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 ›