Do you put your groceries, dog daycare, cell phone bills on your credit card? If so you can earn miles for every purchase. My preferred travel credit card (and I’ve had so many) is the United MileagePlus Quest Visa.
I’ve had a few different United Chase cards, and my favorite right now is the Quest Card. It has a $250 yearly fee, half of which you’ll automatically earn back as a $125 statement credit when you make a purchase on United.
This year I also used the $100 TSA Precheck Credit to renew my son’s TSA privileges. And you’ll save 25% on in flight purchases. And you’ll get free first AND second checked bags for you and one traveling companion.
I earn 1 mile per $1 charged and 2 miles for travel and streaming services (hello Netflix and Peacock!). 2024 has been full of spending promos and I’ve earned over 10,000 miles for meeting spending challenges.
But the big reason I chose the MileagePlus Quest Visa is that I can earn 6,000 PQP toward United MileagePlus Status. I’m on year 3 of Silver Status, and this card made is possible to keep my status for 2025. This means complimentary Economy Plus seating and upgrades when available. I’ve used the miles I’ve earned to pay for my son’s trip to London this summer and also for seat upgrades and to cover the $250 annual fee. There’s no way you won’t win with this card.
You’ll get 60,000 points and 500 PQP when you sign up and meet a spending challenge if you use this link: Lock in that free airfare and status now.
As a Fora Travel Advisor, I’m getting lots of requests to book Alaska for 2025.
The window to travel to Alaska is very short – mid May to mid September. Want to see the Northern Lights? Go in September. Want fewer crowds and gorgeous landscapes, do what I did in May 2024 and do a land tour with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises.
Denali, May 2024
Not sure what kind of trip to plan, then set up a travel consultation with me to discuss your options. I recommend you have 10 days to travel, choose a good playlist on Spotify and enjoy the scenery.
Denali 2024
What else is hot this month? Planning that trip to New England. I often recommend visiting Portland in the “off season” (November – May), where you’ll enjoy lower hotel prices, the best meals and up and coming restaurants, and, as always, spectacular coastal views.
I’ve been using Canva Pro for a few years now and have officially designed 200 designs – mostly for social media. Canva is my go-to design platform. I use Canva mostly for Instagram Story posts, but also for travel proposals, Facebook posts and graphic for this blog. Canva is always keeping me engaged, and I find it’s well worth the small monthly fee I pay to work with them.
Today is August 24, 2024 – and 26 years ago today I graduated from the Yale PA Program with 31 colleagues who have been making a difference in the medical world ever since. I’ve worked in pediatric orthopedics, family medicine, emergency medicine, college health and now am doing telemedicine full time. I love each and every patient interacting. Even though most patients I see these days I have never met before, I do my best to connect with them during our brief encounter and provide the care they need. Such a rewarding career path.
And August 2024 also marks the 2.5 year mark of being a travel advisor for Fora. This year I’ve humbly collected some client reviews and have a growing “book of business” that keeps me busy in most of my free time. I’m currently finalizing a birthday trip to Italy for a friend and her daughter. I love creating custom itineraries and making reservations for great hotels, restaurants and tours.
I’ve also updating my pricing structure. For my “Plan it and Go” custom itineraries, I charge $25 per travel day for US, Mexico and Caribbean and $50 per day for International trips (Europe, Central America, Antarctica, Australia and Central America. I’ve created itineraries for 5 continents so far, and hope to make that all the continents by the end of 2025.
Travel season starts now. Stock up on those items you’ll use time and again
After a few small trips in early 2024, my favorite trip so far this year was to Alaska. I visited Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Hopefully next time, I’ll add-on an Alaska Cruise.
In preparation for my travels, I needed to update some of my luggage, electronics and skin care so that I will have everything I need with me for a trip that changed hotels every night, long flights, and to look radiant after all that time on the plane. Here are my top 10 must haves for the cross country flight.
This Sweetcrispy 24 inch checked bag will be my new best friend. It’s a bit smaller than my 25 inch Travelpro which I absolutely LOVE but it gets a little too heavy for me. I wanted a bag more compact for this 50+ body to manage when changing hotels every night. This new Sweetcrispy bag was perfect – never too heavy and has accompanied me on two trips to the lake since. Highly recommend!
While traveling and at home, favorite skin moisturizer is Diabetics’ Dry Skin Relief from CeraVe. I know that, as a diabetic and a PA, skin care of the legs is paramount to keeping away cracked skin and sores that can cause infection. This cream hydrates and heals the skin to ensure that I will come home without any dry patches. In addition, flying can cause leg swelling in some people and this helps keep the skin from developing chronic rashes.
My iPad mini has aged out and no longer will download the apps needed to watch the entertainment on United. So a new tablet is in order. Trying to avoid the Apple pricetag, since our family is not Apple forward and watching on my laptop which isn’t always practical if you don’t have enough space in your regular economy seat…I took the leap on a new Google Pixel Tablet . I’m so glad I did – the screen is larger than an iPad mini, which my eyes appreciate. But note that with a case, it’s too wide to hang it on the seatback on United. I’ll have to try it on other major airlines in the future. But it stands very nicely on the tray table. Also great for downloading books!
With the Google Pixel Tablet charging tower, it becomes an attractive “smart home” epicenter which I can use as an alarm clock (cue the birds), play my favorite tunes while I fold laundry and make the bed. The best GRWM tunes. And also, someday hopefully, work the thermostats and doorbell camera.
Another item I’m glad I had in Alaska was this portable battery charger. When in Alaska, you cover long distances via bus and train, and often do not have an outlet or cell signal. This charge came in handy so I could continue taking pictures of the ever changing landscape.
Lastly, the biggest winner of my trip to Alaska was these bluetooth headphones. I cannot tell you how I loved having that cord so I wouldn’t lose an earbud down my shirt or down into the depths of a plane, or bus, or train. I grabbed a pair of my kids’ discarded headphones and found them to be my new best friend. They fit nicely in my jeans pocket and I could even listen with one ear so I could hear to bus tour guide when needed.
2024 has hit like a ton of bricks. In a good way! I already have one trip under my belt (to my favorite midwestern city, Rockford, Illinois) just in time for a (super) cold snap. The frozen midwest winter does not disappoint.
Newburg and Perryville
I’ve been booking trips to Ireland, Costa Rica, Alaska and Switzerland. And just as January was about to leave us, I was made a Pro Fora Advisor. This means that I’ve worked with a diverse group of clients and logged consistent bookings. This will open up even more training and opportunities to immerse myself in the world of travel advising. I truly love researching destinations and booking those flights, hotels and tours.
I have no doubt 2024 will be a fantastic year for my travel business. I’ve gained 3 new clients in the past week, and continue to work tirelessly (can you say side hustle three times fast?) for my existing clients.
Reach out and email me at amy.barraclough@fora.travel to start talking about your next trip. Where are you headed next? Put your bucket list destination in the comments.
Spreading the word about my travel planning services. I’ve created a selling page on Fiverr. This way you can order itinerary templates for the trip you’re planning. You’ll get 3 lodging options, 2 air itineraries to choose from and dining recommendations. You can choose to book yourself or I can do the booking for you.
Comment below if you’ve ever used Fiverr, either as a customer or as a creator.
I’ve heard you need SEVEN streams of income to be a successful digital marketer. So I’m taking my shot with Amazon. As one of the biggest retailers around, and seeing them break into telemedicine, I’ve been accepted as an Amazon Affiliate which means I can feature products I love in my blog and social media.
As an example (and a popular product). My latest obsession is the echo pop. I have one in my primary bathroom, my kitchen and in my home office. I can ask about the weather, play my favorite music and stream a podcast. If I’m in the mood for hilarity, it’s usually Smartless). If I’m in a learning mood: New York Times “The Daily“. Or when I’m in travel advisor mode, it’s Speedtalking with Fora, of course.
To tell the absolute truth, I’ve never seen Henley Vasquez of Fora without something clever or sophisticated to say, and I’m convinced she would win the “Who’s Who in Hotels” Jeopardy competition, as would many of her Fora colleagues. If you’ve never seen Henley “Shake for Champagne” on a Virgin Voyages Cruise, then you need to go on your own Virgin Voyages Cruise and see what that energy is all about.
Comment below what Amazon product would be a best seller for my storefront.
Each comment will earn FREE travel planning services if you book with Turtle Shell Travel before the end of the 2023. After you comment, click here to input your contact information and we can start customizing your travel plans.
Are you looking for an “easy to plan and enjoyed by everyone” family trip? Look no further than cruising. Ditch the multi-generation family cabin vacation (or bring those generations with you!). Travel on a cruise ship resembles hotel vacations but BETTER. It takes away many of the daily chores for a “family manager” who is also probably the “vacation planner”. No meals to shop for and prepare, no dishes to wash, no clothes to fold.
If you’re the parent of elementary aged kids and preeteens, consider taking your family vacation on a cruise ship, rather than in a vacation rental. On a cruise, your meals will be prepared for you. No filling the fridge with ketchup, syrup and butter for mac-n-cheese. And your activities are literally feet away, with pools, shows, kids activities, AND port excursions. Your days will be full, your kids will be tired, and you’ll watch them having the times of their lives. Share a meal, a story, or an activity with them and you’ll have memories to take home from your getaway in no time.
There are many ways to “house” a family on a cruise ships, from suites, connecting cabins and adjacent cabins, the configurations are limitless. And think about bringing along a friend or two for your kids. Or travel with your extended family. Cruising is great for a multi-generational reunion. And, again, you don’t have to cook the hot dogs and hamburgers…no potato salad to prep or water balloons to tie.
Visit new countries and spend a day at a beach club. Variety is key and you won’t tire of this adventure. Check out my Pinterest Page for Cruising videos and recommendations. Comment here if you’ve every cruised…and what is your favorite cruise line?
My client just returned from her Bachelorette Party weekend in Portland, Maine and her review was a great big smiley face.
And while I’m quite certain she didn’t run around dressed like this…and standing on her toes on the boat, I bed a great time was had exploring the Old Port, eating dinner at some of Portland’s best restaurants and enjoying Casco Bay and the Gulf of Maine.
Summer is truly one of the best times to visit Portland, but don’t count out Fall, either. The fall colors of New England are not to be missed, either.
What’s trending in the world of travel?
Most definitely, cruises. I’ve booked two this summer. And absolutely cannot wait to go on my next Virgin Voyages cruise in 2024! All travel advisors are anxiously awaiting the release of the Virgin Voyages sailing for summer of 2024 and Greece is definitely on my mind.
Also popular is Hyatt’s takeover of the Caribbean All-inclusive Market. Many deals are to be had if you’re looking to travel before the end of 2023. Check out my Pinterest Page for details of Hyatt’s current promotions. And if you’re not sure where you want to travel? Reach out to my FORA travel advisor page to start a conversation and I’ll start researching.
This month has been full of marketing efforts to promote my travel advising business and expanding my knowledge about cruising.
As an independent travel advisor with Fora Travel, I have a vast network of expert travel advisor to tap when needed. And Fora provides wonderful opportunities to meet suppliers and learn about destinations. Just this month, I was able to sail on the Scarlet Lady, hosted by Virgin Voyages. I have so much information to pass onto you over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for tips for traveling this new and exciting cruise line, which will welcome two new ships this year.
The Sea Terrace Cabin
Sea Terrace Cabin on Virgin Voyages
My other effort this month has been to increase my marketing efforts to reach more client and grow my business. I’ve started a Tik Tok account for higher visibility for my reels. I’m hoping this will bring in leads via e-mail with trip inquiries. And since there aren’t many local travel agents listed with a simple google search, I’ve engaged Yelp to market Turtle Shell Travel to those looking for traditional travel agency services – airfare, hotel, tours, cruises. I love working on all of these types of travel.
So, if you’re from Yelp – welcome! Send me an email at amy.barraclough@fora.travel or fill out my Fora profile inquiry form and we’ll start planning your next trip. Also looking for groups and businesses needing travel planning services. With summer coming, I have lots of time to turn those fall and winter plans into reality.
