Exploring Southeast Asia, Travel Hacks, and Unique Expat Life with Scott Waldstein
Release Date: 10/31/2024
$200,000 for 40 Hotel Stays: The Wildest Travel Promotion Ever
Landings and Layovers
This week on Landings and Layovers, we cover everything from government-mandated flight chaos to one of the boldest hotel promotions ever attempted. Marty breaks down the recent air traffic control disruptions, what travelers are actually entitled to when flights get canceled, and how airline agreements affect your rerouting options. Then we’re joined by Sten Christiansen, an attorney by day, elite-status traveler by night, who spent roughly $35,000 flying around the world to stay at 40 different hotel brands in one summer… and won a $200,000 prize in the process. From ordering 25...
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Looking Back to Leap Ahead: What 2025 Taught Us About Travel
Landings and Layovers
In this reflective year-end wrap-up, Marty and Matthew talk through everything 2025 threw at travelers—from new airline plays and loyalty shakeups to surprise wins, frustrating fare rules, and the gear that saved our sanity. It’s equal parts therapy session and future-facing strategy sesh. We don’t just look back—we take notes so you don’t have to. 📌 In This Episode: The single most chaotic moment in travel this year What airlines did right (and what they absolutely didn’t) Our top gear and apps of the year What loyalty programs got worse (and which ones still deliver) ...
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Luxury Travel on a Budget: Hotel Loyalty Secrets with Ben Komenkul
Landings and Layovers
From free suite upgrades to turning daily spending into first-class flights, this episode is a crash course in making luxury travel accessible — even on a budget. ✈️ Fare of the Week: SAS Deals to Europe This week’s Fare of the Week (powered by ): Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami, NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C.) to European hubs like Amsterdam, Athens, Paris, Prague, and Zurich for $430–$500 on SAS Airlines. Travel window: September 2025 – May 2026 Includes food and drink, but basic economy rules apply (limited...
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Turkish Airlines’ Wild Ride, JetBlue’s 25-Stop Hustle, and First Class with Meyy
Landings and Layovers
✈️ Landings and Layovers | Season 2, Episode 5 🎙 Hosted by Matt Fleischman & Marty Paz 🗒 Quick Note Since we recorded, the Turkish Airlines million-mile promotion has been suspended without notice. Still, the strategies, planning, and points talk are timeless—so we’re keeping the conversation going. ✈️ Fare of the Week: NYC to Eastern Europe for Under $500 LOT Polish Airlines is slinging serious deals: roundtrip flights from New York to multiple Eastern European cities—Krakow, Sofia, Vilnius, and more—for under $500. In some cases, closer to $400. Lufthansa is...
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Flying Far, Earning Big, and Traveling With Teens
Landings and Layovers
From Vegas to Vietnam for $700? Plus: JetBlue’s Insane Promo and Traveling With Teens 🎟️ Fare of the Week (Sponsored by Notiflyr.com) Las Vegas → Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City on Korean Air | ~$700–800 roundtrip One stop via Seoul, excellent availability (Jan–May, Jul–Dec 2026), and great connections make this a steal. Whether you’re craving Thai food in Bangkok or street coffee in Vietnam, this long-haul deal is smoother than a layover bibimbap. Korean Air’s inflight meal? Legit top-tier. 📌 Pro tip: Stopover in Seoul for a few days—yes, there’s a high-speed...
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Flying Solo, Flying Smart: Women’s Travel Tips, Airline Mishaps & Vancouver to Aruba Fare Deals
Landings and Layovers
From springbok biltong and A380 landings to navigating the world solo as a woman, this episode packs in travel chaos, comedy, and a whole lot of smart advice. 🧳 This Week on Landings and Layovers We’re back with a packed episode featuring travel misadventures, smart gear upgrades, some very real talk about traveling as a woman, and a jaw-dropping fare from Vancouver to Aruba that’s making us rethink our summer plans. Here’s what’s inside: 🛫 Marty’s VIP behind-the-scenes tour of United Airlines’ Denver ramp (yes, there’s an A380 involved) ✈️ What really happens when...
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Wheelchairs, Layovers, and a Surprise Fare Drop With Matt Tasker
Landings and Layovers
From missed connections in Rome to surprise upgrades and baby sleep battles at 30,000 feet, this episode is a wild ride. Plus, our guest shares travel hacks that could shave serious money off your next big trip. ✈️ This Week on Landings and Layovers After a short hiatus, we're back with an episode that’s part travel therapy, part fare-hunter's dream, and 100% relatable if you’ve ever had a flight—or an entire trip—go sideways. Highlights include: Marty’s robotic wheelchair fiasco in Rome (and the business class seats that got away) Matthew’s “just one more fight with the...
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Million Miles, Budget Flights & European Rail Adventures
Landings and Layovers
Welcome to Season 2 of Landings and Layovers! We’re kicking things off with a deep dive into budget-friendly European travel and the latest airfare deals. Matt and Marty break down an incredible United Airlines sale to Europe with round-trip fares starting at just $427, plus a look at how low-cost carriers are reshaping transatlantic travel. We also welcome special guest MattNav, a European rail travel expert, to discuss how competition is making train travel cheaper, easier, and more accessible than ever before. Whether you're looking to earn a million miles, book an open-jaw ticket,...
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End of the Year Recap and Travel Highlights
Landings and Layovers
Welcome to the final episode of Landings and Layovers for 2024! In this exciting end-of-year episode, hosts Matthew Fleischman and Marty Paz reflect on the year in travel. From thrilling deals and unforgettable adventures to major milestones and travel tips, this episode is packed with insights for every traveler. Highlights from the Episode: Fare of the Week: Los Angeles to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City for under $700 with Korean Air—a fantastic deal for transpacific travel! Marty’s Million-Mile Achievement: Marty breaks down his epic journey flying 15 airlines to earn a million miles,...
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Million Miles and Global Adventures: Kenneth’s Quest for SAS Status
Landings and Layovers
Episode Summary: Join us for an extraordinary journey with Kenneth, a globetrotting guest undertaking the SAS Mileage Millionaire quest. Kenneth shares his ambitious plan to conquer 15 airlines, his insider tips for international travel, and his experiences flying through exotic locations like Dubai, Jeddah, and Jakarta. Marty and Kenneth dive into the highs and challenges of long-haul travel, from navigating time zones to making the most of layovers. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or a seasoned traveler, this episode is packed with valuable insights! Highlights: Fare of the Week:...
info_outlineIn this exciting episode of Landings and Layovers, hosts Matthew Fleischman and Marty Paz dive into the vibrant travel landscape of Southeast Asia with special guest Scott Waldstein, an expat living in the Philippines. Scott shares his unique journey, from managing call center outsourcing to owning a pizza shop during the pandemic. Get inspired by his adventures and learn about his favorite destinations, including stunning locales in the Philippines, Thailand, and beyond.
Fare of the Week:
This week’s exclusive deal highlights a business-class roundtrip from Jakarta to major European cities for an unbeatable rate, courtesy of Notiflyr.com. Sign up with code PODCAST for 20% off your annual premium membership and stay ahead of the best travel deals.
Episode Highlights:
- Discovering Southeast Asia: Scott shares his favorite spots across the Philippines and Thailand, from the unspoiled beauty of El Nido to luxurious, budget-friendly villas in Koh Samui.
- Living as an Expat: Scott talks about the opportunities and challenges of living abroad, and why he took a leap of faith to move to the Philippines in 2020.
- Travel Hacks and Deals: Scott gives practical tips on finding affordable flights, including flexible airport choices and booking through Middle Eastern carriers.
- Survival Adventure: Hear about Scott’s annual “survival trip” in the Philippines, where participants live off the land on a secluded island.
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Read More on the Blog :If you enjoyed this blog post, explore more tips, destination highlights, and travel hacks in our latest blog updates.
Tune in for more unique insights on Southeast Asia, travel deals, and expat life!