The Absence of Travel

It's already almost mid-November, and I should be planning to depart this next week for vacation.  The original plan was going to be another points-inspired trip to the Maldives followed by Christmas markets in Switzerland.  Unfortunately Covid has meant most European countries are still closed for tourists and therefore this years trip will not occur for the first time in many.  Even though I may not be in the air this Friday evening, I'm still determined to continue planning for next year!

Hyatt properties are showing nearly 12 month availability for bookings, so I've already made some points reservations for late next year - optimism!  I'll likely hold on any airline reservations until the picture is clearer since schedules are constantly in flux.  

Are you planning any travel yet for 2021?  

Chase bonus points promotions for Amazon/Grocery through 12/31/20!

I was excited to receive several emails today with special bonus points offers for spend at grocery stores and Amazon.com through December 31st - if you have these Chase cards, make sure to sign up via the invite email link received!

Hyatt Card: 5x points at Amazon.com/3x points for grocery on up to $1500 spend each month through 12/31

United Card: 5x points at Amazon.com/5x points for grocery on up to $1500 spend each month through 12/31

IHG Card: 5x points at Amazon.com/3x points for grocery on up to $1500 spend each month through 12/31

British Airways Card: 5x points at Amazon.com/5x points for grocery on up to $1500 spend each month through 12/31

Update! Sapphire Reserve: 3x points for grocery on up to $1000 spend each month through 4/30/21

End of the Boeing 747

I've flown on quite a number of planes over the years, from the small (Cessna 402/Dash-8/Fokker 70) to the largest (A380).  One of the more memorable experiences, though, is flying on the 747.  It's hard to put into words exactly what the feeling is; during takeoff, it's as though you are being lifted gracefully off the ground with almost no effort.  

With recent announcements that production of the 747 will be ending, it will be the end of an era in aviation history: https://metroairportnews.com/boeing-announces-end-of-747/

I count myself fortunate that I've flown on several 747s, including to Seoul in GlobalFirst on United and to Doha on British Airways.  I even managed to visit in the cockpit on the way back from Doha.

I'm hopeful I can still fly a Lufthansa 747 before they're retired, though it doesn't look promising.

What to do in lieu of travel?

Fall is here, and looking back on my what my typical travel pattern would be, I likely would have been finishing details for our usual November excursion.  Sadly that is now off the table.  I would have also been planning to head to San Diego this weekend - that also has been postponed.  In fact, I have no trips scheduled in TripIt which is making me a little disappointed!  So what can I do in lieu of travel? 

One thing is to continue to accrue points and miles.  There have been many different promotions across credit cards over the past few months, including some lucrative 6x points on grocery and Amazon.com purchases.  There have also been some significant signup bonuses for the Marriott and IHG cards.  Saving up points now means more options for travel later.   Maximizing those bonuses with regular spend has been very helpful.

I may not be back in the air, though I feel as though I'm setting up for some great travel options in the future. 

Mid-Year 2020 Travel Check

The coronavirus has changed everything for 2020, and while some activities are beginning to resume, air travel is going to take a while longer to return to the way things were before March 1st.  Working from home along with travel restrictions for international travel/cancellations is certainly having an impact on what my schedule was supposed to be for the year.  It remains to be seen how the rest of the year will look and if I'll even be in the air this fall or winter. 

American

No status presently on American even though I took advantage of a brief status match in late spring.  I was able to leverage some new CC spend and have increased my miles balance ahead to prepare for travel hopefully next fall.

United

United is still primary for me given my close proximity to Newark.  A lack of air travel since March means I normally wouldn't be able to re-qualify, however, United has extended status through 2021 so I will be able to hold 1K into next year.  

Hyatt

I was able to reach Globalist late last year and anticipated travel meant I was hoping for many opportunities to stay and upgrade in 2020.  However, similar to what happened with the airlines, my hotel stays have stopped.  Luckily, Hyatt has also extended status through February of 2022.  Existing awards are also extended until the end of 2021, so I'm glad I'm not losing a number of free stays.

I'm hoping that we can continue to move forward with mitigation and possible treatments for Covid so that safe travel is once again possible.  Thankfully this won't immediately impact status changes for 2020.  Wear a mask!