2017: Step-backs and Step-forwardsThe new employer yielded much less business travel than I’ve grown

2017: Step-backs and Step-forwardsThe new employer yielded much less business travel than I’ve grown accustomed to in years past, but the reduced travel was offset by the increased awesomeness of the new team and company. Plus all the money I use toward personal travel was diverted to the new house down payment. So I had to put off trips I wanted to Italy and/or Singapore, but I got a house out of it. Gotta weigh the pros and cons, I guess?This year’s travel stats:Southwest Airlines: 4 paid flights and 4 free flightsUnited Airlines: Only Premier Gold status in November (sadly couldn’t maintain the 1K status earned last year :/ but Gold is still nice for international trips by having access to the lounges) with 38 paid flights (74 segments, 69k PQM) and 0 free flights. Still stockpiling my 274k award mile balance (and 201k Chase Ultimate Rewards points) for a family trip to Australia in 2018!Starwood Preferred Guest: Lost SPG Platinum status due to the reduction in business travel, with only 1 paid night and 4 free nightsMarriott Rewards: With the SPG merger, I automatically received their Platinum Elite status, which was nice considering almost all of my business travel this year had me staying at Marriott’s wide range of properties (and I can say, bleh. “SPG for life” because Marriott has some real property stinkers in aggregate). Luckily they offered me a status incentive plan I was able to meet and retain my Platinum Elite status without having to hit 75 paid nights. Stayed 45 paid nights, 0 free nights and stockpiling my 142k point balance for Australia.Hyatt: No status re-earned with only 3 paid nights, 4 free nights. I’ll definitely miss the Hyatt perks!List below does not include Texas cities visited.JanuaryLondon, EnglandNew York, NYFebruaryKansas City, KSCalgary, AB, CanadaMarchLouisville, KYMayNashville, TNOklahoma City, OKJuneBaltimore, MDJulyNashville, TNBaltimore, MD (2x)Washington, DCAugustBaltimore, MD (2x)SeptemberBaltimore, MDOctoberBaltimore, MD (2x)NovemberBaltimore, MDDecemberVancouver, BC, CanadaBaltimore, MD (2x)Las Vegas, NV -- source link

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