“You’ll Be Surprised How Travel Can Change You and Your View of This Beautiful Place Called Earth”
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Welcome to the next interview in our interview series where travel bloggers share their insights on having Big Travel with Small Money!Miles & Points Interview: MissVacation
Lisa started MissVacation share her stories and photography from her travels around the world.
How and when did you start collecting miles and points?
I am a travel addict so within 3 months after I returned from a trip, I started to think about the next destination. Bora Bora has always been on the top of my list, but I was scared to even think of it because it’s known to be very expensive.
I happened to land on a post by Million Mile Secrets about Bora Bora and I couldn’t believe how easy it is to get there with points and miles! That was how I started to collect points and miles for my upcoming trip to Bora Bora!!!
Why did you start your blog? What’s special about it?
I started my travel blog MissVacation back in 2012 to share my passion for travel and photography. I want to be as detailed as possible on how to get there and what to do to save on time and money so people can follow in my footsteps.
Often times people turn down the opportunity to travel because too much planning is involved. I want to show people the joy of planning and traveling. 🙂 Also, I recently started to share tips about photography since a lot of people ask me how I take such beautiful pictures.
What’s the one single thing people can do to get more miles?
Find the right credit cards and use them for all your expenses, it really adds up!
What’s your most memorable travel experience?
That’s a very tough one! All the trips I have taken were unique and memorable in their own way. I think what made my trips memorable was who I was with…my husband.
These are the memories we created and will share for the rest of our lives. When we are retired and sitting in our rocking chairs, we will look back at our travel photos and for sure we’ll have a debate about which trip was the best. Haha!
What do your family and friends think of your miles & points hobby?
They are shocked by how I travel for so much less, they really think it takes a genius, but I always reply that anyone can do it! It takes a little time and patience to understand how points and miles work but after that, the possibilities are limitless!
Is there any tool or trick which you’ve found especially useful in this hobby?
Reading what other people, such as Daraius from Million Mile Secrets, have done.
What was the least expected way you’ve earned miles or points?
Online searches. I do a lot of research online everyday for my upcoming trips and can earn miles at the same time!
What do you now know about collecting miles and points which you wish you knew when you started out?
I wish I knew that sign-up bonuses from credit cards could get me free airfare and free hotel nights. I could’ve saved a lot more on my travel! I wasn’t paying much attention since I thought it required a lot of effort, but I was so wrong!
What would your readers be surprised to know about you?
I have a big appetite! People get fooled by my skinny look, but I can eat a lot and I love to eat! That’s why I need to save on airfare and hotels…so I can spend more on food! LOL!
Any parting words?
The world is so big and life is too short, so don’t wait, travel!!! Don’t be afraid to navigate the world, you’ll be surprised how travel can change you and your view of this beautiful place called Earth.
One last thing, don’t leave your valuables inside the hotel room safe because it’s not safe at all!
I learned the hard way when my hotel room was broken into, all my valuables were stolen, and the hotel didn’t take any responsibility. If you have valuables, ask the front desk to keep them inside the hotel’s safe, that’s the only way the hotel will take responsibility for your property.
Life always has ups and downs and that’s how we grow so don’t be afraid and go explore!
Lisa – Thanks for sharing your thoughts on having Big Travel with Small Money!If you’d like to be considered for our interview series, please send me a note!
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases.
2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services.
Intro APR on purchases
N/A
Regular APR
15.99%-22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Rates & Fees
Other
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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
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