FREE Luggage and More

I am just a few days from my 10 country, 23 day around the world trip.  While the trip is going to be a great adventure I truly love that the organization responsible for organizing this adventure, the Great Escape Foundation, also incorporates the gift of giving back to worthy causes. 

The Great Escape Foundation has partnered with Travelpro, the makers of great luggage.  Anyone who donates a minimum of $25 will be entered to win a set of Travelpro luggage or some great travel gift certificates to exotic locations.  Click Here to donate online. Donations will be accepted until May 5, 2013 (the day our scavenger hunt ends).

For those who have already donated a minimum of $25 to this cause via the link on my web page you are already entered to win the luggage but don't let that stop you from donating again and increasing your chances of winning.

Get Skinny.....Save Money

An article in the Los Angeles Times shows that losing weight can save you money when you travel.  In January, Samoa Airlines debuted its pay-by-the-kilo policy.  This has resulted in an international controversy about fat discrimination.

The airline's chief executive, Chris Langton, stated, “Booking a flight with us (Samoa Airlines) is as easy as inputting your approximate weight into our online booking engine (don't worry, we will weigh you again at the airport)… Take as many or as few bags as you wish - and avoid the exorbitant excess baggage fees! With Samoa Air, you are the master of how much (or little!) your air ticket will cost.”

One bright note to this policy: Families with small children, who often feel persecuted when they travel, stand to benefit most from this policy. Since Samoa no longer charges by the seat, it will cost them a lot less to fly than it did before.

Predictably,  the news about Samoa Air, which flies in only a fraction of the world (Samoa, American Samoa, French Polynesia), has received a lot of attention.

Turtle Soup, Stir-fry Mouse or Barbequed Rattlesnake?

We are less than two weeks out from the Global Scavenger Hunt.  When we initially spoke with the organizers we had been told that we get to pick which challenges we want to do out of a list of challenges.  We are very excited and look forward to doing the charity challenges and anything else that sounds interesting.  I am very competitive.  I like the idea of coming in first and winning.  The prize for first place is a free trip the following year.  But this trip is going to be different and I am willing to put my competitiveness on hold.  Maria and I have decided the most important thing is to have this trip bring us a lifetime of memories versus blisters, sore muscles and lack of sleep.  We are willing to do challenges that may not have the highest point values but sound interesting to us.

While Maria felt the Scavenger Hunt would be fun she was really hoping there would be no food challenges. We read a blog of last year's trip and found that some challenges are mandatory while others are optional.  There are even some mandatory food challenges.  Last year in Taiwan one of the food challenges was turtle soup, stir fry mouse or BBQ rattlesnake.  I think I would have chosen the rattle snake. What would you chose?

We still need help with charity donations to the Great Escape Foundation. Below is an excerpt of   my February 18th blog.  Your donation also helps me to reaffirm that you benefit from this blog, as I am asking for a $4 donation if you read this blog and have ever benefited.

February 18, 2013 blog: The Global Scavenger Hunt™is going to be leaving from Los Angeles. This is the exciting travel adventure competition that is going to take us around-the-world in April 2013.  Well, in addition to all the fun we are going to have competing for The World’s Greatest Travelers™ crown, we have joined forces with the events organizers to help focus on issues that affect our Global Village with the GreatEscape Foundation.

The GreatEscape Foundation -- a 501(c)(3) California tax-exempt non-profit corporation -- is a global charitable organization designed to have a lasting impact on thousands of lives over the coming years. In conjunction with the GreatEscape2013 travel adventure competition, it is the goal of all competitors to raise $1 million through the GreatEscape Foundation for great noble causes such as: Doctors without Borders, KIVA, Partners in Health, Free the Children, the Nomad Foundation, and the World Monuments Fund, among others. Each one a great cause that achieves wonderful things in the world.

We appreciate the fact that you are personally inundated with requests from many worthwhile organizations, and that you must decide where you feel your contributions will have the greatest impact. By supporting us and the GreatEscape Foundation, you would be sharing in our deep personal commitment and philosophy of life, that giving back to our community is a critically important aspect of being both decent citizens and in sharing with those less fortunate our own personal successes. 

I know in these difficult financial times it is hard for some of you to give to others when you are struggling yourself.  So here is what I suggest.  If you have benefited from this blog, even if it was only once, how about sponsoring us for a $.0001 a kilometer ($.0001 = $4) based on our team completing the estimated 40,000 kilometer around-the-world competition.  Of course if you could spare a donation of .001 a kilometer for a $40 donation it would be greatly appreciated.  For my friends who want a really large tax write-off a donation of $.01 a kilometer = $400 will earn you one free United Airline lounge pass.   The GreatEscape Foundation has grand and noble aspirations, but it can’t achieve its goals without the help of people like you and me helping it grow and expand. 

You might not think $4 would help but if every reader donated we could do great things. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.  For my readers from countries outside the United States, who knows, we might be visiting you in April. Please click on the donate button on the right side of the blogstarttravelingforless.blogspot.com or click here.

IRS # 95-4831064

FREE United Airlines Miles

My friend Russ has decided he likes the benefits of status and is going to try for the first time to earn United Airlines status.  So Russ make sure you pay attention to this blog!

Thanks to blogger, Miles Momma:

Here is a great offer for 350 Free United miles when you join E-miles.  Here are the details.

WHAT TO DO:

• Click on offer link here: 
• Enroll - 350 United miles will post in 6 – 8 weeks
• Earn an additional 100 E-miles after you complete your profile

 OFFER EXPIRES 4/15/2013 – So act now!

Terms and conditions: Miles accrued, awards, and benefits issued are subject to change and are subject to the rules of the United MileagePlus® program. Please allow 6-8 weeks after completed qualifying activity for bonus miles to post to your account. United® may change the MileagePlus program including, but not limited to, rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers or terminate the MileagePlus program at any time and without notice. Bonus award miles, award miles and any other miles earned through non-flight activity do not count or qualify for Premier® status unless expressly stated otherwise. United and its subsidiaries, affiliates and agents are not responsible for any products and services of other participating companies and partners. Taxes and fees related to award travel are the responsibility of the member. The accumulation of mileage or Premier or other status does not entitle members to any vested rights with respect to the program. United and MileagePlus are registered service marks. For complete details about the MileagePlus program, go to united.com. See additional MileagePlus terms and conditions.

Zoom Zoom

Yesterday I got an email from my brother-in-law regarding a free two day weekend car rental from Avis. Note-there may be some taxes, fees and/or surcharges.  Also, be aware there is no cancellation fee if you choose "Pay Later."  The coupon is not valid in Alaska, the New York Metro area, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

1. Click here to make a reservation for the weekend.
2. Enter coupon code TUEA002
3. Select a car size from compact to full-size
4. During check out select Pay Later and the discount should appear.

Thanks to Bruce and Slick Deals for this information.

How to Get to Hawaii

Even if you can afford the hotel, airfare to Hawaii is expensive that is why I recommend the Alaska Airlines Visa.  Each year you get a travel companion certificate for $99.  Thus, when I pay $500 for my flight my companion pays only $99.  Thereby, making the tickets only $300 each.  If you are a family of four both parents can have their own separate credit cards and four people would travel for $1200.

Finally, I previously mentioned I am switching from my American Platinum status and shooting for status with Alaska Airlines this year.  I like Alaska because they are partners with American (One World) and Delta (Sky Team).  Alaska is the only airline I am aware of that belongs to more than one alliance. This means when I fly American, Delta or Alaska I can have all my miles go towards my Alaska status and trust me......status matters.  Flying home from Hawaii in first class when I paid for coach using the companion ticket makes me want to maintain my status for 2013.

My Favorite Hawaii Hotel

I love the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii.  Check out these pictures of the hotel by clicking here. This location is so large it has a tram, as well as a boat, to shuttle you from one side of the hotel to the other.  It has three swimming pools (one with a 175 foot water slide) plus a natural ocean fed lagoon.  While snorkeling in the lagoon you can see numerous fish as well as turtles.  The lagoon is so large you can rent paddle boards or pedal boats.

The hotel also has several restaurants with great food.  You can choose from Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican or good ole’ hamburgers and hot dogs. You can even dine at an elegant steak or seafood restaurant over looking the ocean.

Now that I have told you about this wonderful place you may be thinking, “This all sounds a little too expense and what about traveling for less?”

We visited the Hilton as part of a timeshare presentation.  I know many of you are already saying ughhh.  But for 90 minutes this 6 day/ 5 night vacation was worth it.  Even with the presentation the cost was not free but it made it affordable.  It included a rental car, a $200 voucher for my next Hilton stay (already booked the Hilton hotel in Boston) as well as 25,000 Hilton points, which is enough points for another free night.

I lucked out because my Hilton Gold membership expires at the end of this month.  I got gold by asking for a status match. I did this knowing I would be staying at the Hilton in Hawaii.  The gold status got me $120 in food vouchers for my stay as well as 2 free bottles of water.  Food is expensive in Hawaii.

If you ever plan on staying at this hotel the best thing to do is on day one purchase a discount food card for $29.95.  The food card gives you two $10 food vouchers as well as 10% off all your food purchases.  We definitely made out on this deal.  We had stayed at this hotel before, we love it that much, that the first thing we did was make sure we had the discount card.  

Tomorrow we discussing getting to Hawaii.