TravelStories Episode 10: What We're Doing
Added 2023-05-06 03:13:03 +0000 UTCEpisode 10: Show Notes.
It’s still relatively early in 2023, but we’ve decided to take a look at what Trevor and Thomas have been getting up to this year in terms of generating miles, planning trips, and the current state of travel trends overall. We examine the noticeable changes that are happening in travel, especially in miles and points redemption. Thomas then walks us through his points generation methods, how they’ve changed since COVID, the adjustments to distance traveled versus points generated, and the inflation boom of airfares across the board. Revenge travel is in full flight with no real end in sight, and we discuss where this high demand for airline travel is coming from, and why Thomas felt it necessary to dust off the old playbook in search of more rewards. Thomas breaks down the miles generation trends of 2023, why non-stop flights are highly sought after post-pandemic, why the elite status of rewards programs are losing its appeal, and how Trevor is currently going about his travel planning. We end with assessing the economics of travel, what’s happening in the cruise world, how to travel hack the right way, and why the restrictions on points redemptions may force you to consider second, third, and fourth destination options.
Key Points From This Episode:
[00:15] Introducing this week’s topic: An early 2023 check-in on the stuff we’ve been doing.
[00:45] The noticeable changes that are happening in the travel industry.
[02:23] Taking a look at the recent developments in miles and points redemption.
[03:16] Thomas’ points generation methods, and how they’ve changed since the pandemic.
[06:09] Changes in distance traveled versus points generated, and the inflation of airfares.
[08:54] How revenge travel seems to be gathering steam instead of slowing down.
[09:18] Where the high demand for airline travel is coming from.
[09:40] Why airline labor unions are protesting for better concessions.
[10:54] How Thomas dusted off the old playbook to try and get plugged into multiple rewards.
[14:19] The miles generation trends that Thomas has witnessed in 2023.
[15:40] Why non-stop flights are becoming the most favored option post-COVID.
[18:54] The (negative) changes that we’re seeing in the elite status of rewards programs.
[25:30] Travel planning: What Trevor is doing and what he sees elsewhere in the industry.
[27:46] Exploring what it means to have hidden pieces of bread at steak prices.
[30:26] The economics of travel, and why airlines are being strict on miles redemptions.
[35:12] What’s happening in the world of cruise lines.
[37:30] Travel hacking the right way.
[44:08] Some final thoughts on today’s topic.
[45:00] Pivoting to second, third, and fourth destination options due to redemption restrictions.
Tweetables:
“We’re definitely in a period of Sandinism where things are changing. We’re having to learn new rules, new tricks, and pivot some of the things that we do here and there in order to enjoy the kind of travel that we’ve become accustomed to.” — @TktweetsKim [01:13]
“[Labor] is one of the toughest resources out there. It’s hard enough getting 787s, but getting pilots is almost more difficult.” — @tmount [10:45]
“I’m doing far more [travel] planning at this point in the year than I normally would. And yet, I think things are as uncertain as any point in the past.” — @tmount [25:53]
“The very nature of travel hacking: We pivot to where the gravy is. If there’s inefficiencies in the system, we will find it.” — @TktweetsKim [38:17]
“Value is so much in the eye of the beholder.” — @tmount [38:39]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
