Daniel Saul Q & A

HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
In an ideal world about every other week. I'm one of those rare people who likes hotels as much as my home.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
My goal for this year is 500,000. The majority will come from non-travel items, ranging from charitable donations to filling out surveys. I value miles much more than I should, even though I end up giving a lot of them away.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
As a bargain hunter I only buy economy tickets. Through a combination of elite status, courtesy, using miles and luck I am fortunate to sit frequently in the front of the plane, especially on domestic tickets. I've found it never hurts to ask politely for an upgrade.
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
It doesn't really matter that much to me. At the end of the day, my decision is usually made by price, schedule, miles earned and likelihood of getting upgraded, approximately in that order.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
Upstairs on the 747.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
I love hotels -- if I had my choice, I'd live in one. I tend to favor Asian hotels for service, European hotels for character and history, and American hotels for room size.
If I had to name favorites, though, it would probably be the luxury hotels/campsites within the game parks of Kenya. There's nothing like ending the day sipping ice tea on a porch while watching elephants drink from a watering whole.
And I hate all hotels who don't put outlets near the desk so laptops can be conveniently plugged in.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Concierge floors. I like the convenience of free snacks and beverages, along with the larger rooms. By the way, whenever you check in I'd recommend asking for an upgrade to the concierge level. Even if you have to pay for it, it is often less than what you'd pay for breakfast which you'll get free.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
My home airport, Boston Logan, because I get excited by the adventure of travel when I am leaving, and excited by the knowledge of almost being home when I am returning.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
I'm notorious for arriving about 10 minutes before my flight takes off, partially because I hate spending time in airports. I really don't know airports that well, as once I do arrive I try to get to an airport lounge as quickly as possible. For those who can't justify joining one airline's club program, I highly recommend Priority Pass (prioritypass.com) which gives access to hundreds of clubs globally. Many clubs will also sell you a one-day pass for about $25.
FAVORITE CITY?
I love to travel and discover new places, but my favorite cities are the two I consider home -- Boston to live, and NY to play.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Any one I earn miles at! I love idine.com where you can register to earn miles on pretty much any airline just for eating out. I'm also a big fan of local cuisine -- in almost any city I'm game for a real dive that has good, cheap food. I love asking police officers where they eat -- they tend to have good insights to the best places in town.
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle. In wide-bodied planes, an inner-aisle seat on the far side of the plane.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
E-ticket. It is one less thing to lose.
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
For me, online because I do all my own planning.
That being said, I think the good travel agents have gotten a bum rap recently. If you don't want to spend days planning a complex vacation, why not pay $50 in service fees for expert advice?
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
I'm biased, but I love SmarterLiving.com.
I love reading those columnists who don't mind taking a stand and having some personality. Chris Elliott has put together a bunch of these folks together at ticked.com and Joe Brancatelli is a classic at zyworld.com/brancatelli/. I turn to the amazing wonders of the travel world -- Johnny Jet and Anita Potter -- to remind me that travel is supposed fun. And I think the on-line travel community owes a lot to Tom Parsons and Randy Petersen who revolutionized, respectively, the discount travel and frequent flier worlds.
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
My sweetheart.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Play nice with others. When travel goes wrong persistent but polite almost always gets you further than shouting. Doing kind things like holding a door or offering to help someone with a package -- even in a foreign destination -- will often lead to an interesting conversation filled with great travel tips. And taking a few minutes to tell someone's supervisor when you get great service will at a minimum make that person's day -- and often get you treated like a VIP just for saying thank you!