Category Archives: Trip Reports

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Upcoming In-Person FTU Events: Los Angeles (March 12-13), New York City (March 19-20) & Dallas (April 2-3)

Good afternoon everyone, I hope your week is going well.  In addition to the Frequent Traveler University (FTU) virtual seminars I have written about over the last year, FTU has several upcoming in-person events in the coming month spread out across the country.  If you have the FTU Online Annual Membership, please remember to use your $49 discount coupon when purchasing a ticket.  These events partner with the Travel & Adventure Show, so you have free access to the show along with your FTU ticket.  Here are the next 3 in-person FTU events:

FTU Advanced Los Angeles – March 12-13, 2022 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (Hall GH) (about 15 miles from LAX).  Tickets are $129 for non-members and $50 for members (no coupon needed).

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Valentine’s Day Giveaway: 10 AwardWallet Plus 1 Year Upgrade Codes [Winner’s Selected]

Updated at 3:50pm PT on 2/15/22: Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway.  I loved reading all of your answers.  I selected 10 comments and will reach out to the 10 winners now via email.

Pam Travel hacking has allowed me to travel at a low cost for almost 30 years. I love that I’m able to explore different cultures and new destinations without breaking the bank.
maxwell1009a I get the physics of flight but it still amazes me that something as big as an airplane can get off the ground when I can barely jump 2′ in the air! And, as a hub captive, chasing status more than mileage allows me to give my “bride” of 40 years upgrades to first class much of the time.
Aleks Travel is a part of a lifelong education, it enriches and rejuvenates, brings new things into the view, and allows to connect to other parts of our beautiful home that we call Earth. Travel can expand your mind and fulfill your soul. It allows to look at one’s life from a different perspective, and connect with other people. And travel-booking skills or hacks allows me to do this wonderful activity more often, for less cost, and have better experiences (like upgraded flights and nicer hotels) – totally worth the time spent acquiring and using them.
Jayashree S I love that traveling opens up our mind and heart to people without boundaries of language, religion, country.
Scott G Collecting points has allowed me and my family to go places, both exciting (Italy) and mundane (State College, PA) for long stays or just short ones while en route to other places.
Gena I love to travel to eat all the amazing food the world has to offer — travel hacking just makes this all more affordable (I’m not really going to say easy here, it’s not always easy ha); but love seeing new places, experiencing new things, and learning more about the people, culture, and place.
YoLaViajera Travel hacking helps our family travel to places we otherwise couldn’t afford, since we’re 4 individuals. It also gives us the opportunity to share the world with our kids’ so that they don’t grow up thinking that their neighborhood, their city, their country is the only thing that matters in the world. Our hope is that they become global citizens, who care about the rest of the world and not just people who look like them or talk the same language.
BothofUs2 What I love about travel hacking is that it allows us to go to places and see things that normally we wouldn’t get to, because it would be too expensive.
Lauren I love travel hacking so that I can save enough money to take additional family members with me on vacation. Traveling is always extra fun when you can share the experience with others :)
Nate It allows me to share my love of travel with my wife (and soon) my son!

Good morning everyone, happy Valentine’s Day!  Since I love my Travel with Grant readers so much, I wanted to show my appreciation with a giveaway.  I have 10 AwardWallet Plus 1 year upgrade codes available.  If you are a free AwardWallet member, you can use this code to get a free 1 year upgrade to AwardWallet Plus or extend your current AwardWallet Plus membership by another year.  If you are not an AwardWallet member, sign up here for a free AwardWallet account.  To enter the giveaway, just answer this question:

What do you love about travelling and / or travel hacking?

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Upcoming In-Person FTU Events: Chicago (Feb 19-20), Los Angeles (Mar 12-13), New York (Mar 19-20) & Dallas (Apr 2-3)

Good afternoon everyone, I hope your week is going well.  In addition to the Frequent Traveler University (FTU) virtual seminars I have written about over the last year, FTU has several upcoming in-person events in the coming months spread out across the country.  If you have the FTU Online Annual Membership, please remember to use your $49 discount coupon when purchasing a ticket.  These events partner with the Travel & Adventure Show, so you have free access to the show along with your FTU ticket.  Here is the current lineup of in-person FTU events:

FTU Advanced Chicago – February 19-20, 2022 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (close to Chicago O’Hare).  Tickets are $129 for non-members and $80 for members (when you use the $49 coupon).

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The Era of Visa-Free Living in Mexico is Over

Buenos días everyone,

If you’re thinking about spending a significant amount of time in Mexico or even making multiple trips over the course of a year, you should be aware of a change in practice by Mexican immigration authorities.

For many years, it’s been very easy for U.S. citizens (and certain other nationalities) to spend a virtually unlimited amount of time in Mexico. Visa-free entry with a tourist permit (the cost of which is automatically included in your plane ticket) is granted for up to 180 days (six months) and for years the standard practice has been to grant virtually everyone a 180 day entry permit regardless of their trip plans and travel history. (Land border crossings have different rules if you’re staying in the border area.) As a result, it was common for foreigners living in Mexico to just travel to the US or Guatemala (or another nearby country) at least once every six months and live in Mexico indefinitely without a resident visa. Continue reading

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Last Day to Register for FTU Virtual Seminar on Saturday, January 22 ($25) or Free with Online Annual Membership

Good afternoon everyone, happy Friday!  If you have no plans tomorrow (Saturday, January 22), I highly recommend attending the FTU Virtual Seminar (tickets available for $25) or free if you have the FTU Online Annual Membership.  The seminar starts on Saturday, January 22 at 8am PT / 11am ET.  I have attended all of the FTU Virtual Seminars over the last year and they are always well done, educational, and entertaining – and I am sure this seminar will be no exception!  Here is the schedule and lineup of speakers:

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