It's been a bit since our last post, and we're here to catch you up on the whirlwind of adventures that kept us away from the keyboard.
Life on the road is nothing short of unpredictable, and 2023 was a testament to that. Fast travel, work trips, we shot a film in Hawaii, and the alluring distractions of new places didn't leave a lot of time to document it all. In 2023, we clocked in 86 stops, a slight dip from the 97 in the previous year. About half of those stops, 44 unique stops to be exact, introduced us to new cities, cultures, and communities!
Amidst the adventures, we stumbled upon a fascinating discovery—our strategic approach to accommodations! Where we found the most success was leveraging points and certificates through hotel loyalty programs, allowing us to revel in a staggering 72 free nights in various hotels. We had top status with four major hotel chains—Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG—providing us with perks throughout 2023. Lots of suite upgrades and always free breakfast! In 2024, we've requalified for the top status in three out of the four hotel chains.
For air travel, we maximized miles and vouchers, enjoying a joint value of $9,292 in flights—a testament to the power of loyalty. However, with the ever-changing landscape of travel rewards, we find ourselves evaluating the worthiness of these programs in 2024. Have miles and points devalued over the years? It's a question we're eager to explore and share our insights with you.
This year, we're committed to providing more in-depth coverage of our favorite programs and detailing why we believe they're worth your time and loyalty. Join us as we navigate the evolving world of a location independent lifestyle and chart our course for another year.
Buckle up, fellow wanderers, because 2024 is poised to be a year filled with exciting destinations we haven't planned yet, valuable insights, and, of course, the joy of discovering the world, one stop at a time. Stay tuned for more updates from the road!