Thanks Sarah! Happy frequent flyer mile adventures.

Hi Gary,
I didn’t know a “close-in” booking fee existed. I’ve never been charged such a fee, and I’m sure I’ve booked awards flights within 21 days of flying. Perhaps I got lucky with airlines that don’t charge this fee. It’s a ridiculous charge! I’m glad you got it waived.

Gday nora. Thanks for the reply. I will check there. Happy travels. Rgds mike

Hi Christian,

I am glad you had an impactful san pedro ceremony, and that you are connected to the environment and our impact on it.

I am also saddened by your impatient tone, resulting attack on my shamanic experiences, and assumption that I wouldn’t publish your comment because I didn’t do so immediately. I have been off the grid (I thought that even bloggers were allowed to take a break from the internet once in a while – perhaps I was mistaken).

To address your original comment, you are right – flying is bad for the environment, and I originally wrote this post many years ago. Over time, I have become more and more concerned about my personal impact on the environment, and I have reduced my flights. That would not have been reflected in this article.
Also, throughout my full-time travel career, I have practiced the art of very slow travel, often staying in a region for months if not years, so as to reduce the number of times I fly.
But when I DO fly, I like to do so frugally, and using frequent flyer miles helps me to do that.

I think the choice is individual for everybody. How they fly, and how often they fly, is up to them. I am providing information, and I don’t believe in grandstanding or preaching to convince the world to do or not do something. My website is first and foremost a travel website.

Thanks for your input.
And please also be aware, that this website is not publicly legislated space. If I feel unnecessarily harassed, I am well within my right to delete or not publish a comment.
But I also believe in having an open forum if it is constructive. As long as we keep it constructive, I’m happy to publish a discussion, even if it is one where there is a difference of opinions.

Hi Michael,
Unfortunately I’m not up on the best sites or strategies for Aussies. Unfortunately you don’t have nearly as many options as Americans, and to a lesser degree, Canadians. (But of course I’m sure you know that already – ha).
I do know that Chris Guillebeau’s Travel Hacking Cartel and related sites do have a worldwide bent to them; perhaps you can check there?

I just found your blog after having my first San Pedro ceremony to look for more insight about the topic. I liked the style of your writing and of course the content so I countinued reading some of your articles.
But with this one I am very confused. I have to say I did not read it completely so I am not 100% sure if you mentioned anything about the impact of flying for our environment. I am reading this article after the one about your zero waste experiences so I know that you are aware of how humankind is treating our planet. And flying is one of the single worst thing to do while travelling. Yet you are giving advice how to fly even more and cheaper. Are you aware?