Locations

Netherlands To Switzerland

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If you haven’t heard, the day after Christmas I’m headed off to Europe.  This will be my fourth Eurotrip (one, two, and three) and I can’t wait to go explore this amazing part of the world again.  This time I’m starting on a direct flight from Portland to Amsterdam that I scored for cheap and reining in the New Year with Melissa, Tomas, Ayleen and more.  After the New Year, I’m eventually making my way down to visit my friend Laurent in Lausanne, Switzerland before flying home.  My plans are pretty loose, as is the way I usually travel, so I’m excited to see how the trip comes together.  With the help of the travel hacking work I’ve done in the past and my friends in Europe, I’m hoping to keep my trip quite low on cost.  I’m going to be updating this post with my trip details as best as I can, so bookmark this page and stay updated. Belgium(I ended up splitting off and Switzerland into their own posts.)

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By Jason, ago

PDX-SFO Using Avios

PDX-SFO Using Avios

This weekend’s trip to San Francisco was achieved for $11.20 thanks to using 15K Avios points on British Airways to book on Alaska Airlines.

Much better than the 25K it would have taken using Alaska Airline points. This works because BA handles their rewards by distance. Since SFO is less than a certain number of miles, the flight each way is 7.5K (this use to be 4.5K, but those rewards are no more).

So, if you have BA Avios points (not too hard to get with the right card) and you fly out of an Alaska hub, then look into booking with them first before using your valuable Alaska miles. Just remember that you’ll have to call to book this flight as they don’t show up on BA’s website. Check reward availability using another Alaska partner.

Because of nasty weather in Portland, my flight ended up being delayed, but still worth the price.

Here’s to a fun upcoming weekend visiting Paige in San Francisco.

-Jason

By Jason, ago

How I Saved Over $3,000 On A Flight!

KLM Airbus 330-200 Foto:KLMThis Christmas, I decided that I’m going to go to The Netherlands for New Years.  I’m not totally sure on my plans, but I knew that I needed to get my flight soon to avoid it getting too expensive.  I’m not sure if I’ll be returning from Amsterdam, so rather than booking a round trip (RT) ticket, I just wanted a one way.  In doing so, I realized that I saved my self over $3,000 on that one-way direct flight from Portland to Amsterdam.  Here’s how I did it. (more…)

By Jason, ago

Time For Festivals

Giant Disco BallSince my trip to Iceland, I haven’t done much international travel.  In fact, I haven’t done much travel at all except for a trip to Georgia early in June.  The last couple months, I’ve spent my time working my day job, spending time with family and friends, going through the pain of buying an airplane, biking all over the place during Pedalpalooza, and going to a number of festivals.

Since the end of May, I’ve attended SOAK, What The Festival?! and this last weekend was Oregon Country Fair.  All three festivals are quite different, but are each quite amazing – and all located in Oregon! (more…)

By Jason, ago
Mývatn Nature Baths

Blue Lagoon Alternatives: Iceland’s Other Hot Springs

There are well over a million visitors heading to Iceland every year these days and the number one tourist attraction is the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa.  Known for it’s pearl blue water and beauty, it is also known to be quite packed with people (a reservation is recommend), and also comes at a hefty price tag (starts at around $60!).  During my visit to Iceland, I was doing it on a budget, so I didn’t make an appearance at the Blue Lagoon, and instead partook in the numerous other hot springs around the country of Iceland.  Here are a number of the ones I went to soak – avoid the crowds and save some cash. (more…)

By Jason, ago

Iceland: Viewing The Northern Lights

northern lightsMany people don’t realize that this incredible phenomenon (Northern Lights) is elusive and unpredictable. Yes, even in a place like Iceland…

I just recently spent eight days in Iceland attempting to see the Northern Lights, and though it never happened, it was still an incredible trip.  If you end up going to Iceland and planning to see the lights, then follow these tips from Expert Vagabond. (more…)

By Jason, ago

First Time At SXSW

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This last week I went to Austin, Texas for work, seeing friends, and SXSW (South by South West). The trip didn’t last as long as I would have liked (like most), but in the time I was there, I had a blast. I’m actually quite exhausted from a week of getting up early to get work done, and stopping in the early afternoon to go out and enjoy what SXSW had to offer until late into the night.

I spent the majority of my time with my friends and hosts, Jake and Maria, whom I met in Puerto Rico last New Year (2014-15). Along with them, I made new friends along the way and caught up with old ones.

I’ll be back in Portland for this weekend before heading out again to San Ramon (3/21-25). You never know about San Ramon, but it should be a decent enough time.

If you want some more details about SXSW or my time in Austin, then keep on reading! (more…)

By Jason, ago

Headed To Austin for SXSW

Austin-SXSW

I’m sitting in the Seattle Alaska Airlines lounge complimentary of my Lounge Club card.  I’m waiting here for my flight to Austin which I’ll be in for the next week to partake in SXSW.  I’ve heard great things about the conference/festival/party and decided I finally needed to go check it out.  I have been to Austin a number of times for work, and this one will be a lot like those, except in the evenings, I’ll be enjoying the life of SXSW.  One of the biggest perks to Austin though is seeing and catching up with awesome friends I have in the area.  Can’t wait to get back into Austin! (more…)

By Jason, ago

First Taste Of Chile

Torres Glacier Gray JasonWednesday (January 13th) I returned from a fast moving almost-three week trip around the beautiful country of Chile.  This was my first taste of Chile, and for that matter, South America.  The trip ranged from numerous long flights, beautiful wineries, fireworks on the beaches of Valparaiso, taking it easy enjoying the restaurants, cafes, and parks in Santiago, overnight hiking in Southern Patagonia, and playing with Penguins as far south from home as I’d ever been.  Just like any trip, it wasn’t long enough, but I had quite the adventure and am glad to share with you my first taste of Chile. (more…)

By Jason, ago

Off To Punta Arenas – Patagonia Chile

torres-del-paineSitting here at Gerardo’s place in Santiago, Chile.  I’m getting my bag together to catch my flight for Punta Arenas with Lewis and Gerardo.  Our flight leaves Santiago around 9:45pm and gets into Punta Arenas around 1am.  Punta Arenas is the equivalent to going to Alaska, and silly enough, I only packed for mild-summer weather.  I went to the mall here and picked up a pair of hiking books for the upcoming plan of going into Patagonia.  Hopefully we don’t freeze. (more…)

By Jason, ago
travel-newport-beach

PDX->SNA (FTU)->SFO (Work)->PDX->SEA->LWS->Home

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The title of this post is quite the cluster, but it is what my upcoming week is going to look like.  Prior to yesterday, I was going to go to Newport Beach, CA to attend Frequent Travel University (FTU) and then come back to Portland, work here through Thursday, and then fly out to Lewiston, Idaho to visit my grandma.  Well, a wrench was throne into the situation and now I’m also going to San Ramon for a four-day deep-dive for my work.  Now, I’m hitting the following airports before finally getting back home next Sunday. (more…)

By Jason, ago

Jason [Does Not] Get Around

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As much as I travel, I really don’t have too many problems usually, however, there are those days I just can’t control.

Finishing up a trip in Austin, Texas with a number of my coworkers from the Portland office, we ended up being stranded due to flash flooding from some terrible weather around the Austin airport.

I went to bed Thursday night enjoying some good weather in the later evening, but woke up to threats of flooding and tornadoes around the city. (more…)

By Jason, ago