Drives

Almost anyone who has ever met me, knows that I never say no to a drive. There's something about being behind the wheel of a car, one of those "I can't explain it, but it's where I want to be" feelings. 

Look guys, Nashville. 

That being said, what better way to spend my final college Spring Break than to go on a road trip?

My Route: Champaign - Nashville - Birmingham - Panama City Beach - New Orleans - Memphis - Champaign

Time: 8 days 

Distance driven: 2150 miles 

Yes, that is a real gator. Yes, I was terrified.

I'll admit, driving through some of the states didn't necessary yield the best views or best roads to drive on, but there's s thrill to it. Playing 20 Questions, pit-stopping for gas, chips & snacks, bathrooms breaks, or just to stretch our legs - two cars and seven friends made for memories that a 2 hour flight wouldn't have given. 

My favorite part of the driving would definitely have to be how music supplements it. It seems so right, fighting for the AUX cable, queuing up the next song, song requests, different tastes in music and just a musical journey throughout. 

It was nothing short of being the best spring break there could've been. 

Oh and, the cities were great too. 

My Loyalty Journey

British Airways Flight 108 and 1516. 

Dubai - London - New York. August 2013

That's how my love for frequent flier programs began. Getting ready for a new phase of my life as a college freshman, the customary email asking me to sign up for British Airways' frequent flier program made its way to me. Collect a family's miles in one account? Who would ever say no to that, regardless of how little they might be worth! 

At the time, it seemed like a no-brainer. 4 round-trip tickets from Dubai to Chicago would be enough to maybe be worth something. It was only after I settled into college and received my monthly British Airways miles statement, did I realize how much I undervalued their worth. The points from those 4 tickets, were now worth 4 round-trip tickets from Chicago to New York.

That was my turning point. I had done nothing additional to earn these points, except enrolling in the program, and here I was with enough miles to take trips of my choosing. Why couldn't I do this on a more regular basis? All my spending was done on a debit card, why couldn't I find a credit card that rewarded me for making the exact same purchases at Chipotle, Panera, or anywhere else. 

Cut to 4 years and several trips later, I'm finally understanding how much there is to this world of miles and points.

What I've done with my miles and various loyalty programs:

• Discounted flight upgrades between Chicago and Dubai
• 2 Discounted tickets to The Louvre Museum in Paris 
• Entry fee and tour tickets for 3 into Camp Nou, the largest soccer stadium in Spain
• 3 Free flights to New York City 
• Free hotel nights in the city of Chicago
• A free flight from Dubai to New Delhi. India
• Rented cars for weekend getaways without paying additional fees
• Free rental car upgrades at any given destination in the United States 

.... and more.

The possibilities are endless, and I'm not done yet. There's so much to do, and so many places to see. Loyalty and Frequent Flier Programs can be fun if you're on a mission to explore. 

Here's how I keep up to date with deals, check it out! 

https://www.thepointsguy.com

https://millionmilesecrets.com

Wish Me Luck!

I won't lie, writing a blog can be scary. Knowing that this is a public space where, if i'm being optimistic about the traffic this website could get, a lot of people could read up on who I am, and what truly makes me, me. 

The point of this blog isn't to talk just about my perceptions on the world of Advertising, though I guarantee you that will be a big part of it. It's interesting that once you've studied and broken down enough ads, they seem to appear differently to you. I spend my time looking at an ad wondering what the "Big or Awesome Idea" must have been on that creative brief. I watch an advertisement on YouTube and my first thought is "Why did they choose that medium, and why am I seeing it? Am I their target audience?" 

This blog is also to talk about what makes me tick. I'm a fan of food and travels, and this might be a little new to hear, but I'm a fan of maximizing loyalty points and frequent flier points. It's a world of possibilities that opens up to me as I go about my monthly spending and occasional travels. It's the chance to see more and do more, without sacrificing on doing what I'm already doing. 

This blog is more than just my thoughts. It'll be my journey. As a second semester senior looking to find his place in the world, I hope you enjoy the read!