spent 5 weeks in the Pacific. During our trip I visited six new countries while Kim, Lucas and Theo visited  five.

When visiting a new country we always try to visit McDonald’s to see what interesting local menu items might be available. Lucas also loves getting a toy and having some time to play in the playground.

Earlier in the trip we made a stop at McDonald’s Fiji. There weren’t many other countries which had McD’s in the region so we knew that we had to try out McDonalds Samoa during our time on the island. Continue reading What Did We Try At McDonald’s Samoa? →

Interesting Use of United Miles, Swim At This Airport Lounge, Southwest’s Good Deed, Whole Foods $20 Off $50, Hotel Rents Out Fish, Happy 1st BDay Theo, Kim Has 2 BDays This Summer- The Rehash!

Travel Articles,

rehash

It’s been hard getting back into the swing of things after our long summer trip to the Pacific.

We’re back a little over a week now and I’m hoping to find a good deal on a flight since we currently have nothing planned. (I can’t remember the last time I looked at TripIt and saw it with no upcoming trips listed! Continue reading Interesting Use of United Miles, Swim At This Airport Lounge, Southwest’s Good Deed, Whole Foods $20 Off $50, Hotel Rents Out Fish, Happy 1st BDay Theo, Kim Has 2 BDays This Summer- The Rehash! →

Most Generous Airline Reward Programs, Cruise Lines Irma Rescue, Destinations Based On Vacay Days, Back To Work After Vacation, Coping With Crowds, Odd Museums, Travel News

Travel News, ,

trave news

Travel News:

Continue reading Most Generous Airline Reward Programs, Cruise Lines Irma Rescue, Destinations Based On Vacay Days, Back To Work After Vacation, Coping With Crowds, Odd Museums, Travel News →

Find Out How Kim Had Two Birthdays This Summer Thanks To Travel

Family Travel, Trip Reports, , ,

international date line

Over the summer the Michael W Travels family went on a five week trip to the Pacific.

During our trip we celebrated a bunch of different things. There were country visit milestones- I surpassed visiting 80 countries, Lucas went over 40 and little Theo got into double digits.

There were also a couple of birthdays to celebrate. Theo turned one a couple of days before the end of our trip and Kim celebrated her birthday a couple of weeks in. Continue reading Find Out How Kim Had Two Birthdays This Summer Thanks To Travel →

Southwest Airlines Flew Cabin Full of Shelter Animals From Houston

Travel News, , ,
a dog standing on rocks
image: wikicommons

Hurricane Harvey created a big need for shelter space for animals in the Houston area.

The Huffington Post reported that space was “needed for pets whose owners have been displaced by Hurricane Harvey“.

To create space in the shelters, a little help was provided by Southwest Airlines in partnership with the Helen Woodward Center. You’re probably wondering how an airline could help? Continue reading Southwest Airlines Flew Cabin Full of Shelter Animals From Houston →

Win A Trip for 2 to Dublin

Contest, Sweepstakes,

a group of people walking in a street

I just received an e-mail from Fodor’s Travel about a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will win a trip for 2 to Dublin!

The Michael W Travels Family took a quick trip to Ireland in February and had a great time. During the visit we spent some time at the Guinness Storehouse, saw the Bog Bodies at the National Museum of Ireland, tried some local menu items at McDonald’s, took a quick visit to Northern Ireland and many other things. Continue reading Win A Trip for 2 to Dublin →

Interesting Use Of United Miles for New York Giants Fans

Deals, ,

New York Giants

I’m pretty sure that I’ve only used my miles one time for something other than a flight.

Almost 5 years back United had a great offer to purchase a Tumi suitcase at a big discount. I was in the market for a nice wheelie bag so I had to make a tough decision and parted with some miles. (I don’t recall exactly what the bag cost…)

I  just came across an interesting use of United miles for those of you who are big football fans. Continue reading Interesting Use Of United Miles for New York Giants Fans →