1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,310 Speaker 1: This is a C. N. A. Podcast. 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:05,770 Speaker 2: Aaron, just in a few words, could you give us 3 00:00:05,769 --> 00:00:09,570 Speaker 2: your thoughts on the following hotel or Airbnb 4 00:00:09,580 --> 00:00:12,640 Speaker 1: hotel with major city. Airbnb otherwise 5 00:00:12,650 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 2: business class or premium economy 6 00:00:14,610 --> 00:00:17,760 Speaker 1: Business class. The mouse required for premium economy are 80% 7 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:19,850 Speaker 1: of business class and the comfort gap is so different. 8 00:00:19,850 --> 00:00:20,230 Speaker 1: Not worth 9 00:00:20,230 --> 00:00:20,460 Speaker 2: it. 10 00:00:20,470 --> 00:00:22,489 Speaker 2: Last minute travel or plan ahead 11 00:00:22,500 --> 00:00:25,050 Speaker 1: last minute if you have the flexibility because that's when 12 00:00:25,050 --> 00:00:27,010 Speaker 1: you get some great deals, not just on award tickets 13 00:00:27,010 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: but even on things like activities because they release it 14 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:30,840 Speaker 1: cheap to prevent spoilage 15 00:00:30,850 --> 00:00:37,330 Speaker 2: travel insurance. Yes. Yes. Absolutely. Yes. Your favorite travel destination, 16 00:00:37,970 --> 00:00:40,750 Speaker 1: wow. I would say that new Zealand has probably been 17 00:00:40,750 --> 00:00:42,390 Speaker 1: one of the best trips I've done so far this year. 18 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:43,810 Speaker 1: Absolutely beautiful place 19 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 2: travelers back borders are open and the beach is calling 20 00:01:04,010 --> 00:01:07,340 Speaker 2: but your next holiday could be more inconvenient than your 21 00:01:07,340 --> 00:01:10,750 Speaker 2: last one. You've seen news reports of the piles of 22 00:01:10,750 --> 00:01:14,459 Speaker 2: luggage left in airports and the crowds of people stranded 23 00:01:14,470 --> 00:01:18,430 Speaker 2: after canceled flights. Not to mention the high cost of flights, 24 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,759 Speaker 2: especially during peak travel season. 25 00:01:21,430 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 2: But after two travel starved years you still need that 26 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:27,929 Speaker 2: holiday but you don't want to bust your budget trying 27 00:01:27,930 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 2: to make it happen. That's why Aaron Wong founder of 28 00:01:31,290 --> 00:01:33,820 Speaker 2: the Mile Line is here with the best ways to 29 00:01:33,819 --> 00:01:36,709 Speaker 2: plan for your next trip and money tricks you could 30 00:01:36,709 --> 00:01:38,050 Speaker 2: use along the way. 31 00:01:41,030 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 2: So many destinations so little time. Right? 32 00:01:43,730 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: Yeah. I got to make up for a lot of 33 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 1: lost time. 34 00:01:45,770 --> 00:01:47,710 Speaker 2: Where have you been to lately? 35 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:52,270 Speaker 1: Ever since the borders opened. I've been to Germany Australia. 36 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:57,670 Speaker 1: New Zealand Thailand Indonesia Vietnam. I keep going but suffice 37 00:01:57,670 --> 00:02:00,830 Speaker 1: to say after two years of being cooped up at home, 38 00:02:00,830 --> 00:02:02,470 Speaker 1: I think it's quite cathartic to fine 39 00:02:02,485 --> 00:02:06,375 Speaker 1: dust off the passport. Very lucky. My passport hadn't inspired yet. 40 00:02:06,385 --> 00:02:10,195 Speaker 2: How about the first strip after Covid, Where did you go? 41 00:02:10,205 --> 00:02:14,405 Speaker 1: The first details that Singapore had was back in September 42 00:02:14,405 --> 00:02:18,435 Speaker 1: 2021 with Germany and Brunei. Now I'm sure Brunei is 43 00:02:18,435 --> 00:02:21,125 Speaker 1: a lovely place. But compared to Germany, I think Germany 44 00:02:21,125 --> 00:02:23,935 Speaker 1: would probably have the edge in terms of attracting tourists. 45 00:02:24,290 --> 00:02:27,290 Speaker 1: So I flew off to unique as soon as the 46 00:02:27,290 --> 00:02:30,310 Speaker 1: first week of september I just spent about three or 47 00:02:30,310 --> 00:02:32,380 Speaker 1: four days. They're really just to suss out what the 48 00:02:32,380 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 1: brave new world was like, What life was like in europe, 49 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: which at that point in time had already opened up 50 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: a lot more than in Singapore. In unit people going 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,740 Speaker 1: around about mass. There were no restrictions on things like 52 00:02:42,750 --> 00:02:45,450 Speaker 1: what time you can have alcohol until there was no 53 00:02:45,450 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 1: restrictions on group sizes. Very eye opening. Especially after living 54 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:50,990 Speaker 1: through Singapore. And for two years of the pandemic, 55 00:02:51,010 --> 00:02:51,970 Speaker 1: what 56 00:02:51,970 --> 00:02:54,780 Speaker 2: has changed you think for the long term and what 57 00:02:54,780 --> 00:02:58,799 Speaker 2: changes should we keep in mind as we continue to 58 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:01,090 Speaker 2: travel in the months or even years ahead 59 00:03:01,100 --> 00:03:03,780 Speaker 1: in the short term. One of the biggest barriers to 60 00:03:03,780 --> 00:03:07,950 Speaker 1: frictionless travel was the testing requirements. Fortunately we're seeing most 61 00:03:07,950 --> 00:03:11,150 Speaker 1: countries scaling back testing requirements? I think testing is only 62 00:03:11,150 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: really there for the transitionary period. So when the country 63 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:16,100 Speaker 1: opens up for the first time, a bit more cautious 64 00:03:16,110 --> 00:03:17,620 Speaker 1: while taking slowly 65 00:03:17,730 --> 00:03:20,260 Speaker 1: testing, that makes sense. But what we have seen over 66 00:03:20,260 --> 00:03:23,100 Speaker 1: the past few months is countries dropping their testing requirements. 67 00:03:23,110 --> 00:03:26,540 Speaker 1: I do think however, that some of the measures we've seen, 68 00:03:26,550 --> 00:03:31,019 Speaker 1: such as buying mandatory travel insurance even before Covid. That 69 00:03:31,020 --> 00:03:34,820 Speaker 1: was probably a good idea anyway. But some countries might 70 00:03:34,820 --> 00:03:37,869 Speaker 1: be a bit more sticky about dropping that requirement, especially 71 00:03:37,870 --> 00:03:40,260 Speaker 1: given how covid can be so variable. It can either 72 00:03:40,260 --> 00:03:42,980 Speaker 1: be a complete non event or it can be something 73 00:03:42,980 --> 00:03:44,450 Speaker 1: that puts you in the ICU. 74 00:03:44,670 --> 00:03:47,380 Speaker 1: So I think some countries might want to ensure that 75 00:03:47,380 --> 00:03:51,020 Speaker 1: visitors do have that kind of protection. Regardless of Covid 76 00:03:51,020 --> 00:03:53,820 Speaker 1: or not, Covid, anyone should be buying travel insurance before 77 00:03:53,820 --> 00:03:56,770 Speaker 1: they go overseas. Anyway. I'm a firm believer that if 78 00:03:56,770 --> 00:03:59,150 Speaker 1: you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. 79 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 2: How do you think we should change how we plan 80 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 2: for our trips? Given this new normal that we're in. 81 00:04:06,570 --> 00:04:09,540 Speaker 1: So I think if you've got all your vaccinations and 82 00:04:09,540 --> 00:04:13,170 Speaker 1: your boosters then from a pure health point of view, 83 00:04:13,180 --> 00:04:14,430 Speaker 1: I would not be unduly 84 00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:17,830 Speaker 1: concerned to me traveling overseas now is pretty much the 85 00:04:17,830 --> 00:04:20,130 Speaker 1: same risk profile as it was pre Covid because I'm 86 00:04:20,130 --> 00:04:23,710 Speaker 1: fascinated and boosted, I've got all that settled. I mentioned 87 00:04:23,710 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: travel insurance, travel insurance is always a good idea regardless 88 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:29,500 Speaker 1: of what the prevailing situation is. 89 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 1: So honestly, if you ask me, I can't think of 90 00:04:32,330 --> 00:04:35,090 Speaker 1: too many things that are different between the travel experience 91 00:04:35,089 --> 00:04:37,930 Speaker 1: for the typical singaporean now in the post covid era 92 00:04:37,930 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 1: versus pre covid era. Just keep informed of the latest developments. 93 00:04:41,690 --> 00:04:44,390 Speaker 1: Obviously if there's a surge in cases in a particular 94 00:04:44,390 --> 00:04:48,300 Speaker 1: place and if what you have isn't conducive to a 95 00:04:48,300 --> 00:04:50,140 Speaker 1: work from home type arrangement, then you might want to 96 00:04:50,140 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: be a bit more cautious but otherwise fascinated and boosted. 97 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:55,040 Speaker 1: People don't have too much to be concerned about. I 98 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:55,550 Speaker 1: feel 99 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,299 Speaker 2: and it seems like that's the case because people 100 00:04:58,313 --> 00:05:03,433 Speaker 2: are traveling in changi airport pack. So you're Miles guy Aaron. 101 00:05:03,433 --> 00:05:07,033 Speaker 2: I know, but how about selecting flights? Are there special 102 00:05:07,033 --> 00:05:10,212 Speaker 2: travel hacks you can share Especially in this time where 103 00:05:10,223 --> 00:05:12,433 Speaker 2: flights have been kind of expensive to? 104 00:05:12,443 --> 00:05:16,173 Speaker 1: Yeah, they are. So revenge travel is a real thing. 105 00:05:16,173 --> 00:05:18,483 Speaker 1: I mean it's got to the point that chinese imports 106 00:05:18,483 --> 00:05:22,233 Speaker 1: having to reopen all therefore terminals pretty much ahead of schedule. 107 00:05:22,423 --> 00:05:26,323 Speaker 1: We're seeing f as rich levels that are compatible if 108 00:05:26,323 --> 00:05:26,890 Speaker 1: not even side 109 00:05:26,906 --> 00:05:30,076 Speaker 1: more expensive than pre covid days. Part of the reason 110 00:05:30,076 --> 00:05:32,746 Speaker 1: being that capacity has not grown at the same rate 111 00:05:32,746 --> 00:05:36,806 Speaker 1: as demand because they were hiring freezes during covid airports 112 00:05:36,806 --> 00:05:39,465 Speaker 1: at capacity and it's not so easy as just bringing 113 00:05:39,466 --> 00:05:41,416 Speaker 1: on 50 more stuff. They need to be trained. They 114 00:05:41,416 --> 00:05:44,206 Speaker 1: need to go through security clearance what were seen in 115 00:05:44,206 --> 00:05:46,916 Speaker 1: europe right now and Australia with the travel chaos is 116 00:05:46,916 --> 00:05:49,896 Speaker 1: kind of a knock on effect of those freezes. So 117 00:05:49,896 --> 00:05:53,166 Speaker 1: high airfares are probably here to stay for at least 118 00:05:53,166 --> 00:05:55,496 Speaker 1: a few more months before capacity can adjust. 119 00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:59,370 Speaker 1: Some of the things that people might be interested in doing. 120 00:05:59,380 --> 00:06:01,870 Speaker 1: So maybe I'll just talk briefly about miles first because 121 00:06:01,870 --> 00:06:04,130 Speaker 1: it's kind of like a force of habit. But what 122 00:06:04,130 --> 00:06:06,810 Speaker 1: space is quite hard to come by, but Singapore airlines 123 00:06:06,810 --> 00:06:10,589 Speaker 1: every month has a promotion called spontaneous escapes where they 124 00:06:10,589 --> 00:06:14,559 Speaker 1: will release a certain number of destinations for lastminutetravel. The 125 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:16,529 Speaker 1: idea is that you book it this month, you fly 126 00:06:16,529 --> 00:06:19,130 Speaker 1: next month and you can save up to 30% of 127 00:06:19,140 --> 00:06:19,830 Speaker 1: the normal 128 00:06:19,950 --> 00:06:22,690 Speaker 1: quiet number of miles. So if your job or your 129 00:06:22,690 --> 00:06:24,980 Speaker 1: employment gives you the flexibility to be able to travel 130 00:06:24,980 --> 00:06:27,390 Speaker 1: on short notice, then this is a great way of 131 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,859 Speaker 1: being able to find last minute award space at a 132 00:06:29,860 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 1: cheaper price than normal If you're paying with cash, some 133 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,690 Speaker 1: of the things that I like to do is airlines 134 00:06:35,690 --> 00:06:38,890 Speaker 1: will run vessels and promotions. But they also do tie 135 00:06:38,890 --> 00:06:41,669 Speaker 1: up with banks from time to time. So always be 136 00:06:41,670 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 1: sure to check out your bank's credit card promotion page 137 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 1: to see what offers they have ongoing. 138 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,940 Speaker 1: In addition to that, maybe shopping through cash back websites 139 00:06:48,950 --> 00:06:51,610 Speaker 1: like shot back for example, you're not going to save 140 00:06:51,620 --> 00:06:54,890 Speaker 1: a huge amount is probably quite like maybe 1 to 2% points. 141 00:06:54,890 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 1: But anyway, the idea being that every dollar you save 142 00:06:57,570 --> 00:07:02,140 Speaker 1: is $1 more you have towards your vacation. It's also 143 00:07:02,150 --> 00:07:05,860 Speaker 1: worth pointing out that some of the flexibility policies that 144 00:07:05,870 --> 00:07:10,620 Speaker 1: airlines for having during covid 19 maybe lapsing. So Singapore airlines, 145 00:07:10,630 --> 00:07:11,470 Speaker 1: big example, 146 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:15,130 Speaker 1: throughout most of Covid, Singapore airlines offered an unlimited changes 147 00:07:15,130 --> 00:07:19,490 Speaker 1: policy which lapsed at the start of august. So now 148 00:07:19,490 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: if you buy a non refundable, non changeable ticket on 149 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:25,450 Speaker 1: Singapore airlines, it is non refundable and non changeable. So 150 00:07:25,450 --> 00:07:27,540 Speaker 1: that's something else that consumers should take note of because 151 00:07:27,540 --> 00:07:30,100 Speaker 1: you tend to see cheaper FS in that non refundable, 152 00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:31,750 Speaker 1: non changeable bucket as well. 153 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,550 Speaker 2: That's an interesting point you made about last minute awards 154 00:07:34,550 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 2: for flights because you know, the general rule that 155 00:07:37,140 --> 00:07:40,020 Speaker 2: we have in mind usually is that flights get more 156 00:07:40,020 --> 00:07:43,460 Speaker 2: expensive the closer you get to that date. But I 157 00:07:43,460 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 2: have heard of people getting good last minute deals recently, 158 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:50,540 Speaker 2: even with the type of airfares that we are seeing. 159 00:07:50,550 --> 00:07:53,340 Speaker 2: So is there kind of a golden period in terms 160 00:07:53,340 --> 00:07:56,330 Speaker 2: of when you should start looking for flights or when 161 00:07:56,330 --> 00:07:59,210 Speaker 2: you should snag that deal or that price when you 162 00:07:59,210 --> 00:08:00,330 Speaker 2: see it on the website, 163 00:08:00,540 --> 00:08:03,890 Speaker 1: a few pointers I can give here is in general 164 00:08:03,890 --> 00:08:08,030 Speaker 1: connecting flights will be cheaper than direct flights. So for example, 165 00:08:08,030 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 1: if you're flying to Bangkok and if you don't mind 166 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:15,060 Speaker 1: transiting in Kuala Lumpur you can probably find a cheaper 167 00:08:15,060 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: airfare through Kuala Lumpur than through Bangkok. Now whether or 168 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,140 Speaker 1: not it's worth spending the additional time transiting 169 00:08:21,155 --> 00:08:23,825 Speaker 1: for such a short haul flight is debatable. But hey, 170 00:08:23,825 --> 00:08:25,715 Speaker 1: if you're going to somewhere further, like europe or the 171 00:08:25,715 --> 00:08:29,485 Speaker 1: US then maybe a transit isn't that onerous in the 172 00:08:29,485 --> 00:08:31,355 Speaker 1: grand scheme of things and it can help you save 173 00:08:31,355 --> 00:08:34,655 Speaker 1: a couple $100 easily. But I typically do to look 174 00:08:34,655 --> 00:08:37,335 Speaker 1: out for cheap Fs if you use a portal like 175 00:08:37,335 --> 00:08:40,564 Speaker 1: google flights or like kayak, they have something called the 176 00:08:40,565 --> 00:08:41,765 Speaker 1: Explorer feature. 177 00:08:42,010 --> 00:08:44,309 Speaker 1: So what does is you just tell it when you 178 00:08:44,309 --> 00:08:46,500 Speaker 1: want to travel and what your budget is and it 179 00:08:46,500 --> 00:08:48,980 Speaker 1: will show you all the possible destinations that you can 180 00:08:48,980 --> 00:08:51,819 Speaker 1: go to for that time period and that budget. So 181 00:08:51,830 --> 00:08:54,220 Speaker 1: if you're not fussy about where specifically you go, you 182 00:08:54,220 --> 00:08:56,900 Speaker 1: just know I've got $500 I want to travel for 183 00:08:56,900 --> 00:08:59,750 Speaker 1: one week during this period. This helps you see a 184 00:08:59,750 --> 00:09:02,079 Speaker 1: bird's eye view of all the different possibilities. 185 00:09:02,090 --> 00:09:05,429 Speaker 2: You bring up online travel booking sites and flight search 186 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:08,850 Speaker 2: engines because they have been popular recently. But 187 00:09:09,050 --> 00:09:11,020 Speaker 2: what do you think of them? It does come with 188 00:09:11,020 --> 00:09:13,770 Speaker 2: a cost. Don't you think so? Like these savings that 189 00:09:13,770 --> 00:09:17,890 Speaker 2: you get from third party websites, whether that's flights, hotels, 190 00:09:17,900 --> 00:09:22,540 Speaker 2: some of these experiences tickets that you get on these flights, 191 00:09:22,540 --> 00:09:24,530 Speaker 2: they are cheap. But what's the catch 192 00:09:24,540 --> 00:09:27,290 Speaker 1: if you go on a meta search engine like kayak 193 00:09:27,290 --> 00:09:30,010 Speaker 1: or google flights that searches a few 100 0. T. A. S. 194 00:09:30,020 --> 00:09:33,300 Speaker 1: You might see a very cheap price on a website 195 00:09:33,300 --> 00:09:33,500 Speaker 1: that you 196 00:09:33,515 --> 00:09:35,675 Speaker 1: not familiar with. You just need that size. A bit 197 00:09:35,675 --> 00:09:37,864 Speaker 1: of caution there because what happens when you booked through 198 00:09:37,865 --> 00:09:40,715 Speaker 1: a third party and many people discovered this during the 199 00:09:40,715 --> 00:09:44,314 Speaker 1: pandemic is that the airline can't touch your ticket, you 200 00:09:44,315 --> 00:09:47,005 Speaker 1: need to go through the agency. So if I booked 201 00:09:47,005 --> 00:09:49,535 Speaker 1: through Expedia and I need to change my flight, I 202 00:09:49,535 --> 00:09:51,494 Speaker 1: can't call up Singapore Airlines and make the change. I 203 00:09:51,495 --> 00:09:54,445 Speaker 1: need to call up Expedia and the waiting times and 204 00:09:54,445 --> 00:09:56,715 Speaker 1: the customer service may be different from if you went 205 00:09:56,715 --> 00:09:57,965 Speaker 1: through the airline directly. 206 00:09:58,210 --> 00:10:00,460 Speaker 1: So that's something to keep in mind because when everything 207 00:10:00,460 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: works perfectly, then fine. Absolutely. Just go for the cheapest 208 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:07,370 Speaker 1: possible option. The problem is when there's disruptions, cancelations, I 209 00:10:07,370 --> 00:10:09,660 Speaker 1: mean what we're seeing in europe right now, right, total 210 00:10:09,660 --> 00:10:12,730 Speaker 1: travel chaos in the region. My parents had a flight 211 00:10:12,740 --> 00:10:16,840 Speaker 1: on to Amsterdam from Zurich got canceled. They booked through 212 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:17,290 Speaker 1: a third path. 213 00:10:17,304 --> 00:10:19,865 Speaker 1: That's right. They couldn't contact him directly, they had to 214 00:10:19,865 --> 00:10:21,625 Speaker 1: go through the third party. There was so much wait 215 00:10:21,625 --> 00:10:24,415 Speaker 1: timers love has. So, so that's the one thing you 216 00:10:24,415 --> 00:10:26,375 Speaker 1: need to be mentally prepared for. If you go through 217 00:10:26,375 --> 00:10:28,585 Speaker 1: a third party that it may not be as smooth 218 00:10:28,585 --> 00:10:31,684 Speaker 1: and experience. If something goes wrong, that's the caveat. 219 00:10:31,695 --> 00:10:35,145 Speaker 2: If everything goes fine then great. But if not that's 220 00:10:35,145 --> 00:10:36,385 Speaker 2: what's the headache. 221 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 2: Hi, my name is steve lie and I'm Teresa Tang 222 00:10:43,470 --> 00:10:45,839 Speaker 2: and we are the hosts of the new podcast CNN 223 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:49,429 Speaker 2: correspondent from new york to Bangkok, join us as we 224 00:10:49,429 --> 00:10:52,450 Speaker 2: kick back and chat with our colleagues across the globe 225 00:10:52,460 --> 00:10:55,510 Speaker 2: about the latest news developments. Look out for our weekly 226 00:10:55,510 --> 00:10:57,780 Speaker 2: episodes wherever you get your podcasts. 227 00:11:02,550 --> 00:11:05,959 Speaker 2: But what about hotels, Aaron sometimes I wonder how maintain 228 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:09,939 Speaker 2: these hotels are after years of no tourists and all that. 229 00:11:09,940 --> 00:11:12,890 Speaker 2: What's the best way you think to book hotels during 230 00:11:12,890 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 2: this period? 231 00:11:14,330 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: So during the early part of my travels, when I 232 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:20,370 Speaker 1: was heading out in september october last year, I did 233 00:11:20,370 --> 00:11:22,540 Speaker 1: notice that at a lot of the hotels I've visited, 234 00:11:22,550 --> 00:11:25,150 Speaker 1: a lot of the amenities were stripped back, stripped down. 235 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:29,130 Speaker 1: They wouldn't have daily housekeeping instead of a full breakfast buffet. 236 00:11:29,130 --> 00:11:32,780 Speaker 1: Might be a smaller menu. Staffing levels weren't where they 237 00:11:32,780 --> 00:11:35,340 Speaker 1: used to be. Some facilities might be closed. The good 238 00:11:35,340 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 1: news is that we are quite a distance away from 239 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,060 Speaker 1: that now and in recent months, I have not noticed 240 00:11:41,059 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: any discernible differences in most of the places I've gone to. 241 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:46,870 Speaker 1: And I don't think we'll see the same kind of 242 00:11:46,870 --> 00:11:49,700 Speaker 1: distress pricing that we may have seen last year. A 243 00:11:49,700 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 1: case in point when bali first opened, I was paying really, 244 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:56,179 Speaker 1: really cheap rates on hotels. So I got a villa, 245 00:11:56,179 --> 00:12:00,540 Speaker 1: the Conrad bali for maybe about 202 $150 which would 246 00:12:00,540 --> 00:12:03,589 Speaker 1: normally be 34 times that price. But I don't think 247 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,320 Speaker 1: we'd see the kind of distress pricing that we've seen before. 248 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:09,570 Speaker 1: Unless maybe you're going to a place that's newly opening up. 249 00:12:09,580 --> 00:12:12,010 Speaker 1: Maybe if you're among the early adopters, the ones 250 00:12:12,035 --> 00:12:13,334 Speaker 1: we'll head out first, you might be able to find 251 00:12:13,335 --> 00:12:15,955 Speaker 1: some good deals there. But by and large Bangkok bali 252 00:12:15,955 --> 00:12:18,755 Speaker 1: all these places. Well, pricing is probably not quite at 253 00:12:18,755 --> 00:12:20,865 Speaker 1: pre covid levels yet, but it is not as cheap 254 00:12:20,865 --> 00:12:21,804 Speaker 1: as last year. 255 00:12:21,815 --> 00:12:25,595 Speaker 2: We've mentioned several times in this chat so far how 256 00:12:25,595 --> 00:12:28,675 Speaker 2: flights have been canceled a lot and there's lost luggage 257 00:12:28,675 --> 00:12:31,085 Speaker 2: all over the place in europe. What can we do 258 00:12:31,085 --> 00:12:34,485 Speaker 2: then to lessen the inconvenience during these trips? 259 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:36,910 Speaker 1: I'm gonna sound like a broken record on this. But 260 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:38,050 Speaker 1: travel insurance 261 00:12:38,340 --> 00:12:39,980 Speaker 2: difference. 262 00:12:39,990 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: It does because you're back maybe delayed your back to 263 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,110 Speaker 1: get lost. You're back to that mishandle and you want 264 00:12:46,110 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: to make sure you've got some sort of coverage for 265 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 1: its contents or your flight could be canceled. You could 266 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:52,329 Speaker 1: have to book a hotel in the meantime. You want 267 00:12:52,330 --> 00:12:55,479 Speaker 1: to make sure you're covered for tendencies such as those. 268 00:12:55,490 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: If I'm stranded at the airport, the last thing I 269 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,120 Speaker 1: want to worry about is paying for my own hotel 270 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:01,850 Speaker 1: and all right. I just want to know that something 271 00:13:01,850 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: has it covered? 272 00:13:02,910 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 1: That's non negotiable, right? You need to have your travel 273 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: insurance down. But some of the other things I'm hearing 274 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,550 Speaker 1: from people. Well, it's no coincidence that air tanks are 275 00:13:10,550 --> 00:13:13,469 Speaker 1: sold out now because a lot of people are buying 276 00:13:13,470 --> 00:13:16,110 Speaker 1: those apple air tanks, putting them in their luggage because 277 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,650 Speaker 1: it does a lot better job of finding the bags. 278 00:13:18,650 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: And some airlines who shall remain nameless. 279 00:13:21,265 --> 00:13:23,635 Speaker 1: I think small things like that can help as well. 280 00:13:23,645 --> 00:13:25,645 Speaker 1: This sounds terrible. But you should be prepared to lose 281 00:13:25,645 --> 00:13:28,625 Speaker 1: whatever you check in. Don't put anything in your checking 282 00:13:28,625 --> 00:13:30,535 Speaker 1: bags that you can't afford to lose. So I need 283 00:13:30,535 --> 00:13:32,905 Speaker 1: to see all your medication, your charges. Everything should be 284 00:13:32,905 --> 00:13:35,305 Speaker 1: with you on hand carry bag. I think it's also 285 00:13:35,304 --> 00:13:37,015 Speaker 1: very important that you are aware of your rights as 286 00:13:37,015 --> 00:13:40,265 Speaker 1: a consumer, especially if you're traveling to the EU. Because 287 00:13:40,265 --> 00:13:42,725 Speaker 1: the EU is unique in that they have a piece 288 00:13:42,725 --> 00:13:44,930 Speaker 1: of legislation called the U. 261 289 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 1: Which takes that if your flight is canceled or you're 290 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:51,130 Speaker 1: downgraded or if some other irregularity happens, you are entitled 291 00:13:51,140 --> 00:13:54,780 Speaker 1: to compensation. And this is not small fry compensation. This 292 00:13:54,780 --> 00:13:57,970 Speaker 1: can be up to €600 per person if your flight 293 00:13:57,970 --> 00:14:00,790 Speaker 1: is delayed or canceled delayed beyond a certain amount of time. 294 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:04,100 Speaker 1: The thing is that because the compensation is so much, 295 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:09,060 Speaker 1: most airlines are not particularly inclined to inform you about it. Right? 296 00:14:09,059 --> 00:14:11,590 Speaker 1: So it's something that you need to initiate yourself and 297 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:12,700 Speaker 1: you 261 claim. 298 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:16,559 Speaker 2: So travel insurance a must as you mentioned there, what 299 00:14:16,559 --> 00:14:19,110 Speaker 2: should we look for. I just kind of look for 300 00:14:19,110 --> 00:14:21,990 Speaker 2: the cheapest one or the one that's kind of already there. 301 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:25,010 Speaker 1: So every time I purchase the travel insurance policy, I 302 00:14:25,010 --> 00:14:28,160 Speaker 1: look at three things. The first one is obviously accidental death, 303 00:14:28,170 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: accidental death or permanent disability because well that's just a 304 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:32,990 Speaker 1: fact of life. 305 00:14:33,310 --> 00:14:37,740 Speaker 1: The second one is medical insurance, especially Covid 19 coverage. 306 00:14:37,750 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 1: So in the early days most policies excluded Covid 19. 307 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 1: But as we've come to see it more as an 308 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 1: endemic kind of thing. Now it's more the exception than 309 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 1: the norm that you find the travel insurance policy 310 00:14:48,655 --> 00:14:51,625 Speaker 1: that doesn't have covid 19 insurance that said you still 311 00:14:51,625 --> 00:14:53,335 Speaker 1: need to read the fine print and just make sure 312 00:14:53,335 --> 00:14:56,705 Speaker 1: it's there. The third thing is travel inconvenience. So travel 313 00:14:56,705 --> 00:15:01,025 Speaker 1: inconvenience would cover anything like delayed luggage, lost luggage, delayed flights, 314 00:15:01,025 --> 00:15:04,815 Speaker 1: miss connections, trip cancelation stuff like that. So those are 315 00:15:04,815 --> 00:15:07,370 Speaker 1: the three things I typically look out in a policy 316 00:15:07,700 --> 00:15:10,810 Speaker 1: and you also want to look at things like definitions 317 00:15:10,820 --> 00:15:14,370 Speaker 1: because if your bag is delayed, certain policies may pay 318 00:15:14,370 --> 00:15:17,420 Speaker 1: out after a four hour delay. Certain policies might make 319 00:15:17,420 --> 00:15:20,470 Speaker 1: you wait six hours. Certain policies might require eight hours. 320 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 1: So it's not enough to just look at the quantum 321 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,180 Speaker 1: of coverage and say, okay policy a has the highest 322 00:15:26,180 --> 00:15:29,070 Speaker 1: level of coverage we should go policy because policy a 323 00:15:29,070 --> 00:15:31,070 Speaker 1: may make you jump through a lot of hoops in 324 00:15:31,070 --> 00:15:33,010 Speaker 1: order to make the claim. So you need to look 325 00:15:33,010 --> 00:15:36,390 Speaker 1: at the qualitative factors. As well as the quantitative factors 326 00:15:36,450 --> 00:15:39,110 Speaker 1: if you're intending to rely on your credit card for 327 00:15:39,110 --> 00:15:41,690 Speaker 1: travel insurance because there are quite a number of credit 328 00:15:41,690 --> 00:15:45,270 Speaker 1: cards out there that provide complimentary travel insurance when you 329 00:15:45,270 --> 00:15:47,750 Speaker 1: book a flight with your card, you do want to 330 00:15:47,750 --> 00:15:50,660 Speaker 1: make sure that it is a comprehensive policy and not 331 00:15:50,660 --> 00:15:52,130 Speaker 1: just an accident policy 332 00:15:52,340 --> 00:15:55,130 Speaker 1: because there are some credit cards out there which will 333 00:15:55,130 --> 00:15:58,770 Speaker 1: offer you a complimentary accident policy which has no coverage 334 00:15:58,770 --> 00:16:02,490 Speaker 1: from medical expenses or no coverage for travel inconveniences, 335 00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:06,950 Speaker 2: there's so much excitement over traveling and getting out but 336 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:10,710 Speaker 2: inflation is high. What things should we save on or 337 00:16:10,710 --> 00:16:13,090 Speaker 2: splurge on doing trips or at least for you in 338 00:16:13,090 --> 00:16:16,300 Speaker 2: your experience. What do you focus on when it comes 339 00:16:16,300 --> 00:16:18,740 Speaker 2: to spending during your time overseas. 340 00:16:19,020 --> 00:16:22,640 Speaker 1: So I always look for ways to save on hotels 341 00:16:22,650 --> 00:16:26,470 Speaker 1: through buying points. If you're staying with a chain like 342 00:16:26,470 --> 00:16:29,340 Speaker 1: Hilton or Marriott or Hyatt from time to time, these 343 00:16:29,340 --> 00:16:32,530 Speaker 1: hotels will sell their points to the public, you can 344 00:16:32,530 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: buy the points and redeem them for rooms and in 345 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:36,870 Speaker 1: certain scenarios you can save a whole lot of money. 346 00:16:36,870 --> 00:16:39,940 Speaker 1: So a different example in March this year I went 347 00:16:39,940 --> 00:16:42,850 Speaker 1: to the US to watch the indian Wells tennis tournament 348 00:16:42,860 --> 00:16:43,860 Speaker 1: in California 349 00:16:44,260 --> 00:16:47,030 Speaker 1: and it takes place in a town called indian Wells 350 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:50,270 Speaker 1: and obviously when the tournaments in town all the hotel 351 00:16:50,270 --> 00:16:53,290 Speaker 1: rates shoot through the roof. So even like a humble tree, 352 00:16:53,290 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: four star kind of motel was charging like $600 a night, 353 00:16:57,610 --> 00:17:01,140 Speaker 1: which is pretty much considering it's normally like 80 $90 354 00:17:01,150 --> 00:17:04,100 Speaker 1: but what I did on this particular trip is I 355 00:17:04,100 --> 00:17:08,180 Speaker 1: bought Hilton points, it cost me about half percent each 356 00:17:08,190 --> 00:17:11,919 Speaker 1: and I used them to redeem a Hilton branded motel 357 00:17:11,930 --> 00:17:14,170 Speaker 1: within indian wells and 358 00:17:14,190 --> 00:17:17,780 Speaker 1: the net rate I paid was about $200 and night, 359 00:17:17,780 --> 00:17:20,480 Speaker 1: which is still quite a bit for a motel but 360 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:24,619 Speaker 1: it's not $624 which was what the retail price was. 361 00:17:24,630 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 1: Obviously it doesn't work out so nicely all the time, 362 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,780 Speaker 1: but there are definitely opportunities like this around peak periods 363 00:17:29,790 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 1: because in general about the cost of hotel room is 364 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:37,910 Speaker 1: very variable. The range of points tends to fluctuate within 365 00:17:37,910 --> 00:17:41,880 Speaker 1: a smaller band than for cash upgrades and that's one 366 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:44,120 Speaker 1: great opportunity. I think if you're willing to invest the time, 367 00:17:44,130 --> 00:17:46,820 Speaker 1: learn the ins and outs of hotel loyalty programs of 368 00:17:46,820 --> 00:17:50,020 Speaker 1: how you're able to really make some savings. One other 369 00:17:50,020 --> 00:17:52,379 Speaker 1: thing I do to save money even on the road 370 00:17:52,390 --> 00:17:54,419 Speaker 1: is I am a credit card person right? So I 371 00:17:54,420 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: enjoy using my credit cards overseas because I earn more miles. 372 00:17:57,810 --> 00:18:01,719 Speaker 2: You mentioned you use credit card points for miles for 373 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:03,880 Speaker 2: your trips and all that. I'm just curious about how 374 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:06,850 Speaker 2: you plan your holidays, Do you plan your trips around 375 00:18:06,850 --> 00:18:10,240 Speaker 2: your points or your loyalty programs or do you kind 376 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:13,290 Speaker 2: of focus for the perks based on the places you 377 00:18:13,290 --> 00:18:14,060 Speaker 2: want to go? 378 00:18:14,420 --> 00:18:17,250 Speaker 1: Yeah, so this is kind of a case of the 379 00:18:17,250 --> 00:18:20,770 Speaker 1: tail wagging the dog because I do acknowledge that a 380 00:18:20,770 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 1: lot of where I go on vacation is dictated by 381 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 1: where there is a ward space. So if I see 382 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,540 Speaker 1: that there are awards seats to like europe versus like 383 00:18:29,540 --> 00:18:32,940 Speaker 1: Australia trip, we go to europe, I wouldn't call it 384 00:18:32,950 --> 00:18:36,260 Speaker 1: an inconvenience so much because hey, you're still flying for free. 385 00:18:36,270 --> 00:18:38,580 Speaker 1: But I will say it's one of the caveats I 386 00:18:38,580 --> 00:18:40,450 Speaker 1: would give to someone who's thinking about earning money. 387 00:18:40,460 --> 00:18:42,780 Speaker 1: Like if you go into the mouth team expecting that 388 00:18:42,780 --> 00:18:45,449 Speaker 1: you will always take the seats to whatever destination you 389 00:18:45,450 --> 00:18:48,980 Speaker 1: want at whatever time and whatever cabin you're probably going 390 00:18:48,980 --> 00:18:51,090 Speaker 1: to be disappointed. But if you have that degree of 391 00:18:51,090 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: flexibility where you're not super fussy about where you go, 392 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:56,530 Speaker 1: as long as you have a nice vacation, then that's 393 00:18:56,530 --> 00:18:59,170 Speaker 1: where miles can come in. So useful because different opportunities 394 00:18:59,170 --> 00:19:00,410 Speaker 1: pop up from time to time 395 00:19:00,810 --> 00:19:03,970 Speaker 1: And when I do my planning, right? I obviously look 396 00:19:03,970 --> 00:19:06,490 Speaker 1: at things like, what's the award flight situation? How many 397 00:19:06,490 --> 00:19:09,710 Speaker 1: seats are available if I'm flying to a destination that's 398 00:19:09,710 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 1: a bit further away their seats available in business class 399 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:15,340 Speaker 1: because I think I'm getting older, it's getting harder and 400 00:19:15,350 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 1: harder than the economy seats for more than 12 hours. 401 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 1: I know, I'm sorry, I sound like such a princess, 402 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:25,050 Speaker 1: but once you're older than 30 that starts to hurt 403 00:19:25,060 --> 00:19:25,859 Speaker 1: in strange place. 404 00:19:25,869 --> 00:19:28,700 Speaker 1: So yeah and then I start to look at things 405 00:19:28,700 --> 00:19:30,699 Speaker 1: like okay, once I'm there, what options are there in 406 00:19:30,700 --> 00:19:33,700 Speaker 1: terms of hotels? Are their chances to save by buying 407 00:19:33,700 --> 00:19:37,180 Speaker 1: hotel points and redeem them for rooms are their chances 408 00:19:37,180 --> 00:19:39,530 Speaker 1: to save on activities. When I was in New Zealand 409 00:19:39,530 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 1: I booked quite a lot of my activities through and 410 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,379 Speaker 1: was having all these different sales with various types of 411 00:19:45,380 --> 00:19:48,350 Speaker 1: different banks, promotions, this stuff that gift cards, stuff like that. 412 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:50,830 Speaker 1: I was easily saving like at least 15 to 20 413 00:19:50,830 --> 00:19:50,919 Speaker 1: per 414 00:19:50,930 --> 00:19:54,120 Speaker 1: send off most of my attractions. So there's many ways 415 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:56,200 Speaker 1: to engineer value out of each trip. You just need 416 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:57,680 Speaker 1: to be willing to put in a bit of time 417 00:19:57,680 --> 00:19:58,690 Speaker 1: to do that research 418 00:19:58,700 --> 00:20:01,700 Speaker 2: before we let you go Aaron where are you traveling 419 00:20:01,700 --> 00:20:04,530 Speaker 2: to next? We've pretty much traveled everywhere at this point. 420 00:20:04,530 --> 00:20:05,350 Speaker 2: It sounds 421 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:08,230 Speaker 1: in october I'm going to head to new york for 422 00:20:08,230 --> 00:20:10,350 Speaker 1: about two weeks now. I've been to new york quite 423 00:20:10,350 --> 00:20:12,580 Speaker 1: a few times but my wife has not, I do 424 00:20:12,580 --> 00:20:14,670 Speaker 1: feel that everyone needs to visit new york at least 425 00:20:14,670 --> 00:20:15,980 Speaker 1: once in their lives. It's 426 00:20:15,990 --> 00:20:19,490 Speaker 1: such a really important place. You see so many movies shot, 427 00:20:19,490 --> 00:20:22,290 Speaker 1: there is so much of history. Yes, it's touristy to 428 00:20:22,290 --> 00:20:24,410 Speaker 1: go to Times Square and the statue of liberty and 429 00:20:24,410 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 1: the museum's yes, but you have to do it at 430 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 1: least once. So that's the objective 431 00:20:28,210 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 2: and you should definitely bring your wife at least once, Aaron, 432 00:20:31,490 --> 00:20:33,600 Speaker 2: especially with the work that you do. Good 433 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:35,459 Speaker 1: idea. I probably should. 434 00:20:35,470 --> 00:20:38,369 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for your insights. So helpful and you 435 00:20:38,369 --> 00:20:39,359 Speaker 2: can't wait to use it. 436 00:20:39,369 --> 00:20:40,350 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for 437 00:20:40,450 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 2: talking. 438 00:20:43,710 --> 00:20:46,640 Speaker 2: We hope you enjoyed this episode of money talks. The 439 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:50,859 Speaker 2: team behind this podcast is Jacqueline, Chan Audrey one Danieli 440 00:20:50,869 --> 00:20:53,970 Speaker 2: and Christina Robert. Until next time. This is Sarah called in.