Expert: Stephen Tanenbaum - 6/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I am a solo traveler, but can pick up a friend if necessary.  I have been traveling on the cheap in Asia for the past 28 months and am thinking of coming back to the states by the end of the year.  My destination is open.  I could go anywhere and have been basing my trip decisions on the cheapest/ free flight options that I have found on the internet.  So I am open to any or all suggestions you may have.  The key is being cheap or free.  I am currently in Singapore, but could easily find myself just about anywhere in SE Asia or Asia in the next few months to catch a flight to North America, S Pacific, Europe...  How's that for flexibility?  I am not a student and have 1 income.  Thank you, Ray

ANSWER: Hi Ray:

Great to hear of your long 'heap' travels! From 1999 to 2006 we averaged six months per year globe trotting and loved it. You are SAVVY so not sure what I can add to your cheap/free travel mix. At youtube.com in their search window type:   free global travel 4 you

That is my promo video for our FREE newsletter AND in the accompanying text are LINKS to our latest newsletters with such as the awesome ongoing Citibank offer that can see you amass 40,000 miles ASAP at ZERO cost.

Our next Summer edition will have an article on another cool give-a-way. LINK is:
http://www201.americanexpress.com/sbsapp/FMACServlet?request_type=alternateChann

This one had each of us obtain 25,000 miles as soon as we spent $1,000 on the card. Card is FREE so really FREE 25,000 miles that can be used/transferred to many other airlines.

My newsletter also tells you how to obtain Business cards even if you do NOT 'currently' have a business. This assumes you have a US address where cards etc. can be sent. Not sure any bank will send cards abroad.

If any problem finding the promo video just type my YouTube screen name worldromer

That will access you to all my 165+ videos.

Hope this is useful. Have further safe and HAPPY TRAVELS!

Steve T.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Steve,

You also are obviously a very savvy traveler.  I'm not sure how you can get the 40K miles for free from Citibank.  I've seen deals where you can get it by spending about 20K on your card over 2 years.  Here is an offer for 15K that you may or may not know about for a single purchase.  http://citi.bridgetrack.com/usc/05/aa/plat/default.htm?BTData=C021178796161735C5

I was just hoping that you had some magic way that I could really fly for free as a courier or something like that.  I've heard that some overnight shipping services will pay for some or all of your flight if you have no or only carry on baggage.  Do you know anything about that?  Thanks again, Ray

Answer
Hey Ray:

No waiting for two years....

Here's the Citibank LINK which offers about six cards. Two of them, the Citi Amex card and Citi World Master card require just $750 each in purchases and (I MISPOKE)....they'll toss your 25K each for 50K.

Thanks for the 15K first purchase card, I'll pass that one on as well. Some who contact me wait till the last minute so they may be able to do $750 together with the instant 15k for like 40K almost instant miles.

We pretty much stick to major airlines and then such as Ryan Air when we're hopping intra Europe etc. Paid $6.50 for Ryan from Glasgow to London and that was their regular price. $1.50 per ticket if we were willing to take a (uurrrgggg) 6am flight...no way.  So no help on courrier etc. Our only magic getting people who will actually listen to
start amassing free miles that once started keep snow balling. We've been going at it for ten years at least and can't get our balance under 500,000. Also go to Marriot Rewards

http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=marriott
_rewards_20k_5k_anniv&page=cont&mkid=64D8

And Holiday Inn http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=priority
_club_ic_25k&page=cont&mkid=6G1M

They offer free cards and points usable for free nights. We stayed free at CDG airport's Holiday express for our flight from Paris to Barcelona last Summer. Hate wasting $$$$ at airport hotels.

Bye!