Author Archives

Born in Pierre (SD). Lived in Vermillion, Rapid City, Lincoln (NE), Bozeman (MT), Portland, Seattle, and Denver. Travel is Life...

• India: Stepping into the Void

  By mat(the)writer on July 4, 2018 • ( 2 )

  

  In the Fall of 2016, I traveled to India, stopping in Dublin and London en route. The journey left an indelible impression. India, the land of enchanted dreams, a timeless place, where civilization dates back thousands of years. Home of… Read More ›

• Hong Kong & Vietnam – Impressions

  By mat(the)writer on December 5, 2017 • ( 5 )

  

  My father, mother, and I returned from Vietnam in late November. We stopped in Hong Kong, where we stayed together two years prior, again taking advantage of the free stopover on one-way awards with Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan, and their… Read More ›

• US News & World Report – 2017 Airline Rewards Credit Card Study

  By mat(the)writer on September 14, 2017 • ( 1 )

  

  US News & World Report invited me to evaluate their 2017 Airline Rewards Credit Card Study. I’ll provide a summary and analysis of the report, and expand on credit cards that warrant attention. The study divided the airline rewards credit card… Read More ›

• Hong Kong and Japan: Channeling the Far East

  By mat(the)writer on August 25, 2017 • ( 2 )

  

  I collected airline miles, hotel points, and free night certificates for an excursion to East Asia in December of 2015. I treated my mother and father to two business class flights with Cathay Pacific. The first was a 16-hour flight… Read More ›

• Matthewriter’s Travel Agency

  By mat(the)writer on July 16, 2017 • ( 2 )

  

  Visit Matthewriter’s Travel Agency, launched this summer, for help organizing your next trip. I’m offering up to five hours of research, advice, and planning for $129. Each additional hour is $27. We can discuss airline routes and rules, hotel loyalty… Read More ›

• Priority Pass airport lounges

  By mat(the)writer on July 5, 2017 • ( 2 )

  

  A number of credit cards offer a membership with Priority Pass, a network of airport lounges. Cardholders with the Citi Prestige get free access for themselves and two guests. Each additional guest costs $27. The American Express Hilton Honors Surpass… Read More ›

• ME3 (Middle East 3) – Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar

  By mat(the)writer on June 14, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  The ME3, not long ago, were set to become the global elite among airlines. Sure, they’re fueled by government subsidies, unfairly, perhaps, to other carriers, but they provide a class of service not matched in the skies. European or Asian… Read More ›

• Fifth Freedom Routes

  By mat(the)writer on June 5, 2017 • ( 2 )

  

  A fifth freedom route is the right of an airline to fly between two foreign countries on a route originating or ending in the airline’s own country. KLM flies from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, a 12-hour flight, and then Kuala… Read More ›

• Transferable Points Currencies

  By mat(the)writer on May 20, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  Points that can be transferred to airlines or hotels represent excellent value. Diversifying your portfolio of miles and points often provides unforeseen opportunities. Singapore Airlines partners with all four transferable currencies, while Cathay Pacific, Etihad, and Air France/KLM partner with… Read More ›

• Dublin, London, India – 2016

  By mat(the)writer on December 13, 2016 • ( 2 )

  

    Oct 23 Rapid City Fairfield Inn $49   Oct 24 Delta RAP – MSP – BOS $259 ($250 airline credit)   Aer Lingus Lounge – Boston   Aer Lingus Boston – Dublin 37.5k BA avios + $34 (Business) Aer… Read More ›

• Alaska: Wilderness Unbound

  By mat(the)writer on September 8, 2016 • ( 2 )

  

  Alaska is absurd. Bears, moose, mammoth mountains, soaring pines, jagged peaks, water streaming past boulders, surging down valleys, crashing against sand. We started in South Dakota, attending a wedding in the Black Hills the weekend prior to departure. This was July of 2014…. Read More ›

• Giveaway – AA Admirals Club passes

  By mat(the)writer on August 19, 2016 • ( 18 )

  

  I’m giving away two American Airlines Admirals Club day passes (expire Dec. 31, 2016). To enter the contest, follow matthewriter.org and leave a comment telling me how you will use the passes. If you already follow the blog, leave a… Read More ›

• Denver: Early Summer Weekend

  By mat(the)writer on June 9, 2016 • ( 0 )

  

  Hilton Garden Inn Denver South Park Meadows Area 20,000 Hilton points   Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows $109 (received 2500 points for MegaBonus promotion)   Candlewood Suites DTC Meridian 10,000 IHG points Denver Botanic Gardens…

• Black Hills – Marriott Run

  By mat(the)writer on May 25, 2016 • ( 3 )

  

  Sunday Fairfield Inn & Suites – Rapid City $49 (Marriott MegaBonus Promo – needed 2 paid nights for a Category 5 Free Night Certificate)   Monday Springhill Suites – Deadwood $68 (MegaBonus Promo – earned a Category 5 Free Night… Read More ›

• Starwood Preferred Guest Increased Sign-up Bonus

  By mat(the)writer on March 17, 2016 • ( 2 )

  Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) has two co-branded American Express credit cards. The sign-up bonus on the SPG personal and business cards is usually 25k points after meeting the minimum spending requirement. Once a year, the sign-up bonus on both cards… Read More ›