Embracing Solo Travel | SingleFlyer

Daily Getaways promotion

March 22, 2015February 24, 2015

If you haven’t checked out the US Travel Association‘s Daily Getaways promotion in the past, it is a great chance to score some amazing deals on hotel stays, car rentals, and loyalty points at deep discounts. This year the deal is even earlier; starting Monday, March 23, 2015 and running … Read more

Hyatt Credit Card through Chase Bank

March 26, 2015February 23, 2015

Today I received my brand spanking new Hyatt Chase Visa Card. My Hyatt credit card was hand delivered this afternoon by a lovely UPS woman in a package that reminded me of an awards show envelope. I had been considering the Hyatt credit card for the past few months, and finally decided to apply after reading about the 20% points back promotion. I have a couple of trips coming up where I will be staying at Hyatt properties (The Pike Long Beach, Grand Hyatt San Diego, Regency Vancouver) and one stay at Aria Las Vegas (an Mlife partner) that made the credit card seem like a no brainer. Plus there are some amazing sign up bonuses right now that are rumored to be disappearing in the future.

Royal Kona Resort Hawaii Review

July 23, 2022February 20, 2015

I recently was in Kauai and stayed at the Waimea Plantation; a rustic resort that I said you must know what you are getting into. The Royal Kona, in the town of Kona on the Big Island, is another place that you will enjoy if you have realistic expectations. It is not fancy, it is not over the top, it is not modern. If you want somewhere that is uber deluxe, there are probably better options north of Kona. However, the Royal Kona Resort, and Kona in general, is a great casual place to relax and have fun.

I have stayed at the Royal Kona Resort three different times. The price cannot be beat. The first time I stayed was for my sister’s wedding and they treated everyone right. Now it feels like a second home.

Moral Travel: What does your dollar support?

March 23, 2015February 19, 2015

I recently watched a horrifying yet compelling documentary, Hunted: The War Against Gays in Russia (available on HBO). It chronicles the rising tide of assaults on LGBTQ people by both fellow Russians and the government.

Copyright HBO, Hunted: The War Against Gays in Russia

While I would love to see Russia, I do not think I could travel there at this time in good conscience. I do not want my money to go to a regime that openly discriminates and scape goats a minority population of its own citizens. As consumers (which includes tourism), we vote with our dollars (or Euros, or Pounds or…) whether intentional or not.

M life Explained – Las Vegas

July 25, 2022February 18, 2015

Welcome to SingleFlyer.com! Your source for news about Las Vegas and other relevant travel info. Be sure to subscribe to my email updates and follow me on Twitter. MASSIVE UPDATE: As of February 1, 2022, M life will now be known as MGM Rewards. I will be updating this … Read more

First Mileage Run: From Seattle to DC

June 20, 2021February 15, 2015

Mileage run. This is a term that travel hobbyists use frequently that I did not know the full definition of until last week. I know can count myself a member of the elite (or crazy…) who partake in the infamous mileage run! This is the account of my first mileage run.

A mileage run (or MR if you are hip to the lingo) is when you book a flight just for the loyalty points you earn with the airline (or hotel for that matter). Usually this is done when you find an extremely low fare on an airline you like to earn status with.

Living in Seattle, my airline of choice is Alaska. I have been MVP for the past few years, but this year I am aiming for MVP Gold. The benefits of MVP Gold are extensive; most important to me are upgrades to first class and ability to change a flight with no penalty. You must earn 40,000 “elite qualifying miles” (or EQMs), which usually means actual miles flown. Miles you earn through using your Alaska Airlines Visa Card, for example, do not count towards elite status.

Double Miles – Alaska Airlines

October 9, 2018February 13, 2015

I have benefited from Alaska Airlines promos in the past that offer double miles for certain routes from Seattle. However, the email I received today has more routes eligible than in the past.

Expedia Disaster: Why I don’t use OTAs

March 22, 2015February 13, 2015

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 pool at Mirage, notice the waterfall to the left.

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.

Amazon Fresh: Using my new Dash

March 23, 2015January 4, 2015

Today I got home from a trip to the Four Seasons in Scottsdale, AZ. Since traveling home can be one of the worst parts of the trip; I always like to make the transition into the “real world” as painless as possible. This includes always having fresh sheets on the bed, clean towels, vacuumed living room and a well stocked fridge.

Living in Seattle, I make use of Amazon Fresh. It is Amazon’s grocery delivery service. Before I leave on a trip; I like to place an order and schedule it to be delivered around the time my flight lands. The delivery person leaves the totes filled with my groceries at my front door. I just move them in and put them away and am ready to go for the week.

Spa Etiquette: Come on people!

July 23, 2022December 19, 2014

One of my favorite things to do while traveling solo is to spend a day at the spa. Las Vegas has some of the best spas in the world; steam rooms scented with eucalyptus, reclaimed wood saunas, deluge showers, hot and cold plunge pools all in beautiful and lavish (if not over the top) surroundings. I would suggest either the Encore Spa or Aria Spa + Salon for spa newbies.

If you are getting a treatment (massage, body wrap, etc), entrance into the spa is included. I suggest spending at least a couple of hours before and/or after your treatment enjoying the amenities. If you don’t want to pamper yourself (read: splurge) on a treatment, some spas offer day passes for a nominal fee to use the facilities.

One thing I think everyone should know before going to the spa: it is best experienced naked. Large spas are divided by gender. Yet, time and time again, there are always a few guests wearing bathing suits. I consulted with a female friend of mine and she said the same thing happens on the female side.