Howard | Meaning of Points

The Time to Travel is Now

Jun 06 2022

I have waited a long time to say that, but I think now is the time. Nobody knows for sure, and nobody can guarantee that risks still do not remain, but how long can we wait?

Yes, the risk of catching Covid or any Virus still exists. However, doesn’t the risk still exist if you are crossing town, the country or even the world?

Everyone has to make their own decision as to when they feel safe to travel. Maybe for you, it is the 2-hour trip to the beach or the mountains, maybe it is the 2-hour flight to see relatives, or maybe it is time to cross the Atlantic and see Europe again.

Nobody can tell you when you should travel. That is up to each of us, but for me, the time to start traveling is now. I have just returned from my first trip across the Atlantic and I realize how much I have missed these big trips. Were there times I was apprehensive about the crowds and the people unmasked? Absolutely, but honestly, for me, it is no different than I face here in the states.

I will start posting about the trip but let me say this. It feels so good to be back in Europe. Stay tuned to hear about an exciting trip.

We also have to mention how well the dollar has done against the Euro and many other currencies and that is another important factor in deciding when to make that International trip.

You find inspiration in the strangest places.

Mar 11 2019

Walking through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo vendor area I came across a sign. You know, those cute wood signs that say things that are funny, or sentimental. Like, for example, the one our daughter got us a few years ago that said: “If you met my family you would understand.” So, this sign at the Rodeo said: “I don’t travel to escape life, I travel so life doesn’t escape me.” Wow, that is not only powerful it really rang true for me. I never thought of it that way but in a strange sort of way that sign really summed up my love of travel, especially international travel. Seeing that sign made me immediately start thinking about our next family adventure.

I try and take one trip a year to Europe. Of course, it takes a lot of planning but not wanting to plan a trip is no reason not to take one. Life is short, we have no guarantees about tomorrow. I wanted to start this blog because I felt so many travel blogs were either about trying to sell you a credit card or to show you how lucky they are to be able to travel in first class on the worlds best airlines. I call BS. I have zero interest in flying the worlds best first-class product if I am traveling alone which is often the case on many travel blogs. I work so I can have money to travel with people I love. I would much rather fly coach with my family than have a lie-flat bed on first class traveling alone. I guess that is why that sign spoke to me. I don’t know how many years I will be able to travel, but while I am, I want to experience the world with people I care about. My next post will be the first of 2 posts about my last trip with just the 4 of us, my wife and two kids. It was a great trip through Scandinavia. I will share the itinerary and how we were able to make points work for us. Sorry, but bragging about how I was able to sip $300 champagne in first class doesn’t impress me. Using points in a hotel room that holds 4 people, that impresses me. I guess that is why that sign spoke to me, I want to experience life with those I love.

Keukenhof – Scratch it from the Bucket List

Sep 12 2017

One of the items on my wife’s bucket list was visiting Keukenhof Gardens. We have been to Amsterdam many times but always during the summer when the gardens were already closed. This year we built the trip around the Keukenhof visit and it was so worth it.

If there is ever a reason to spend points it is to scratch off a bucket list item. Keeping points does not create memories using them does. This trip is a great example of the meaning of points.

In 2018 Keukenhof will be open from March 22 until May 13. We visited the last week of April. It is somewhat of a gamble to pick when to visit but I had read that end of April is usually a good time so that is when we scheduled our visit. It was a great time to visit as you can see from the pictures. It was a bit chilly and misty but the gardens were incredible.

Keukenhof is a park and you stroll through the gardens and there are some indoor pavilions, a shop and several places you can get food. It is a place that you would spend most of a day. Everyone is different but I think if you came mid-morning you would enjoy spending most of the day at the gardens.

While planning my trip I found this site that good information. https://tulipsinholland.com/

As the season got closer they sent out a weekly update that I found very useful.

They also have good information about getting to Keukenhof. We bought our tickets on the Keukenhof website that included a short bus transfer from the Amsterdam airport.

If I offer you any advice on your visit it is to NOT go on the weekend. It is too crowded and we heard that they cut off the bus service early last year as the park was so full. It isn’t worth the trouble, just go during the week.

We had an evening flight from Amsterdam to Florence. So we left Amsterdam in the morning and took the train to Schiphol. At the airport we stored our luggage in large lockers they have and then made our way to the Keukenhof line. There is a long line but it is well organized and it didn’t take long and we were on our way to the park.

The ticket is round trip and they brought us back to the airport and we gathered our luggage, grabbed inner as Schiphol has great dining choices and then boarded our evening flight for Florence. I will discuss that trip in another post.

Traveling to Amsterdam on points is usually pretty easy. Schiphol is one of the biggest and busiest airports in Europe with many non-stops from US daily. Most major hubs fly to Schiphol at least once daily. We traveled from Houston where both United and KLM have a daily non-stop.

We were able to travel on United for only 30,000 points. I always enjoy a flight to Europe for 30,000 points when you consider sometimes traveling across Texas can be 25,000 points. If you have Flying Blue points, as well as Delta you have the KLM option. American Express Membership Rewards also transfer to Flying Blue. I think with all of the daily flights from the US to Amsterdam you can usually find a lot of reward availability.

Amsterdam like most major cities in Europe have both familiar hotel chains as well as European chains and a lot of small boutique hotels. We have stayed at several of the hotels in Amsterdam and always enjoyed them. This trip we were traveling with a group and didn’t use points and a major conference was in town so rooms were very expensive. We stayed for the first time at the Hampton Centre East, and even though not on the main canal rings area we enjoyed the stay and the complimentary breakfast.

I will post more about the Amsterdam city portion of our trip soon.

Great Holiday Video

Dec 23 2016

I have always enjoyed flying KLM. I think they are a great airline. They don’t always have the newest planes or the best food but they are a great airline.

They also produce some pretty great videos and this one is just in time for the holidays. Of course it is staged and these aren’t probably random people but it doesn’t matter. The message is good and they spent the time and money so help spread it.

Good for you KLM and Happy Holidays to everyone.

Flying Blue Promo Awards

Dec 02 2016

On the 1st of each month Flying Blue announces Promo Awards. Promo Awards from North America offer a discount typically 25-50% of the standard mileage requirements.

The fares are on either KLM or Air France. Flying Blue is the loyalty program for these two airlines.

On typical months several US cities are listed and discounts have been running 25%. It has been a while since we have seen many offers at the 50% level. This month only 2 origins are listed.

Mexico in Economy for 37,500 points (plus taxes and fees) and Toronto in Business Class for 93,750 points (plus taxes and fees).

Mexico is on Air France for March Travel and Toronto is both Air France and KLM for February and March travel.

These Promo Fares must be booked with Flying Blue points. Chase is now a partner with Flying Blue so that is a transfer option. American Express is also a Flying Blue Partner and with the American Express Platinum Business Card which is currently offering a 100,000 point bonus with a spend requirement Business Platinum as well as the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card with a 100,000 point bonus with a spend requirement Chase Sapphire Reserve so obtaining Flying Blue points is now easier than ever.

I would hope and expect that starting next month we will see some additional origin cities to Europe for the March April time period.

I am certainly disappointed with the limited number of cities this month especially considering all of the far specials going around.

Even KLM is offering some great specials right now including from New York to Barcelona, Venice and Amsterdam for under $500. Check Google Flights for your possible travel dates or klm.com

A suitcase that follows you?

Nov 30 2016

Technology is great, but sometimes you have to stop and scratch your head and wonder how is this possible and is this something we really want. Consider the COWAROBOT R1. This company says they have developed a suitcase that follows behind you. The Cowarobot has a GPS finder if you get to far from your luggage as well as a power bank with USB charging ports. Oh and I almost forgot, it is also a suitcase for your clothes.

The raised over 500K to get this going and are saying deliveries this month. When I first heard about this product I wasn’t sure it would ever make it to market but it looks like I was wrong. However, we haven’t seen them yet, but it sounds like we will soon. So get ready as you are passing through the airports this holiday season for that suitcase following behind someone.

You can read a lot more about the features here. cowarobot

What do you think, are we ready for suitcases that follow us?

Time to Start Planning Summer Travel

Nov 29 2016

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. As we are in the thick of the holiday season I wanted to mention that now is a great time to get the family together to start thinking about summer travel. I know most areas of the country haven’t even had a winter yet, but the summer will be here before you know it.

It might be that anniversary trip to Paris or finally taking the kids to Disney but one of the great things about travel is the planning. The entire family can take part. I remember one year we made it a game where each of us had to pick one place we wanted to visit and prepare a presentation on where it was and try to convince the others to support your idea. It was a while ago and I recall there might have been some collusion but it made the process fun and then we all got involved with planning. When I was a child we had a piggy-bank we used for our travel and we would all put change in it and then when we got ready for a trip we would use the money so we all felt like we contributed. Unfortunately nobody carries change anymore, but maybe we could Venmo or PayPal some imaginary change.

Another benefit of planning ahead is you can decide where you might need some extra points for a flight or hotel stay. Several credit card promotions have great sign up bonuses including the Chase Sapphire Reserve card which is currently offering a 100,000 sign up bonus after spending $4,000 in 3 months Chase Sapphire Reserve It is starting to look like Summer 2017 might be a reasonably priced time to travel. Many airlines are having round trip international fare sales in the $400 range currently and with low oil prices and a strong dollar that trend should continue. Some experts are even predicting the US Dollar will become equal in value to the Euro in 2017.

So, where would you like to travel in 2017?

Welcome to Meaning Of Points.

Nov 25 2016

Join me on a journey to discover great ways to earn, use, and most importantly enjoy the points you have accumulated. I will cover many areas of travel including ways to earn hotel and airline points. I will review properties and places all over the world and right here in our own backyard. Where I hope to be different from other sites is I want to focus on how to use your points for memorable trips. The points you have earned should not dictate your travel, they should enhance it.

Life is about experiences and not about “things”. Things come and go and usually lose value as time passes, but experiences are with you a Lifetime and usually become more valuable as time passes. I hope this journey will help all of us find better and more affordable ways to have those great life experiences. It has been said that life isn’t about how many breaths you take but how many moments take your breath away. Let us begin this journey to find those moments. It is our goal that this site will help you find ways to earn more points, to travel to great places, and create a lifetime of memories. I have a lot of ideas for future post and I hope you come along for the journey.

Safe travels.

Howard

Author - Howard