For anyone traveling away from home here is a quick reminder on the basics of currency exchange. Before you go check out the exchange rate on xe.com website or download their app.
First Place: The best exchange rate you will get is to utilize your credit card but first confirm the credit card has no foreign transaction fees before you leave home. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great choice to use while traveling.
Second Place: The second best option is withdrawing cash from a local ATM once you arrive. Consider the duration of your visit or take only small amounts of money to avoid having a surplus of foreign currency when it is time to return home.
Consolation Prize: Unless you are desperate never purchase currency at the airport because they give you a crappy rate and usually charge an additional fee.
Don’t even ask me about traveller’s check; we have moved on from the 1970’s folks.
Anyone who has ever gone to dinner or shopping with me knows that I purchase everything on a credit card.
View from Micronesia Island Hopper flight!
I want the points! I am obsessed with earning points so that I can travel for free. The travel industry reports that over 75% of all airline points are NOT earned from “butt in seat” flights.
Last year was my best airline points redemptions ever, which was on my Micronesia Island Hopper trip with all flights in BUSINESS CLASS from Chicago – Honolulu – Kauai – back to Honolulu – Micronesia Island Hopper UA154 – Guam – Palau – Seoul – Tokyo – Chicago. I paid under $100 in taxes; yes you read that correctly.
The magic my friends is all in the credit cards. Now we could literally spend months talking through all the intricate details of how to earn points and the best way to spend points. However there are several amazing blogs dedicated to these topics so I would suggest visiting some of them. I have attended conference to hear these bloggers speak and they all have incredible travel tales.
I want to share with you my favorite credit card for earning points currently is Chase Sapphire.
Chase Sapphire benefits:
Earn 2X points on dining at restaurants from fast food to fine dining*
Earn 2X points on all travel from airfare and hotels to taxis and trains*
1 to 1 points transfer to the following airlines British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM, Korean Air SKYPASS, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, United MileagePlus®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
1 to 1 points transfer to the following hotels: Hyatt Gold Passport®, IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®.
2008 visit to Amritsar: Sikhs admiring the Golden temple
There is a new airline in town. People Over Profit officially known as Fly POP airlines which is committed to providing 51% profits to their charity partners. POP will begin regular scheduled flights this autumn with very limited service. The airline will start with 2 non-stop long haul flights on state-of-the-art Airbus A330-300s. The new low-cost flights that are offered will be from London Stansted to Ahmedabad, India or Amritsar, India.
There is an opportunity to support the airline in their initial crowdfunding which will provide you with a Gold Pass for the next 5 years. The first 7,000 participants will have the option to be included to have their “name-on-a-plane” with the other distinguished roll of honor. WOW! That is a once in a lifetime offer and for one girl who travels that is a very tempting offer!
