8 world travelers share their New Year's resolutions for 2022
As we hurtle toward the end of 2021, there's one more thing you might want to do: Make some New Year’s resolutions. In 2022, you may pledge to use your points and miles to travel more — and even try to hit up some bucket-list destinations.
We asked a group of travel influencers and globe-trotters for their 2022 travel resolutions to give you some inspiration. Whether you already recognize some of these jet-setters, solo travelers and AvGeeks or they are new to you, be sure to follow them on their journeys in the new year.
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Brian Kelly, The Points Guy
Home base: New Hope, Pennsylvania.
New Year’s travel resolution: Visit Peru, take a trip with my parents and scuba dive in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, if/when it reopens.
Current travel statistics: In 2021, Brian visited 20 countries, eight states and flew 91,605 miles.
David Neeleman, Breeze Airways founder
Home base: Park City, Utah.
New Year’s travel resolution: To travel to the Maldives and hit my last three U.S. states — North and South Dakota and West Virginia.
Current travel statistics: I've traveled to 37 countries and been to 47 U.S. states.
Related: Breeze unveils its first expansion, adds new cities in Florida and New York
Monet Hambrick, The Traveling Child
Home base: Miami.
New Year’s travel resolution: To take my children to another African country, as I try to take them to a different one each year. We follow the deals, so we'll book which one has one. So far we've visited Kenya for $480, Morocco for $400 round-trip and we're going to Egypt for Christmas for 58,000 Delta Skymiles.
Current travel statistics: 26 states and 41 countries.
Cory Lee, CurbFreeCoryLee.com
Home base: LaFayette, Georgia.
New Year’s travel resolution: To go on a round-the-world trip. I have wanted to do a RTW trip for years, but as a wheelchair user, it’s challenging to plan accessibility for so many destinations in one trip. But in 2022, I’m vowing to finally make it happen. For now, I’m thinking I’ll start in Tokyo and then go to Dubai, Egypt and probably a couple destinations in Europe. I’m only in the early stages of planning it, but it already has me super excited for 2022’s travel plans.
Current travel stats: 32 states and 39 countries.
Dayvee Sutton, Emmy award-winning travel/lifestyle journalist
Home base: Atlanta, but currently nomadic in Mexico.
New Year’s travel resolution: To travel slower. I find more value in being able to stay at a destination longer — it's more sustainable, too. There are fewer emissions, and I get to immerse in a local community and meet friends. This allows me to tell deeper, more comprehensive stories.
Current travel statistics: I'm not really a country counter, because my goal is driven by my unusual experiences and local cultures. But I've been to 32 countries and 36 states.
Ryan Patterson, @diecastryan
Home base: Washington, D.C.
New Year’s travel resolution: I see more traveling with my family. My sister has never flown business class before, so I am surprising her with a spring break trip in Thailand on points.
Current travel statistics: All 50 states and 31 countries.
Brian Oliver, Beyond Bmore
Home base: Baltimore, Maryland.
New Year’s travel resolution: To hopefully make up for lost time during the last almost two years and get back out into traveling as often as I became used to. I plan to reschedule trips to Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Zanzibar. I also hope to see more of the U.S., particularly states that I have not yet visited. With the pandemic and restrictions changing daily, this may not be possible. However, I plan to travel as safely as possible and adhere to all rules within the U.S. and international destinations.
Current travel statistics: Nearly 60 countries and more than 20 states.
Jen Ruiz, Jen on a Jet Plane
Home base: Humacao, Puerto Rico.
New Year’s travel resolution: To see a World Wonder — I already have plans to see the Pyramids of Giza in early January — and explore an off-the-beaten-path place like Easter Island or the Galapagos.
Current travel stats: 35 countries, six continents and 31 states.
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- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
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- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
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- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
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Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.