Author Archives
Born in Pierre (SD). Lived in Vermillion, Rapid City, Lincoln (NE), Bozeman (MT), Portland, Seattle, and Denver. Travel is Life...
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Black Hills – Marriott Run
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 ›
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Starwood Preferred Guest Increased Sign-up Bonus
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 ›
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American Airlines Award Chart Devaluation
Just a friendly reminder: American Airlines’ award chart will be devalued on March 22. First and Business class are taking the biggest hit. If you have miles to burn, now might be a great time to use them. Awards can… Read More ›
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New Years Eve – Denver
Tuesday Element Denver Park Meadows $89 – 2015 points for December stay + 2500 points to use SPG Keyless Wednesday Westin Denver Downtown Free Night Certificate Thursday Hampton Inn Federal Center Best Rate Guarantee – $78 (receive $50 AmEx… Read More ›
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Hong Kong and Japan: A Combined Effort
In December 2015, Mom, Dad and I traveled to Hong Kong for two nights, and then to Japan for 8 nights. The idea was mine, but Dad was integral to the vision, and execution. Mom was along for the ride…. Read More ›
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Sinai: Searing in Sand and Sun
In the summer of 2009, I devoted two weeks to the Sinai Desert. I loved my initial impressions of Egypt. Serenity and beauty abound. Egypt beams with radiant energy, from the ever-shining sun, and all those damn pyramids. I experienced… Read More ›
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Twin Cities: A Viking Weekend
Saturday Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel SPG Category 5 Free Night Certificate Sleek, Modern, Stylish Sunday Doubletree by Hilton $55 + 12,000 points (received $50 statement credit) Upgraded to suite with access to Executive Lounge
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Denver: Road Trip with a Friend
Wednesday Radisson Denver Southeast 15,000 Club Carlson points Upgraded to business room on top floor with view of lake, mountains, and double rainbow Thursday Radisson Denver Southeast FREE (last night of any award stay is free – benefit ended… Read More ›
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My Favorite Cities
• Jerusalem – layers, energy, spirituality • Amsterdam – bicycles, canals, cafés • New York City – culture, arts, diversity • Athens, Greece – history, monuments, markets • San Francisco – cable cars, piers, redwoods What’s your favorite city? (Western… Read More ›
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Arizona Bound: Dancing in the Desert
Friday Denver – Comfort Suites DTC FREE – Best Rate Guarantee Saturday Albuquerque – Hampton Inn University Midtown $119 (Best Rate Guarantee – will receive $50 American Express gift card) Sunday Scottsdale – The Phoenician SPG Category 5… Read More ›
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Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card
Welcome Million Mile Secrets Readers! Follow my blog for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Enter a valid e-mail address at the top-right corner of http://www.matthewriter.wordpress.com. One new subscriber will be randomly selected on Friday, April 3,… Read More ›
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Bucket List
Machu Picchu, Peru – remnants of a lost civilization Brazil – Rio, futbol, beaches, rainforests, shamans Nepal – Himalayas, trekking, tigers, monkeys, Buddhist temples India – Varanasi, the River Ganges, Hinduism, spice plantations, Indian cuisine, Rama Empire Maldives – Indian… Read More ›
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Colorado Condo and Denver Best Rate Guarantees
Saturday – Sunday – Monday Tannenbaum by the River – Breckenridge, CO $40 (thanks to friends) Condo with deck overlooking stream Tuesday Holiday Inn Express Denver Tech Center FREE (Best Rate Guarantee) Wednesday Sleep Inn Denver Tech Center… Read More ›
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Denver, Colorado: A Winter Foray with Best Rate Guarantees
Friday Aloft Denver International Airport $76 (Best Rate Guarantee: matched rate + 2000 SPG points) (counts toward Free Night Promotion) Modern, funky, friendly Saturday Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center $97 – $50 Gift Card (from previous BRG) =… Read More ›
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Portland, Oregon – On the Road Again
I arrived in Portland at the beginning of October 2014. I unloaded my belongings into an apartment for two days, but never slept there. The nonsmoking apartment smelled of cigarettes, an upstairs neighbor directed a garish tirade at his girlfriend,… Read More ›