The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

They might but probably not.

 

same, Valdosta to SFO I upgraded both legs for $200 to first. Return flight was an outrageous $600 just for the SFO to ATL leg

 

Last time I flew Delta internationally I was first class. There were a lot of empty first class seats. The flight attendant mentioned that was normal and they rarely upgrade people when they have open seats internationally.

 

If you’re silver or higher you can check for free upgrades 24 hours before your flight. I managed it a few times a few years ago.

 

I got upgraded to 1st class on both legs of My ATL -> Greensboro trip, but then had to change both flights or standby on an earlier one.

I am about to book a $1,000 companion ticket from my Delta platinum card. Nice return on a $300 AF

 

Wife and I are looking at two-ish weeks in Mexico next year, I was going to suggest Mexico City (we’re not really beach people) and probably in February. I know a few people in here have been there before so looking for areas to stay/shit to do. We’re boring and middle aged, so not really looking for late night / club related things. More decent (not fancy) restaurants, markets, museums, etc. I speak decent Spanish

Thanks!

ETA: we’d also talked about Oaxaca

 

The restaurant scene in Mexico City is top notch if you plan your reservations early.

 

the street food in mexico city is where it really shines. Contramar is excellent and many itt like it for seafood. Quintonil and Pujol are world class fine dining, but I have only had drinks at Pujol as both were booked up. I had dinner at Rosetta there which on many "best in the world" type lists but was pretty disappointing. Overall the food is great and the quality of the cheap eats there is what I found set the city apart, food wise.

The Anthropology Museum in Chapultepec Park is absolutely one of the best museums in the world, imo. It is phenomenal and can be enjoyed by anyone, even kids, and even if you are not a "museum person". That was my favorite activity we did on the trip. The ruins of the Temple in the Zocalo area is really cool. The Zocalo area in general is really cool, and has great people watching. I really enjoyed going to see the Pyramids out in Teotihuacan if you have the time to visit. It's like 45 min one-way outside of the city.

I also did a little airbnb "Luncha Libre experience" which was fun for a night out. Definitely not really a party thing but it was a fun, unique experience to do if you're there.

 

A veteran chef from Pujol has opened a breakfast/lunch spot in La Jolla. People are raving about it. Going Sunday morning and I’m excited.

I went to Pujol for my bday two years ago. The restaurant and energy were great. Some standout dishes. But also a few that felt like filler. Still recommend it though if you’re looking for that Michelin, tasting menu experience.

 

Nug tell me what towns to look at in Oaxaca for a June trip. Might switch it up from Nica and try something new. Need to small town, ideally a good point break I can walk to or close somewhere I can surf a beachy out front but open to hiring a guide a day or two. Anything like Sayulita down there, but no sewage run off and less people?

 

We’re in the initial planning stages.

How’d you decide Seattle versus Vancouver? Princess versus Norwegian?

 

Actually, the friends we always travel internationally with booked it. They then invited us. My buddy‘s wife is a huge travel snob and that’s what she picked. They picked Norwegian because of the Haven class. It was super nice. We rarely left the Haven area. It’s restaurant was better than any other restaurant. Only time we left that area was to go play craps or blackjack.

they also used a travel agent who recommended Norwegian. It was also easier for us to get to Seattle than Vancouver. I would not do it without paying for the premium area. Just too many people everywhere on the regular parts of the ship. The smaller boats where everything is a premium experience get crazy expensive. Norwegian Haven class seems to be the best bang for your buck on that just depends what you’re looking for.

 

I wouldn't recommend Puerto, it's way too crowded now.

Check out Chacahua -- it's the best wave I've ever surfed. Very, very small town, not connected by land (have to take a ferry), bare bones but very untouched.

June will be hot AF though.

 

I would highly recommend Troncones (not in Oaxaca, i know). 30 min north of ZIH. Amazing surfing, food, etc. Stay at Lo Soreno or Manzanillo Bay. La Saladita like 15 min further up the coast and has an amazing left hand break all year

 

I would really really not recommend Pujol at this point. The difference from 2018 to the last time I went in 2023 left me so frustrated that I totally changed my entire perspective on Enrique's restaurants. IF you do go, go for the Taco Omakase as it's not so comically slow-paced & the food is actually interesting. Maybe the full tasting menu has been overhauled but it but last I checked it was still like 6-7 courses of super basic stuff w/ nothing compelling.

Places to go: Contramar/Entremar, Rosetta (and their Panadaria), Quintonil, Maximo Bistrot, Taqueria el Turix for cochinita pibil

 

Thanks for the feedback on GoAskMarshall.com . I've gotten it to a more stable place and will be making updates this weekend to help your trip planning process (linking your selected trip option to more robust travel AI for building out plans + help directing a Seats.Aero query to search for award flights.

I had another idea and built CardForYou.ai this week, going live today. Basically, I find it hard to figure out which credit card would actually earn me the most rewards/$$ based on my actual spending history. I put together a super simple app to show you which card would work best, taking into account TPG points valuation, merchant-specific multiples, statement credits, and easy to value perks. Will work in sign-up bonuses & other perks soon. Would love some feedback on it. Still waiting on Chase to approve my Plaid integration so you'll have to try with another bank for now.

Eventually going to direct link to the card signup flow and build it into an affiliate site running passively, assuming there's interest in using it.

Happy Travels

 

Quick google has me interested, but that's in the thick of some heavy cartel land right?

 

Just booked NYC to Tokyo for 12 days in April. Please send all recommendations

 

On the CDMX talk....is there a good ideal central location? Thinking of taking Good Effort! Good Game! Advice and hitting up mainland Mex but probably do a 3 day tour of Mexico City either rom the way in or out, depending on flight times.

I understand it is a huge city wrt land mass. Gonna assume it has mass transit? Seems they have a legit urban park where the zoo is.

Roma/Condesa seem to have some talk from some juggsian research

 

Anyone done a Lucha Libre show?

 

Yes it's incredible. Went to one at Arena Mexico in CDMX and it's a highlight

 

Roma/Condesa are great and have a ton of options for all budgets. Super walkable, great restaurants, shopping, etc. Chapultepec Park is an awesome hang if the weather is nice. Polanco is their Beverly Hills and incredibly safe/secure but everything a bit more $$$ obviously. Can't go wrong in those neighborhoods honestly

 

I mean, inland Guerrero maybe but not here. It's mostly expats and foreigners chilling and surfing. I wouldn't go down to Ixtapa (less bc cartel, more touristy) but Zihuatanejo up to Saladita is chill

 

I'm doing both of these in the next six weeks 8)

 

Yeah, that's one was mentioned in a few "mexico city with kids" article I read.

 

Was planning on going in June which is "Rainy Season".

Seems like it is more like afternoon heavy rains, then it clears up?

 

June will be hot and humid, so be sure to get a place with AC. Not *the* rainiest month of the pacific coast but it's def the start of rainy season. Early June better. It won't be all day, but storms in Troncones can knock out power/wifi & wash roads out so be mindful in your planning.

This company https://livrealestate.com.mx/ has a few developments in the region (one near ZIH, one in Troncones, one in Saladita) that are all super legit. The Playa Blanca one is 10 min from the airport and really affordable but not in town

 

Yeah I've been in Costa Rica in August during the height of it and really not too bad. I was mainly talking about Mexico City in that post tho.

 

I do love a good foreign land deal. 0-1 on my successful land purchase attempts. Mexico might be a liberal haven soon

 

ah, my bad. There's enough to do inside in CDMX even in the rain. Incredible museums. Traffic gets gnarly though

 

Yeah well no one asked you!

That’s awesome actually, you work remote or have a ton of time off?

 

in a way, both

 

Thanks. If you stoop to using Firefox it works fine, just not on Chrome.

 

Anyone have experience using VPNs from other countries to purchase plane tickets at a lower price? My co-worker was telling me about this and I'm intrigued, but don't know how practical (or legal) it is.

 

I've seen this "hack" before, but idk if it is actually real

 

I’ve noticed that you can sometimes get different results on the various country versions of skyscanner due to the different third-party ticketing agencies available in each country.

 

got a vpn once to try this. did not work. One of my friends wife's sister lives in Germany and always buys her ticket to Europe to save money so I guess it can work though

 

I booked a flight I think it was Icelanair through their Iceland site. It was significantly cheaper than when you used the US/English version.

Only time I've seen that happen.

 

How did you do this? Do you speak Icelandic or something?

 

You can change the language to english

 

Correct. Just used chrome to change it to English. Wasn’t perfect but was good enough for me to figure out what I was doing.

 

Headed to Boston Wed-Sunday.

Catching Celtics-Spurs Wednesday night, but not much else planned. The wife has never been - doing some history stuff, art museums & mostly eating/drinking our way around town - Restaurant & Bar recs? Best Comedy Club(s)?

North-End Italian dining is a given.

 

Yvonne's is a speakeasy located in an alley and is a fantastic place for dinner

 

Warren tavern and bell in hand were cool places when I went

 

How was the Lágt púrínmáltíð?

 

I'm noticing a much higher percentage of my poops leaving skidmarks inside European toilets than American toilets

Feels like over half. Will provide updates as things progress.