Where's Johnny Jet? Merry Christmas! It’s difficult to believe that another year (and decade) is about to go by. This was an epic one for me thanks to the birth of my daughter in August. Since my wife was pregnant most of the year, and because we have a toddler and now a new baby, I didn’t fly very much in 2019 compared to prior years. I’ve also been trying to reduce my carbon footprint as I know Greta wouldn’t be too happy with all my flights. Even though I flew less, I still managed to qualify for American AAdvantage Executive Platinum status thanks to a last-minute expensive ticket that a client purchased.
Above is a map of my travels. Here's a link to my 2019 photo gallery and all my stats, including how many countries and states I visited in 2019. And here are my stats on Great Circle Mapper.
Next week...
This week's newsletter is the second-to-last of 2019. In next week's newsletter (also going out Tuesday), we'll be rounding up the top JohnnyJet.com stories from the past decade. Look out for that!
Today's mailing of our Daily Travel Tip newsletter (you can subscribe here), meanwhile, was the last of 2019. That newsletter will resume 5x/week on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. In case you don’t already subscribe to the Daily Travel Tip newsletter, where I shared it this morning, I'll leave you with this quote, which was shared by my son’s preschool: "One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." ~ Andy Rooney *The best stories of 2019*
With the year winding down, we've rounded up 12 of the best, most-popular and most-commented-on stories posted to JohnnyJet.com this year. Several are my own, including one on the birth of my daughter (that was a wild one!), and the rest are from editor Ian Livingston and our great team of contributors. Scroll down to see all 12 and for more on each of them.
*The best tips of 2019*
In addition to travel stories, we've also rounded up some of the year's best tips. Below are 10 of the very best Daily Travel Tips from 2019: If You Need a Global Entry Appointment, Expand Your Search and Make a Trip of It Luke Perry's Brilliant Travel Tip This Is the Best Place to Find a Rental Car That I Know of Take a Moment to Learn How Your Rental Car Gas Tank Door Opens What to Do if TSA PreCheck Isn't Printed on Your Boarding Pass Use the Original, Labeled Containers When Traveling With Medication Don't Wait to Get a REAL ID Driver's License How Your Car Keys Can Help You Stop Forgetting Stuff in the Hotel Safe How to Check Your Hotel Room for Hidden Cameras With a Single Device Use This Reader Tip to Manage Your Mail While Traveling Scottevest sale: 15% off site-wide through December 31! Scottevest, which as my readers know I love, is in the middle of a big sale. Everything on the site except gift cards and items in the outlet section will be 15% off through December 31. Just use code DEC19 to save. I use Scottevest products every time I travel because their multiple hidden pockets not only keep my valuables safe but can act as an extra carry-on, as well. Check out the collection here!
Companies I work with and recommend
Allianz (travel insurance), Amazon (travel gadgets and supplies), Blacklane PASS and Blacklane (fast-track through airport and reliable car service), Bluffworks (wrinkle-free clothing), Booking.com (hotel deals), Hotspot Shield (VPN to protect your data and get cheaper travel deals), Scottevest (travel clothes).
Follow us on social
If you're on social media, don't forget that you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter. You can follow my wife on Pinterest and Instagram. |
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I went to Las Vegas for Virtuoso Travel Week while Natalie was eight months pregnant with baby #2. When I got an urgent text from her, I raced home. Here's what happened.
Read it >> | Ian Livingston spent four days in Saint Lucia, an island of diamond-cut peaks and cacao trees in the eastern Caribbean. Here's his guide to a perfect day there.
Read it >> | In October, I was in South Florida for two reasons: to see my 90-year-old dad, and to attend Embraer Media Day, which included a trip to Kennedy Space Center.
Read it >> | Inspired by a flight I took to JFK, here’s what to do if your flight is delayed or canceled in eight steps.
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| Toward the end of the year, AA sent me an email encouraging me to buy back my Executive Platinum status. The offer was absurd.
Read it >> | You know who hates a screaming kid on an airplane the most? The parents. Here are a few items that in my wife's experience help keep kids quiet on a plane.
Read it >> | In June, United began service from Newark to Prague, opening lines to a thousand new Prague adventures. Here's what to expect from the new route.
Read it >> | From Ian Livingston's first steps onto the Japanese island of Kyushu in July, here are 10 things to do in Fukuoka Prefecture.
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| Ian Livingston came to love Mendoza while in town to attend the InterContinental Wine Expo. Here's what to know before you go.
Read it >> | After falling in love with the place in 2018, Matt Thompson set off on a road trip in Newfoundland & Labrador in August with his friend Cody.
Read it >> | La Paz, Mexico, is a place of tranquil beaches, laid-back vibes and unforgettable marine life encounters. Here are eight things to do in La Paz from Lavanya Sunkara.
Read it >> | I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know who Megan Rapinoe was when I first met her last year. What I did know right away was...
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