Just Back: Austin, Texas

National Geographic Traveler researcher Christine Blau touched down in Austin, Texas, hoping to take a break from winter. Instead, she was greeted with uncharacteristically cold and rainy weather that shocked locals. While visions of frolicking in beloved green spaces like Barton Springs or Pedernales Falls State Park were dashed, Christine discovered that the Austin area exudes year-round charm. Here are some of the high points of her trip, in her own words.



from Intelligent Travel http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2015/02/02/just-back-austin-texas/

Should I visit Mexico?

from Elliott http://elliott.org/should-i-cross-that-line/visit-mexico/

New Starwood Platinum Elite Benefits Choices Coming in March

Starwood Preferred Guest is getting ready to announce new elite benefits for its 50-night Platinum elites starting in March. Per this promotional page: “Platinum Members with 50 eligible nights can choose their rewards benefit. Coming soon: We will be unveiling a selection of rewards that will allow eligible members to pick the reward that suits...



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2015/02/new-starwood-platinum-elite-benefits-choices-coming-in-march/

The Big Hotel Points Giveaway: Enter for a Chance to Win Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, or Marriott Points Thanks to the MobileSuites App!

I’ve never really been jealous of iPhone users before. I’m an Android guy, and that means I can’t download the new MobileSuites app when it comes out in a few weeks. It’s only for the Apple ecosystem at launch. This app will let you order room service, request housekeeping, set up transportation, and reserve restaurant […]

The post The Big Hotel Points Giveaway: Enter for a Chance to Win Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, or Marriott Points Thanks to the MobileSuites App! appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/02/big-hotel-points-giveaway-enter-chance-win-hilton-hyatt-starwood-marriott-points-thanks-mobilesuites-app/

10 signs you’re from Cambridge

You hate Oxford.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-signs-you-were-born-and-raised-in-cambridge/

Free Domestic Flight For $250 Spend At Rite Aid

Rite Aid has a new promotion for the month of February called Fab-uary. It's almost identical to the Rite Aid Happy You Year promotion from January, except now you can earn a free domestic flight, free cruise, or free 7-day resort stay for spending $250 on participating products. (No Hyatt nights this time.) The list of participating products are also very similar.

I guess now you can get the free flight to go with your free hotel stay.

In this post, I'll discuss how Fab-uary works and offer some strategies for maximizing the value you receive from it.

The post Free Domestic Flight For $250 Spend At Rite Aid appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/02/free-domestic-flight-250-spend-rite-aid/

How to eat and drink like a Scot

Come on! Deep-fried Mars bars are for tourists.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/how-to-tell-youre-eating-and-drinking-like-an-authentic-scot/

Lucky’s Lucky 7th: Instagram Photo Contest

I'm celebrating seven years of the blog this week (OMG), and in addition to the traditional “comment to win” posts I’m trying other things that I hope will be fun/interesting.

Today, I’m giving away $100 on Instagram. I generally share “real time” photos there, many of which never make it to the blog or trip reports, so if you’ve been wanting to see more of the destinations I visit you might want to follow me there ;p

The post Lucky’s Lucky 7th: Instagram Photo Contest appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/02/luckys-lucky-7th-instagram-photo-contest/

Winter Storm Grounds 5,000 Flights

Airlines grounded thousands of flights for the second week in a row, as another winter storm blanketed parts of the Midwest and Northeast.



from Travel Feedly http://www.ibtimes.com/more-5000-flights-canceled-us-winter-storms-midwest-northeast-1802438

25% Bonus Transferring Hotel Points to American Miles: Here’s Why Starwood Gets Excluded

Through March 15 you’ll earn a 25% bonus when you transfer hotel points to American AAdvantage miles. Most hotel programs are eligible for this bonus, however: Point conversions from Starwood Preferred Guest®, Melia Hotels International & Resorts, La Quinta Inns & Suites® and Langham Hospitality Group OUIDA program are not eligible for the 25% bonus […]

The post 25% Bonus Transferring Hotel Points to American Miles: Here’s Why Starwood Gets Excluded appeared first on View from the Wing.

from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/02/02/25-bonus-transferring-hotel-points-american-miles-heres-starwood-gets-excluded/

Signs you’ve been traveling SE Asia

Fill in the blank: You just returned home from SE Asia and _____________.



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/life/10-signs-youve-just-traveling-southeast-asia/

Air France FlyingBlue April/May Promo Awards — Up To 50% Off

One of the best uses of Air France/KLM FlyingBlue miles is booking their Promo Awards. FlyingBlue publishes these every month, and they offer 25-50% off select award tickets on Air France and KLM metal. Back in the day Promo Awards would consistently be for 50% off and would have a good number of options in business class, though unfortunately they’ve devalued the program somewhat since then, and the discounts now vary.

However, there are still some great values to be had. FlyingBlue just published their latest Promo Awards. These are valid for bookings made between February 1 and February 28, 2015, and for travel between April 1 and May 31, 2015. Unfortunately this set of Promo Awards sucks compared to the recent ones:

The post Air France FlyingBlue April/May Promo Awards — Up To 50% Off appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/02/air-france-flyingblue-aprilmay-promo-awards-50-off/

This Week in Travel – Episode 183

This week Jen, Chris and I are joined by this week’s guest, Wendy Perrin from WendyPerrin.com and TripAdvisor. Subscribe on iTunes | Become a Fan on Facebook | Download the iPhone app | Download mp3 This Week’s News: Hyatt joins the ‘lifestyle’ bandwagon SkyMall May Rise in the Hands of Former Advertiser Flight in emergency [...]



from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2015/02/02/week-travel-episode-183/

Lessons from Don Miller: Success Is More Difficult to Manage than Failure

Don Miller is the kind of guy that I implicitly trusted the first time I met. Not to psychoanalyze too much, but in general I’m not a very trusting person. I believe that most people are good, but I don’t necessarily trust a lot of people. With Don, though, I felt comfortable discussing personal stuff…



from The Art of Non-Conformity http://chrisguillebeau.com/success-is-more-difficult-to-manage-than-failure/

My 12 Recommended Books for 2015

There’s nothing more inspirational than a well-written travel book. It can fill you with awe, wonder, and wanderlust. Books make those 10-hour bus rides through Laos more bearable. They get us excited for new destinations and can change our world view. I’ve always been a voracious reader, but my goal this year is to read one book a week (if not more). I go through fits and starts with reading. I’ll read a book or two a week and then […]

The post My 12 Recommended Books for 2015 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/recommended-books-2015/