Moral Travel: What does your dollar support?

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.

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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.

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M life Explained – Las Vegas

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

first mileage runMileage 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.

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Double Miles – Alaska Airlines

Alaska Double Miles

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.

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Expedia Disaster: Why I don’t use OTAs

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…

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Mirage Las Vegas Review

mirage las vegas
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.

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Mlife Hyatt status match

mLife Platinum Players Card
mLife Platinum Players Card

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.

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Waimea Plantation Kauai Review

Cottage "D"
Cottage “D”

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.

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Alaska Airlines Discount Code – Russell Wilson

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

IMG_0047A 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.

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Amazon Fresh: Using my new Dash

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.

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Spa Etiquette: Come on people!

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.

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco SLC Review

Kimpton Hotel Monaco SLC Hotel Review This is my review for the Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City.  I stayed for two nights in March, 2014.  This was my first stay at a Kimpton hotel, but I had heard that they are a great brand. The Salt Lake City Hotel Monaco … Read more