2015: The year I decided to switch careersKept track of travel again because… nerd. Finally squeezed

2015: The year I decided to switch careersKept track of travel again because… nerd. Finally squeezed in some internationalness thanks to La Compagnie’s niche travel options. I also took steps to leave accounting and become an SAP consultant so 2016 should see the same amount of travel with hopefully more international trips! I was home so few days (just 160 nights!) that cobwebs in my bathroom were commonplace.Now for this year’s stats (* denotes new to my travel status list):Southwest Airlines: maxed out in October with A-List Preferred. 43 paid flights, 16 free flights. (I currently have no plans for my 97k point balance–maybe find a trip south of the 24th parallel in 2016 –thoughts?)United Airlines*: squeezed in Premier Silver status in November. 28 paid flights (36 segments), 2 free flights. (I’ve been stockpiling my 103k point balance for a Spain/Portugal trip in May for my Jesus birthday!)La Compagnie*: no status, but thanks to a cancelled flight from London Luton back to the states I got a free round-trip to use as an apology plus a $650 credit! The airline only travels the EWR-LTN and EWR-CDG routes, but offering a business class option for anywhere between $1,000-1,500 to London or Paris is pretty amazing. 2 paid flights, 2 discounted flights, 2 free flights.American Airlines*: strongly considered swapping to this frequent traveler program in 2016 but have decided the perks aren’t that much different from United. 4 paid flights.Virgin America*: this airline is sweeeeeet – just wish they had more route options. I love their whole setup on board, from the dance club lighting to the on-demand entertainment/food/drink options. This airline knows how to exploit a gap in the market and make all the legacy carriers look like something your great grandpappy would only take. If I ever get on a project in the bay area, this will be my go-to frequent flier program. 1 paid flight for an amazing SF weekend in September.Starwood Preferred Guest: earned Platinum in May. 113 paid nights, 21 free nights. Still flipping love this chain – my favorite of all frequent traveler programs! And if Marriott screws it up my heart will break.Hyatt: Diamond the hard way in September (no status challenge for me this year!) 54 paid nights, 6 free nights.Avis*: earned Preferred First status in May, which underwent rebranding and is now Preferred Plus. 37 rentals, 139 paid days, 11 free days. But their customer service repeatedly treated me like garbage so late summer I left them for…Enterprise*: earned no status whatsoever but their customer service is… and until my company allows rentals from National, I’ll stick with these guys. 5 rentals, 21 paid days, 0 free days.List below does not include Texas cities visited.JanuaryNew York, NYWashington, D.C. (2x) FebruaryWashington, D.C. (3x)Kansas City, MOPhiladelphia, PA MarchWashington, D.C. (3x)AprilWashington, D.C. (3x)New York, NYMayWashington, D.C. (3x)New York, NYNashville, TNDenver, COJuneWashington, D.C. (3x)London, England, U.K. Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.New York, NY JulyWashington, D.C. (4x)Baltimore, MD (2x)Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC AugustRichmond, VAWashington, D.C. (4x)SeptemberSan Francisco, CAWashington, D.C. (5x)OctoberWashington, D.C. (4x)Los Angeles, CAMiami, FLNovemberParis, FranceBrussels, BelgiumWashington, D.C. (3x)DecemberKansas City, MOWashington, D.C.New York, NYMontréal, Québec, Canada -- source link

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