Trip Report: United BusinessFirst from Buenos Aires to Newark

Rookie Alli just flew her first international business class flight. I asked her to share the perspective of someone seeing the front of the plane for the first time. She flew United BusinessFirst, which is widely accessible to Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America with miles, so if you haven't flown up front, pay attention to this trip report.

Recreating a Photo, Seven Years Later

In July of 2006, I went to Iguazu Falls, Argentina as an 18-year-old rookie traveler, traveling on my own for the first time.

In May of 2013, I returned to Iguazu as a veteran of over thirty countries, bringing two rookie travelers to one of the New7Wonders of Nature according to 100 million votes cast in the last few years.

See my attempt to recreate my favorite photo from the trip.

Much has changed in the seven years, but I wanted to recreate a spontaneous photo taken on my first trip that captured my first extended sabbatical from shaving and

Rookie Alli Robbed in Buenos Aires and How to Keep Yourself Safe from Common Travel Scams

Rookie Alli had her phone stolen yesterday by some pickpockets near the Botanical Gardens in Buenos Aires.

It was the common scam in which a gang works together to have

one member surreptitiously throw something onto you. In this case, bird poop or something similar. I've also heard of mustard and ketchup before. It can be anything.
one or more members "helpfully" notice it and "conveniently" have napkins or tissues to help you get it off.

Bariloche Trip Report: Part 1 of 2

San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina is a mountain town in the Lake District of Patagoina, located about 50km from the Chilean border. It sits right on the edge of the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, drawing visitors from all over to admire the spectacular lake and mountain views.

 Scott and I recently decided to use Avios to fly LAN from Buenos Aires to Bariloche for five days. The southern hemisphere has just entered fall. In Patagonia, that means cold weather quickly.

My Favorite International Trip Resource: Travel.State.Gov

Sometimes people ask me whether they need a visa to leave an airport during a layover, or what it costs to enter a country, or some other question related to their ability to enter a country with a certain passport.

I hesitate to answer those questions because I would sure hate to be wrong.

Buenos Aires City Guide

Update 2/24/16: The blue dollar is dead as the currency was allowed to float in December 2015.

Spring Break 2013! A Proposed 26,000 Mile Journey

As many of you may know, I am a college student by day and the amusing, yet mystical, Bengali Miles Guru by night. After traveling almost 100,000 miles since January, I knew that my upcoming spring break trip would have to be amazing.

Another Reason to Get Global Entry: Easy SmartGate Entry into Australia

In my giveaway last week of Express Passes into Australia, I mentioned that you can also enter Australia quickly if you have Global Entry. I want to give a little more information about the process because it's another reason to get Global Entry in you haven't already. See Why and How I Got Global Entry.

The process is very simple. To be able to use Australia's SmartGate entry program, you need to be 16 years or older, have Global Entry, and have a USA ePassport.

The Amazing Race: Denver Departure Services

Tahsir's Itinerary Around the World in First Class is too long for one post.

I Assume the Bride and Groom Aren’t Reading on their Wedding Day

How lucky are they?

For the wedding, I'm staying with some friends at the Westin Pittsburgh. There is something in the room that we hung on the door knob that declined housekeeping during the stay in exchange for a $5 coupon per day or 500 SPG points per day.

Since 500 SPG points are worth more than $10, I told my friend to take that option.