Embracing Solo Travel | SingleFlyer

Expedia Disaster: Why I don’t use OTAs

March 22, 2015February 13, 2015

expedia disaster

This is the story of my Expedia disaster. I always try to book my travel directly through the airline/hotel/rental car company. This way I know that if there are any issues, they will be the one to fix it. Also, many companies offer you added benefits when booking direct (best fare guaranteed, loyalty points, etc).

However, every once in a while I find a deal that makes going through a booking site like Expedia or Orbitz worthwhile.

A friend and I (okay, confession time, I don’t always travel alone) are planning a free cruise that we got through mLife on Royal Caribbean. As the cruise leaves from Florida, we thought we would spend a few days at Disney World to compliment the time on the cruise. Plus, Disney World!

In many of the blogs and deal sites I check out I found a code for $100 off a three night hotel stay if booked through Expedia. So I found the hotel, entered my credit card info and the coupon code, and voila! My room was booked!

No error message, no “coupon is not valid”. It just worked. Credit card accepted. Room booked. Or so I thought…

Mirage Las Vegas Review

July 23, 2022February 12, 2015

The Mirage Las Vegas is the quintessential Vegas resort. It is the original mega-resort that started it all. National Lampoons Vegas Vacation. Siegfried and Roy. Steven Wynn. The Volcano. Lots of reasons to stay here.

The property is amazing and you can tell that Steve Wynn really left his finger prints all over this property. Beautiful grounds. Recognizable architecture. Sprawling pool. Over the top volcano in the front. Indoor jungle with huge glass dome. However, I do feel that some of the original magic created by Wynn is gone now to be replaced by the safe corporate decisions of MGM.

What I imagine was once a standout property has become a bit bland. Nothing stands out about the casino, restaurants, clubs or rooms. They are all fine, but thats about all you can say.

Mlife Hyatt status match

July 25, 2022February 6, 2015

Using the Mlife Hyatt status match is a great way to immediately gain status with two great loyalty programs.

I am still relatively new to the loyalty game. However, one of the best deals I have found so far is with Mlife, the Las Vegas loyalty club for the MGM Mirage properties.

Mlife has a partnership with a number of companies outside of Las Vegas, including Hyatt. If you are an Mlife member (and you should be if you have been to Vegas even once), you can status match with Hyatt’s Gold Passport program. This means not only can you earn points for Hyatt when you stay in Vegas (5 Hyatt Gold points for every $1 you spend at an Mlife resort), but you can also get the perks of a higher tier status with Hyatt, assuming you have spent some money in Vegas. Likewise, if you have status with Hyatt, you can match your status to Mlife.

Waimea Plantation Kauai Review

July 23, 2022February 5, 2015

While Hawaii is one of my favorite travel destinations, I took my first trip to Kauai in January. Dramatically different than the arid sprawl of the Big Island, Kauai is smaller and much more lush. I had wanted to check out Kauai to check off the four large islands of Hawaii and I am glad I did.

I stayed at the Waimea Plantation; located on the southwest side of the island at the base of Waimea Canyons. The town itself is a 45 minute drive from Lihue airport (the only commercial airport on the island). You drive through various jungles, next to canyons, and past coffee groves. The town of Waimea itself is small and seems to be stuck in the 1950s. The next town over is Hanapepe, known for it’s art galleries. While you will find tourists here; there are no large resorts on this side of the island.

Alaska Airlines Discount Code – Russell Wilson

March 23, 2015January 27, 2015

Purchase a ticket at www.alaskaair.com by January 31 and use discount code GORUSSELL to score 12% any flights leaving from Washington state. Note that you must travel between February 12 and March 18, but still about the best coupon I’ve seen Alaska offer. If you need a weekend away to get … Read more

Four Seasons Scottsdale Review

July 23, 2022January 6, 2015

A few days after Christmas I received a call from a friend offering me use of his unit at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Residence Club over New Years. I had never stayed at a Four Seasons but have always heard that they are the measure of service in the hotel industry. I said yes and booked my flight from Seattle to Phoenix.

Residence Clubs with the Four Seasons are similar to timeshares; you buy in and pay an annual fee and get a week at their resort. Instead of a hotel room (at least in Scottsdale) you get a two bedroom, three bathroom unit with a full kitchen, dining room and living room. You get access to all the amenities of the hotel plus a Residence Club pool, restaurant, and club house.