Traveler Profile: Tripp & Sam of @FarOutTravelling

I know that every person’s job and financial situation is different, and what works for one person won’t always work for the next.  With this in mind, I’ve decided to start a Travelers Profile Series that will look at different folks’ travel setups and stories.  The hope is that someone’s story strikes a chord and gives you ideas on how to travel more given your individual situation!

Meet our FIRST up Travelers….

Tripp and Sam of @FarOutTravelling 

They are a couple making travel possible with intermittent bouts of work and travel.  They also switch off working – as one has a remote role and the other doesn’t (but aims to get there someday!) – which often means a single income stream.  But thru a little determination & travel hacking, they’ve learned a number of tips and tricks to stretch their budget further and continue on traveling!

Read on to learn more about their story!! ☺

1. First off, tell me a little bit about your current work setup & travel story!

We currently live in Philadelphia, I work in a fine dining restaurant, I make enough money to be able to support travel for extended periods on occasion.  Sam is finishing her graduate degree in a few months and will will embark on our new adventure as she begins her travel Physical Therapy career around the United States.  We will begin moving new places every 13 weeks for short temporary Physical Therapy assignments.  Hopefully I will  be working remotely by then.  There are a few different areas where I see possible work opportunities as I currently also work in the development, wordpress, website design, UX design field.  

As far as travel goes I have always had an attraction to it.  I have always had an attraction to European History and always wanted to explore the places I learned about.  I began travelling around the United States with my family at a young age and then onto Europe in my early teens.  My love grew from there.  

Sam was a late bloomer.  When we met she had yet to leave the country and had no real rush or desire too.  But since then we have been to Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Singapore, and Indonesia and both her and I have no interest in stopping. 

You’ve had an important influencer on her then!!  Happy you have both embraced the lifestyle now ☺

2. You mentioned making travel possible by using credit card points, perks, and status.  How did you get into that and how might someone else get started on their travel hacking journey?

Working the way we do and currently living mostly on a single source of income we have become very resourceful with points and credit cards to give us the ability to travel more often and longer.  I began following The Points Guy early on and reading different threads on Reddit and have become hooked.  Being able to squeeze the best value out of the points has become and obsession to me.  There are so many ways in which to apply the points that choosing where to go first is sometimes easier and then figure out the best way for your points to work for you.

There are so many blogs and threads about where to start, check out The Points Guy or just try googling it.  I would say if you don't feel passionately about it, it can become quite frustrating.  But thats good it means its so annoying not everyone will be doing it and you can get value from that.  Remember to keep a close eye on your spending and your credit score.  I check mine at least 5 times a week.  Credit karma is free and always one click away, just as easy as checking my Instagram.  Just read articles that are helpful to your situation, you have X card read an article best way to redeem X points to go where you want.  The information is out there just need to find it.  

I have also been a long time reader of The Points Guy.  Great tips.

3. What is your travel rewards program of choice and why?

I love transferable points. My favorite programs are Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards.  This means I can use these points and transfer them to airlines or hotels that I want to use.  They give you the most value because they are flexible.  While there are airlines and hotels that only take Amex points and some that only take Chase pointe, there is some overlap.  Some of my most used transfer partners for these two points currencies are Hyatt Hotels, Aeroplan, and Singapore Airways.

I’m also a big Chase Ultimate Rewards fan.  Check out my review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve HERE and it’s great supplemental card Chase Freedom Unlimited HERE.  These cards are very easy gateways into travel hacking.  I haven’t explored AMEX membership rewards yet, but maybe that will be my next play!!

4. How does having airline status benefit you in your travels?  What’s the best program for newbies just starting out in your opinion?

Having airline status can help in many ways – but the two major advantages would be comfort and cost.  Some airlines give you the option to pre-select a more desirable seat or eligibility to upgrade. On long haul flights this can be crucial to your comfort and ability to get a good sleep and hit the ground running.  Other perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and rebates on your redemption points can make it so you end up spending less money for the same product.

The airline program that is best changes greatly with where you are located.  Living in Philadelphia, PHL is an American hub so having status with them would make sense here.  If you fly out of San Francisco or Newark you would want to try to gain status with United as they are the major players in those regions.    

You make a great point here – there is information out there on different programs, their benefits, and which is the “best”, but if that airline doesn’t fly out of your airport, it won’t do you any good.  It’s always good to research which airline has the most flights to the places you want to go first, before settling on one airline alliance.

5. When did you first catch the travel bug and why have you decided to make travel a priority in your life?

We have always been into exploring new things and looking for new places to go.  We really love doing these things together too so our relationship works really well.  We have no problem being around each other all day, every day.  We actually would prefer it that way.  Our wanderlust has evolved from hoping to go to new places to actually being dropped in a new place and have to figure out how to get around, enjoy the city, eat, and thrive.  

One of the many addictions I have is travel planning.  I love to help other plan their travels and love the whole research aspect of it.  One day I hope to be working in some sort of capacity like that.  I’ve had many people ask me to help them with their travel plans.  I find it really enjoyable for the same reason we do when we find ourselves in a new city.  Researching a destination uncovers so many new things you never knew before.  

Ahh, I too am addicted to travel planning and have planned many itineraries for family friends (and now friends of friends).  I read an article that the more planning you do before a trip, the more enjoyment you get out of the trip as a whole.  I liked that.  I feel it’s super true….and validates my whole process haha!

6. What is a barrier to travel that you have overcome and how?

Like most people, cost is the major barrier.  While I like to travel and still have savings, it has become difficult at times—especially with half of us in full time school.  Using travel hacks such as points, miles, referrals, and saving and choosing destinations that offer great value has given us the ability to overcome that obstacle.  Being away from family has also been another barrier we face.  We both have very involved family lives.  Going away means not only being without them but also maybe turning down and opportunity to travel to be with them.

Yeah it’s tough, because you are ALWAYS going to miss SOMETHING when you are away.  That’s just how the world works.  The important thing is to just figure out what your priorities are and make peace with your decision – whether it’s to go or stay.  I’ve missed festivals my friends went to or birthday parties while away but understood it was the exchange I was making to be abroad.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, I recently cut a trip short because my friend was sick and I wanted to be there for treatment – and I have zero regrets.  

7. You’re currently planning a destination wedding in Tuscany, how has that process worked prepping from afar?

It has been both very rewarding and a struggle.  We have been in contact with some hosts of villas and other properties and some wedding planners.  We are still in the early stages of planning but we can see how amazing the outcome can be.  Now we are in the process of making that dream a reality.  With the time change and the language barrier emails can take a long time to make their way there and back again. 

 Overall the process has been easier in general than we originally thought.  Having a wedding planner will make our lives a lot simpler in the months before the wedding and on the day itself.  We are very glad we have chosen this path for our wedding day.  We know that some people we really wish could be there will not be able to make it, but we understand and have accepted that.  

You’re my inspiration!  I want to someday have a destination wedding.  So I’m so glad it’s going well and isn’t too overwhelming.  My eye has always been on Thailand (or somewhere in Southeast Asia) – because like you, I want to host it somewhere that means something to me!  

8. Favorite destination ever and why?

Favorite destination would have to be Tuscany.  A few major reasons include the high quality of the food and accommodations, natural beauty, the wonderful people and culture, and lastly and unexpectedly is price.  The value you can find there is amazing. Exactly why we will be having our wedding there.   

I visited Tuscany as a teenager but would LOVE to go back.  Hopefully sometime soon!

9. What’s on your bucket list and why?

Bora Bora overwater bungalow

Gobi desert in Mongolia

Patagonia

Swiss Alps

Just some of course.

Haha, of course.  Lots of great ones on here.  Staying in an overwater bungalow is high up on my list too, as well as Patagonia—looks epic!!

Well thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me about your experiences and how you’ve embraced your love for travel (and passed that on to your partner!). 

You can follow Tripp & Sam at @FarOutTravelling on Instagram – go show them some love!!

Xoxo

Lauren

Out of Office Gal