Ryan's Latest Posts

When I lived in Brazil, I regularly passed through the American Express Centurion Lounge at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). It wasn’t always a Centurion Lounge — previously, it was an American Express International Lounge accessible with a Priority Pass…

The VIP Lounge at Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, doesn’t offer the bells and whistles of other lounges. It’s small, and I was tempted to say, “It’s not worth going out of your…

I’ve been to huge lounges, and I’ve been to small lounges. And now I’ve been to a lounge that likely holds a world record for the smallest lounge. The American Express Lounge at Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) caught…

Depending on your lounge membership, what’s in your wallet, and what elite status you hold with airlines, there is a smorgasbord of lounges you might be able to visit at the El Dorado Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento International Airport in…

If you’re looking at travel insurance policies, you may feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of options. Some of the names of insurance providers will sound familiar; others you’ve likely never heard of. If you’re wondering about the first…

If you visited a beachfront resort in Hawaii or southern Florida in the ’90s, you’ve stayed at this hotel. The key difference is that this hotel is 1,300 feet above sea level, is nowhere near an ocean (or a beach!),…

During a recent trip to Bolivia, I connected through El Salvador International Airport in San Salvador (SAL) on Avianca. I don’t hold elite status with Avianca or Star Alliance, but this lounge is part of the Plaza Premium Lounge network….

Airline: AviancaAircraft: Airbus A320Flight #: AV529Route: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to El Salvador International Airport (SAL)Date: August 8, 2023Duration: 5 hoursCabin and Layout: Economy cabin with 3-3 configurationSeat: 31A (window seat)Typical LifeMiles Cost: 10,500 LifeMiles + $33.20 in taxes…

Airline: Air FranceAircraft: Boeing 777-200Flight #: AF 8Route: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)Date: July 20, 2023Duration: 8hr 42minCabin and Layout: Air France premium economy with 24 seats, 2-4-2 configurationSeat: 11L then 10L…

This is one of my favorite hotels in Africa, and possibly in the entire world. It’s not the newest property and could use some renovations in a few areas. However, the hotel shines in service and little extras — like…

If you’re like me, you saw that headline and thought, “What is a Radisson Serviced Apartment?” I had the same reaction when searching for hotels on a recent trip to Madagascar. While unfamiliar with the brand, I wound up here…

Airline: Royal Air MarocAircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8Flight #: AT801Route: London (LHR) to Casablanca (CMN)Date: July 8, 2023Duration: 3hr 5minsCabin and Layout: Business class; 12 seats in a 2-2 configurationSeat: 2ACost: 57,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles + $783.20 (available from…

Airline: British AirwaysAircraft: Airbus A350-1000Flight #: BA274Route: Las Vegas (LAS) to London (LHR) with an onward Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca (CMN) on the same reservationDate: July 7, 2023Duration: 9hr 21minsCabin and Layout: British Airways Club Suite (business class);…

I’ve long labeled the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) in Ethiopia as “the airport most in need of a Priority Pass lounge.” As one of Africa’s busiest airports and the hub of its most far-reaching airline, Ethiopian Airlines, I’ve…

Imagine booking a hotel purely based on its location and attempting to maximize your credit card benefits, then having your mind blown during your stay. That was our experience when my wife and I recently spent 2 nights at the…

My wife and I recently flew international first class for the first time. And it wasn’t just any first class. It was a true unicorn in the points and miles space: We used Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points to snag…

My wife and I recently spent 1 night at the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel in Hiroshima, Japan. On top of an incredibly convenient location and modest perks for Marriott Bonvoy elites, the hotel is a good option for using your…

You may see the title of this review and think “Hyatt Place? Yawn.” Let me tell you that this is no ordinary Hyatt Place. Instead, the Hyatt Place Kyoto has suites, multiple room types (across 239 total rooms and 6…

Sometimes, you aren’t looking for an impressive hotel but rather a hotel that’s good enough in a city full of expensive hotels that will eat up your bank account balance or points balance quickly. That’s what my wife and I…

There are many travel insurance companies you could consider before your next vacation. One such company is Trawick International, which got its start in 1998 by providing insurance for students at universities and study-abroad participants. Now, 25 years later, the…

Part of planning for your next vacation should include asking yourself, “What if something goes wrong?” Your answer to that question likely includes shopping for travel insurance. Choosing the right policy can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses if you have delays,…