Frequent flyer and TravMedia CEO Nick Wayland shares his travel tips
TravMedia CEO Nick Wayland is on the go for nine months of the year - meaning he has his frequent flyer points strategy down pat and has developed his own jet-lag solution.
I travel to... As founder and CEO of TravMedia I lead a global platform connecting 45,000 travel journalists, content creators, and PR professionals across 14 regions. I travel extensively to support our worldwide offices and global event series, meeting with media and industry partners to stay ahead of global trends and relationships. I split my time between our Sydney, London and New York offices and by design never spend an entire cold winter or a hot summer anywhere.
I love to travel, I find my contentment in a few round-the-world trips each year. Nowadays, I don't often travel purely for pleasure, but when I do, I believe there's no holiday quite like a Mediterranean one. Give me the south of France in July or Paxos in Greece any day.
I'm a points person... Absolutely! Remember the George Clooney movie, Up in the Air? Well, that's me to a T. I estimate I've accumulated about seven million points over the last decade. I use them constantly for upgrades. Paying with a combination of points and cash is the most straightforward way to afford a business-class flight. For instance, I recently flew across the Atlantic from New York to London return using 120,000 points and $1000. Compared to a typical flight cost of $5000, this is a much more economical option.
Inside my carry-on you'll always find... My life's possessions. When you're on the road for nine months of the year, everything you have is essentially in your bag. This includes clothes, a computer, a good book or magazine, and my passport. Crucially, I always make sure to have at least one change of clean clothes in case my checked bags are accidentally lost.
TravMedia CEO Nick Wayland is constantly travelling.
I plan my trips myself but also use a travel agent... I always book my own flights because, being in the industry, I should know more than a travel agent. However, a travel agent is vital for something exotic, like a safari to South Africa or a luxury trip to the Caribbean involving several flights on different airlines. They have the contacts and experience to assist you. Imagine missing a flight due to a connection. You'd need an agent to help navigate the complexity of flights and available discounts.
On the plane I always talk to my seatmate... If they seem fun and friendly, I might even invite them into the lounge. When you're sitting next to a complete stranger for hours why not be super friendly? Sometimes they have incredible stories about why they're on the plane and where they're heading.
My favourite type of travel companion is... I don't typically travel with anyone else. I have Platinum on Qantas, while my wife has Platinum status with American Airlines, so we often travel separately, even if we're flying on the same day. However, I love travelling with my mum on her annual trip to see my brother in the UK. She gets so excited about leaving Sydney and experiencing somewhere new. The expression on her face is like a kid in a candy store – priceless.
Nick Wayland splits his time between offices in Sydney, London and New York.
I have never lost my passport... It's probably my worst nightmare. As soon as I land, I place my passport into my carry-on bag inside a see-through pouch, so I always know its location.
I never change money at the airport... Always change your money at a bank before you leave or use your credit card. Cash is no longer king. If you need cash for tips, which is often the case, it's best to have a few hundred dollars before you leave Australia.
I always get travel insurance... At the end of last year, I ended up in the hospital with altitude sickness. I genuinely thought I was going to die. The cost of a hospital visit in the US or France can be astronomical. A broken leg can cost you $45,000, plus more if you need to be medically evacuated off a mountain.
My tip for keeping valuables safe is... Never carry your phone in your back pocket.
Nick Wayland often puts his points to use on upgrades.
My best tip for beating jet lag is... I try to book overnight flights. This way, I can head straight into the office or to my commitments upon arrival. Plenty of coffee also helps.
I save money when travelling by... Using global roaming deals. Vodafone, for example, has a $5 a day deal. Additionally, I look for airline sales and always try to book flights at least three months in advance.
The travel app I swear by is... I use Waze to help navigate traffic in any new city. Uber is great for short trips, and TripIt is useful for tracking flight delays.
Originally published as Frequent flyer points multimillionaire Nick Wayland shares his travel tips
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