My 2016 Spring & Summer Travel & Life Plans

I'm a nomad. Here are my current travel plans. Also see Late 2015 Travel, Early 2016 Travel, and Where I Slept in 2015.

I have a clear picture of where I’ll be until about October 2016. Last week, I booked a flurry of awards, mostly with obscure mileage programs to lock in my dates for 2016.

Happy Fourth Birthday to MileValue

Saturday was the fourth anniversary of the site's first post: How Much Are Frequent Flier Miles Worth? A Guide. I celebrated by taking the day off.

Thanks to everyone who has read the site, used the MileValue Award Booking Service, or applied for a credit card using a link on this site. Your support has allowed me to make a living by typing up tips for cheap, free, or luxurious travel on my laptop all over the world.

I decided to start this site in February 2012 when I was in Rwanda.

How I Got a Passport in Three Days at a Passport Agency

My beautiful, old, extra-pages-added-later passport was set to expire in May 2016. Since many countries don't allow entry unless your passport has at least six months remaining validity, I knew I should aim to get a new passport by November 2015. I was in Argentina from October to December 2015 before coming back to Hawaii for 10 days before heading to Asia for a month.

Those 10 days in Hawaii would be my only chance to get a new passport, so I would need to apply for and get the passport within 10 days.

2016 Travel Goals

Greetings from Bangkok!

With 2015 in the books, and my rundown of last year's travel here, I thought I'd share my upcoming travel plans.

I pretty much know exactly where I'll be in January, have a few options for February, see March and April pretty clearly, and then have no idea what I'll do from May on. Here's my best guess through mid-May.

Lines Represent Itineraries Not Segments

First I'm going to hop around Thailand and Singapore with my Romanian friend.

2015 Year in Review

2015 was a great year of travel for me, and hopefully for you too.

The year started in a hot tub in Chilean Patagonia, admiring a lake and snow-capped mountain in the twilight.

Merry Christmas Eve from MileValue

Merry Christmas, Mele Kalikimaka, and Feliz Navidad to all MileValue readers. I'll be too busy Christmas shopping and traveling over the next few days to post, so look for new posts on Sunday or Monday...

Announcing the MileValue E-Book to Be Released October 27

It is with great pride that I announce the release of the MileValue e-book on Tuesday, October 27--just 11 days from now.

What is the book?

The book will teach people who know nothing about frequent flyer miles how to book their dream trip in First Class in the next 60 days. Nothing like this book exists anywhere.

Why did I write it?

There are free resources that have all the information you need to become a miles expert, like this blog or FlyerTalk. Unfortunately they don't present the basics of miles and points in an easy-to-follow, logical progression.

I’ve Been a Nomad for Eight Months. Where I’ve Slept This Year.

Last October, I ditched my apartment in Waikiki for a renewed stint of vagabonding. Most people just don't get it.

"OK, but where do you live?" It's equally true that I live wherever I am at that moment or nowhere.
"Where's your home base?" Nowhere.

I've learned that I like to stay in a place for at least several weeks to figure out its rhythms and my favorite restaurants, sports activities places to go out, and new friends before I move on.

I’ve Been a Nomad for Eight Months. Where I’ve Slept This Year.

Last October, I ditched my apartment in Waikiki for a renewed stint of vagabonding. Most people just don't get it.

"OK, but where do you live?" It's equally true that I live wherever I am at that moment or nowhere.
"Where's your home base?" Nowhere.

I've learned that I like to stay in a place for at least several weeks to figure out its rhythms and my favorite restaurants, sports activities places to go out, and new friends before I move on.

An American in Cuba in 2015: Entry, Exit, and Legal Requirements

I just spent a completely legal week in Cuba, split between Havana and Viñales. An American in Cuba in 2015 is a six part series on the trip.