Around the World with Hello Kitty

Episode 59: Show Notes.

When EVA Air released its Hello Kitty livery on a 777-300ER, we just knew we had to hop on! Today, 10 years later, we reflect on our EVA Air Hello Kitty trip and why this particular adventure is still one of our most memorable. We discuss how we became aware of the Hello Kitty jet, the near-disaster of our first connection, and the wonder of our in-flight experience with Hello Kitty branding, literally, everywhere!  Then, we examine our itinerary, which included stops in Taiwan, Bangkok, Vientiane, Laos, and Singapore, before detailing our experience of the Crowne Plaza Vientiane and other attractions Laos had to offer. We also learn of Tom’s unlikely affair with beer, his aversion to Thai foot massages, why we’re definitely going to do an entire Fifth Freedom Flight episode, and why taxis in Singapore may have saved Trevor’s marriage. To end, we share fond—and socially unacceptable— memories of the entire Lufthansa First-Class (drink!) service, and we rank our Hello Kitty trip as a complete travel experience worthy of high praise.      

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“Everything was Hello Kitty. You had the Hello Kitty-imprinted butter. You had Hello Kitty signage everywhere. Even the toilet paper in the lavatory was Hello Kitty.” — @tmount [08:31]

“That’s probably the only airline experience that I’ve ever had that has been so complete. It was almost like a Disney World-type experience where they just had everything right; everything aligned to Hello Kitty. I was really impressed with that.” — @tmount [09:09]

“Any lounge that provides ice cream – they get an extra star automatically.” — @TktweetsKim [14:43]

“I am absolutely not a beer drinker. I actually usually detest the beverage – [but] for the weather, for the environment, [Beerlao] was just the best beverage.” — @TktweetsKim [24:22]

“I cannot think of a bad Cathay flight that I’ve flown.” — @TktweetsKim [29:37]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

EVA Air 

EVA Air | Hello Kitty Jet

Sanrio | The Official Home of Hello Kitty and Friends 

Lufthansa

Thai Airways 

Bangkok Airways 

Crowne Plaza Vientiane 

COPE Visitor Centre 

Beerlao Lager 

Cathay Pacific 

United Airlines 

The La Première Experience | Air France 

The Milenomics Podcast Network

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

No Way Home

Episode 58: Show Notes.

Planning the trips are getting harder and harder. The way home often becomes more challenging, with many more constraining factors. This episode we’re unpacking why. We begin with our examples of going on trips without planning the route home before exploring the limiting factors that make the trip home a daunting prospect. We throw some tangents in along the way including a discussion of Fifth Freedom Flights, the current state of airline alliances, the merits of flying non-premium over the Atlantic, and why “unicorn” destinations are harder to visit now than ever before. We also look inward to see how our miles and points behavior limits our choices, how procrastination paralysis leads to incomplete bookings, why alternative routes home when flying may not be an answer, and TK’s troubling cruise moment when looking for a way back home. We end with an oddity that Tom has latched onto and how this may affect your September travel plans, and we discuss why a lack of airport arrival lounges compounds the woes of traveling home. 

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“This has been an unspoken rule, where we’re always seeming to have a lot more difficulty figuring out how we’re getting home than how we get there.” — @TktweetsKim [01:16]

“The world is our oyster, but it’s really not when you think about it. South America is almost unattainable at this time.” — @tmount [11:08]

“It’s possible to fly non-premium over the Atlantic.” — @TktweetsKim [19:04]

“On your way home, you want that experience. You really want that enjoyment to continue. That’s why I prefer not to fly economy over the Atlantic because I feel like the flight home is an extension of the vacation.” — @tmount [21:31]

“A guy can dream. If we don’t dream, then we have nothing to aspire to.” — @tmount [24:39]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Lufthansa 

Delta One® 

Ethiopian Airlines

Air India 

Etihad  

Copa Airlines 

Star Alliance

oneworld 

SkyTeam

LATAM Airlines 

Alaska Airlines 

Lufthansa Group 

airBaltic 

LOT Polish Airlines 

ITA Airways

Virgin Atlantic 

Eurowings 

Edelweiss 

Episode 57: Travel Banter with Michael Trager 

Liberia 

Expo 2025 Osaka 

JetBlue 

PLAY Airlines 

Icelandair 

Straight to the Points 

Thrifty Traveler  

United Airlines 

The White Lotus

The Milenomics Podcast Network

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 57: Show Notes.

Sometimes you just need to do some travel banter! And who better to do it with than TravelZork Travel’s Michael Trager? In today’s conversation, we discuss our recent travel experiences and dig into the nitty gritty of points, upgrades, flight paths, and so much more. To kick things off, we hear all about Michael’s recent trip to Madrid and the benefits of American Airlines' ConciergeKey status, which Michael has access to thanks to his wife, Ellen! We then discuss optimal flight paths to Europe from different parts of the US, why JetBlue is on the naughty list this week, and how to optimize your next trip to Vegas. Next, we explore the flagship lounge and dining experience on different airlines, before discussing why it sometimes makes sense to pay for travel (because you can’t do everything on points) and the exceptional cases where we break our own rules. We also dive into Marriott points and benefits, including getting the fifth night free, the challenges of hotel hopping, and the importance of a positive arrival experience; especially if you have your family in tow. Finally, Michael tells us the essential details and updates for ZorkFest 2025, including the festival’s four-star accommodation, their new miles and points labs, their epic foodie and beverage dining experience, the speakers they have lined up, and much more. Be sure to tune in to hear the full scope of our travel banter conversation with Michael Trager!

Quotes:

“The amount of trouble to position to JFK and then to leave, like, three, four, five, six, hours between the flight to then get a lie flat seat for a flight that maybe is six hours of which maybe, if all of the stars align, you get four hours of sleep. And that's like, if you're really lucky.” — Michael Trager [17:33]

“JetBlue is on my very naughty list, really naughty list this week.” — Michael Trager [21:19]

“That has been a thread or a mantra on this podcast, ‘book the flight or book the room you want’.” — @tmount [56:29]

“When you hit the ground, that's going to set the tone for your entire trip.” — @tmount [56:57]

“Nothing's gonna be as good as a nice, quiet hotel room on the ground for you to recover.” — @TktweetsKim [01:04:34]

“Value is so personal, right? People need to respect that, and a lot of people don't. They think that their truth is the only truth.” — @TktweetsKim [01:09:23]

“This is the first time we are truly having ZorkFest at a very bougie casino property with a very bougie, true four-star room product.” — Michael Trager [01:11:01]

“There are things you learn from casino advantage players like Anthony Curtis, or things that you learn from casino loyalty, that can be parsed to the miles and points world technique-wise.” — Michael Trager [01:25:30]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Michael Trager

Michael Trager on LinkedIn

TravelZork Travel

TravelZork

TravelZork on Facebook

TravelZork on X

TravelZork on Bluesky

TravelZork on Instagram

TravelZork on YouTube

TravelZork, ZorkCast (and ZorkFest too!) - Casinos, Vegas, Miles & Points on Facebook

Join the Zork Fest Mailing List

Yo-11 Podcast | ZorkCast on Spotify

BAEC GOLD + GGL + Premier [British Airways Executive Club] Facebook Group

Hyatt Privé Deals Facebook Group

Cunard | Queen Mary 2 + Entire Line | Cruise Deals, Discussion + Promotions Facebook Group

The M Resort and Spa and Casino, Las Vegas

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

0:25 Chase Sapphire Preferred 100,000 Offer

05:14 Chase Referrals

06:30 Sapphire Churning Restrictions

12:09 Two Player Mode

13:50 Ultimate Rewards: Value and Utility

23:31 CSP/CSR Earning Strategy

28:47 United/Southwest: Opportunity Cost

31:38 Q2 2025 “Point Offer”

37:10 Live Application.

Two Cruises

Episode 56: Show Notes.

This episode, we head back to the high seas to talk about not one, but two different cruises! Join us as we discuss our experience on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas and Princess Cruise Lines’ Sun Princess. In this detailed discussion, we talk about everything from flight Irregular Operations (IRROPS) and loyalty rewards to dining, entertainment and more, drawing out differences, common features, and what we liked and didn’t like. To kick off our conversation, we talk about flights to Jacksonville and Orlando, and some of the unexpected obstacles along the way. Next, we touch on key aspects of the experience at Utopia of the Seas: facilities, dining, casino, and more, before diving into Thomas’s arrival on the Sun Princess. Comparing the demographics on each ship, Thomas shares what he liked about the dining setup and entertainment options, drawing a comparison with other cruise trips. Despite having been sick, Thomas shares a short review of what he was able to partake in, including a specialty European-style dinner. If you’re curious about the newest ships on two different cruise lines, this episode is for you!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“One thing that really jumped out at me is, because it’s such a big ship, [there’s so much to do], there’s an ice show, there’s an aqua show, they have two different shows in the main theatre, they’ve got two different slides—you can’t do it all.” — @tmount [13:59]

“I also suspect that putting their best product out there, their newest ship with all the newest bells and whistles and restaurants, they are converting a lot more who may not have been looking at cruises.” — @tmount [13:34]

“For better or for worse, Royal Caribbean is actually pretty good at delivering a standardized product.” — @TktweetsKim [35:44]

“This trip was trying out the newest ships on two different cruise lines. Utopia of the Seas is the newest ship for Royal Caribbean; Sun Princess is the newest ship for Princess Cruise Lines.” — @TktweetsKim [41:24]

“They are taking every opportunity, on Royal Caribbean, to engage with you and make you feel special.” — @TktweetsKim [56:50]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruises

MSC Cruises

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 55: Show Notes

From COVID to cutbacks, there were a lot of reasons why airlines let go of some of their more luxurious offerings. Today, we dig into the airline products that no longer exist and reflect on the standout examples we loved, missed, or otherwise knew about. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and discuss everything from exceptional service to the most comfortable sleep we’ve had up in the air! We describe our top first class experiences with Thai and Lufthansa, noteworthy changes at Doha, Qatar’s international airports, and our most memorable trips using JetSmarter, the Uber for private jets. You’ll also hear about our unique experience with Etihad Airways, the true premium cabin experience we both missed out on, our favorite economy products that no longer exist, and the amenity kits we prize above all others. Discover the joy of a massage at the Thai Royal First Lounge in Bangkok, the most exceptional ground services we’ve come across, and what services we miss the most!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“We're talking about Thai Airways’ first class lounge, offering a full spa-caliber massage. – You have this oasis among air world, where for an hour you were just in the lap of luxury like no other.” — @tmount [06:48]

“The overall experience [at Hamad International], I thought, was really exclusive, almost more exclusive than the current experience. But I think the current experience is more luxurious.” — @tmount [23:16]

“JetSmarter was all about ‘How do we monetize all these dead legs, all these private aviation flights that they do just to position these planes to where they actually need to be.” — @TktweetsKim [27:04]

“I'm still going to go give LATAM another shot. And if they announce a new business class product, I will be right in line to fly them again.” — @tmount [41:02]

“If I was having to fly over the Atlantic in economy, I would not mind doing it on an A380 in Air France economy.” — @TktweetsKim [43:48]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

TravelStories Episode 53: Aspirational Flying with Han Chicago

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 54: Show Notes.

Today, we are taking a trip back in time to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as we approach the fifth anniversary of lockdowns across the globe. Joining us to discuss this period is long-time friend Chris, who was traveling the world when lockdowns hit. In our conversation, he shares his experiences of the pandemic abroad, his tumultuous escape abroad as lockdowns were implemented, and the impact of travel restrictions on global tourism. Chris recounts the chaos and uncertainty around travel, how he altered his plans to avoid getting stuck in quarantine, and the lucky decisions that got him to a holiday destination. We learn about his trip to Thailand and Koh Samui, the challenges he faced in trying to find a place to stay during quarantine, what it was like witnessing the shutdown of major tourist destinations, government support for local tourism industries, and the remarkable resilience of the Thai people.

Next, we shift to a happier topic, Chris’ participation in SAS's million-mile promotion and his airline upgrades and mileage strategies before reflecting on the evolving landscape of points and miles. We also learn about Chris’s involvement in revitalizing the Chicago Seminars for the travel community post-COVID and how volunteers and contributors helped raise nearly 30,000 USD for charity. Join us today as we journey back for a fascinating account of navigating lockdown travel!

Key Points From This Episode:

“One thing that [Thailand] did very well was the government subsidies [which] did pay out for hotels to keep their employees.” — Chris [0:20:43]

“There were very few cases of COVID on the island of Koh Samui for the first year and a half.” — Chris [0:25:10]

“I never learned Thai because I just thought I was going home soon.” — Chris [0:33:16]

“I [was] fortunate to only [have] had one medical issue during the two years over there.” — Chris [0:38:09]

“When I went back for the one-year anniversary for the Hyatt Regency opening, I tipped the entire staff that was there for the whole year – because it meant so much to see them again a year later, that's just a year after I'd already left.” — Chris [0:43:09]

“My first points flight was in 1989.” — Chris [01:32:08]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 53: Show Notes

What does it take to plan the ultimate luxury travel experience? In this episode, Tom and Trevor sit down with returning guest Han Chicago, a well-known aviation enthusiast and premium travel expert, to hear about his recent extravagant, multi-leg trip. Han talks about his first-class flights, luxury airline products, and lounge experiences during his lavish adventure. He breaks down his premium airline experiences and what makes certain airlines excel in service and product quality. Hear why he prefers the luxury suite on the A380 over the Emirates Game Changer suite and what it was like flying in the pinnacle of luxury on Etihad's Residence suite. Han explains how he booked The Residence, what the service was like, and why he got a surprise birthday cake. They also discuss industry trends, the pros and cons of A380s, and why Han thinks A380 First Class remains superior to newer A350 suites. Han also shares insights on luxury travel booking strategies and how to acquire more airline miles for top-tier experiences. Join us for a deep dive into luxury aviation, travel hacking, and the quirks of premium airline swag with Han Chicago!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“Turkish [Airlines] is always solid. I don't think you can really go wrong with them.” — @hanchicago [0:11:38]

“I think all loyalty programs should have 24-hour call centers because you are flying globally.” — @hanchicago [0:20:24]

“The A380 [Emirates] product, for me, is still one of the best in the business.” — @hanchicago [0:36:01]

“I am glad I did [The Residence] once. If you are really into this stuff, I think you have to try it once.” — @hanchicago [0:51:51]

“I think people should get on those A380s while they still can. Don't take [them] for granted.” — @hanchicago [1:32:36]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Han Chicago on X

Han Chicago on Instagram

Turkish Airlines 

Etihad

Etihad | The Residence

% Arabica 

DC | @AvGeek4All

Qatar Airways

Oman Air

Emirates

Qantas        

American Airlines

Cathay Pacific 

Frequent Traveler University (FTU) Event

TravelStories Episode 30: First Time Istanbul Visit with Han

Layovers Podcast

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 52: Show Notes

We’ve taken many trips to Australia, but our most recent one was certainly one to remember! In today’s episode, Trevor walks us through his most recent visit down under, and he begins with his domestic flights leaving the USA before detailing his international flight path. We unpack an awkward midair encounter from New Zealand to Australia, why Trevor was pleasantly surprised with his American Airlines flight home, how he and his family maximized their time in Qantas Business and other airport lounges, and the hotels he chose in Australasia. We also learn about the world’s biggest LEGO store, the Taronga Zoo, an unforgettable cookie, and Paddy’s Markets. To end, Trevor shares his final thoughts on Australia and the wonders of being able to walk across one of the world’s major cities.  

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“You know what? I might just make the stretch to Executive Platinum [on AAdvantage]. It’s going to come down to the wire.” — @tmount [22:08]

“Qantas does earn a little high praise from me for their à la carte dining in general.” — @TktweetsKim [28:30]

“Three of four people responded to me saying, ‘Why on Earth are you trying to get coffee at a hotel in Australia? There’s so much great coffee, just go up the street.” — @tmount [41:50]

“We walked almost everywhere [in Sydney].” — @TktweetsKim [01:04:07]

“Going back to Sydney felt so good because it felt so familiar.” — @tmount [01:05:21]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

American Airlines  

Etihad Airways 

Emirates 

LATAM Airlines 

American Express 

China Eastern Airlines 

Delta 

AAdvantage Executive Platinum 

Qantas | Airport Lounges 

The Centurion Lounge 

Lufthansa 

The Chelsea Lounge 

Park Hyatt | Auckland 

SailGP 

InterContinental | Sydney  

Andy's Travel Blog 

Butterboy 

Taronga Zoo

Hyatt Regency | Sydney 

Healesville Sanctuary 

Sydney Opera House 

Paddy's Markets

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X 

Milenomics | Podcasts

Everyday Carry

Episode 51: Show Notes.

Today’s episode is years in the making as finally, Tom and Trevor sit down and do a deep dive into the everyday carry items you’ll need when traveling. We begin with keeping go kits up-to-date and why Trevor and Tom will always be fans of carry-on luggage. We shift then to our favorite luggage exploring Briggs and Riley, Tumi, Rimowa, and other great roller bag options. Then, we unpack a few must-have travel accessories including portable USB fans, multi-charging cables and adapters, man purses, and much more. Our conversation then turns to clothing as we compare normal clothes to travel clothes versus a combination of both, and we discover why Trevor is a fanboy of lululemon and Tom loves shirts with front pockets. To end, Tom and Trevor discuss eSIMs and other best practices for using your cell phone abroad, and after weighing the pros and cons of using laptops versus tablets, our hosts shares more travel advice and tips, especially for parents traveling with toddlers. 

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“This is an opportunity for everybody to learn, because there’s so many different things that I know I don’t know, and I’m always looking for how I can get more efficient.” — @tmount [02:05]

“Travel’s personal, and I think your gear is personal.” — @TktweetsKim [02:38]

“We call this luggage, but you don’t want to be dragging it around as a burden.” — @tmount [13:24]

“Curate your stuff so that you’ve [only] got what you need for the mission at hand.” — @TktweetsKim [29:37]

“Things keep changing. You have to keep iterating because people change the rules and change things on you all the time. So, it’s important to keep up and continue to iterate your everyday carry.” — @TktweetsKim [1:07:55]

“What’s clear is that we’re very passionate about a lot of this. We’re passionate about what is in our gear [and] what we’re willing to drag pretty much around the world.” — @tmount [1:14:05]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Everyday Carry 

Marie Kondo 

Briggs and Riley 

Tumi

Rimowa 

Travelpro 

Monos 

Away 

Costco Wholesale | Luggage 

3 in 2 USB C Cable | Amazon 

VASCO Compression Packing Cubes for Travel 

Muji | Bags 

Kenneth Cole | Reaction 

Bellroy 

Lufthansa | First Class

Pat & Mike on X 

Aēsop | Travel 

lululemon 

American Express 

Google Fi Wireless

T-Mobile | International Roaming Plans 

Nomad eSIM 

GigSky 

Cellular at Sea 

Anker 

Unidapt Universal Travel Adapter | Amazon 

Momax 

Baseus 

Microsoft | Surface 

Dell | Pay Credits 

TP-Link | Travel Router 

Rapid Travel Chai

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X