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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
With Home Based Travel Agent ~ Kelly Monaghan

PROFILE

Kelly Monaghan is the owner of HomeTravelAgency.com, a division of The Intrepid Traveler publishing company. He has written many travel books, including "Universal Orlando," "The Other Orlando," and "Fly Cheap!" Kelly has also created a home-study course that teaches people how to set up and succeed in their own home-based travel marketing business.

As a freelance writer, he is a sometime contributor to "Travel Agent" magazine and an award-winning screenwriter for clients such as the Government of Hong Kong. He lives in Branford, CT, when he is not traveling the world.

KELLY'S ANSWERS

HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
I never really keep count. But in the last year I have traveled to Moscow, Orlando (many times), around the world (visiting China, Tibet, Nepal, and England), and most recently to Tuscany. In short, I fly as much as I can as often as I can.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
Somewhere in excess of 100,000 in a typical year. However, I should point out that relatively few of those miles come from flying. My philosophy is to never fly just to earn miles and, as a practicing home-based travel agent, I can get far better deals buying airline tickets directly from consolidators who sell only to the trade. There are plenty of ways to earn miles without flying.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Coach, with the occasional upgrade to Business .
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
Cathay Pacific
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
None really. If it flies where I'm going at the best fare, it's fine by me.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Currently, it's a tie between the Portofino Bay and the Hard Rock, both at Universal Orlando, which is a destination I cover as a guidebook author.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
A fast, reliable Internet connection.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
Chep Lap Kok in Hong Kong.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
Ditto. The Regal Airport Hotel is walking distance and has great day rates, a health club, a pool, and several terrific restaurants.
FAVORITE CITY?
London.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Usually, the last one in which I had an exceptional meal. Currently, that means La Solita Zuppa in Chiusi, Tuscany.
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
Etickets are great, but since I use consolidators so much for my international travel, I usually wind up with a paper ticket.
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Well, since I function as my own travel agent I guess I'd have to say "travel agent." There are TONS of misconceptions about booking online. My advice to the serious traveler is to find a good travel agent or invest the time to become one yourself and gain access to "to-the-trade-only" pricing.
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Johnny Jet, of course! Are there any others? ;>)
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
My wife.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
A satellite phone to call someone to come get me, a backup satellite phone in case the first one failed and, thirdly, a handheld GPS device to let them know my location.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Always remember that the English words "travel" and "travail" have the same Old French root. Go with the flow and treat travel as the character-building endeavor it invariably is.