No.72 locked in

Destination number 72 on the list of countries I've visited is now locked in. We've just booked flights to Samoa in September for what's fast becoming an annual ritual. For the last seven years, we've been booking an annual Spring vacation in a tropical location (setting aside pandemic border closures).

This annual pilgrimage has included time in Bali (Indonesia), Fiji (in 2018, 2019 and 2022) and the Cook Islands. We've chosen Samoa this year in part to secure Platinum Frequent Flyer status until the end of 2025. Qantas was running a double status points promotion last week. As a result, by choosing flights carefully savvy frequent flyers can secure enough points to maintain or improve their status with less travel.  

I already have several flights booked including a trip with Garry's parents to Far North Queensland in June. I've also booked flights to New Zealand in March, to Tasmania for a business event in May, and to Melbourne for an annual trade show in August.

A round trip to Samoa involves four flights as we have to fly via Brisbane. This extra domestic leg, with double status points locked in, is enough to secure Platinum status for another year for Garry and me. For now, we've only booked our flights. We've yet to finalise a hotel booking. Stay tuned for more details on our tropical plans in the months ahead.

UPDATE: 28 March

We’ve booked a villa at Return to Paradise. It’s a locally owned resort on the southwest coast of Samoa. The photo above was taken by my friend Nicole Webb. She stayed at the resort with her family last year.