Sunday, October 28, 2018

Have I Finally Gone Too far?



My friends and family think I have gone too far in my quest to save money traveling.  You be the judge.  There is a company called Airmule which will pay you to be a courier if you transport 1-2 pieces of luggage when you travel to/from the the US to China, India, Thailand or Korea.  Well, I was starting a cruise in Shanghai, China this month and figured I would not mind earning an extra $150-$300 dollars to start my trip.

Let me fully explain how everything works.  Airmule has been in business since 2015. I heard about the company through other travel bloggers, so I figured it was pretty safe and worth a try.  My family and friends were not as sure.  To start the process you sign up on the Airmule website and give them a copy of your itinerary and tell them if you can transport one or two pieces of luggage.  Airmule supplies the suitcase.  Then approximately 48 hours before your trip Airmule will let you know if you have 0, 1 or 2 bags they want you to transport.  If you are assigned any luggage Airmule will pay you $150 per bag to transport between the US and China/India/Thailand/Korea and if you have a return ticket, $100 per bag back to the USA. When speaking with Airmule I was told they have  96.8% success rate matching a person to luggage from the USA to China.

I received a phone call just over 48 hours before my flight saying I would be carrying one piece of luggage (I had said I would be willing to carry up to 2).  Winston, from AirMule, explained that I needed to download the app WeChat as this is what is used in China (Similar to WhatsApp).  He explained that I would carry one suitcase that has been inspected and x-rayed for all the contents.  He further stated that approximately 24 hours before my flight I should log into the Airmule website where I could see pictures of all the contents.  Airmule gathers multiple individual shipments into one suitcase.  For example, I was carrying three pairs of nike tennis shoes, vitamins, and baby items.

I received a message and a picture on WeChat saying to meet Airmule's partner, LAX Luggage Storage, in front of the Alaska Airlines terminal at 5:00 for my 7:00 am flight.  My flight would take me from LAX to Seattle on Alaska Airlines then from Seattle to Shanghai on Hainan Airlines.  





 AirMule currently only works out of the following Airports: 


  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • San Jose International Airport (SJC)
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

If you are not starting or ending your trip in one of the supported airports, Airmule allows passengers connecting through supported airports to participate, within certain time frames and conditions.


As instructed, I called 15 minutes ahead of my arrival at the airport to coordinate my arrival with LAX Luggage Storage.  I was handed my the suitcase and allowed to inspect the contents.  The driver then sealed the luggage with blue tape.  I signed a release form that said Airmule was responsible for the contents. The driver also took a picture of me with the luggage and sent it to the person who would met me in Shanghai.




After signing the release of liability I was on my way.  You are probably thinking, "That's just a piece of paper. How do I know what I am carrying is not illegal?" Watch this quick 30 second video that explains how Airmule inspections work.


Usually at airport check-in you are asked if you packed the luggage yourself.  I was not asked this but if I was I would, respond honestly and say, "no.”  I would then identify myself as an air courier.

Once I arrived in Shanghai I was sent a picture of where to meet my contact after exiting immigration.  I walked outside and he found me right away. He took a picture of the luggage.  I must say the blue seal had been broken.  I can only assume by TSA.

Two days later I saw the deposit into my bank account,



So I must ask you, “Am I crazy? Have I gone too far?”

If you say, “no” please use the below referral code so I can get referral credit and you can start earning money on Airmule.

If you say "yes", you can still earn money making a referral even if you never travel with Airmule. You will receive compensation once the person you refer transports luggage for Airmule.

Airmule intends to add the following routes in the near future: Iceland, Dubai, London and France. I see more Airmule trips in my future.

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Online shopping links

Online Shopping Malls Mean Cash, Miles and Points

Thanks to everyone who attended last nights Travel For Less class offered through Clark Community College.  I hope you learned a lot and are ready to start saving on your travel adventures.  As promised, I have attached some web site links to what was taught in the class.   All you need to do is click on the hyperlink.

Who doesn't want to save money?  The first place to start to find which business has the best rebate: Cash Back Monitor.   The best part is this website is not just limited to travel!

My favorite cash back site is Ebates.  Disclaimer: Attached is my referral link.

Another cash back site is Mr. Rebates. This one was not mentioned in class but you will see it as an option if you start with Cash back Monitor. Sign up and compare Ebates to Mr. Rebates for which online shopping will give you the best return.  

Hope you enjoyed the class!


Wednesday, September 5, 2018

I love the Seattle Seahawks

This is a re-post from last year but if you live in the state of Washington make sure you read this and sign up again. Registration starts today.

Based on the title you are probably wondering what the Seattle Seahawks football team has to do with travel. Well, Delta Air Lines and Alaska airlines used to be partners. But now there is a turf war between Delta and Alaska for the Seattle market place. This turf war has even carried over to the football field this season.  

Delta is the official airline of the Seattle Seahawks. Russell Wilson, the Seahawks quarterback, is Alaska's "Chief Football Officer." Anyone flying from Seattle airport while wearing Wilson's jersey will be able to board early. Not to be out done, if you happen to live in Washington state, (like I do), Delta airlines has a promotion where Washington residents can earn one Delta SkyMile based on each yard thrown by the Seahawks. The ZIP code on your SkyMiles account must be located in Washington state.  

You can access this offer by clicking here.

Go Seahawks!!

Monday, August 21, 2017

I love the Seattle Seahawks football team

Based on the title you are probably wondering what the Seattle Seahawks football team has to do with travel. Well, Delta Air Lines and Alaska airlines used to be partners. But now there is a turf war between Delta and Alaska for the Seattle market place. This turf war has even carried over to the football field this season.  

Delta is the official airline of the Seattle Seahawks. Russell Wilson, the Seahawks quarterback, is Alaska's "Chief Football Officer." Anyone flying from Seattle airport while wearing Wilson's jersey will be able to board early. Not to be out done, if you happen to live in Washington state, (like I do),  Delta airlines has a promotion where Washington residents can earn Delta SkyMiles based on each yard accumulated by the Seahawks. The ZIP code on your SkyMiles account must be located in Washington.  

You can access this offer by clicking here.

Go Seahawks!!



Friday, April 14, 2017

National Parks Service 100 year anniversary=Free Admission

The National Park service is celebrating its 100 year anniversary.   April 15-16 and 22-23 will be free days at the 118 national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. Entrance to the remainder of the more than 400 national parks is always free. Go enjoy the great outdoors!

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article143014259.html#storylink=cpy

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

What is Viator?

As you know I travel all over the world.  Before I go to a location I like to see the different activities that are available to me.  I have found a website called Viator that lists everything from short 2 hour activities to multi day trips.   As I mentioned yesterday, I will be going to Italy in April.  I am using Viator to help plan my trip.  Viator will book all the hotels and activites during a five day portion of the trip.  I am also using Viator to book a 3 hour gelato and pizza making class. The variety of activities offered through Viator is amazing.  In Istanbul I booked a home cooked dinner with a local family.  

If you want to save $10 on your next Viator booking use the following code:

https://www.viator.com/raf/MKYROXOUY


Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Save $35 on your Airbnb stay

Want something different than the typical hotel room?  Why not try Airbnb? You can rent a room or an entire house.  Airbnb is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent their homes with people who are looking for accommodations. Airbnb users include hosts and travelers: hosts list and rent out their unused spaces, and travelers search for and book accommodations in 190+ countries worldwide.

In April I am going to Rome.  Last week I booked two separate Airbnb stays.  Both were half the price of a hotel room and very close to the locations I wanted to be.  There will be three of us on the trip so it was nice to rent out an entire location with a kitchen.

On the Airbnb website you have a variety of ways to search:



  • Room type - entire place, private room or shared room
  • Price - range from minimum to maximum
  • Size - number of bedrooms, bathrooms and/or beds
  • Amenities - wireless Internet, TV, kitchen, pool, pets, etc.
  • Property type - standard properties such as apartments, houses and bed & breakfasts, as well as non-standard accommodations such as castles, caves, igloos and tipis.

  • You can save $35 if you use the following promo code:      www.airbnb.com/c/kiml191   

    Disclaimer: I also get $35 towards my next booking.