Travel Wishes for 2020

As the year and the decade are coming to an end, I cannot help but reflect on my travel experiences. Although 2019 has been the best year yet, including some of my favorite travel, 2020 is only going to be better. From January 1st to December 31st of 2020, this is my travel wishlist for next year. 

#1 Starting With the Queen

After New Years in Paris, I will be hopping the pond to New York in British Airways economy. Although that does not sound like the most pleasant experience, I am very much looking forward to it. I have never flown on a double decker aircraft and as an Avgeek, there is no plane better to try than the Queen of the skies, the Boeing 747-400; nonetheless on the iconic London (LHR) to New York (JFK) route. It will be a first for me of hopefully many more to come. I am very much looking forward to it. Who knows, maybe if I am nice enough to the flight attendant, I may be able to checkout the upper deck after the plane lands (Avgeek stuff).

#2 Skiing Rockies

Skiing is without a doubt my second favorite type of vacation, after tropical beaches that is. Many previous years we have not been able to go skiing due to other commitments in daily life. Last year we were fortunate enough to make it out to Colorado late in March for some great spring skiing. Surprisingly, they were even open until July. Using an amazing deal on Frontier, we were able to fly out for an affordable price. We have the privilege of having family friends who live out there which minimizes costs for ski passes and lodging. This year I was able to find and book a flight on Southwest from IAD-DEN. We ended up using points for two round trip tickets, paid for one, and used our companion pass for a fourth. Check out why the Southwest Companion Pass is the best deal on airfare. Overall we paid a low $270 out of pocket for all of the flights, including award and companion taxes and fees. I cannot wait until I am able to be back up at the top of the mountain, looking down on the rest of the world. Maybe I will be able to find another late spring deal out to the Rockies, but we will have to see.

#3 Winter Sun and Companion Pass

This winter I hope to escape to somewhere warm. In February, particularly Presidents Day weekend, I am hoping that I can get away with either my father, or my entire family for my birthday. Whether it is Florida, California or the Carribean, I hope to maximize the Companion Pass in order to get a weekend getaway. If it is a business trip or a trip on points, I want to escape the DC cold in order to take in some warm sun. Not only am I wishing for winter sun, I am wishing to maximize my companion pass the rest of the year. I am hoping to go on a number of trips with my dad using the companion pass with his business trips. Similar to the trip I went on with him in the beginning of November to Buffalo, I think that if his business trips ever align with my days off of school, we will take a few trips throughout the year – for the low cost of $11.20.

#4 Using Points for Family

This summer we will maximize our American Airlines points in order to meet with our family in Hawaii. I hope that there are many more trips where this came from. Currently, I am trying to take a trip with my grandparents to see Portugal during the summer. We need to work on the dates to find free award availability, but hopefully I will be able to spend quality time with my grandparents. Afterall, what is travel for if you cannot share it with your loved ones.

Even though this is a relatively short list, these are four destinations I wish to jet off to in the first year of the new decade. Most of these trips would only be possible with points and miles, and maybe even more importantly the Southwest Companion Pass. Although I doubt that I will fly nearly as many miles in 2020 as 2019, including a significant lower number of airlines, it will definitely be an amazing year. Wherever your travels take you in 2020, I hope they come in good faith and happiness. Happy New Year.. Please comment down below what destination you are looking forward to the most in 2020, and how you are going to get there for free. Remember, if you need any more points for next year’s travel, please feel free to take the free card consultation.