Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

Summary Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle compare two very different cruise experiences, one on Norwegian in the Caribbean and one on Princess in Europe. The episode is useful if you care about cruise line differences, private islands, food quality, port logistics, and how loyalty status and onboard programs can change the experience. We discuss why one trip was relaxing but disappointing on food, while the other delivered stronger dining, better port stops, and a more polished overall experience. Trevor also shares several practical travel notes from hotels, airports, lounges, and transfers along the way. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 - Cruise update intro and why they have not talked cruises in a while 02:29 - Norwegian Getaway weekend itinerary out of Miami 03:49 - Club Suite booking and what the cabin actually included 05:04 - Relaxing family trip, but the food was a major problem 07:05 - Great Stirrup Key’s docked arrival versus tendering 08:25 - Why Great Stirrup Key exceeded expectations 10:02 - Island layout, pool area, bars, and food walk to the beach 12:27 - Main criticism of Norwegian food quality 13:27 - Great Stirrup Key expansion and the private island arms race 14:30 - Cruise pricing, early booking, and supply and demand 17:18 - Caribbean cruise competition across major ports 19:07 - European cruise setup: Lyon, EasyJet, and Athens 21:14 - EasyJet delay, airport breakfast, and free onboard purchases 24:41 - Grand Hyatt Athens and elite status value 27:57 - Transfer to Piraeus and boarding the Sun Princess 29:14 - Princess Sphere Class and why the line feels more premium 30:28 - Dining on Princess, including the Crown Grill 31:47 - Princess casino policy and how it differs from Norwegian 33:07 - Princess points, free drinks, and better comp opportunities 34:48 - Santorini excursion and the risk of tendering there 36:27 - Bar Montenegro and why Kotor is the more interesting stop 39:33 - Corfu, old town, and Prince Philip connection 41:41 - Messina, the clock tower show, and arancini 43:50 - Cannoli in Sicily and why fresh-to-order matters 46:09 - Sicily, Catania, and why the island deserves more time 48:30 - Barcelona departure, airport lounges, and Priority Pass meals 50:44 - Emirates Gold, Priority Pass, and keeping card benefits alive 52:44 - Air France return, mobility assistance, and smooth immigration 54:46 - Charles de Gaulle heat and Europe’s air conditioning problem 56:24 - Final thoughts on Princess, medallion tech, and Alaska plans —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post:  Trevor’s quick weekend Norwegian cruise out of Miami on the Norwegian Getaway, with Nassau and Great Stirrup Key as the two stops Why the Norwegian booking was unusual: paid cash, weekend timing, and a Club Suite that was cheaper than an ocean view cabin The biggest downside of the Norwegian trip: consistently poor food, with meals ranging from mediocre to borderline inedible Great Stirrup Key as a major bright spot, especially after the switch from tendering to docking How Great Stirrup Key compares with CocoCay in layout, walking distance, pool design, bars, and food access The broader cruise market discussion about pricing, booking early versus waiting, and why Caribbean cruises feel like an arms race Trevor’s Mediterranean cruise on Princess out of Athens, with stops in Santorini, Bar Montenegro, Corfu, Messina, and Barcelona Travel logistics before the Princess cruise, including Lyon, EasyJet, Athens, the Grand Hyatt Athens, and port transfers Why Princess felt stronger on food, casino perks, and onboard technology than Norwegian The value of Princess’s medallion system, including cabin-door unlocking and shipmate location features Keywords Travel, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Travel Tips, Cruising, Caribbean, European Cruising.

Note: Video of this episode can be found on Youtube and Spotify. Summary Join us as we explore the fascinating world of international travel, airline management, and unique travel experiences with John Ryan. Discover insights into Asia trips, airline operations, and travel tips that will inspire your next adventure. Follow along an extensive journey through China and Mongolia, sharing travel tips, airline insights, and cultural experiences. Our guest, an avid traveler and miles enthusiast, provides valuable advice for navigating Chinese cities, using local apps, and maximizing travel rewards. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to John Ryan and Travel Background 00:10 John's Involvement with FTU and Travel Communities 41:19 Flight from Chengdu to Guangzhou and delays 42:25 Weather and airspace considerations in China 43:19 Main hubs of Chinese airlines and fleet details 44:01 City hopping in China: Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Qingdao 48:02 Staying at the Park Hyatt in Nanjing and hotel experiences 50:03 Traveling in Ulan Batar and city logistics 01:06:29 Highlights in Beijing: The Great Wall and historical sites 01:10:50 Cultural influences and local food in Mongolia 01:13:09 Flying on MIAT and airline fleet insights 01:17:18 Traveling between cities: flights and high-speed rail 01:20:15 How to connect with the guest and final thoughts Reference: Lunch at the 747 Cafe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPVnP6UOUnM —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post:  Asia travel experiences including China, Mongolia, and Singapore Insights into airline operations and management, including airline partnerships and secondary airports Travel hacks and tips for navigating airports and airlines Personal stories of travel adventures and unique experiences The impact of geopolitical issues on travel routes and airline choices Chinese airline industry and fleet details Traveling in Chinese secondary cities Using local apps like Alipay and WeChat High-speed rail travel in China Hotel experiences in China and Mongolia Cultural insights and local food experiences Traveling with limited Mandarin skills Maximizing travel rewards and points Navigating traffic and city logistics in Ulan Batar Unique experiences like the Gobi Desert tour Keywords Travel, Airlines, Asia, Travel Tips, Airline Management, Travel Experiences, Frequent Flyer, Airport Lounges, Travel Hacks China travel, Mongolia trip, airline tips, Chinese apps, travel hacking, city hopping, high-speed rail, hotel reviews, travel tips

Join Trevor and Tom as Tom shares his ‘forced adventures,’ hotel and restaurant experiences as he tries to avoid the dreaded expiration of hotel certificates, all while exploring Chicago and New York City. Discover how to turn last-minute travel plans into memorable adventures. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Travel Stories and Hotel Certs 02:03 Using Hotel Certificates Before They Expire 03:59 Trip to Chicago: Saint Regis and Lowe's Hotel 08:54 Exploring Chicago Neighborhoods and Hotel Views 15:04 Crossing Chicago's Lower and Upper Wacker 20:01 Travel Mishaps: Shoe Print and Suitcase Repair 25:16 NYC Hotel Stay at The Standard Highline 35:01 Dining Experiences in New York: French Restaurants and Bagels 45:03 Nightlife and Sports Events in NYC 55:00 Reflections on Travel and Hotel Loyalty Reference: The Standard Highline, New York - https://www.standardhotels.com/new-york Gallagher's Steakhouse, NYC - https://www.gallaghersnysteakhouse.com Apollo Bagels, NYC - https://www.apollobagels.com Lowe's Hotel, Chicago - https://www.theloweshotel.com Saint Regis Chicago - https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/chist-the-st-regis-chicago/ Delmonico's, NYC - https://www.delmonicos.com —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post:  Hotel certificate strategies and expiration management Chicago hotel experience at Saint Regis and Lowe's Hotel New York City hotel stay at The Standard Highline Travel planning and last-minute booking tips Experiences with hotel amenities and service quality Keywords travel stories, hotel certificates, Chicago, New York, travel tips, hotel reviews, travel hacks

Join us as Tom recounts his incredible journey to the Maldives, navigating multiple modes of travel, airport experiences, and the joys of luxury in this remote paradise. Discover tips, travel hacks, and the beauty of Maldives through detailed travel tales. Join us as we explore luxury travel experiences, points strategies, and airport lounge insights with Tom, a seasoned traveler to the Maldives. Discover how to maximize your miles, find value in hotel stays, and navigate airport amenities like a pro. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Journey to Middle Earth and Beyond 02:59 The Maldives Experience 06:10 Travel Logistics and Layovers 09:04 Exploring Boston's Airport Lounges 12:02 Flight Experiences and Aircraft Diversity 14:59 Dining and Lounge Access 18:06 Airline Fleet Insights 23:33 Lufthansa's Business Model and Fleet Decisions 25:47 Transatlantic Flight Experiences 30:09 Barcelona Layover Dilemmas 32:11 Entry-Exit System Challenges in Europe 39:04 Barcelona Airport Lounge Experience 43:06 Flying Qatar Airways Business Class 48:05 Travel Experiences and Upgrades 51:50 Arrival in the Maldives 54:02 Local Cuisine and Cultural Insights 01:00:11 Journey to Park Hyatt Hadaha 01:02:35 Accommodations at Park Hyatt 01:09:37 Snorkeling Adventures and Marine Life 01:11:14 Dining Experiences and Meal Plans 01:15:31 Dining Experiences and Special Events 01:19:57 Final Thoughts on Park Hyatt and Staff Recognition 01:22:23 Transitioning to the Next Destination 01:22:49 Staying at Ocean Grand and Local Experiences 01:24:11 Exploring the New Terminal at Male, Maldives 01:29:49 Comparing Business Class Lounges 01:33:01 Flight Experience with Etihad 01:37:01 Layover at Heathrow and Hotel Stay 01:39:41 Travel Experiences and Lounge Reviews 01:43:29 Dining Options and Food Quality in Lounges 01:44:59 Economy Class Insights and Flight Experiences 01:47:55 Special Meal Choices and Regrets 01:50:44 Duty-Free Shopping and Airline Policies 01:53:50 Cultural Observations on Smoking and Vaping 01:57:21 Final Thoughts on Travel and Future Plans Reference: The best complaint letter —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post:  Multiple modes of travel to Maldives (air, sea, land) Airport lounge experiences and tips Travel challenges and solutions in dense airports Luxury travel experiences in Qatar and Maldives Travel planning and efficiency tips Travel points and miles strategies Luxury hotel and villa experiences in Maldives Airport lounge reviews and amenities Travel planning and itinerary optimization In-flight service and meal experiences Keywords Maldives travel, airport lounges, travel hacks, luxury travel, flight experience, Maldives islands, travel tips, airport tips, travel stories luxury travel, frequent flyer, hotel reviews, airport lounges, Maldives, points hacking, travel tips, airline reviews

Episode 80: Show Notes Summary In this episode, Trevor breaks down his summer getaway to France, diving into flight experiences, trip planning logistics, and what it's like navigating international journeys during the busiest time of year. He provides a comprehensive walkthrough of his time in Paris, Reims, and Disneyland Paris, offering valuable advice on securing reservations, managing the theme parks, and getting the most out of your budget. Listen in for actionable strategies designed to help you streamline your next European vacation and Disney adventure.  Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 01:06 Travel Planning and Last-Minute Adjustments 03:12 The Decision to Visit Disneyland Paris 05:58 Utilizing Airline Miles and Points 07:13 Flight Experience with Lufthansa 12:44 Arrival and First Impressions in Frankfurt 21:23 Navigating Frankfurt Airport and First Class Terminal 26:06 Navigating European Airports: Challenges and Tips 30:56 Experiencing France: Travel Insights and Recommendations 47:13 Disneyland Paris: Planning and Experiences 52:56 The Magic of Rope Dropping 56:20 Meeting Elsa and Anna: A Magical Encounter 58:19 Navigating Mechanical Issues at Disneyland 01:00:07 Food and Beverage Experiences at Disneyland Paris 01:01:56 The Future of Disneyland Paris: Expansions and New Attractions 01:04:20 Reflections on the Disneyland Experience 01:08:00 Exploring Reims: A Champagne Adventure 01:12:30 Dining Experiences in Reims 01:14:43 Concluding Thoughts on the Trip Resources Lufthansa First Class - https://www.lufthansa.com Charles de Gaulle Airport - https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/accessing-and-moving-around-the-airport Disneyland Paris - https://www.disneylandparis.com ExpertFlyer - https://www.expertflyer.com Air France - https://www.airfrance.com Disneyland Paris Official Site - https://www.disneylandparis.com/ Amex Platinum Benefits - https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-benefits/platinum-card/ Reims Champagne Tours - https://www.champagne-tour.com/ Joe Chung's Travel Tips - https://joechung.com/ Epcot Frozen Ever After Ride - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/frozen-ever-after/ Disneyland Paris Instagram Accounts - https://www.instagram.com/search/?q=disneylandparis Champagne Houses in Epernay - https://www.epernay.com/ Yelp Paris Food & Drink - https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=food&find_loc=Paris —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post:  Tactics for Last-Minute Bookings and Trip Planning Evaluating European Airline Services and Airport Lounges Navigating Customs, Airport Procedures, and Flight Delays Organizing a Family Trip to France: Planning and Logistics Assessing Carrier Quality, Cabin Amenities, and Paris Recommendations Disneyland Paris: Proven Guide for Planning and Park Advice Touring Reims and the Historic Champagne Region Value Maximization and Strategic Travel Booking Methods Efficient Park Overviews and Ride Management Tactics Keywords Travel, France, Lufthansa First Class, Charles de Gaulle, Disneyland Paris, travel tips, airline experience, airport lounges, European travel, trip planning, Disneyland Paris, Paris trip, Reims, Champagne, Travel tips, Park planning, Travel hacks