Before we get started, if you finish reading this short article,  I will show you how to get the following.  It won't cost you anything, but a bit of time.

* 75,000 aeroplan points
(that's 3 flights anywhere in Canada with return OR 1 in Canada, 1 Europe return)
* Free premium lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
​* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* Legendary travel insurance 

I like travelling.  I like it so much I decided to devote a bit of my time to research ways to make travelling more comfortable, fun and less expensive (even free!).  Like anything else, the more time you spend at it, the better you get and travelling is no different.  

If credit card companies are giving away free flights and free upgrades to travellers,  why aren't people taking them up on those offers?  It's pretty simple.. people don't want to do the research and they don't want to go through the process of applying for the cards and managing the responsibilities that come with having them.  For me, the value is huge and knowing the 'game' pays off.  
​Congratulations, I'm summarizing a bunch of info and knowledge I've gained, so you don't have to do it!  Below is my little 3 card plan I've assembled for 2017.  You should copy it.

Want at least 1 free flight this year to anywhere in Canada?  Pick a card below and use my referral link (which you need to get the bonus, bonus points).

When you're planning on what cards to get, think about designing a plan that will give you everything you want.  Here's what's in my wallet in 2016/2017.

1.  I need 1 card that provides big points, big airport comforts, great travel insurance and status.
(Amex Platinum)
2.  I need a second card that has a decent sign up bonus, that's accepted anywhere, that provides a good point return on every day spend and that gets me a free checked bag on Star Alliance.
(CIBC Aerogold)
3.  I need a card that I can use abroad that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.  This is key, unless you want to add 2.5% to your entire travel bill.  Carrying cash isn't an option.  The card I found for this, even gives you 1.5% cash back, which evens out the fact that I won't be getting airline points on this spend.
(Rogers Mastercard)


If you apply for my 3 card choices, you will earn, at net zero:
* 75,000 aeroplan points
* Free lounge access in any major airport + 1 free access to the Maple Leaf Lounge
* Skip the security lines at all major airports
* Gold Status in every major hotel chain
* Pay no foreign transaction fees ever
​* Free checked bag on Star Alliance flights (aeroplan)
* Legendary travel insurance 

​My 3 cards in 2016/17:

This is my favourite card I've had so far.  The perks are awesome and have longterm benefits.
The one caveat that usually stops people in their tracks with this card is of course, the $699 annual fee.  That's cray cray right?  Let's ask math..

Annual Fee (you can cancel at any time and get refunded+-):
* $699 

Benefits:
Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points.  Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo

Benefit #1
60,000 points  

To give you an example, here are flights and their values:
1)  Toronto to Vancouver / Vancouver back to Toronto  *25,000 points
2)  Toronto to Newfoundland / Newfoundland back to Toronto  *25,000 points
3)  Vancouver to Toronto(Layover as long as you want) St.Johns (Layover as long as you want)
/ St.Johns - Toronto - Vancouver  *25,000 points
4) Toronto - UK / UL back to Toronto  *60,000 points

This year, I travelled from Vancouver to Toronto, stayed in Toronto for 3 weeks and then flew to St.john's Newfoundland for a few days and then flew home to Vancouver.  This cost me 25,000 points.  

So, as you can see, you can basically take 2 trips in Canada for free (+taxes) for these points and still have 10,000 points left.  

Value:
I give 60,000 points a value of $800.  This alone, makes this card worth getting.  Everything else is just profit.

Benefit #2
$400 Amex travel credit
Simply get $200 off (each calendar year) when you book any travel through the AMEX site.  It's not BS either, their prices are legit and using the service is simple.  They advertise a $200, but really it's $200 per calendar year, so unless you register for the card in mid December, you're going to use the credit twice, making it $400.

Value:
I give a $400 credit a value of $300.  The $100 difference is to offset the fact that you HAVE to use Amex to book the flight/hotel.  Meaning that perhaps if you searched around, you could save a few dollars.  

Benefit #3
Airport Lounges
You receive a free membership in Priority Pass & the AMEX lounges, which out of those two, are in practically every airport in the world.  You can even bring a guest in and in some cases, they've allowed me to bring in a couple of guests.  Lounges have free food and alcohol, fast(er) internet, comfy chairs and sometimes showers and other such luxuries.  Long layovers and hanging out in airports is fun when you can hangout in lounges.  

Value:
Priority Pass charges $500CDN / year for this.  What's the value to you though?  I would never pay $500 for this pass, but I see the value in me not buying food or drinks in airports and having the comfort/rest that makes a trip better.  If you travel with a partner, that's 2x.  I've also stayed in lounges overnight instead of using a hotel - though most lounges open around 5am and close around 11pm.
I give this a value of $200 because it probably would save the average traveller at least $200.

Benefit #4
Hotel Status
The card will give you automatic Gold status at Marriott, Delta & SPG hotels.  If you stay at hotels even a few times a year, I guarantee you will enjoy the status.  It is dependent on what property you stay at, but I regularly get:
* Room upgraded to a suite
* Breakfast included
* Either free drinks at the bar or points added to my account
* Free in room high speed internet
* Access to the executive lounge, which has free food and beverages
The best part of this benefit is that it's for life.  So if you get this card for 1 year and then cancel, you will have had your status upgraded and you'll see these benefits for good.
​I put a $100 value on this

Other Benefits I'm not putting a dollar value on:
* Skip the security line at airports 
* Get gold+ status at Avis and Hertz car rentals.  25% off + bonus's.  
* Front of the line access.  Amex reserves seats at concerts and games.  You can access this portal
* Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent  as oppose to the regular 1 point per.
* You have to have a credit card in this mod world.  May as well have a good one that will help you.

The Math
Benefit #1 60K points = $800
Benefit #2  Amex travel credit = $300
Benefit #3 Airpot Lounges = $200
= $1300 - $699(fee) 
= + $601


Follow my link to get 60,000 bonus points.  Otherwise, you will only get 50,000.
http://amex.ca/share/matthf4iHo

This card is really, really simple.  There is no annual fee and you get 25,000 point (using my link HERE) that will give you a flight in Canada.  This card is a complete no brainer.  If the Platinum card is too scary for you, this is a good card to get you in the game.  

​APPLY HERE for the bonus, bonus)

Simply put, I use this card only when I'm out of the country.  The only benefit is the fact that it has no foreign transaction fees and gives back 1.5% as a bonus on those purchases.

​The card is free for 2 years and if you set it up as a pre-auth on a Rogers product - phone/internet etc, then it's always free.

The 3 uses for this card are:

* The 15K bonus.  Not legendary, but still a nice addition to the account.
* The free checked bag on Star Alliance flights
* I use it when I can't use my AMEX - a lot of places do not take AMEX cards

Thanks for listening in!
​Matt 

Let’s talk about risk
"The risks that kill people and the risks that upset people are completely different," said Peter Sandman, a leading expert on risk, based in Princeton, N.J.  
​
A lot of us skydivers like to walk around talking about how cool, brave and wild we all are.  Well we are in fact those things, but our little secret is that skydiving is actually pretty darn safe.  What’s more, it’s even safer if you’re just going once as a tandem passenger.  In fact, in the past few years, skydiving fatalities have reached an all time low.  Safety systems, methods and rules have evolved to make skydiving a pretty safe sport.  There are tens of thousands of skydives made in Canada every year and fatalities are very rare.  Death!  Ah!  We don’t like talking about it too much, but it’s definitely the little thought monster that starts bouncing around your head when you hear that sweet, sweet word; skydive.  Let’s look at some stats from the CSPA (Canadian Sport Parachuting Association) on death, in the past few years here in Canada. 

Season 2013/2014 – 1 fatality – student status – Ontario
Season 2014/2015 -  2 fatalities – experienced skydivers – Ontario
Season 2015/2016 – 1 fatality – experienced skydiver – Alberta
-CSPA

The last tandem passenger fatality in Canada was in 1991.  

** UPDATE  - In 2019 there was a tandem death at Skydive Gananoque.  I couldn't find out what happened, but the tandem master survived, his passenger did not.  The passenger had done 2 tandem skydives previously.  After this incident, the victim's husband did contact me after reading this article to let me know.  Small article here - https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news-story/9513783-lynn-mackenzie-of-ennismore-identified-as-skydiving-victim/

Onward with the original article..
​
So in the past 3 seasons here in Canada, we’ve only had a small handful of fatalities in skydiving, none of those tandem related.   More often than not, skydive fatalities occur when experienced skydivers approach their landing quickly, turning too low to the ground and crashing into the earth.  It’s extremely rare for a first timer, student or tandem passenger to have a fatal jump.  Safety systems, methods and the sport in general have come a long way.  Like previously mentioned, the risks that scare or upset us and the risks that actually kill us are typically much different.  Skydiving scares and upsets you.  The chances of an accident are astronomically low.

Dolla Dollas
Skydiving costs money..   lots and lots of money..  On average, you’ll pay $300 for a tandem skydive + extra for video and pics if you want them.  Why so much?  Pilots, tandem instructors, ground crew are all professional people that are required for you to do your jump.  It takes a long time and a big investment for these professionals to acquire these skills.  There’s also plane fuel, equipment maintenance and a lot of other expenses that go into the running of a regulated ​​facility, like a drop zone.  My dropzone is a non profit co-operative, so I can attest to the fact that the $300 doesn’t go a long way, but it is a fair price for all involved.

​What Happens on the Jump

When your ‘load’ is called (your plane is coming), your tandem instructor will find you and get you geared up.  This includes a jumpsuit (glorified onesie), a harness and goggles.  What, no helmet?  Nope, not if you want your tandem’s face intact!  Remember, you’ll be wearing your instructor like a big backpack.  You wear the instructor, they wear the parachute.  

You’ll then approach the plane, which will already be revvin' up and ready to go.  You’ll climb aboard and get comfy.  There are 2 main type of aircraft that you’re most likely to encounter.

Finally..

Welp, that’s a first tandem skydive in a nutshell.  You can do it naked, your tandem master has most likely already been barfed and pee’d on and if you decide to back out, you’re not the 1st.  Heights are irrelevant and super old people are welcome.  Who woulda thought?

Hopefully I’ve deconstructed your fear of skydiving a little bit.  For me, conquering fear makes you feel like you’re capable of doing anything.  If we obey our natural impulses, we must then disobey a much more worthy impulse: to push our limits.  Maybe skydiving for you will be a fun day out with friends or maybe it will be a catalyst to lead you into more adventure, self discovery and doing great things that will blow your mind - that’s what it’s done for me anyway.   Don’t forget to play.

Empty your bank account, fill your heart up and get way, way out there.
-Matt

​Ends of the earth skydiving & other vids

Resources:
CSPA Website
AAD Computer activated parachute due to altitude ignorance
Cutaway System in Action

Reading Time - 5 minutes

Tools I use, tips and 3 easy rules to follow to backup your photos and footage while abroad.

I'm craaaaaazy about managing data on the road.  When I plan trips,  I have a vision of specific shots and video I want to get of specific sites and activities.  Not to mention the best footage, which is the unexpected.  Getting all that media is key and keeping it is..well, just as key!  Managing media and keeping my footage backed up and safe is paramount.  Failure is not an option!!  ​

Here are some key rules and tips to how to keep your photos backed up and footage safe.  

First we have to start with what your tools are.  Everyone is different with what they carry to capture.  I've used every combination from big SLR's to small digi cameras, to phones to Gopros.  

Here is my list that gets me the best of all worlds and serves me best to document my experiences.  If you use different tools, cool!  My tips and rules will still apply to you.

iphone
(Still Camera / Video / Social Media Posting / Communication / GPS / Useful Travel Apps / Easy to use and no setup required)

Check out my instagram link to see my photos.  All done with my iphone 5S.  Pretty good right?!

GoPro
(Still Camera / Video Camera / Action-Waterproof / Durable)

Macbook Pro
(Video Editing / Working)

Now the storage devices I use to backup my material:

Portable Hard Drive - $125
1 TB Portable Hardrive.  I like Western Digital, I hate Lacie)

USB Sticks (thumb drive) - $30 / Each
I usually bring 2, 64gb USB Sticks.  

SD Cards - $30 / Each
I use 64gb cards in my Go Pro and I usually take 2 of them.

Method for backing up footage:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.

Now that you have the tools, here are the rules:

Rules:

1.  Backup Footage Every Night
Part of your routine, no matter how tired you are or where you are, you have to backup your footage every day!  The worst is having a build up, running out of space, or worse, losing what's on your device.  To review,  backing up footage is:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.


2.  Diversify your 'On Person'
NEVER have all of your footage and backup devices, drives etc in the same place at the same time.  For example, if I'm leaving my hostel, I have my macbook in the safe,  I have my portable hard drive hidden somewhere on the site and I have my USB sticks in my pocket or backpack.  That's 3 different places where my stuff is stored.  That has to be one thorough thief...

The only exception to this rule is when you need to travel with everything you have (leaving usually).  Depending on the legendariness of your footage, you can always leave a copy with a friend or accommodation manager.  You can have it shipped to you later should the worst happen.

3.  Space on Devices!
​Dude, you just backed up all your stuff!   Don't make the rookie mistake of not dumping (erasing the content) your phones drive or your GoPro SD card before you leave for the day to get more epic footage.  Good media management includes erasing it off your devices to get more legend footage to backup.  Sure, you can do this on the spot, but in the moment, it can be hard and sometimes impossible.  Imagine being on the platform of a bungee jump and hearing that horrific triple beep of your GoPro turning off cause it has no recording space??  Damn.. 

PS GPRO Tip - If you download the phone app, you can pick and choose footage to erase should you need to make room.

What does not work: Online Cloud Storage
You cannot rely on internet connections abroad to backup your material.  It would be rare to be able to backup gigs of footage at any hostel, hotel or resort in the time you might have.  The internet speeds are just not there.  You do not want this to be your plan.

I have edited footage abroad and then uploaded videos and pics etc to youtube or social media, but as far as backing up RAW media, it's almost impossible.  

​_________


Getting great footage and pictures is a great gift of travel.   If you really value the memories you've captured, you can spend a little extra time by keeping them safe!  Perhaps you don't need to follow allllll these steps, but a simple hard drive backup every night can help protect your priceless captures.

Get way, way out there, see epic things, do cool shit and capture some sweet moments.

Cheers,
​Matt