Norse Atlantic Will Fly Between New York & London

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Transatlantic ultra low cost startup Norse Atlantic Airways will be entering the crowded New York to London market this summer. There are some things that make this particularly interesting…

Norse Atlantic launches New York to London flight in August 2022

As of August 12, 2022, Norse Atlantic will launch daily nonstop flights between New York (JFK) and London (LGW). The flight will operate with the following schedule (though the timing varies slightly every day of the week):

NO701 London to New York departing 1:00PM arriving 3:55PM NO702 New York to London departing 5:55PM arriving 6:20AM (+1 day)

The 3,470-mile flight is blocked at 7hr55min westbound and 7hr25min eastbound.

This is the first route that Norse Atlantic has announced out of London, though we’re told to expect more routes soon. Prior to this, the airline announced four routes out of Oslo to the United States, including to Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando. Those routes all launch in June.

Norse Atlantic will exclusively fly Boeing 787s, featuring economy and premium economy. The airline is operating planes that used to fly for Norwegian, before the carrier discontinued long haul routes. For that matter, Norse Atlantic’s overall business model looks very similar to Norwegian’s at the time.

Norse is flying former Norwegian Boeing 787s

Norse Atlantic transatlantic fares

Roundtrip fares from New York to London start at just over $300, including all taxes & fees.

This assumes you’re traveling with almost nothing, as you’ll have to book a more expensive fare if you want anything more than an underseat bag.

The market between New York and London is one of the biggest long haul aviation markets in the world, and it has plenty of service from all of the major alliances. However, there’s not currently a low cost competitor in the market. That comes down to how hard it is for long haul low cost airlines to make money.

Looking at Norse Atlantic’s fares, if you even want to include a carry-on bag (booking an “Economy Classic” fare), the absolute lowest roundtrip fare any day is $493. And this is promotional introductory pricing, allegedly.

You can pretty consistently book the full service airlines in the market for ~$550 roundtrip, only marginally more than what you’d pay with Norse Atlantic (and in winter fares are even cheaper). That doesn’t even factor in that other airlines give you so many more schedule options, since they operate many flights per day between the cities.

How are legacy airlines able to offer such low fares in economy and succeed, while ultra low cost carriers fail? Well, for airlines like American and British Airways, most of the money between New York and London is made in premium cabins, as there’s tons of demand. So airlines can offer really cheap fares in economy, since the goal is really to just charge fares above the incremental cost of carrying additional passengers.

In winter it’s not unusual for transatlantic flights to only have 100 passengers, but for the flights to still be profitable, thanks to those spending $5,000+ on business class tickets.

Norse Atlantic doesn’t have the upside of high premium fares. The airline will need to make money selling discounted economy tickets, while for other airlines that’s just the equivalent of gas money.

Where most of the money is made between New York & London

Norse Atlantic adding Oslo to London flight

I’d say this is nearly as interesting as the transatlantic flight as such. While Norse Atlantic is primarily focused on operating long haul flights, the airline will temporarily operate a route between Oslo and London. Presumably this is being done to reposition crew and aircraft to London, until the airline launches more routes out of London.

That means the overall rotation for this service will be as follows:

NO7010 Oslo to London departing 9:10AM arriving 10:30AM NO701 London to New York departing 1:00PM arriving 3:55PM NO702 New York to London departing 5:55PM arriving 6:20AM (+1 day) NO7020 London to Oslo departing 11:00AM arriving 2:20PM

I’m a little confused by this in general:

Does this mean a given crew will operate Oslo to London, spend a night, operate London to New York, spend a night, operate New York to London, spend a night, and then fly from London to Oslo? If so, that seems like rather inefficient crewing for an airline trying to keep costs down…Why does the plane sit on the ground at Gatwick for so long in each direction? Is that due to slot availability, or something else, because again, it doesn’t seem very efficient?

Norse Atlantic will fly to two destinations out of London

Bottom line

As of August 2022, Norse Atlantic will launch daily nonstop flights between London and New York using Boeing 787s. This will be the startup carrier’s first transatlantic route not out of Oslo. The airline will also temporarily operate a flight between Oslo and London, presumably intended for aircraft and crew positioning, until the airline adds more London flights.

Ultimately having airlines like Norse Atlantic is good for competition, but I still don’t get the economics of how this is supposed to work. I can’t count the number of airlines that have tried to operate an ultra low cost business model between London and the United States over the years, and not a single one has succeeded.

What do you make of Norse Atlantic entering the New York to London market?

By: Ben Schlappig
Title: Norse Atlantic Will Fly Between New York & London
Sourced From: onemileatatime.com/news/norse-atlantic-new-york-london-flight/
Published Date: Fri, 27 May 2022 12:08:14 +0000

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Bucket List of Unusual Adventure Activities Around The World

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Bucket List of Unusual Adventure Activities Around The World

From African safaris to exploring Antarctica or going down the zip line at top speed in Costa Rica or simply traveling solo to a destination that may be slightly off our comfort zone, the world offers adventurous spirits thousands of places to visit, experiences to embrace, and destinations to explore. With summertime around the corner and holidays getting closer, almost everybody is in need of a well-deserved break. If your best idea for recharging your batteries implies stepping out of the traditional holiday spots and/or getting your body to move and your mind to expand, your adventurous spirit will find plenty of ideas to inspire you. Some of the most amazing adventurous activities from around the world to travel to if you are an adventure travel lover. Here, you will find a list of adventure travel.

dventurous Activities Around The World

Take a Maine & Acadia National Park Road Trip

Road trips have long been synonyms of adventure and enjoying one from the coastal city of Portland, Maine, all through Acadia National Park can be a great experience this summer. Portland invites you to taste delicious handcrafted beer from any of the over 80 microbreweries you can find there. Drive northwards to Bar Harbor and explore its lovely cobblestone streets. Then, head out on a ship for some prime whale watching! And when you’re hungry, we’re sure that the lobster rolls Bar Harbor is famous for we’ll fuel your body!

Acadia National Park is the perfect roundup for your trip. Rocky beaches, granite peaks, glaciers and woody areas offer the perfect backdrop for fantastic pictures and great camping experiences. Needless to say, adventurous travelers can go rock climbing on the cliffs and explore the whereabouts.

If you’ll be driving a rental car, make sure that it has enough room for all passengers plus luggage and that it is of a brand and model you’re familiar with. Hitting the open road may not be the best time to try out a totally new vehicle! It is advisable to invest in a car rental damage insurance policy so that you can be completely sure that you’re covered against any incident you may suffer with the car. Doubtful about your options? Evaluate them here.

Drive From Cape Town To Cairo

Yes: driving from Cape Town in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt is as exciting as it sounds. It’s not a short trip and it’s definitely a challenging one. It can take from a month to two years if you do it completely though, of course, you can choose only a part of it to do. You can drive a car, ride a bike, take a bus, walk or go on public transport.

Since infrastructure is not that good along the way, you may find yourself camping or heading deep into the bush while tackling trails in 4x4s.

Undertaking such a road trip implies lots of planning. Bear in mind that only a few travelers have completed it successfully so don’t feel disappointed if you can only complete part of it!

Lose Your Breath at the Salar de Uyuni

Located in Bolivia at an altitude of almost 12000 feet, the Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. If you’re an adventurous traveler, driving your car through it is an experience of a lifetime.

Perfectly flat, the white land is breathtakingly beautiful. After rain, the wet surface reflects the clear sky and you’ll feel as if you were driving on the clouds! When the weather is dry, the salt is so strikingly white that you can easily think that it is ice.

Driving through the Salar de Uyuni is a great adventurous road trip, but if you still want to add some delightful cherishable memories to it, why don’t you stay in a salt hotel? In these fantastic buildings, everything (including walls, beds and toilets) is made from bricks of cemented salt.

Explore the Atlas Mountains

Situated in North Africa, the Atlas Mountains stretch from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. However, of all these three countries, the most beautiful mountain peaks can be found in Morocco. Add a good road system, an honest and competent police force and locals always willing to help and you’ll have a great driving experience. The road will take you through Berber villages and you’ll be offered tea by the side of the road. If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, don’t forget to add this exciting experience to your travel plans. You’ll definitely enjoy it!

Explore The Deserts of Oman

Oman is a fantastic and beautiful country: vast sand dunes, jagged mountains, preserved fortresses, and rocky wadis (seasonally dry gorges) can be explored in a trip that takes you through some of the most scenic views in the Middle East. Thi is probably one of the best places to travel for adventure.

You can start your trip in Wadi Nakhar. There you can take the “balcony walk” along its red rim or hike through the gorge itself, where you may catch local craftsmen making rugs! Then you can head to Nizwa, where you’ll find the oldest souks or markets in Oman. Get ready to bargain before buying local spices, rugs, or other souvenirs you may be tempted to take home! You’ll have the chance to meet the Bedouins and learn more about their culture while camping in the Wahiba Sands.

Snorkel Between Continents at Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

If you can only choose one destination in the whole world for adventure travel, then it must be Iceland. Its fantastic landscape offers visitors the opportunity to do glacier hiking, diving, or snorkeling.

Thingvellir National Park, along the country’s Golden Circle route, is the best place for diving. There, two tectonic plates slowly pull apart about 2 centimeters per year, which results in the Silfra fissure, a stunning rift valley where travelers can snorkel or dive in impossibly clear and cold waters. There are companies that offer diving excursions even for newbies and help you cherish the experience in your mind forever with a great underwater snapshot of you touching two continents at the same time!

Kayak With Orcas in Johnstone Strait, Canada

Johnstone Strait, in Vancouver, is probably the best place in the world where to admire orcas in their natural habitat. Of course you can spot them from the shore but if you are interested in a more up close and personal and you love water sports, having the chance of kayaking with orcas is as good (and exciting!) as it sounds.

Kayaking, sharing the same water with the orcas, is the best way to explore these huge and fascinating animals. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to kayak surrounded by curious dolphins, seals and even minke whales!

May to September is the best time of the year where to spot orcas in Johnstone Strait. There are quite a few companies that offer kayak tours that allow you to enjoy this nice experience.

Travel to Turkmenistan and Stand Before its “Door To Hell”

Turkmenistan’s “Door To Hell” is definitely not a place to mess about. Everything started 46 years ago when a team of Soviet scientists accidentally drilled a hole into a huge pocket of natural gas. They decided to set fire to it hoping it would stop burning anytime soon. Well, it hasn’t: it’s been burning since then!

Located in the middle of the vast Karakum Desert, it’s one of those destinations that don’t often appear on tourist brochures but that adventurous spirits cannot miss at least once in their lifetime!

Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

Forget about the train and let excitement build up in your body as you trek your way to the hidden city of Machu Picchu. Perched in the Peruvian Andes mountains, it can be reached by foot via different trails and hikes of varied difficulty levels. The Inca Trail is by far the most famous and classical trek but there are plenty of alternatives. You can hike via the ruins of Choquequirao (which are much less visited), walk along the interesting Salkantay Trail and admire some of the most luxurious and chic lodges in the area. Expert hikers can try the tough Vilcabamba Traverse.

Bear in mind that the hikes have different lengths and attitudes; take your time to acclimatise yourself before setting off and make sure you have a permit for the Inca Trail.

Visit Antarctica

Planning a trip to Antarctica is very much like planning an expedition to a place that only a few people have been before. Unpredictable weather conditions, crashing icebergs and an interesting variety of wildlife show you what adventure looks like!

You’ll have the chance to spot penguins, seals and whales! Cruises to Antarctica are usually pricey and need to be booked in advance as visits to the White Continent are limited per year for environmental reasons.

Ride On The Trans-Mongolian Express

Great adventure plus stunning sights; what can be more exciting? The Trans-Mongolian Express offers a 21-day, one-way Adventure Travel that you can board in Russia and go southeast or China and travel northwest. You’ll ride through the elegant charm of Russia’s grand cities to the magnetism of China while discovering the magnificent Mongolian plains in between.

It’s an exhilarating experience that takes you through some of the most exciting and intriguing areas of the world. Amongst the highlights of the trip, you’ll be able to admire the Great Wall of China, the colorful domes of St.Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the Red Square, the forests of theTerelj National Park in Mongolia and the stunning plains of the Mongolian Gobi desert.

Remember that the plane ticket to/from China and Russia is not included and that you’ll need three different visas to enter the three different countries.

dmire Wildlife in Kenya

Safaris are always Adventure Travel, but a safari in Kenya takes the experience to the next level. Adventure Travel can choose to stay in luxurious lodges or more affordable campsites. It can be your best opportunity to appreciate cheetahs, lions, zebras, hippos, black rhinos, giraffes, zebras and crocodiles.

The post Bucket List of Unusual Adventure Activities Around The World appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: Bucket List of Unusual Adventure Activities Around The World
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/unusual-adventure-activities-around-world/
Published Date: Mon, 30 May 2022 07:05:07 +0000

Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold: Which one is right for you?

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note This post has been updated with the latest information. 

There can be a pretty dramatic jump between entry-level and premium rewards credit cards.

Many of the best travel rewards credit cards return outsize welcome offers, bonus categories and luxury perks. But of course, that all comes at a cost in terms of higher annual fees. On the other hand, there are plenty of rewards cards with sub-$100 annual fees that still allow you to access the world of travel rewards without a burdensome financial commitment.

But, in the best way possible, the American Express® Gold Card has inserted itself right in the middle of that spectrum with plenty of valuable perks as well as strong earning rates.

If you’re looking for that perfect in-between sweet spot for your wallet, we’re going to compare the mid-tier Amex Gold to the more upscale Platinum Card® from American Express. This comparison will hopefully help you determine which card is best for you.

Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG’s free daily newsletter.

In This Post

Welcome offer

The Amex Platinum and Amex Gold are two of the best American Express cards. Luckily, both cards currently have large welcome offers to eligible new cardholders. So, let’s take a closer look at the current offers on both cards.

mex Platinum welcome offer

The welcome offer on the Platinum Card will take you further. (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)

Premium cards reign tend to go big with their welcome bonuses in order to entice customers to look past hefty annual fees ($695 in the case of the Amex Platinum; see rates and fees).

The Amex Platinum is no exception, as it is currently offering 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Related: Battle of the premium travel rewards cards: Which is the best?

TPG’s valuations peg the value of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, making the 100,000-point bonus worth $2,000.

However, be sure to check the CardMatch Tool to see if you’re targeted for an even higher welcome bonus (offer subject to change at any time).

mex Gold welcome offer

New cardholders can snag an elevated welcome bonus as well as a Rose Gold metal card. (Photo by John Gribben/The Points Guy)

Meanwhile, new applicants for the Amex Gold can receive 60,000 Membership Rewards points (worth $1,200 per TPG’s valuations) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

But, like the Platinum Card, Amex has targeted some readers for an even higher offer through the Amex website and CardMatch tool (note that these offers are subject to change at any time). Given Amex’s once-in-a-lifetime policy for welcome offers, it’s worth checking before you apply to make sure you have the best deal available.

Related: Your Amex Gold checklist: Here are four things to do when you first get the card

Which card has the better welcome offer?

The Amex Platinum is the clear winner here, with its welcome offer representing a lot more potential value compared to the Amex Gold.

Earning

The Amex Platinum and Amex Gold both earn American Express Membership Rewards points. But, let’s take a closer look at each card’s bonus categories.

Earning with the Amex Platinum

Describing the standard bonus categories on the Amex Platinum is a short and simple task — not necessarily in a good way.

Specifically, there are only two bonus categories to speak of:

5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.1 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.

The 5 points per dollar is a substantial benefit, as it equates to a 10% return based on TPG’s valuations. But the lack of other bonus categories and limitations means that the Amex Platinum doesn’t stack up well on the earnings front, especially compared to other premium cards.

Remember too that booking hotels through a third-party site (like Amex Travel) means you likely wouldn’t be eligible to earn points and utilize the perks of elite status. This makes the above earning rate much less attractive for hotels that participate in a major loyalty program like Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy.

Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the American Express Platinum?

Earning with the Amex Gold

The Amex Gold Card provides a variety of bonus earning categories. (Photo by John Gribben/The Points Guy)

Meanwhile, bonus earning categories are where the Amex Gold Card excels. Specifically, it accrues:

4 points per dollar on dining at worldwide restaurants.4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar).3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from the airline or through American Express Travel.1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Earning 4 points per dollar at restaurants, which amounts to an 8% return, makes the Amex Gold one of the best cards for dining at restaurants.

The Amex Gold is also one of the best cards for groceries at U.S. supermarkets. Even with the $25,000 calendar year cap, that’s still over $2,000 per month — though the bonus category’s restriction to supermarkets in the U.S. isn’t ideal. That said, the strong earning rates across numerous categories are still worth getting excited about for most of us.

Related: Why I became even more loyal to the Amex Gold during the pandemic

Which card has better earning?

Although the Amex Platinum’s single bonus category earns more points than any of the Amex Gold bonus categories, I’ll take three strong bonus options over one valuable (but somewhat restrictive) category any day. So, the Amex Gold wins here.

Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Gold card?

Redeeming

Both cards earn American Express Membership Rewards points. (Photo by John Gribben/The Points Guy)

I’ll keep this section short and sweet, as there aren’t any noteworthy redemption differences between the two cards. Both cards earn the same transferable Membership Rewards points. However, if you have either of these cards or any other Membership Rewards points-earning card, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the best uses of Amex points.

Related: Here are 7 of our favorite ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points

Which card is better when redeeming?

It’s a tie, since both cards offer the same redemption options.

Perks and credits

The Amex Platinum and Amex Gold are two of the best rewards cards. So, both cards offer valuable perks and credits. But Amex designed the benefits and credits on each card for different types of consumers. So, let’s take a closer look at the perks offered by each card.

mex Platinum perks and credits

(Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

To justify its $695 annual fee, the Amex Platinum comes with a ton of perks. There are too many benefits to list them all, but I’ll go through some of the highlights.

First, the card offers over $1,600 in annual statement credits, including:

Up to $200 airline incidental credit — Not valid for the purchase of airfare, but you can use this credit for incidental charges like seat selection, bag fees, lounge access, etc.*Up to $200 in annual Uber cash (for U.S. services) — Up to $15 a month with a $20 bonus in December when you add your card to your Uber account.*Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit — $50 valid for purchases made between January and June, and another $50 for purchases made between July and December.*Up to a $200 annual hotel credit — Valid on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (of two nights or more) with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Platinum.*Up to $189 annual CLEAR® credit to cover your annual membership.*Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit — $20 in monthly statement credits when you pay for eligible purchases with the Amex Platinum at select partners.*Up to $300 annual Equinox credit —$25 in monthly statement credits on select Equinox memberships of Equinox+ app.*Up to a $155 statement credit that covers the cost of an annual Walmart+ membership when paying with their Amex Platinum. Plus Ups are excluded.*

*Enrollment is required for select benefits, and terms apply.

I don’t put much weight into several of these credits, but even if you maximized just a few, you could recoup a lot of the card’s annual fee.

Many other Amex Platinum perks also provide significant value that can’t be pegged to specific dollar amounts. For example, you’ll get extensive airport lounge access with the Amex Platinum. Specifically, you’ll enjoy Priority Pass Select membership, access to Amex’s ever-growing collection of Centurion Lounges and access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.

In short, the Amex Platinum is one of the best cards for airport lounge access.

Amex Platinum cardholders can also register for Gold Elite status with both Marriott and Hilton, enlist the help of premium concierge services and enjoy a host of other lesser-known Amex Platinum benefits.

Although you will have to pay the $695 annual fee upfront at the beginning of your account year, all these perks make it easy to see how the Platinum Card can be worth its annual fee.

Enrollment required for select benefits.

Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card

mex Gold perks and credits

(Photo by Getty Images)

The Amex Gold is one of the best-looking cards on the market, especially if you get the Rose Gold metal version. Granted, it has a much shorter list of benefits than the Amex Platinum. That said, the Amex Gold’s perks still add a ton of value to the card.

First off, cardholders can enjoy up to $240 in annual statement credits, including:

Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash — Up to $10 in Uber Cash each month once you add your card to your Uber app. Enrollment required.Up to $120 in annual dining credits — Up to $10 a month at the following merchants: Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed and participating Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.

If you’re capable of maxing out these benefits, this will leave you with an out-of-pocket cost of just $10 a year after considering the card’s $250 annual fee (see rates and fees). That’s not even counting the value to be had from my four other lesser-known perks of the Amex Gold.

Related: 7 ways to make the most of the Amex Gold Card benefits

Which card has better perks and credits?

The Amex Platinum Card undeniably has more bells and whistles and offers more substantial value over time. But, you have to pay a much higher annual fee to unlock those benefits. Although I give the Amex Platinum the edge for its Global Lounge Collection, it’s very much a personal decision. After all, the Amex Gold might offer you better and more relevant benefits.

Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?

Bottom line

There’s absolutely room for both of these cards in your wallet. In fact, the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum complement each other very well in the Amex Trifecta. If you need more information, check out our Amex Platinum review and Amex Gold review.

That said, if you only want to pay up for one annual fee, you can frame the question as follows: Do you want higher bonus earning rates on a wider variety of categories? Or, do you want valuable perks that will add a splash of luxury to your upcoming travels?

If the first option sounds like you, then the Amex Gold is the right card for you. But, if the second scenario resonates with you, then you’ll likely want to choose the Amex Platinum.

Have you decided on one (or both) cards? Here are the official application links: The Platinum Card® from American Express (100,000-point welcome offer) and American Express® Gold Card (60,000-point welcome offer). Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Katie Genter, Summer Hull and Chris Dong. 

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, please click here.

Featured photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy.

By: Ethan Steinberg
Title: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Gold: Which one is right for you?
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/amex-platinum-vs-amex-gold/
Published Date: Mon, 30 May 2022 16:00:03 +0000

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The Stunning Temples of Thailand

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

The Stunning Temples of Thailand>

Thailand is a stunning jewel nestled along the coast of Southeast Asia known popularly as an excellent country for travelers and backpackers to visit. The comparatively weak Thai Baht currency and lower cost of living throughout the country make it one of the most fitting choices for travelers such as young adults looking for an exciting yet cost-effective vacation.

For very little cost, you would be able to have a very fulfilling tourist experience in Thailand. Better yet, the country is in no short supply of fun activities, delicious foods, and exciting places worth checking out while you’re there.

An especially beautiful aspect of Thailand is its cultural elements which, fortunately, its people are more than willing to put on display for intrigued travellers looking to learn more about the country’s heritage and traditional backgrounds.

Being a primarily Buddhist country, Thailand is in no short supply of beautifully ornate temples you could visit. In fact. Thailand has over 40 000 temples. Many of these Buddhist sanctuaries are open to the public and can be walked through to get a deeper sense of the land’s centuries-old history.

If you are planning to visit Thailand at any point in your life, you would be remiss to not visit a few of the country’s many temples. Not only are they steeped with history, but they are also designed using the most stunning scaled mosaic style unlike what would find anywhere else in the world.

The architecture of the structures built in these temples is quite something to behold. Wat Arun is one such temple. It is also one of the most beautiful and tourist-friendly temples you could visit during your stay in the Land of Smiles. Wat Arun

Fondly referred to as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is a 70-metre-tall temple nestled along the Chao Phraya River’s bank. In the morning, the sun reflects off its Chinese porcelain walls, causing the temple to shimmer like starlight. The temple features beautiful mosaics with flowers being a prominent motif. The presence of silver inlays also adds to the temple’s reflective splendour.

As stunning as it looks from the outside, the interior is equally as ornately detailed and visually captivating. The Temple of Dawn is considered to be one of Thailand’s premier landmark locations. It would be an absolute waste to not visit the beautiful example of the beauty that can be expressed by Man’s deft hand.

This temple is ancient, dating all the way back to the Ayutthaya Period and inside its walls lie history as old as the land it rests on. Wat Arun is in Bangkok and is easy to travel to by bus, car, or motorcycle. The entrance fee is also incredibly modest at only 50 Baht, leaving you with plenty left over to play at online casinos in NZ. Visit Thailand

As impressive and abundant as they are, the temples are but only one aspect of what makes Thailand one of the best vacation spots in the world. This beautiful country offers a little bit of everything and is suitable for travelers of all strokes.

The post The Stunning Temples of Thailand appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: The Stunning Temples of Thailand
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/the-stunning-temples-of-thailand/
Published Date: Wed, 25 May 2022 16:13:25 +0000

Sweet Spot Sunday: How to book Qatar Qsuites to the Maldives for just 85,000 points

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Qatar Qsuites are in the discussion for the best business class seat in the sky. They’ve got fully-enclosed doors, a layout that allows for a couple to turn their adjacent seats into a full-fledged double bed, and even the ability to create a four-seat mega-suite for traveling families.

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Now that Qatar Airways has joined the Avios loyalty program with British Airways, there’s never been an easier way to book Qsuites to aspirational destinations such as the Maldives. Let’s take a look at how to do it.

In This Post

Why it’s special

Qsuite. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Qsuites are a bucket list item on the list of many points and miles collectors. Qatar Airways operates its Qsuites to lots of fun routes around the world, like Cape Town, Bangkok, Tokyo and Paris.

Perhaps the most enticing Qsuites destination is the Maldives. It’s an award traveler’s paradise, with jaw-dropping five-star resorts in every direction — many of which can be reserved for free if you’ve got the right points.

There are two common ways to book Qsuites to the Maldives:

Via the British Airways site for 105,000 Avios points each wayVia the American Airlines site for 70,000 miles each way

But the sweetest spot of all is now with Qatar Airways Avios. You can fly from the U.S. to the Maldives in lie-flat Qsuites for 85,000 points each way. The cash price for these flights depends on your route, but never expect to pay less than $6,000 round-trip for your ticket. And one-way flights can sometimes cost more than a round-trip. Expect to get a value of at least 3.5 cents per point for your Qatar Avios — a full 2 cents higher than TPG’s valuation of Avios at 1.5 cents each.

The reason we consider this a better deal than the 70,000-mile American Airlines option is because Qatar Avios are exponentially easier to earn. There are only a handful of ways to quickly earn American Airlines miles — but there are dozens of ways to quickly earn Qatar Airways Avios (as we’ll cover below).

Plus, Qatar’s website allows you to book flights a full month beyond the American Airlines site. So you can scoop up award flights before those using American Airlines miles even get the opportunity.

Related: Review of Qatar Qsuite on a 777-300ER from Doha to New York JFK

How to book this award

Step 1. Log into your Qatar Airways account

You’ll have to sign into your Qatar Airways account to search for available award flights. Might as well get it out of the way immediately.

(Screenshot from qatarairways.com)

Step 2. Click on “Spend your Avios”

From the navigation bar at the top, click the “Privilege Club” tab. You’ll see a “Spend” category to the far right of the page. Click “Spend your Avios.”

(Screenshot from qatarairways.com)

Step 3. Click “Book Now”

You’re now taken to a page that lists all the ways you can spend your Qatar Avios. The first option is “Book award flights.” That’s the one you want.

(Screenshot from qatarairways.com)

Step 4. Enter your travel details

On this page, you can choose whether you want to book flights on Qatar Airways or its partner airlines. If you’re after Qsuites, stay on the “Redeem on Qatar Airways/British Airways” tab.

Qatar flies its Qsuites to a handful of U.S. cities, including:

AtlantaBostonChicagoDallasHoustonLos AngelesMiamiNew YorkPhiladelphiaSan FranciscoWashington D.C.

Choose one of these airports. If there’s no availability for your desired dates, choose the next most convenient. In my opinion, it’s worth flying to another U.S. airport to catch a flight in Qsuites to your destination.

(Screenshot from qatarairways.com)

Step 5. Find seats that aren’t “Flexi awards”

On the results page, you’ll see some awards with a “Q2” flag next to them (representing Flexi awards) and some without. The awards without the Flexi awards flag cost 85,000 Avios in total to reach the Maldives in Qsuites. The awards with the flag cost 170,000 Avios — double the price.

(Screenshot from qatarairways.com)

Step 6. Choose your seats and book them

You can consult our ultimate guide to Qatar Qsuites to see which flights offer Qsuites. Just note that Qatar can swap aircraft at will, so even if you’ve done everything right, you may not get a Qsuite.

Per our ultimate guide, flight QR 756 from Atlanta to Doha and flight QR 672 from Doha to Male are theoretically Qsuites. You should be able to tell if your flight is a Qsuite when selecting your seats. Or, you can check ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) to preview seat maps before you purchase.

Related: Beginner’s guide to finding award space with ExpertFlyer

As long as you select flights without the Q2 flag, your award price should be 85,000 one-way — and often around $200 in taxes and fees.

(Screenshot from qatarairways.com)

Spending $200 in taxes isn’t ideal. But for a flight that otherwise costs $6,000+, it’s a nominal fee.

Related: Booking a honeymoon trip to the Maldives on points and miles

How to earn points for this award

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

There are loads of ways to earn Qatar Airways Avios. That’s because you can transfer British Airways Avios to Qatar at a 1:1 ratio — and British Airways Avios are perhaps the easiest points to earn in all of award travel.

As an example, you can transfer the following flexible points currencies to British Airways, and to Qatar from there:

American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 transfer ratio.Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 transfer ratio.Capital One miles at a 1:1 transfer ratio.Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 transfer ratio.

Likewise, Citi ThankYou points transfer directly to Qatar at a 1:1 transfer ratio, making it the most direct transfer partner.

You’ve got many, many cards to choose from that earn these types of points, such as:

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.Citi Premier® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership.

Related: Redeeming Citi ThankYou points for maximum value

Also, you can transfer Aer Lingus and Iberia Avios to British Airways, and then on to Qatar Airways. You can earn Avios from the following cards:

British Airways Visa Signature® Card: Earn 100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.Iberia Visa Signature® Card: Earn 100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Earn 100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Related: Is it better to redeem Avios through British Airways or Qatar Airways?

Bottom line

You can fly from the U.S. to the Maldives in arguably the best business class seat in the world — Qatar Qsuites — for just 85,000 Qatar Airways Avios each way. You’ll likely have to pay a couple of hundred dollars in taxes and fees, but it’s well worth the fee for a flight that would otherwise cost many thousands of dollars.

Featured photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy.inbe

By: Sarah Hostetler
Title: Sweet Spot Sunday: How to book Qatar Qsuites to the Maldives for just 85,000 points
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/booking-qsuite-to-maldives/
Published Date: Sun, 29 May 2022 12:30:35 +0000

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3 Ways to Book Cheap Flights

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

3 Ways to Book Cheap Flights

Finding cheap airfare can be very challenging and, at the same time, can be very easy and stress-free if you know where to look. Many factors can make a flight an enjoyable adventure, but no doubt, saving money can make your flight experience more glamorous. Research has shown that expensive airfare is one of the major causes of trip cancellation. 

Airfare pricing is constantly fluctuating due to complex algorithms that change based on the time of the day, holiday, fuel price, and competitors’ prices. There are many myths surrounding airfare pricing, which you might have practiced with little reward in the past. Here are three (3) tips that will save you some money on your way to flying around the world.

Ways To Book Cheap Flights

1.Be dynamic with your travel date and time

To get the best money deal out of your flight plans, it is better to travel during periods and weekdays when there will be fewer people traveling. This means that you have to be willing to change your itinerary plans to accommodate days like this. Businesses are mostly done on Mondays, making Mondays the busiest day of the week. For this reason, a lot of people travel on Monday. Flight tickets are also costly on Fridays as everybody wants to travel to unwind from the week’s stress. It will be costlier budget-wise to book flights on these days. Furthermore, flight tickets can be impacted by the time of the year, especially in the summer when many people want to enjoy Europe’s best views. The best time to fly without putting a hole in your pocket is off-season—the lesser the passenger demands, the lesser the airfare.

2.Try not to fly direct if you can help it

Just as you are flexible with dates and times, you have to be flexible with routes to save cost. It is often cheaper to fly through two locations than to fly directly to your destination. You can further reduce costs through this method by using separate airlines. You can use google flights to check the prices at the different airports and determine how best to travel. An added advantage to this method is that you can claim insurance benefits if you have more than 3 hours of flight delay. This method might take your time, but it’s worth the stress as you would have saved yourself some extra bucks.

3.Take advantage of special offers, discounts, and currency differences

Airlines often offer special deals for their customers, especially those who signed up for their newsletter. These special offers often might not match your itinerary, but who knows, you might be lucky. A tip you can also use, especially if you are under 26, is to watch out for student discounts. Most airlines offer up to 30% discount off their flight ticket rates for students. You can also beat the airfares by buying tickets in a lesser currency.

Closing Thought

There are no standard tips that can be used to reduce your airfares but being intelligent, creative, and flexible might go a long way toward saving you stress and money. You can become a master at beating airfare algorithms and always find the best offers for yourself. Keep these methods in mind as you explore the world at the best possible 

Author Bio

Ashley Stephan is a health fanatic and a digital nomad. When she is not busy exploring the next best travel destination or trying a new workout, she runs the blog at VIGOR.icu where she writes about various health and travel related topics. Hobbies: swimming, gardening, and binge-watching popular TV shows.

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The post 3 Ways to Book Cheap Flights appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.

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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: 3 Ways to Book Cheap Flights
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/3-ways-to-book-cheap-flights/
Published Date: Tue, 24 May 2022 23:45:14 +0000

7 things you must do on your first trip to Tel Aviv, Israel

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

With a burgeoning food and wine scene, miles of golden-sand beaches and a laidback, trendy vibe, Tel Aviv is one of the coolest destinations around. Thanks to a new Delta flight that launched on May 26 between Boston and Tel Aviv, it’s easier than ever to visit. The flight operates thrice-weekly on Delta’s wide-body A330-900neo planes, complete with Delta’s business-class suites and Premium Select products. The flight joins the ranks of those of airlines like El Al, which flies between Boston and other U.S. cities to Tel Aviv, as well as carriers like American Airlines and United Airlines that fly to Tel Aviv from various U.S. hubs.

(Photo by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy)

Israel dropped all coronavirus-related travel restrictions in late May, so visitors can now enter Israel regardless of vaccination status without any testing requirements or quarantines. Now is the perfect time to experience the country’s new-age cuisine, sample street pitas overstuffed with falafel and hummus, learn about Israeli history and culture at museums, or soak up the sunshine on Tel Aviv’s famed beaches.

If it’s your first time visiting, these are seven things you must do and see during your trip.

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Spend your points

As hotel prices in Tel Aviv are typically on the high end, it often makes sense to use points rather than cash.

Consider staying at the Hilton Tel Aviv, located on edge of Hilton Beach, which requires at least 80,000 points per night to book the lowest category room. If you’re staying five nights or more, booking with points gets you the fifth night free, bringing the average cost down to 64,000 points per night. Considering room rates hover around $500 to $600 on peak dates, using points offers a solid value.

A sunset from Hilton’s outdoor lounge. (Photo by Nicky Kelvin)

A second option is the InterContinental David Tel Aviv, which also has a prime beachfront location and a large swimming pool. Rates usually range between $350 and $500 per night (or 76,000 points per night). Using points provides a great value here — particularly this summer, when cash rates start around $400.

The pool at the Intercontinental Tel Aviv. (Photo by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy)

The Jaffa is another seriously stylish hotel located in a restored monastery, now part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection portfolio. We found limited availability for award stays from 91,000 Bonvoy points per night, but if you’re hoping for a chic and luxury experience in a gorgeous property, it may be worth it. Plus, if you stay for more than five nights, you can take advantage of the fifth-night free benefit. Cash rates often rise above $600 per night.

Marriott also has a few lower-priced hotels in its Tel Aviv portfolio, such as the Publica Isrotel Autograph Collection property (rates start around 38,000 points per night), or the Sheraton Tel Aviv (where rates start at 60,000 points per night).

If you have a stash of Hyatt points, use them at the Norman Tel Aviv — a boutique luxury property with eclectic design elements in a restored, historical building complete with a rooftop pool. Rates here start at 35,000 Hyatt points per night, but as cash rates often exceed $1,000, you might want to part with those points and save your cash.

Explore Jaffa

Located along Tel Aviv’s southern tip, Jaffa is an ancient port neighborhood. Stroll along the cobblestone alleyways, popping into crumbling churches, design shops and boutique art galleries. Make sure to see some of the area’s key attractions including the port, which is dotted with quaint cafes and restaurants.

One key must-do: a stroll in the Shuk Hapishpeshim, known as the Jaffa Flea Market. One of the best places in the city to shop, you can find almost anything there including trendy clothing and jewelry items, home goods, hardware, art and all sorts of fabulous trinkets you can haggle for. Stop in one of the many market cafes for snacks and coffee, but remember, the market closes on Saturday for Shabbat. Don’t forget to pass by the clock tower, which dates back to 1901.

Head to the beach

One of Tel Aviv’s most captivating attractions is the beach — the city boasts several miles of sparkling, sandy coast.

The busy Tel Aviv beach scene. (Photo by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy)

The vibe here is infectious, regardless of which section of shoreline you choose to visit. Picking the best beach depends on the ambiance you’re looking for — some are better for families, for singles, for groups of friends or LGBTQI+ travelers. Generally, all of the city’s lengthy coastline is beautiful, so a visit to any of Tel Aviv’s beaches won’t disappoint.

Ride or stroll along Rothschild Boulevard

One of the best ways to experience Tel Aviv’s beach culture without actually setting foot on the sand is to walk, bike, scoot or Segway along the promenade. You can do this all the way from the Jaffa port in the south to the Tel Aviv port in the city’s north end. The north end is a cool hub of restaurants, bars and wide-open space overlooking the sea.

Stop on the way and cut over to Rothschild, one of Tel Aviv’s most iconic streets. Here, you can admire the Bauhaus architecture and Independence Hall — the location where the State of Israel was declared.

Rent a scooter and ride around. (Photo by Lori Zaino/The Points Guy)

Sample the cuisine

Israeli cuisine attracts international recognition from around the world — in Tel Aviv you’ll see that front and center. Dinners at Romano, OCD, Miznon and HaSalon will give you a taste of the fancier, gourmet iterations of traditional plates’ dishes feature farm-to-table ingredients and creations from star chef Eyal Shani. Don’t forget to sample some of the Israeli wines, which are gaining popularity by the minute, at a wine bar like Tirza. However, you don’t have to eat high-end to enjoy Israeli cuisine.

Sliced meat at Hasalon. (Photo by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy)

Head to Dr. Shakshuka to enjoy the famous baked tomato sauce-and-egg specialty beneath a ceiling covered in dangling frying pans. For a no-frills and truly exceptional hummus and falafel experience, head to Abu Hassan in Jaffa — but be prepared to wait in line.

If you’re hoping for a more intimate culinary adventure, look no further than Kenan Basel’s Society Salon dinners, which he offers for groups in his home.

Discover Neve Tzedek

Jewish people began settling in Neve Tzedek in the late 1880s, making it one of Tel Aviv’s oldest neighborhoods beyond Jaffa. The area retains much of its original charm, but it’s now a fully modern neighborhood with cozy cafes, trendy restaurants, concept boutiques, galleries and design shops.

It’s not uncommon to see old homes and centuries-old artisan workshops alongside stylish new bars and contemporary outposts, like the Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance.

The old-meets-new juxtaposition is what makes this neighborhood a special one. So, spend an afternoon strolling around, stopping for coffee, stocking up on souvenirs and appreciating the blend of modern and historic, which often pops up in surprising places.

Enjoy the art and architecture

Visiting some of Tel Aviv’s museums is the perfect way to learn more about Israel’s history and culture. It’s hard to narrow it down, and you may not be able to see them all, so start at the Bauhaus Museum. Sure, you’ll see many examples of this iconic form of architecture along the city streets — especially on Rothschild — but this museum provides much more insight and context about the architectural style.

Next, head to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, which boasts an ample collection of art by both international and emerging Israeli artists. Finally, make sure to visit the Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot, which features exhibits about Jewish heroes and synagogues.

Enjoy the art, architecture and cultural offerings in Tel Aviv. (Photo by Lori Zaino/The Points Guy)

Bottom line

Tel Aviv is an incredible place to explore for both first-time and returning travelers. Now that the country has reopened and new flight options are available, it’s the perfect time to visit. Bookmark this post so you’ll know exactly what to do when you get there.

Featured image of Tel Aviv by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy

By: Lori Zaino
Title: 7 things you must do on your first trip to Tel Aviv, Israel
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/things-to-do-tel-aviv-israel/
Published Date: Sat, 28 May 2022 00:55:33 +0000

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