Family travel can be stressful, especially during these days of travel chaos.

But, nothing is a stress buster quite like VIP Treatment. The concept of Hotel VIP Kids has been around for a while, but properties are now truly marketing to this very important segment of future Champagne drinkers.

A lot of resort or vacation destination hotels have kids’ clubs or kids’ programming, but it is also important not to overlook the possible VIP benefits hotels globally can provide for kids.

All Hotel Luxury Programs Will VIP Your Kids

Yep, it is true. If you book via a travel agent using a hotel luxury program, you can always request VIP amenities for your kids. Actually, some of the programs encourage the personalization of amenities.

Marriott Luxury – Marriott Stars

Per the Marriott Luxury STARS Travel Advisor Portal, they describe the welcome amenity benefit as:

Personalized and customized amenity designed to be meaningful to the guest.

The STARS Advantage – Luxury Advisor Guide to Marriott Stars

Recently we talked a bunch about the Hyatt Luxury Program Privé, but Marriott Stars is another luxury program with fabulous features.

Marriott Stars includes the usual assortment of benefits which include welcome amenity, $100 credit (per stay), daily breakfast for two, room upgrade, early check-in, late check-out, and the exclusive “Guardian Angel.” This “Guardian Angel” provides direct guaranteed support to travel advisors within a short period of time.

Couture by Langham

You do not hear a lot of chatter about the luxury program for Langham, but it is really solid. They strive to create captivating memories for guests. At The Langham, London the VIP team went above and beyond to create an awesome experience. Amenities included kid “stuff,” as well as an actual teepee setup in the room.

Couture by Langham is another program with a travel advisor response time guarantee as well as all the usual suite of customizable luxury benefits.

How Do I Get These Benefits?

The easiest way to get these benefits is to book a luxury hotel property via a luxury travel advisor. One of the most important things when finding a travel advisor is their interest in profiling clients. Likes and dislikes are very important, and most luxury hotels really appreciate insights about guests.

Insights can border on necessities like food allergies, but also such preferences as the desire for alcohol as part of welcome amenities, which is highly suggested if you have kids, or such things are dietary desires that include vegan, vegetarian or bacon-positive.

It is also not unheard of for luxury travel advisors to share your preferences with regard to wine and Champagnes or sparkling wines.

But I Did Not Book With A Luxury Advisor

Maybe you used points, or maybe you booked directly with the property; you can still get your kids VIP amenities; you just have to “work it” personally. Be realistic, since if it is a Fairfield Inn in Wichita (no disrespect to Fairfield or Wichita) the expectation of VIP amenities should be rather limited.

For points or direct bookings first try to use your resources if you are an elite member of a hotel loyalty program. Call the hotel loyalty program elite number and get the best email address to contact the property. About 3-5 days prior to your arrival at the property send a short but direct email about how you are planning a stay with your children.

Just like your profile with a luxury travel advisor, tell the property about your kids’ interests. Notice the Four Seasons Lisbon amenities for Olive have an “animal theme,” which was not by chance since we told our luxury travel advisor that she loves animals.

It is worth mentioning that Four Seasons has some of the best kids’ “surprise and delight amenities,” as well as expansive kids programs at many properties. The exclusive luxury travel advisor Four Seasons Preferred Partner Program is also one of the best in the business. Not only does this program provide an ultra-generous breakfast benefit, but in almost all cases you can choose to enjoy your posh breakfast via room service. Most kids love room service since nothing is better than pancakes or waffles in bed.

Are you top-tier (hotel) elite? If you are Hyatt Globalist, be sure to reach out to your Globalist Concierge prior to a trip. Marriott BonVoy Titanium Ambassadors also have similar “personal service” contacts.

More Toys at the Conrad in Midtown

Sometimes hotels come up with unique VIP kids packages, albeit they are often pricey alternatives to getting a luxury hotel to “VIP your kids.”

This is not the first time that the Conrad New York Midtown has gone for the younger customers. When the hotel first opened in 2019, it offered a package right out of Tom Hanks’s “Big,” partnering with FAO Schwartz to fill a suite with toys. It came with the dancing piano and tall giraffes that have shown up everywhere in New York City holiday movies.

Of course, all the toys were also for sale, and the guests were treated to a private shopping spree at the flagship FAO Schwartz in Rockefeller Center. The package started at $3,000 per night.

Little Conrad Suites and SmarterKids

And now just for something fun. Between now and the end of the year, you can book a “Little Conrad Suites” package at the Conrad New York Midtown. Stays have a two-night minimum and can be booked in either a city view two-bedroom suite or Park View Apartment.

This year’s package is a bit more modest, but it’s still going to cost you a pretty penny, with packages starting at $1,300 per night and a two-night minimum stay required. The suites will be filled with toys from SmarterKids, a company that sells items that incorporate learning and education into everyday play. The Conrad markets “strategic creative corners, reading nooks, art areas, and activity STEM zones.” Hey, whatever keeps them off their iPads. Conrad is targeting the suites to families with children ages 3-10.

I highly suggest you contact your preferred Hilton Impresario Luxury Travel Advisor to book the Conrad New York Midtown, especially because you might want to compare some Impresario Luxury Program suite/room versus package options.

Impresario Promotion – Conrad New York Midtown

While not applicable to the “Little Conrad Suites” packages, the Conrad New York Midtown also is running an Impresario Luxury Program Stay 3, Pay 2 promotion. The offer is valid until March 31st, 2023, with some date and capacity-controlled exceptions. Impresario is another luxury program that is impressive and would tend to have many valuable promotions.

Also, Hilton Gold/Diamond benefits “stack” on top of Hilton Impresario benefits at Impresario Properties in the USA.

The Conrad New York Midtown is located just south of Central Park, so even when you’ve had enough of the toys in your room, there’s an entire city out there to play with. And if you want the more traditional tourist experience, don’t worry: Times Square is only a few blocks to the south.

Hopefully, you now have a few ideas to find the perfect path to making your kids VIPs at your next luxury hotel stay.

Hat Tip to Luxury Travel Advisor, where I first saw the Little Conrad Suites.

The post Hotel VIP Kids Programs: Unlocking Top Perks For Young Guests appeared first on God Save The Points.

Whenever you read a review on the internet, the first question that pops to mind is…

Who are we listening to here?

The next totally fair question is usually along the lines of…

Have they even tried the thing they’re talking about?

I bought my Away Travel Carry On more than three years ago, and as an incredibly frequent traveler, have put it through its paces on every continent, on countless planes and over every kind of bumpy street you can imagine.

It’s still with me, still completely functioning, and in a one word review, it’s outstanding. In fact, I added a couple to the repertoire, which are much newer and still fantastic. No problems, yet. Here’s everything you need to know…

Buying My Away Travel Carry On

The first thing I loved about the Away Travel Carry On was price. At $225 it’s a lot more than the $40 carry on I once used from Amazon, but it’s still less than half the price of many more popular high end carry ons, which if anything, have largely compromised on quality.

It’s worth noting that my old budget carry on eventually broke, didn’t carry a lifetime guarantee, spin on four wheels, have USB charging capabilities or at all compress my luggage, let alone conform to perfect airline bin dimensions.

I bought my carry on as a two piece set, in combination with the full sized piece of luggage. If you’ve got the bandwidth, this is a savvy move to save a bit, if you foresee a time when you’ll need both.

At the time, I purchased the Away Carry On because it looked cool, but mainly because it had USB charging ports. Now, they’re a hindrance to some, but that’s easily solved, because you can eject the power bank with one button. In other words, you can make the case compliant with one touch. You can even buy it without a battery at all in the first place now.

If you do want the battery, it can be incredibly handy in transit, and can just slip into your personal item during flight, to stay above board.

These days Away Travel does some pretty cool colabs, and that means standard colors are not always the limit. One week it might be a Serena Williams collaboration and the next something totally different. I got a really cool limited edition camouflage leather backpack to add to my set.

I say this, because these bags have rightfully become incredibly popular, and I love the limited edition stuff as a way to take advantage of truly great luggage, without looking the uniform travelers of old.

When I opened mine for the first time, I was somewhat surprised by the material. I knew it was a semi hardshell, but unzipped and unfilled, it felt more giving and maybe even a bit more flimsy than I expected. It turns out, this is entirely by design and is the reason you’d need seriously impressive skills to ever crack it.

Don’t judge it until you actually pack it and use it.

The case is designed to protect your stuff via extremely durable edges but  give enough to keep it from snapping. Ever. I may or may not have tried. And maybe a few times.

I’ve shipped wine, glass and other valuables in it, and they’ve always come back in tact. Even better, the case does too. I can’t help but find it amusing when I see a $1000 carry on from a famous competitor which looks like it got stomped out in a prison riot after just a couple uses.

Traveling With The Away Carry On

A lifetime guarantee is great, but a carry on which doesn’t break is better.

The wheels, handle and zip on the carry on have been simply remarkable. Even when jamming things to the brim the zip has always been extremely resilient and has never come closes to tearing. Again, I’ve really tried.

I always fit in more than I can imagine.The wheels are also smooth as silk.

As a four wheel spinner, I can have it up right or angled and it rolls straight, without any clicking, catching or slow down. You can give it a quick shove, and effortlessly pass it to a valet.

Properly packing a carry on is life changing, and I make every effort to always travel carry on only by rolling my clothes and maximizing my additional personal item. I personally use the standard sized version and the space is phenomenal.

I know people love the oversize version, but I find the sizing just a bit too risky for me, since I occasionally end up on budget airlines in Europe and Asia with very-very tight margins and sometimes no sense of humor! I’ve never seen one turned away in the US though.

Hot tip: When packing, always unlatch the toggle and spread them outside the case. Once you’ve finished packing a side: roll, push down and then pull the toggles over. When you pull on the tab you’ll compress your gear down as much as possible.

Final Thoughts On Away Carry On

This case has flown around the world more than 35 times, been in rain, snow, heat and frozen tundra and is still going strong. I actually find myself feeling bad for it when I walk over cobbled or bumpy streets, but it never seems to mind.

Storage and functionality is a treat, it looks great and its highly dependable. The only other case which I occasionally take on the road with me is the ROAM luggage, because I like the ability to customize colors. I’d try to think of something controversial to say, but my family likes my Away stuff so much, they bought their own.

Check out the Away Travel Store, where this built in code (should) get you $20 off.

The post Review: The Unbreakable Away Travel Carry On appeared first on God Save The Points.

Barra has been on aviation enthusiasts’ bucket lists for decades. And still, there are new #avgeeks (like myself) who only managed to tick this one off just now. Well, just ‘ticking it off’ doesn’t do this journey justice. 

What started as a nerdy trip for the sake of a special flight turned into a beautiful micro holiday – one I wish it would have lasted a little longer.

And yes, it’s totally manageable as a side trip while in London or other parts of the UK.

You’ll find many reviews only focussing on the quirks of the flight, so I’ll try to expand a little on the beauty that is Barra. In case you haven’t heard of Barra yet or just never ever thought of going – read on!

The Isles of Barra and Vatersay, home to roughly 1,200 people, are the most southerly inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides, an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. A place that wouldn’t have been on my list if it weren’t for the flight. A big mistake as I found out later.

Isle of Barra: Getting there

Okay, I couldn’t write an article about Barra without talking about the flights at all. It’s a special flight landing at a truly unique airport. Or should I say beach? 

Well, same same really, as Barra’s airport has no tarmac; planes land directly on the beach which makes BRR the only airport in the world where scheduled commercial flights use a tidal beach as the runway.

There’s only one (air-)route to Barra and that’s via Glasgow. Scotland’s flag carrier, Loganair, operates up to two flights per day using three beautiful Twin Otter turboprops, two 7 year old Series 400 and a 42 years old Series 300.

The flights don’t come cheap though and a can go up to £160 (about $220) for a return trip. While you won’t get any special amenities, snacks or drinks, you get amazing views and, even if you’re only a little interested in aviation, you’ll be rewarded with views straight into the flight deck.

Seating is an interesting one with only 19 seats on board. You’ve got 7 rows, mostly in a 1-2 configuration, although they currently seem to block a seat each row. While you might be able to select row 1: Don’t. It’s used by the pilots for storage and you’ll likely be moved once boarded. You also get much better cockpit views from row 2, which I went for.

Be warned if you haven’t flown on a Twin Otter before: They are really-really loud and I appreciated my noise cancelling headphones even more than usual.

Due to the flight schedules and to remove the risk of missing a flight I decided to arrive in Glasgow a night in advance and stay at the Courtyard Glasgow Airport, a 10 minute walk away from the terminal.

A final word on the flights: Watch out for bad weather as flights might get cancelled. I lucked out to be on the first flight out to Barra after three straight days of cancellations due to fog.

Where to stay On Barra

Barra offers a range of options from campsites to B&Bs and semi-upscale hotels.

There are a handful of campsites on Barra and I spotted many camper vans on the roads. If this is your turf, the one in Borve on the west side looked particularly pleasing – right by a beautiful white beach. 

I decided to stay in a hotel. As far as my research went, there are basically four options for you: The Castlebay Hotel or the Craigard hotel, both in the south in Castlebay; the Isle of Barra Beach hotel in the west; and the Heathbank hotel in the north-east.  They all share a Google rating around 4 out of 5 stars.

Based on availability, I chose a sea-view room at the Craigard, which came at a £145 price tag, breakfast included. Not necessarily an absolute bargain given the basic-ness of the room but seemed on par with the other options and the season.

If I were to go again, I’d probably look to the Isle of Barra Beach hotel as it’s right by (yep, you’ve guessed it) a beautiful beach. They also have four e-bikes which can be taken out for a ride at no extra costs according to their website, something to be factored in if you follow my first tip. First tip? Glad you asked!

Here are my top three tips to make the most out of your stay on Barra.

Get yourself a bike

There are a few options to get around Barra. You could book a tour with the local taxi drivers or get a rental. Barra Car Hire will leave the car outside the airport, just pick up the keys in the ‘terminal building’ and you’re good to go.

But why not consider exploring the island on a bike?

Tony from Barra Bike Hire is your man. I arranged the rental in advance and I’d recommend calling him up to make sure you get the bike you want. Speaking of which…

This is the part where I almost feel a bit ashamed to confess what I went for: An e-bike. With my 32 years and reasonable fitness I probably could have managed without, but ultimately this wasn’t a race but an easy way to see the island.

Starting in Castlebay you can ride along the ring road either going east or west.

If you want to get over the biggest hills first, go east, which is certainly the more challenging bit, as the west side is pretty flat. That’s what I did. To the north, I took a quick break at the Ardmhòr ferry terminal café which was lovely. On the way back to Castlebay I made a (not so) little detour to Vatersay in the south. This is another pretty hilly bit and I felt completely vindicated about taking an e-bike for the day.

All in all, I couldn’t have been happier with my choice to rent a bike and it was a brilliant way to see the spectacular nature of Barra.

By the way: If you’re really into cycling, take a look at the ‘Hebridean Way’, a multi-day cycling tour spanning nearly 200 miles across 10 islands!

Stay a little longer

As an aviation geek, I love to book quirky flights. Originally I planned to take the early flight out, spend a little more than an hour on Barra, only to fly straight back to Glasgow. The other side of me loves to explore new places though. So I went for one night on the island.

Call me ignorant, but at the time of booking, I had no idea HOW breathtaking the Hebridean landscape can be. If I’d do this again, I’d probably stay two days or even a little longer and take the ferry and explore the adjacent islands.

Better Call Asty!

Who’s Asty you might ask? Another Barra superstar!

Not only is he one of the island’s few taxi drivers, he’s also Castlebay’s harbour master and virtually knows everyone on Barra. He’s the type of person whose number you want on speed dial if you need any help.

I first met him when he drove me from the airport to Castlebay while making it a fun and fact filled 20 minute ride. Later that day I ran into a group of Irish lads on a sailing trip who settled down next to me for dinner. They absolutely raved about how he managed to get them a last minute place to sleep, source drinks for their trip, and the list goes on and on.

Bonus Tip: Say no to 19 langoustines

For dinner I chose to stay at my hotel which also functions as the island’s pub. While the locals were absorbed in a league cup match inside, I enjoyed my dinner on the beautiful terrace overlooking the bay and Kisimul castle. Goes without saying that I sampled the local seafood. After a lovely portion of scallops, I went for langoustines where I had to choose between 5, 10 or 15. 15 seemed excessive but still manageable. Until the chef came out and said he had another four spare ones that he can’t sell otherwise so I could have them. 19 langoustines later, I can confirm that there is such a thing as too many langoustines, however lovely they may be.

Let’s talk money

It’s worth pointing out the total costs for this trip were around £600 (around $825). It adds up quickly if you actually stay on the island compared to a quick return on the same day.

To give you an idea, here’s a quick breakdown: LHR-GLA return on BA: £95; Courtyard hotel at Glasgow airport: £65; GLA-BRR return on Loganair: £160; Craigard Hotel on Barra: £145; Taxi from Barra airport to Castlebay: £20 each way; Bike rental: £30; Food and beverages: £60+.

My personal verdict: Worth it.

Things I Wish I Had Done

I originally thought I might struggle to fill a couple of hours on the island but that was certainly wrong. Here’s a quick list of things I would have done if I had more than a just-under-24h stay.

Go on a boat trip

There are a couple of tour operators (e.g. Mingulay Boat Trips or Hebridean Sea Tours) that offer boat trips to neighbouring islands south of Barra, as well as the opportunity to spot puffins, seals, whales, dolphins and more.

Walk up to the highest hill

Heaval is the highest summit on Barra. At a hight of 383 meters, it’s not exactly Mt Everest but according to locals, the terrain can be steep and proper hiking footwear is definitely recommended. Halfway up to the summit you’ll also pass a Virgin and Child statue, watching over the island.

Enjoy the beaches

While Barra might not offer the same water temperatures as Barbados, there are some truly spectacular white beaches along the west coast and Vatersay in the south. Bring your swimwear and get ready for a day of sunbathing on a dreamy beach.

Visit the Heritage Center

Currently due to Covid, the Barra Heritage Center is closed. Asty (see above) had a great interest in my weird aviation related hobby and mentioned a section about the airport at the heritage center with photos of the very first flight to Barra in 1936, 85 years ago.

Hop over to Kisimul castle

Kisimul castle, also known as the castle in the sea, is only accessible via a very short boat ride as it sits in the… well… bay of Castle…bay. Unfortunately, just like the heritage center, the castle is currently closed to the public. And speaking of Kisimul, right by the sea is Café Kisimul, a Barra hotspot which it seems I missed out on. Apparently their currys are delish!

Have you been to Barra and feel like I missed anything? Leave a comment!

The post Barra, The Scottish Island That’s So Much More Than An Iconic Flight appeared first on God Save The Points.

At six months pregnant it’s hard not to notice everything ‘baby related’ around you, and having done plenty (perhaps too much) online research as to what will be needed when the little one arrives, it’s always fun to see things in action. The BabyZen YOYO was a memorable such case.

With baby just a few months from entering the world and still lots to learn, the timing seemed perfect when we spotted what could potentially be the ideal stroller not just for daily life, but our travel centric life too. For us, travel is life, after all.

We had just touched down and were eagerly ready to deplane at Heathrow after an evening flight, when a couple, seated a few rows in front of us whipped out a stroller from the overhead space. Yes, it fit neatly, smaller than most backpacks.

With a quick flip it was ready to go in just a few seconds, fitting comfortably into the aisle of the plane, with mummy strapping in her young child. There was no hold up to passengers behind them and they didn’t have to wait for everyone to deplane before they could pick up their stroller and carry on, it seemed perfect.

We caught up to them and had to find out what it was – “It’s the Babyzen YOYO 2 and it’s the best, we definitely recommend it”. Sold.

Enter: BabyZen YOYO+

The Babyzen YOYO 2 has two different size options which are sold separately, 0-6 months and 6 months +; however it’s the same frame for both, fitting the lie flat new born pack and/or the seated pack for when the child is old enough. Both fold up easily and will fit in the overhead compartment on a plane. You can’t go wrong.

BabyZen also has a car seat which clips onto the frame with easy additional adapters, making it incredibly straight forward to go from the car to buggy. The 0+ lie flat version switches to a forward facing seat at 6 months for the 6+ version, with an adjustable reclining seat for multiple positions. 

We went for the whole BabyZen YOYO+ package because it seemed easiest to keep everything synced and together, and without wanting to take up *too* much space at home, having it fold away quickly and compactly made sense for us at home as well as when traveling.

We had originally planned to take our first trip in April 2020, when Olive would have been nearly three months old, however for obvious reasons that trip didn’t go ahead, so our first trip came in August 2020 when she was six months old, using the 6 months + stroller. For what it’s worth, the stroller is still as valuable now.

In all the time at home beforehand, Olive loved the stroller, and we did too. It’s perfectly fine for walks around the park, and city streets. It’s just off roading that might get a bit much. 

All prepped and ready, we finally took a taxi to Heathrow. Olive was strapped into her car seat with the stroller folded in the trunk, ready to make a smooth transition when the car arrived at the airport. The car seat can be safely secured into the car using the seatbelt without needing the fixed car seat base.

Airport Experience With BabyZen YOYO+

Once at Heathrow we made our way to the check in desk where we checked the car seat – which is free when traveling with a baby – and switched Olive into the stroller, making it easy to push her through the airport.

Since the stroller folds up quickly and comfortably it, makes going through airport security rather simple. From there it’s life as usual through the airport, and hopefully even better with a happy baby in tow. Yes, airline and airport staff really tend to be sweet and kind to people traveling with children.

It’s worth noting that when folding the YOYO up, it becomes very easy to carry, thanks to a padded shoulder strap. It’s just like having an oversized laptop shoulder bag, so you can easily carry other things, like your child!

Once time to board, we chose to fold the YOYO right before entering the plane; and tocarry Olive on board. It seemed like the simplest option and even easier with two of us, but you could absolutely also choose to push it down the aisle, where it does fit, and take the baby out once at the seat, and fold it up there.

In my experience, it just gets a bit claustrophobic with people all crammed around on the plane, so I’d definitely recommend folding it up at the aircraft door, or during the boarding line, so you can just whip it up into overhead.The bigger the plane, or earlier the boarding, the less of an issue it is.

It’s actually funny because at first some airline staff try to stop you from bringing the stroller on, but then they see the brand and let you pass.

Really, the YOYO is so lightweight it is easy to carry. Thanks to the aerospace designed wheels and bearings, it pushes smoothly and turns corners easily. As mentioned, it’s not the best if you’re going over very rough, bumpy off road surfaces daily, but paved roads, parks, airports – it’s a gem.

BabyZen YOYO+ Storage

As you may have been hoping, there is space underneath the YOYO to put a bag or some shopping, and there’s also a zip up pocket near the handle higher up (only on 6+) for phone, wallet, toy etc.

So which BabyZen YOYO accessories matter? We’ve found the rain cover, foot muff and parasol the most useful accessories so far – mainly to be ready for all seasons. In the UK, rain is an all too frequent occasion, and being able to fully cover our little one in a safe way, in mere seconds, is quite valuable.

For technical nerds, the Babyzen Yoyo 0+ version weighs 6.6kg (14.5lbs) and the 6+ version weighs 6.2kg (13.6lbs). It’s folded dimensions are 52 x 44 x 18 cm (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 in). The BabyZen YOYO fits into all standard overhead bins, including short haul planes like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, and of course long haul planes like the Boeing 787, 777 and Airbus A350.

However if you have any questions or are unsure double check with your airline first.

Should You Buy A BabyZen YOYO+?

If you’re a frequent traveler, or are looking for a fantastically flexible stroller – probably, yes. Some people use this stroller purely for travel, but we’ve found it to be optimal for everyday life, and never look at someone else and say “wish we had that one”.

It fits into coffee shop doors with greater ease, can quickly snap away if plans change and all that jazz.

As noted, the YOYO has some useful accessories which are purchased separately (ugh!) such as a rain cover, mosquito net, parasol, foot rest, bag, cup holder, foot muff and more. It also comes in a wide range of colours, with plenty of gender neutral options.

To purchase the YOYO 2 stroller it’s £299-£399 (around $500 in USA), and adding the 0+ newborn pack is £175 (around $200).

The car seat is an additional £210. Funnily enough, in most markets you can’t actually buy this amazing piece of innovation through the Babyzen website, so you’ll need to use third party sites such as Whitestep, Neiman Marcus, John Lewis and others, all depending on where you’re buying from, location wise. Happy shopping!

The post BabyZen “YoYo 2” Review: The Only Stroller For Travelers? appeared first on God Save The Points.

For starters, no restaurant worth eating in has someone standing outside begging people to come in.

There’s a history to every city, but there’s no city where you can practically see and live history in your mind quite like Rome. It’s impossible not to walk into the Colosseum and hear the huge roar of non existent crowd, or pass by the Forum without picturing Julius Caesar.

Rome is absolutely one of the world’s most outstanding cities for food, wine, culture and beauty at every turn, but if you travel like a fool, you’ll be turning to fellow travel fanatics and saying “et tu Brute”?

Here’s how to avoid the fray and only experience the very best of Roma, which is Roman for Rome, when travel reopens…

Menu Del Giorno

Italian cooking, and particularly Roman specialties such as fried artichoke or Cacio E Pepe are just so perfect. One huge mistake budget conscious tourists make is going a la carte during lunch time when the best deals are on offer.

The “Menu Del Giorno” is offered in most authentic, local to semi local spots and is the equivalent of a pre fixe. You’ll find a set price for two, three or more courses, which may be cheaper than just one and it represents phenomenal value. Look for it, and order from it!

Don’t Ignore Comfortable Shoes

Let’s start basic. Rome is a city with unmatched history. They had running water almost 2000 years ago and trap doors in stadiums too. It kind of makes the iPhone feel like we’ve barely learned anything at all. One thing the city of Rome still does not have however, is perfectly flat surfaces.

From steep hills to cobbled streets, wearing ridiculous heels – or really – anything that’s not 100% comfortable is a total mistake. This is a walking city so put practicality over fashion, at least during the day.

Pre Booking Key Tourist Attractions

Overactive trip planners can get on anyones nerves. There’s something wonderful about being able to take days as you feel them out rather than sticking to a timed schedule, but Rome requires a little balance.

It’s easy to book things when you get there, but for optimal times, prices and opportunities to see the key sights, you really should book in advance, before travel. The Roma Pass is also worth a look for comparison, and includes transit.

And yes, you should totally go for the semi private or guided tours of the Colosseum which offer access to levels the general public can’t. Maybe even a night tour?

The Best Side Streets

Sure, the Spanish Steps are cool and so is all the other stuff, but the images you’ll take home in your mind are often the unmarked side streets with picture perfect vespas in front of faded buildings with well manicured flower boxes.

There’s nothing like wandering the streets of Monti, Campo Di Fiori or Trastavere. Use the Tiber River as your guide and just find somewhere picturesque and let your eyes be your guide. This is where many of the best hole in the wall eateries can be found, like Sora Margherita. Just don’t tell anyone.

Avoid Cab Or Uber Where Possible

Strap those walking shoes on and get moving. The thing about Rome which blows people away is that you stumble upon things. Every turn can lead you into an old artifact, crumbling building or just swoon worthy curvy street.

Taking cabs or Uber in Rome is a real waste if you don’t have to. In central Rome there’s really not a “bad” neighborhood during the day and the best way to see Rome – like any city – is just to wander.

Pay Close Attention To Gelato Color

Good any time of year, but particularly on a hot summers day – nowhere does gelato like Rome. With fresh lemon, orange, pistachio and hazelnut growing everywhere you’re in for an explosion of cool, heavenly flavors.

If you want the real thing though, you’ll need to use your eyes first. True gelato is not made with fake food coloring, and may appear pale to the eye. If you see day glow orange or hi-liter yellow, give that stand a pass in favor of a place with the real thing. You can always ask for a taste too…

Don’t Ignore Shoulder Season Magic

Rome is always a treat, but its summer weather is almost unpleasantly hot and peak tourism crowds make everything just a bit more complicated. Romans pile out of the city in favor of cool coastal beach areas and if you have any flexibility at all, you should really consider off peak or shoulder season.

Most locals will tell you that their favorite times of year are March and October before the April and summer tourists arrive, and after summer school breaks are over. The weather is much more pleasant and prices on everything from hotels to flights to boutique shopping are much cheaper.

Getting Scammed On Airport Rides

Fiumicino is the main port of entry for those coming from far abroad, while Ciampino serves budget regional flights. Both airports offer mass transit as well as taxis and Uber. Unlike many cities, Uber is always going to be more expensive than taxi options.

The cheapest option to get from Fiumicino airport to Rome’s central Termini station is the Terravision Bus at about €5, but for just a bit more the “Leonardo Express” train is a fantastic option too. Either is much cheaper than a taxi.

Waking Up Late For Sightseeing

Every guidebook tells people to get up early, yet somehow crowds only hit full chaos every day from mid morning onward. This is just such a fail, no matter how jet lagged you are.

If you want the best Colosseum, Palatine Hill or Forum experience you need to get up before the first opening time and be ready to go. Even just walking around the outside and grabbing a coffee gives you a chance to see these true icons of humanity without the masses of it.

Any Restaurant With A Greeter

This may be obvious to some, but maybe not obvious enough to the people who keep these places in business. Rome is one of the best foodie cities in the world and none of the places that help give the city that proverbial title involve a greeter outside begging you to come in.

If you see someone standing outside flirting to get you in the door it means the restaurant isn’t doing the one thing every Roman restaurant should be: making simple, perfect, seasonal food.

Planning Beautiful Side Trips

Rome is eccentric, historic and wonderful but peaceful it often is not. Rome is a fan favorite not just because of the city but also because of its proximity to key coastline, beautiful mountain regions and less explored cities.

Everyone has heard of Positano and all the major side trips, but there are options even closer to Rome which are sure to wow anyone and with far fewer outside visitors too. From Tivoli to Sabaudia there are boundless, beautiful stretches of country to scope out and it’d be a shame to come all this way and not see some.

The post 11 Essential Tips To Experience Rome At Its Best! appeared first on God Save The Points.

And now I’m addicted…

The thing about many travel brands, is that they force you to do business on their terms. You can’t just get in touch the way you would a friend, or colleague, and frankly, that can be annoying. Jazz music on hold is as cool as never, and “your call is important to us” is as insulting as ever. By and large, we’ve moved to a world of mobile communication and voice is hardly the only way.

Today, I finally experienced an airline embracing that. I completed a series of transactions and account dealings with Virgin Atlantic, purely via text, and it was the most calming customer service experience I think I’ve ever encountered…

Because I, just like you, have other things to do with my time, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the option of communicating with Virgin Atlantic via text. It sounded appealing at first, but I was almost positive that it was going to be more headache than it was worth. It wasn’t.

Within minutes of sending a text I was connected with a dedicated agent, who was even kind enough to send a smiley face emoji to let me know they were happy to assist. After a brief verification of my essential details, I was able to complete a variety of tasks, including a mileage transaction and an account amendment. These are things which even over the phone, could’ve perhaps required more than one agent, but over message, it was all ok.

Wow, massively impressed with @VirginAtlantic‘s text message service. Currently doing a variety of account related things with an agent via text. It’s brilliant. So much easier than the phone when you’re trying to multi task. pic.twitter.com/V1YQhk9Rky

— Gilbert Ott | GSTP (@godsavethepoint) July 10, 2019

Was it as fast as a brief conversation on the phone? Perhaps not, but it was better. I’d send a message, go back to what I was doing, wait for a reply, send another message, go back to what I was doing and then a few minutes later, a positive result. I was able to keep writing articles like these, flip an omelette and all the other things I wanted to do.

Even better, when it came time to actually complete a financial transaction, I was sent a secured web link I could open from the text, which allowed me to pay without giving my secured credit card details over to the agent, or worse – blabbering them over the phone in a room with other people. The safety of this alone felt worthwhile.

My amusement caught the eye of someone who appears to be in the customer experience, customer service business who noted that the smart brands are embracing this trend. This same text help is being introduced over Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger and other platforms where people feel in their element, and would love help.

I can’t wait to see it from more airlines, hotels and travel businesses.

The post I Just Had My Best Ever Airline Customer Service Experience…. Via Text Msg appeared first on God Save The Points.

Score Note: This review is scored is based upon comparing this lounge with the best lounges of similar equivalent in this, and other airports around the world. 100 in any category would mean the all time best.

If you’re a frequent visitor through Hong Kong International, as I tend to be, there’s one thing you can depend on: a long queue outside the Plaza Premium Lounge. With so many credit cards and loyalty programs offering access, it’s constantly at capacity.

Enter Plaza Premium First – where there’s no lines to be found, complimentary champagne inside and even sit down a la carte dining. In short: it’s a seriously upgraded experience on the traditional “pay as you go” airport lounge concept, with a few interesting stories to tell. Here’s what to expect inside this new(ish) lounge near Gate 1…

Getting In To Plaza Premium First Hong Kong

Plaza Premium First is accessible to business and first class travellers on Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair, JAL and other select airlines departing Hong Kong, but also to paying guests, or as a paid upgrade for anyone with Priority Pass, DragonPass and other lounge access memberships.

Basically, if you’re not in business or first – or even if you are – you can pay your way in. The most logical way is to upgrade for HK$250, if you have PriorityPass or similar.

Inside The Lounge

Although the entrance may not look like all that much, this is a great lounge, and you can tell almost immediately. When you upgrade or access the lounge, a front of house member will give you a tour and explain the benefits you’re entitled to, including a nice shower and spa treatment. I found this proactive approach and helpful approach to be really refreshing.

All guests are also entitled to free flowing champagne (G.H. Mumm) and drinks from the bar, as well as a la carte dining. Before any of that, I made my way through the two primary seating areas to the front, left and rear of the bar. I was extremely pleased to find power ports at virtually every seat, and varied setups which could cater to solo travellers or groups equally.

Even at peak times, the lounge is never “rammed” as many pay lounge options can be, and there was never a time when a seat wasn’t easily available. It seemed that the later the evening went, the more people were in, so the earlier the better if you want true peace and quiet.

If, like most travellers these days WiFi is everything to you, you’ll be quite happy here. I found WiFi speeds of over 100MBPS up and down, which is pretty much shockingly good for an airport lounge. I was so shocked, I actually enquired and they noted that those speeds were very standard.

Although the space isn’t blessed with super high ceilings or open air views like many of the more exclusive options in HKIA, it’s very tastefully done. It wouldn’t be out of place to compare the decor to a “lite” version of what Cathay Pacific has achieved. Compared to most airport lounges in other parts of the world, it’s absolutely swanky.

Plaza Premium First Hong Kong Food

After fidgeting around and catching up on emails, I headed to the back right of the lounge if facing away from the entrance, where you can find the a la carte dining room. Admittedly, I was quite eager to see what was ahead, because I had heard a rumour that the previous catering crew from my old favourite Cathay Pacific “The Pier” First Class Lounge had moved into this location. Perhaps that explained why the food in Cathay First had become so mediocre?

I was seated politely, offered a menu and a choice of wines and instantly gravitated towards a nice, healthy salmon option, and a crowd pleasing Thai yellow curry for some extra nourishment. Compared to a recent experience at Cathay First, this food was a triumph. I could see the chefs working hard through the open kitchen, and each dish took an appropriate amount of time to arrive.

There was even an effort made with plating, which wasn’t lost on me. In their own right, both dishes were more than acceptable for airport food, and the Thai curry was genuinely fantastic, airport or not. One amusing bit: there’s Iberico Jamon on display at the open kitchen. Apparently, this is free for Air France first class passengers and no one else, but you can buy it, as I did hah.

Why a French airline has the exclusive on Spanish ham in Hong Kong may elude me, but it was a surprising airport joy.

Plaza Premium First Hong Kong Drinks

Aside from the Mumm Champagne, which always goes down very easily, the wines weren’t all that much to speak of. They were solid, but not inspired. On the other hand, the whiskey selection was excellent, which also included the opportunity to pay for super premium flights to do tastings. But back to the wine stuff…

In speaking subsequently with the team that runs Plaza Premium First, it appears that elevating the wine program is something on their radar, and they are looking into bringing wine education into their team training, with a focus on finding great wines guests will really seek out. Obviously this is a “to be seen”, but it was nice to speak to a team who seemed passionate about trying to create a culture of learning and taking things further. It’s unfortunately rare in today’s airport world.

Finally, if you have a sweet tooth, you’re in the right place. If you need a diet, you’d best walk out the door. I’m not sure any lounge on earth allows you to combine pastry and champagne quiet as easily as Plaza Premium First at Hong Kong, with a pastry counter at the actual bar, in the front of the lounge. I’ll let the picture speak for itself. And yes, you can have all that you want ; )

Should You Pay To Upgrade To Plaza Premium First Hong Kong?

For about $32USD (HK$250), it’s not a completely insignificant expense, compared to a free option. At the same time, I’d say it’s really money well spent. There’s no guarantee you’ll even have space at the other Plaza Premium Lounge, and the service in here is definitely better than what’s found at most business class lounges. As long as the HK$250 promotion is on, I’d say this is a top 4 lounge at this airport, which is saying something, given the exclusive lounges which don’t offer paid access.

Basically, if you’ll enjoy a couple glasses of champagne and a nice sit down meal, or desperately need a good shower (as more travellers do than they may realise), then this is money well spent. I’m excited to check back in the near future and see if the wine has improved, or any of the ideas the team were throwing around, like making a private room you can book for groups into a reality.

The post Review: An Upgraded Experience At Plaza Premium First Hong Kong Lounge appeared first on God Save The Points.

When Uber came out, I became an unpaid evangelist.

I shared my promo code, I told people how easy it was and I downloaded it onto my parents phones to get them one step closer to the exciting new travel action. It was a genuine game changer, and at the time, the simple one “tap” solution to hailing a ride really was brilliant. On top of it all, there was the “feel good” element of a company putting people to work, when the world needed it most.

That buzz created booming business, and Uber valuations began to wow everyone from main street to Wall St. Not content with just dominating the USA, Uber pushed into markets throughout Asia and the world at large with a vigor not seen since the Roman Empire. This move made travel simple, in a really, really addictive way.

When I landed in Hong Kong, I fired up the app. When I landed in Rio, I fired up the app. New York, San Francisco, and Lexington – the same. Everywhere I went, I could all but guarantee that Uber was the simplest and most cost effective solution, with little protections like a drivers name and picture to keep everyone comfortable. Some of my most enjoyable conversations have been with Uber drivers.

But like all great things, it went too far. Drivers figured out how to game the system to extract larger fares, Uber turned in record profits without adequately considering the drivers which were driving the business and overextension forced the company to pull out of many markets where travelers became accustomed to being able to hail a ride using their favorite app.

But that’s not why this break up is happening. It’s happening because its harder to find an Uber rider who hasn’t been scammed than one who has. It’s happening because the way Uber treats customers, the customer is wrong until they’re right. Just like their handling of internal sexual misconduct issues. Add in an onslaught of competition with better fares even from standard cab companies and I don’t even need to fake tears for this break up.

This breakup is about the fact that on an increasingly regular basis, things go wrong and those issues aren’t addressed, or at least without major hassle and grief.

Like the time I waited 2 hours for a ride that said it was 15 mins away, because four consecutive drivers cancelled so they could pick up an increasingly surge priced fare, in a place where there was no other viable option of transportation.

Or the maybe the time I was extorted for triple the fare in Indonesia, without potential for exit. Or the one this week, when my 1 hour ride turned into almost 2, because the Uber computer tried to extract extra mileage out of the fare to drive my journey price higher. I take that journey every few days and despite no traffic anywhere, it was over $80 instead of $60.

Guess whose fault that was? Mine, until of course I dropped some maps, data and other things which wasted my time and energy. You best believe I got my $10 back, but not a penny more.

In many cases, it’s also no longer the most economical option, which was kind of the point…

Things happen.

I am one of the world’s more frequent travelers and if things weren’t going wrong, it would be more surprising than if they were. The difference is: when things go wrong, you want them addressed the first time. Second time is ok too, maybe. Uber, has unfortunately built a corporate culture where they are always right, and the “don’t care” attitude wreaks from every response.

When a driver scams a ride the burden always tends to fall on the consumer. Uber never has a problem charging me a $10 cancellation, but makes me waste time and energy to get it back, even when (always when) its the driver playing the system.

Gestures of good will? Non existent, as are apologies.

The cheapest customer service comes in the form of artificial intelligence automatically parsing sentiment and text, and that almost never creates meaningful responses to elevated issues, no matter how much the computers try to convince you they do. It’s fine for a “I had a great ride”, when the computer can respond “we’re so glad, thanks for sharing”, but when I feel like I’ve been robbed on the side of the road in a third world country, it just doesn’t ***** cut it.

Uber has frustrated me enough times to warrant a breakup, but if we were on a deserted island we’d probably be stuck together. NEWS FLASH: We’re not. In the time since Uber revolutionized the one tap ride, even the laziest of cab companies have developed apps. Seeing what Uber has chosen to do with our collective money, I’ll be much happier putting my rides into the pockets of a few regional hands everywhere I go.

Buh-bye Uber, it’s you.  I’m not even sad.

The post Dear Uber, It’s Over And It’s Definitely Your Fault… appeared first on God Save The Points.

New Hilton Honors Points Auctions

Hilton Honors has revamped their points auctions for the better. The site now displays easy to sort options based on the number of points you want to spend or the kind of experiences you actually want. The offers are much improved too, and could actually be a great way to Valentines Day without breaking the bank.

From a secluded break in Myanmar to a luxury stay in Beijing with dinner and tickets a Kong Fu performance and the Forbidden City to a private concert with Walk The Moon in Las Vegas, there are unique experiences up for grabs, some which money can’t buy. On that note, the VIP access to the McLaren F1 team in Surrey, England is pretty cool too.

Be sure to always compare cash rates with auction prices, and always seek to get more than half a cent of value for each Hilton point. Basically, if you’re cashing in more than 100,000 Hilton Points, you want more than $500 in value.

You can check out all the Hilton Honors Auctions here.

Hilton is making big moves to bring access to more concert via Live Nation partnerships, so this will be an interesting space to watch as the chain dukes it out with Marriott Bonvoy Moments in 2019 to offer the best experience or loyalty program members.

Both programs are leveraging their reach to bring the world’s best chefs, hotels and experiences to their programs in hopes of conquering all things lifestyle and offer value for your points which aren’t just free nights. So far, it’s a good start.

The post Hilton’s New Points Auctions Offer Cool Experiences… Everywhere. appeared first on God Save The Points.

Try going back to economy, we dare you…

Earlier this year, we embarked on a Singapore Suites Journey from Singapore to London eclipsing 14 hours in the air. The entire experience, simply put, is ridiculous. We mean that in the kindest way possible. From a choice of Dom Perignon or exquisite Krug to beds in the sky long enough to sleep NBA players, Singapore Suites is one of the ultimate bucket list ways to travel, and one that is surprisingly accessible using points.

Singapore’s KrisFlyer loyalty program is a transfer partner of American Express, Chase, Citi, Capital One and Marriott Rewards, meaning there are lots of ways you can instantly rack up large amounts of KrisFlyer miles. Basically: you really don’t need to be absurdly wealthy to enjoy this experience. You just need to be savvy with points. For this flight, we used 115,000 miles each, and thanks to Singapore Air not adding surcharges to their own flights, it was only about $25 in cash.

Without further adieu…

With everything basically summed up in 1 minute, you can spend the 19 minutes you’d still be watching another YouTuber eat lunch and talk about each mouthful to investigate how to find and book Singapore first class for yourself. Here’s a helpful guide! This is just a friendly reminder of why collecting points is essential, and you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to do so.

I earned more than 20,000 of those miles just by referring my friends to RocketMiles.com, where you earn airline miles for hotel bookings. Every friend that made a booking using Rocket Miles got me 1,000 Singapore Miles, so when I added those up with my credit card points, it wasn’t all that crazy in the end. Points really can add up to dream trips if you get crafty. Be sure to earn them for doing literally everything. Your morning coffee should be earning you points.

The post The Singapore Suites First Class Experience In 59 Seconds… appeared first on God Save The Points.