How To Visit 4 Continents, 9 Countries, 15 Cities For $US418 In One Year

[Oneworldplus2]

How To Visit 4 Continents, 9 Countries, 15 Cities For $US418 In One Year | Gizmodo Australia

How To Visit 4 Continents, 9 Countries, 15 Cities For $US418 In One Year





Steve Kamb decided he wanted to travel the world for as little money as possible. This map is his travel plan: 35,000 miles, visiting four continents, nine countries and 15 cities for just $US418. Here’s how he got it.
“I have to tell you sir, this is easily the most ridiculous itinerary I’ve ever put together,” said the American Airlines operator the other night as I finalised plans for a worldwide adventure that would make Marco Polo blush. “Well, that makes two of us!” I replied.
And just like that, I had committed myself to almost nine months of international travel.
Yes, that picture above is my actual itinerary.
Beginning this January, I’ll start an epic journey that will take me across four continents, through at least nine countries, and into more than 15 cities. I’ll fly on 15 flights covering a total distance of 35,000 miles. To put that in perspective, that’s almost 1.5 times the circumference of the globe. While visiting these locations, I should be able to cross off over a dozen goals from my Epic Quest of Awesome.
Oh, and all of these flights are costing me a grand total of $US418.36. ...

As a side note, we don't get anywhere near those sorts of CC Promo's as in the States. The biggest one that l have seen would be the QF Amex Plat card, which had a 50k bonus sign up.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

As a side note, we don't get anywhere near those sorts of CC Promo's as in the States. The biggest one that l have seen would be the QF Amex Plat card, which had a 50k bonus sign up.

While I would agree that the USA has a lot more offers (how I would love those deals!!!!), and often, with less strings than those in Australia have, the largest current card offer here is 75K (Amex Plat Charge Card, but you do have to pay the $900 fee, but with free flight and insurance there is over $900 in value without counting the 75K in points).

However for the Points Runner there are points to be had.

Some handy offers at present:

• Amex Discovery. $0 fee, for upto 10,000 points with easy spending conditions.
• Everyday CC. $89 fee for 16,000
• Amex Edge. $149 for 20,000 but with a free domestic flight.

For Amex issued cards there has been some good promos of late. On top of the normal 1.5 points per $

• Hopscotch. 100tx to earn 25,000. in $20 per tx
• Customer loyalty (for me). 3 months of an extra 1 point per $. Just starting on this, but should yield me say 30/40,000 points.
• Card bonii on spend. Various including DSE, Vintage Cellars, HotelClub etc ranging from 3-10 points per $. Over the 7 odd months this will be say 50,000 points.

Recently took advantage of the Amex 10% bonus on transferring points to SQ to earn an additional 150,000 points.

Add in:

• 3 vodafone for my daughters (coverage ok where we live ) to gain another 30,000 points.
• Everyday spend generating about 20,000 per year once you factor in the extra bonii

I am expecting a additional earn on top of normal points per $ of over 310,000 points. All just earnt on private spend (ie no business spend...nor any business taxes being paid to the ATO which for some is generating vast numbers of points for cost of the surcharge fee).

385,000 with the Charge Card bonus.

Another 46K if I also take up the Discovery,Edge and Everyday CC cards.

And then the normal bonus/$ of 1.0 to 1.5 = say 160,000.

Total say almost 600,000 in 12 months.

Card fees of $900+149+89 (all other cards free), but say a free MEL-BNE and free MEL-Cairns return, plus free proper travel insurance for self, wife and daughter even if travelling separately which we do included.

If only every year was like this.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

While I would agree that the USA has a lot more offers (how I would love those deals!!!!), and often, with less strings than those in Australia have, the largest current card offer here is 75K (Amex Plat Charge Card, but you do have to pay the $900 fee, but with free flight and insurance there is over $900 in value without counting the 75K in points).

Westpac Earth; I get double points on AMEX purchases and free Int travel insurance, but, l do miss out on the 75k bonus. Only ~$100 p.a.
Amex Plat Charge Card, is the flight valid for International Sector, or just Dom? How do you get $900 value out of a Domestic Y flight? (SYD-PER is $199 on a Red eDeal atm)

Another 46K if I also take up the Discovery,Edge and Everyday CC cards.

Pardon my ignorance, but l haven't heard of these CC's. What/who brands them

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Westpac Earth; I get double points on AMEX purchases

You need to consider what the points are worth when transferred.

If yours are the Gold Cards...then that is 1 QFF point per $ on the Amex and 0.5 QFF point per $ on the Mastercard.

Personally I prefer cards that get points to *A as the burn rate is much better. ie I can fly to Europe in J for about what Qantas will charge for economy.

and free Int travel insurance,

Note that this only when you have paid with the card. Which is not useful to me as I pay for my J redemptions with points.

but, l do miss out on the 75k bonus. Only ~$100 p.a.

My Citibank Gold, Westpac Krisflyer and Amex plat have all been free, or refunded.

Amex Plat Charge Card, is the flight valid for International Sector, or just Dom?

Can be to International destinations. However Cairns appeals to me more than NZ.

How do you get $900 value out of a Domestic Y flight? (SYD-PER is $199 on a Red eDeal atm)

It is a return flight...and can be domestic or international. I will fly MEL-Cairns return. Others may choose New Zealand for example. The $900 includes free proper Travel Insurance not tied to first spending on the card. All sup (free) cardholders also get the free insurance and so my 19 year old daughter is covered for her travels independent of me. So this and other benefits to me add up to over $900 for my usage patterns.

Pardon my ignorance, but l haven't heard of these CC's. What/who brands them

There are several threads on the forum. Amex Discovery, Amex Edge and Everyday (Safeways/ Woolworths)