Travel Tips
A couple nights ago I headed to Polarn O. Pyret for the annual Mom Trends
travel event. The Mom Trends team wore their London Times wrinkle free attire. Perfect for packing and rolling up in your suitcase. It's affordable so if you need something for a one time wear this is the place to get it.
I was busy shopping the 20% off Polarn O. Pyret discount for the night. I love this taxi tee for boys. The colors are so fun. Polarn O. Pyret carries all the basics you may need during travel. Swimsuits, fleece jackets, underwear, and the best striped attire in all the land.
During the event we heard from HomeAway.com
{ Credit to Serena from Mom trends for typing out the details of travel} HomeAway, a company that specializes in vacation rentals around the world since 2006 was up first where they spoke about all of their offerings including home rentals in gorgeous Paris to quaint homes in Poconos. The beauty of this service is incredible for families since they you can rent homes directly from owners and in turn enjoy amenities like a full-kitchen, laundry services and multiple bedrooms (also a great option where you can spilt a vacation home with another family). With a theme of reclaiming your vacation, guests played the game ‘I Never’ where we all had to drink (or raise their hands) as they connected all of the usual vacation stresses to what they could offer and change that. This included tips like involving kids in the planning process, reclaiming your budget, reclaiming your space (and having even more space) and reclaiming your schedule. With over 500,000 properties listed on their website, HomeAway allows to have a more stress-free and affordable vacation that everyone in the family will love.
Up next was TravelSort a company that helps consumers learn how to obtain luxury first class tickets for free as well as use their frequent flier miles to purchase plane tickets. Hilary Stockton, founder of TravelSort was on-hand to talk about how to travel in first or business class, which is really thought of as something to do when you travel with a family.
Here are some tips if you’d like to travel there in first or business class, without paying thousands of dollars for the flights: 1. Top frequent flyer miles to earn to go to Europe: British Airways Avios: Sometimes overlooked, since it’s a British frequent flyer program and because awards on British Airways come with high fuel surcharges. But possible to fly Iberia, Air Berlin or Aer Lingus with lower surcharges. And BA tends to have better availability when searching for several business class award seats on the same flight Chase Ultimate Rewards Points: Great points to have if you want to redeem United miles for a United award, since points transfer 1:1 American Airlines Miles: Oneworld doesn’t have as many good options to Europe from the U.S., but does have an interesting oneworld explorer chart option that could be used to stopover at multiple cities all on the same award AMEX Membership Rewards Points: Transfer to Singapore KrisFlyer to book business or Suites Personal Choice for 2-3 passengers in biz and first class: Singapore Suites or business class to Frankfurt, then either an award flight or cheap intra-Europe flight to your final destination. 2. How to Earn the Miles? Credit Card Signup Bonuses = the fastest way. I used to think there was something wrong with having too many credit cards, but thanks to credit card signup bonuses we’re able to take a couple of international trips every year, all in first class and business class. Our next trip will be to the Maldives, flying business class on Qatar and first class on Etihad, and the trip after that will be to London and Paris, flying British Airways First Class and Singapore Suites. 3. When to Plan and Award Strategy?Ideally earn the miles by 1 year in advance, to have the best chance at award seats. Especially important when trying to get several awards on the same flight, for a family. Yes, some airlines do release additional award seats at the last minute, but you can’t count on this–best to plan far in advance. Can try for 2 first class and 2 business class seats. 4. Other Advice Focus on earning the miles/points that will be most useful for the next int’l trip you plan to take Don’t hoard miles: programs do devalue, so “earn and burn” You can travel internationally with kids in first or business class! To learn more about Hilary, be sure to check out the Beginner’s Guide to Miles and Points, Best Travel Credit Cardsand Award Booking Service. Up next we heard from Jennifer of Polarn O. Pyret who spoke about the growth of the Swedish brand that now includes stores in Greenwich and TriBeCa. She also shared tips on packing, which is vital for any family that is traveling. 1. Make lists for your kids. Jennifer noted that often make lists for her own packing, but when it comes to her kids she would dump their clothes in a suitcase. She noted that list-making can streamline the packing process for the entire family. 2. Realize where you are going. Jennifer said that this will help you pack with both practical items and fun clothes for the family. 3. Think about what they need. This will help with avoid purchases like suncreen abroad or vitamins that you can’t find. Bring as much of the essentials from home as possible. 4. The most important mantra of both travel and Polarn O. Pyret is to make sure children are “happy, warm and dry.
Up next was TravelSort a company that helps consumers learn how to obtain luxury first class tickets for free as well as use their frequent flier miles to purchase plane tickets. Hilary Stockton, founder of TravelSort was on-hand to talk about how to travel in first or business class, which is really thought of as something to do when you travel with a family.
Here are some tips if you’d like to travel there in first or business class, without paying thousands of dollars for the flights: 1. Top frequent flyer miles to earn to go to Europe: British Airways Avios: Sometimes overlooked, since it’s a British frequent flyer program and because awards on British Airways come with high fuel surcharges. But possible to fly Iberia, Air Berlin or Aer Lingus with lower surcharges. And BA tends to have better availability when searching for several business class award seats on the same flight Chase Ultimate Rewards Points: Great points to have if you want to redeem United miles for a United award, since points transfer 1:1 American Airlines Miles: Oneworld doesn’t have as many good options to Europe from the U.S., but does have an interesting oneworld explorer chart option that could be used to stopover at multiple cities all on the same award AMEX Membership Rewards Points: Transfer to Singapore KrisFlyer to book business or Suites Personal Choice for 2-3 passengers in biz and first class: Singapore Suites or business class to Frankfurt, then either an award flight or cheap intra-Europe flight to your final destination. 2. How to Earn the Miles? Credit Card Signup Bonuses = the fastest way. I used to think there was something wrong with having too many credit cards, but thanks to credit card signup bonuses we’re able to take a couple of international trips every year, all in first class and business class. Our next trip will be to the Maldives, flying business class on Qatar and first class on Etihad, and the trip after that will be to London and Paris, flying British Airways First Class and Singapore Suites. 3. When to Plan and Award Strategy?Ideally earn the miles by 1 year in advance, to have the best chance at award seats. Especially important when trying to get several awards on the same flight, for a family. Yes, some airlines do release additional award seats at the last minute, but you can’t count on this–best to plan far in advance. Can try for 2 first class and 2 business class seats. 4. Other Advice Focus on earning the miles/points that will be most useful for the next int’l trip you plan to take Don’t hoard miles: programs do devalue, so “earn and burn” You can travel internationally with kids in first or business class! To learn more about Hilary, be sure to check out the Beginner’s Guide to Miles and Points, Best Travel Credit Cardsand Award Booking Service. Up next we heard from Jennifer of Polarn O. Pyret who spoke about the growth of the Swedish brand that now includes stores in Greenwich and TriBeCa. She also shared tips on packing, which is vital for any family that is traveling. 1. Make lists for your kids. Jennifer noted that often make lists for her own packing, but when it comes to her kids she would dump their clothes in a suitcase. She noted that list-making can streamline the packing process for the entire family. 2. Realize where you are going. Jennifer said that this will help you pack with both practical items and fun clothes for the family. 3. Think about what they need. This will help with avoid purchases like suncreen abroad or vitamins that you can’t find. Bring as much of the essentials from home as possible. 4. The most important mantra of both travel and Polarn O. Pyret is to make sure children are “happy, warm and dry.
Thanks Mom Trends and all of the amazing travel companies for all of the helpful tips. I can't wait to use this info and plan an amazing trip.
xx,
xx,
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