How To Get FREE Gold Status On American

Targetted emails were sent out this week offering FREE Gold and Platinum status with American Airlines. No strings attached. The email reads: You’ve been selected to receive free American Airlines AAdvantage® Gold status through May 25, 2018. You’ll experience all the benefits of Gold status. Plus, we’ll give you ten 500-mile upgrades just for registering — no strings attached. Sign up before you travel and no later than February 1, 2018. Use promotion code HV18G. According to the fine print, once you register, you earn Gold status and the following perks: Complimentary upgrades on flights 500 miles or less within North America (confirmed as early as 24 hours before departure) Priority through the airport at check-in, security and boarding 7 award miles/U.S. dollar (40% bonus) Complimentary access to Preferred seats 1 free checked bag oneworld® RubySM status on partner airlines Gold status is valid through May 25, 2018. If you get the targetted email and plan to fly, it may benefit you.

Book Your IHG Hotel By Today

IHG is changing the number of points you need for reward nights for most of its 700 properties. Approximately 499 properties will see an increase and 192 will see a decrease. The change is scheduled to happen on January 17th so if you are looking at any IHG hotels, book now.
Here is a link to the changes for 2018. The hotels are listed by country.
An IHG rep said the new rates will kick in starting January 16th so book today! We are waiting for the new quarter of point break hotels to be released too so watch for that. Point break hotels are amazing deals offered at 5,000 points per night, but you have to jump on them quickly before they sell out.

Changes Coming To Hilton Honors Program

There are changes coming to Hilton Honors program in April 2018. Most of them are positive and here are the highlights:

1. Hilton is eliminating the points and miles earning structure. You will now just earn points, but you can still transfer them to airlines.
2. The bonus for each stay will increase for elites.
3. Honors members will earn a bonus 10,000 points for every 10th night they stay in a calendar year. You don't need to register for the promotion and though it doesn't start until April, Hilton will make it retroactive.
4. Diamonds will see some changes like being able to gift status and the ability to rollover elite qualifying nights from year to year. Check out the graphic for more details.

Remember the new Hilton co-branded credit card comes out on January 18th, details coming.

Check Your Driver's License Before You Fly

Starting on January 22, 2018, a driver's license may not be enough to fly domestically. The Real ID act created in 2005 as a response to 9/11 required all the states to have "enhanced drivers license" by that date. These enhancements raise the level of security for driver's licenses. 

Some of the states have complied, others have asked for an extension. 

Department of Homeland Security has been working with the TSA to make the transition smooth. By October 2020, all 50 states and territories will have transitioned to Real IDs and you will no longer be able to fly with an old driver's license. 

For now, if you have an old driver's license, you may want to carry your passport or secondary form of identification just in case. Or you can go to the DMV and ask for a new Real ID driver's license. 

Ski Squaw With Teens On A Budget

Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, is an impressive place to visit. High above Lake Tahoe with the California sunshine on your face, I can see why people come from all over the country to visit. 

But skiing is not cheap and Squaw is not cheap either. However, there are some workarounds that can save you some money. First, be sure to check out airbnb.com for your accomodations. If you use my link, you will save $40 on your first booking. We stayed in Tahoe City and that was quite convenient. There is a Safeway and Savemart in town so you can buy food and cook at home. 

At Squaw, lessons are expensive. You might be better off booking a lesson at Homewood or another smaller ski area. And then skiing Squaw for a day just for the experience. Plus take advantage of the FREE carpool parking near the gondola. 

Also get your rentals in town like at Tahoe Dave's instead of at the resort. That will save you another $20 per person. Tell Tahoe Dave that you want the online discount and he will give you 10% off. 

When you buy your lift tickets, buy them at least 2 days in advance online. You will get a discount of $20-$50 per ticket. Woohoo! 

Your lift ticket includes the aerial tram. Take the tram up to the bunny hill to get your feet wet and then from there you can explore the mountain. If you ride the tram another day, it will cost you $25-$45 per person so take advantage of the lift ticket. 

Be sure to ride the funitel down at the end of the day. It is also included in your lift ticket. 

My personal highlight was the ski in/ski out Starbucks located on top of the mountain at Gold Coast. 

The Village At Squaw has lots of shopping, restaurants and cafes. We also caught a free live concert, listened to the DJ and snacked on a yummy crepe. 

All around great atmosphere and fun day! 

Off The Beaten Path In San Diego

A man shows his family photos. He is on the US side and his family is in Mexico

When you come to San Diego, you think of Sea World, The San Diego Zoo and the beautiful coastline. But here's something you might want to add to your sightseeing list Border Field State Park. 

It's a park right on the Mexico-US border. 

This is the Southwest corner of the US

In fact, the border fence goes right into the ocean at the end of the park. To get to Border Field State Park, take I-5 South, exit Dairy Mart Road, make a right and follow that road for about 3.5 miles all the way to the end. You will need to pay $5 per vehicle if the road is open to the park. If not, you can park outside and walk the approximately 1 mile to the park. 

The border fence trails into the ocean

On Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-2pm, the Border Patrol opens the no man's land between the two fences. That's right, there are actually two fences. It's an eerie feeling to be standing at the fence looking into Mexico. It's odd to see the fence trail down into the ocean and to watch the dolphins swim back and forth between the two countries. 

Border Angels Founder Enrique Morones

For me, I wondered whether we were locked in or they were locked out. Families on either side of the fence are visiting and holding hands. While we were there, Border Angels, a National Geographic photographer and a documentary film crew were there. A musical group started playing on the Mexican side as well and we could smell traditional Mexican food.
You can see the old bull fighting ring, the hotels and the church in Tijuana from the park.
If you want to experience something off the beaten path, this might be the one.

What's Your 2018 Travel Resolution?

Machu Picchu

What's your travel resolution for 2018? I have a friend who is planning to visit her 50th state this year. I am planning to visit my 50th country. Another friend is visiting his last continent. Another friend who wants to volunteer on a goat farm this year. So what's your travel resolution?

And then how can you make it happen?

Sandboarding in the deserts in Peru

Besides visiting my 50th country, I am planning to publish a video series this year that will make it easier for families to jump in, start collecting miles and points and travel. There is so much information out there, perhaps it's time to go back to the basics. 

Holding a sloth in the Amazon

I have written about it before, but I believe that travel is amazing for families and children. One of the best reasons to travel is getting a chance to spend great quality family time without electronic devices and distractions. But another reason is the understanding and appreciation for different cultures, peoples and traditions that comes with travel. 

Relaxing at the pool in Peru

And then, of course, there is the history and the confidence that comes along with travelling in a foreign country with different money, language and food. 

My children understand the politics of Africa, the economics of South America, how to navigate public transportation in Asia and the history and architecture in Europe. 

So where are you headed in 2018?

And more importantly, how are you going to get there?

Thank you for supporting our blog and following Almost FREE family Travel. 

We look forward to travelling the road with you again in 2018.