The Sunday Round-Up | June 5, 2022

Good afternoon from Toronto, Canada! If you're following along with my travels, then you know I'm on a long East Coast swing to catch up with family. Below are the trip reports I've written so far and will finish up my other hotel reviews this week so stay tuned!

East Coast Trip Reports
-Trip Report: Los Angeles to New York on American Airlines Flagship Business
-Trip Report: New York to Toronto 
-My Wife Got Randomly Selected For Covid Testing on Arrival at YYZ
-Delamar Hotel in Greenwich, CT
-Watch Hill Inn in Rhode Island

I was supposed to be on a plane to Orlando to attend a conference but with Covid surging, I pulled out last month. I just couldn't see how I would not get the virus by attending an indoor conference with people from around the world. However, I only canceled my flight late last night as I waited to see if the airline would cancel it on their own so I would get a full refund. They didn't so now I have a travel credit, which needs to be used within a year. 

Airlines and airports continue to have a rough go and it's not even summer yet. And it's not just happening in the United States. All over the world, there are problems with staffing, especially pilots and security screeners. Fortunately, the U.S. airlines seem to be doing alright today but the same can't be said for European airlines. 

If you scroll down to 12 Things To Know in Travel Today, you will see today's and the week's top travel stories. You will also find all of my travel tips, including Marriott's incredible new credit card offers.
  
WOW: Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Offering Five Free Nights
While in Connecticut, I cashed in all of my Marriott free nights at the Stamford Residence Inn thanks to one of my credit cards. I also depleted the rest of my Marriott points because I drained the bulk of them on our recent Ritz-Carlton Waikiki stay. So just as I was trying to figure out how I was going to replenish my account, Marriott came out with a couple of incredible credit card offers, including one offering five free nights (a 250,000-point value). Here are the details. 

Travel Tips/Stories from This Week

Reader Mike sent me an email asking: "Tell us about your two color suitcases. Where did you find them? Tell us also about plastic or fabric durability and weight." It's a great question! These hard-sided suitcases are from ROAM Luggage and are fully customizable. They've been great on our travels and, most importantly, they're durable and have stood up to a lot of hard knocks. I also love how easy they are to spot and identify in a sea of black bags. Read our full review here and use this link to get $50 off your purchase.

 
Travel Product of the Week

Tourists in Bahamas Killed by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Earlier this month, three American tourists were found dead at a Sandals resort on the island of Exuma in the Bahamas. While the cause of death was not immediately clear, some medical experts expressed their belief that the cause was carbon monoxide poisoning. Yesterday, autopsy results were released, indicating that carbon monoxide poisoning was indeed the cause. Here's how to protect yourself.

Miles & Points
-It's never a bad idea to start earning rewards for a trip abroad. Here are some of the best cards for international travel (that also earn rewards when staying close to home).  
-The Best Premium Credit Cards in 2022
-Best Credit Cards for Dining, Restaurants, Takeout, & More 2022

 

My 2022 Hawaii Trip Reports 🌈
-Los Angeles to Honolulu in United Polaris
-10 Reasons to Stay at Hilton Hawaiian Village
-12 Reasons to Stay at the Ritz-Carlton Waikiki 
-Honolulu to Los Angeles in Hawaiian Airlines Economy Comfort
-The Best Coach Seats To and From Hawaii
-How to Save Money and Travel in Comfort to Hawaii 


Travel Contests
-Win a free vacation at Sandals Resorts (June 30)
Win a 5-Night Moon Palace Resort Vacation (July 18)
Win a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two (Nov 14)
Win an eight-day Viking river cruise for two (April 30, 2023)
See all contests here

Want to cruise?
If you’d like to speak to an agent, we’ve partnered with Cruise Planners—a top-rated travel agency—to help you plan your perfect trip. Contact Mike Gelman (1-800-724-5868) and tell him Johnny Jet sent you!

P.S. As always, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I hope you like it and you share with your friends, family and colleagues so they can subscribe to either my bi-weekly newsletter or Daily Travel Tip. 

Travel Products

Travel Hack: How To Use Your Wireless Headphones to Watch In-Flight Movies
And if you do invest in a pair of Apple AirPods or already own a pair, you'll want to try this travel hack to wirelessly connect them to the airplane's inflight entertainment system. Read more here.