Hello UPGRD readers – Intro to the Trip Sherpa

I am really, REALLY happy to be here.

I have been reading UPGRD over the last couple of years, listening to the podcasts, and I am really excited to now be a contributor.  My blog will be somewhat unique to the other bloggers here, and really to anything else I have found readily available on the internet.

I have a passion for helping the uninitiated but interested casual travelers to travel like a pro.  Unlike many of the bloggers in the community and Flyertalkers/Milepointers, I do not travel for work (mostly).  My experiences are nearly all of a leisure, and mostly will be outside the US. This is where the title comes into play, I want to help those that have not yet gotten to the top of the mountain find their way to travel nirvana.

Here is what you can expect from me in the coming months:

-Trip reports from: Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Bangkok, Myanmar, ICN-LAX on the A380, and some odds and ends around the states.

-Tips and tricks for a better hotel experience

-When to use miles and when to use LCCs to complement large trips

-Unique ways to find miles, use checking accounts, etc.

-Mistake fares for which the average traveler (reasonable human beings) could take advantage

-A ton more…

What you won’t find from me:

-Endless posts about new credit card offers

-Mistake fares that I would not advise my friends and family to take (even if I would book it for myself)

-Articles about status levels that most casual or moderate travelers will not reach

Maybe this is a blog for you, maybe this is a blog for someone you know.  Hopefully I will make it something for both.  My goal is to occasionally impress the big bloggers like Matthew while still being a resource to travelers that have never conducted a mileage run before.

This is going to be tougher than I thought…

-Sherpa