I originally wrote this post last Friday afternoon, BEFORE the Singapore Airlines award availability opened up.  As I read back through this is shows me just how quickly things can change in this game.  It wasn’t three hours later I’m booking another RTW trip??  You’ll see me quote in the post that I thought I was done with RTW itineraries.  That notion lasted all of three hours.  I’ve still got the zing and addiction, we just have not had the outstanding opportunities that were so much more common several years ago.  If the deal is honored (and I’m assuming it will be) I’m meeting my son Andrew and Geoff for a few days in Singapore for $96 and 140K UA miles.

Written Friday Before the Latest Singapore Deal

As Katy and I move into our 60′s we have seen most of the foreign lands we often dreamed of in the past.  The memories fill photo albums and the friends and acquaintances we met along the way hold a special place in our hearts.  As do all of you that have joined us on the journey of travel hacking.  But it is starting to feel a little different now.  I feel our travel pattern is changing.

Our new grandson keeps us closer to home as we get to spend time with him watching him grow and learn.  The idea of spending long hours in coach left us years ago and is now down right out of the question.  Katy is even balking at long periods away from the US.  I think its Carter’s influence as well.  And well,  travelling is getting more difficult and tiring.  She sleeps all the next day, and this last trip my internal clock did not adjust to the time zones as quickly (and it was only a four hour time change).

So what will change for us?  I’m guessing I have done my last Around the World itinerary.  Instead of looking at the OneWorld RTW chart, I’ll probably have to learn different segment trips like Pacific circles or even shorter.  One ways are becoming more important as we will not often waste a long distance flight on one destination but will open jaw more often to at least see two cities.  My American and United miles have extra value now for that reason.  The one way option is a real plus.  It takes away the value of US miles and I won’t fiddle with the Air France miles for one way Delta flights.  I’ve got plenty of American miles.

United miles really gain in value as I’ve got 4 hubs to fly into from Savannah with Newark, Dulles, Chicago-O’Hare, and Houston-Intercontinental.  I moved my bought ticket business to American Airlines, and will probably use them for overseas travel as I still have the Executive Platinum status through February 2014 locked up; but domestically, it will be UA redemptions, at least for east coast flights.

With United miles becoming more in demand, my use of Chase Ultimate Rewards cards increases as it is a 1 to 1 transfer to UA.  $2,500 of reload cards each month for each of us gets us each a one way ticket every 30 days.  Yes to INK Bold and the nearest Office Depot to you.

And lastly after our last two cruising adventures, it seems like a pretty civilized way to travel.  I like the idea of unpacking once and leaving the driving to them, while I sleep makes it even nicer.  We are a little weak on Southeast Asia destinations so will probably look at a cruise there in our near future.  AA miles will get us there and back using their metal and partners as well.  Now to figure out how to pay for the cruise portion with miles and points.

The game is always changing as are our goals and capabilities.  In my sixties, I’m going to take the softer road I think.  More business class, more shorter term trips and more reliance on one-way tickets.  It just fits where we are right now.

Have any of you noticed a change in your travel patterns?  Share your experience and tips with us; we’d all like to learn more. Anybody else hit on the Singapore premium class awards? Where and when?

Deal of the Day

For today’s Deal of the Day American Airlines AAdvantage® has provided 2500 AAdvantage® miles for the best deals, fares, promotions, anything related to American Airlines, their oneworld partners or AAdvantage® partners.  Add it to the comments section of this post or this afternoon’s Deal of the Day post (with your first name, last initial, and home airport) to be eligible to win.