I’m used to taking crazy quick trips, though usually that’s by design. Well, this trip ranks up there on the list of crazy trips, though unfortunately quite unintentionally.
I just wrapped up my first day in Fiji, and was supposed to spend two more days here before continuing to Auckland on Fiji Airways, and then returning to Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui via Tahiti.
In the back of my mind I always think about how long it would take me to get back to the US if there were an emergency. Well, that has finally happened, and I think I realized I’m in one of the tougher places for getting back to the US on a moment’s notice.
Unfortunately something horrible happened, so I’m headed back to the US right away. Usually I can use miles & points to figure out a creative routing home, even when time is of the essence.
In Fiji there’s exactly one daily flight to the US mainland, and that’s the flight to Los Angeles on Fiji Airways. There was no award space on the flight, so I booked a last minute ticket just three hours before departure. An economy ticket would have been ~$1,300, while a business class ticket was ~$2,000, so I sprung for business class.
I enjoyed my 15 hours in Fiji immensely, and look forward to returning. In the meantime, I’m likely one of the few people to have traveled from Los Angeles to Fiji and then back to Los Angeles the same day.
I apologize in advance if posts are more limited than usual over the next few days.
good luck with whatever is up.
Condolences to you and Ford's family on the passing of his step-father, Tom Cullen.
Unexpected life changing painful emergencies ground us to a halt. Take this time for you. I am really happy you were able to get a flight so quickly...and we will all be waiting for you, when you are ready to reamerge.x
We are all thinking about how much you mean to us, and wing our positive thoughts to you!
Hi Ben, I hope everything is alright, stay strong!!
You got us curious now about what happened but it doesn't seem good. I'm sorry!
hang n' there! one breath at' time!
wishing the best outcome possible.
Rose
Good Luck Ben!!
Love and hugs, xx
So sorry to hear this. All the best to you.
I hope everything is ok. Focus on your friends and family. Sending best wishes.
Oh no :( I hope all works out in the end. I'm so sorry to hear that there was an emgerency.
Ben, I have been reading your blog since you were in college. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Take the time you need away from the blog until things get more normal.
Hope everything turns out well for you
Gracious so sorry for your troubles! Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Thinking of you, Ben, and praying for you and those you love.
I know how you must feel. Years ago I got terrible news while in Bonnaire. If it is family related, one could move mountains to get home quickly. Positive thoughts for you :)
Alles Gute.
Oh, I forgot to mention...
WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU LUCKY!
My thoughts are with you Lucky. I hope that you get through this and everything is ok. I have been reading this blog for about a year and your writing has helped me through some of the most challenging situations I have experienced. I am a total aviation nut (not really miles and points, but lots of other things) and I enjoy reading your posts. It's like my therapy. When I'm down, I'll read a...
My thoughts are with you Lucky. I hope that you get through this and everything is ok. I have been reading this blog for about a year and your writing has helped me through some of the most challenging situations I have experienced. I am a total aviation nut (not really miles and points, but lots of other things) and I enjoy reading your posts. It's like my therapy. When I'm down, I'll read a good ol' EY or EK review, and it will immediately soothe my feelings. So I just wanted to say thank you for how you've helped me become a happier human being. Once again, I do hope you get through this issue, and I give you hugs!!
My wishes with u Ben,
I Pray everything works out fine for you.
Take Care
All the best!
Hope that whatever emergency it is, that you will get through it and that everything is okay. Your readers are rooting for you and keeping you and your family in our prayers.
I'm so sorry that you're going through a difficult time. I hope everything turns out well for you.
Alles Gute. Hoffe, du kommst noch rechtzeitig nach Hause!
Sorry to hear this Ben. Wishing you and yours all the best.
All the best.
Hope everything is well Lucky. Travel safe.
Best wishes, hope things turn out ok.
Good vibes coming your way Ben
Wishing you good thoughts for you and your family!
Ben - I hope that the emergency resolves itself shortly.
I'm so happy that you were able to get on that flight, and didn't have to wait another 24 hours.
Ben, my thoughts are with you. Hope everything is or turns out okay.
Glad you were able to get a flight out. Two grand in Biz is not bad last minute.
What a bummer on your AA flight out of LAX. The Lucky side is that now you don't have that 3 hour drive.
I hope that everything will be all right.
good luck, wish you the best
All the best for you, Ben! Very sorry to hear that and hope it will turn out well.
Hope all's fine. Stay positive! Best of luck!
Sorry to hear about your emergency. Hope everything is ok.
Positive thoughts your way Ben!
I am praying for Ford and his family. You are a good BF
I wish you peace, strength and safe travels as you deal with the crisis.
Sorry to hear that, Lucky. The best of luck.
Lucky, I think I've posted exactly once but read your blog every day. I had to post when I read this to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope everything turns out okay.
Sending prayers to you and yours, Ben.
Best wishes and take. As we Germans say : ich drücke die Daumen
Hope everything is ok Ben. Travel safe.
Good luck and hoping that everything turns out okay...
Best wishes! Hope everything's fine!
safe travels and I hope everything works out OK
Have a safe trip back and I hope your emergency ends well. All the best.
Sorry for your horrible thing. Best wishes.
Sorry to hear about this and I hope everything works out. Please don't forget that this situation takes priority over cranking out posts on your blog.
Wishing you the best, Ben!
So very sorry! Take good care and thanks for all your great work.
Hope all is well and not too serious. I enjoy your posts and they have helped me.
Sorry to learn of an emergency that forced a sudden trip home. Best of luck and you are in my prayers.
Be well, we all hope you and your family are ok!
Sorry to hear Ben. Hope all is well/gets better. Hugs, prayers, whatever you need.
Hope everything resolves for the best.
family/friends matter most. Thanks for all you do.
All the best Ben!
I hope things turn out to be better than you expect. Leave the blog alone for now. Family and friends come first. Your loyal readers will all still be here when you return. Sending prayers and positive vibes your way.
So sorry to read your message. We send our thoughts and, as others have already written, we'll be waiting for you when you return.
Prayers and good thoughts sent your way. I hope your troubles quickly resolve. All the best, Mary
Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Best wishes to you and yours.
Prayers from me and mine going out to you and yours. Travel safe.
Ben/Lucky... We are your loyal readers, discovering your blog a few years back. You passion has inspired me so much to plan travelling with miles & points and we are currently on our first family mini-RTW trip from North America to Australia. Yes, it finally happens!
Thank you & best wishes to you Ben. You will be on our daily thoughts!
Best wishes for a safe return, Ben.
Praying everything will be ok.
I hope that what ever happened, can be remedied. All the best to you.
Sorry to hear ben hope all turns out well.
Thanks for the update in the post.
Well wishes.
You should be known as Un-lucky!
Safe travels, and hope your personal issues get resolved.
Hope all is well Lucky with you, your family and your loved ones. Best wishes.
Thanks so much, guys. The kind words really mean a lot. There are a lot of good people out there on the internet!
Thoughts and prayers travel with you!
My one big concern when I travel is that an emergency arises and I need to get home ASAP. You have a great blog, but the blog can take a rest. I hope that every thing is OK.
Best wishes to all involved.
All the best, Ben. Know many of us will be willing to help if we can. Hope it all turns out fine.
Only one asshole comment so far, not a bad hit rate I guess.
Hope all goes well for you Ben.
Best wishes to you and your family during these difficult times!
Safe travels, hope everything goes well!
Really nice reading all of the comments here. You've got some great readers, Ben. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care of yourself and your personal affairs, Best of Luck!
Focus on the important stuff. Hope everything works out for the best.
Hi Ben,
Sorry to hear this. Hope everything works out OK. Best of luck!!!
Oh no! What will the readers do if you stop hawking credit cards for "a few days?" We are devoted to helping your amass your fortune from credit card app referral income.
My best thoughts are with you, and I wish you all the strength and compassion required to deal with the challenges ahead. Don't worry about us. We'll still be here when you choose to return.
All the best to you and your loved ones.
Good wishes for everything to turn out well, Ben.
Thinking positive thoughts for you Lucky! Love you!
Wishing you and yours all the best, and safe travels.
Prayers and best wishes for you and yours, Lucky.
Hope everything is okay! Take good care of yourself and take some time off if need be. My thoughts and prayers go out to you!
Sending positive for you, the situation, and all those involved
Hope everything is okay Lucky. Best wishes.
Good luck and best wishes Ben!
Hoping for the best for you and your loved ones! Take as much time as you need!
best wishes to everyone concerned.
peace and calm to you and your family.
Wishing you the best Ben!
Sorry for your troubles, Lucky.
Hoping all will be well with you and those you love.
Peter
Hope everything turns out okay Ben! Thoughts and prayers to you and your family!
Oh no! Prayers going out that everything works out for you. Let us readers know if there is anything we can to to help. You have a lot of loyal fans rooting for you.
So sorry to hear of this. Hope it works out well.
I hope whatever happened turns out okay.
I am very sorry to hear this. I wish whatever the emergency was, it turns out OK.
Best wishes - I hope everything turns out OK.
Feel so sorry about it Ben, hope it all ends alright.
Sending prayers your way!
I hope you make it in time. My father passed away recently and luckily I had landed in london that morning from NYC, so I was able to go on the first flight to Lisbon in the morning. Everything happens 'for us' in 18-36 hours and for the past 6 months, every time I got on a plane, I always did the math. I was grateful I was home and be there for everyone. Hope nothing as bad happened to you.
Wishing you and family/friends well!
Best wishes
Thoughts with you, Ben. Take as much time as you need.
Hope things turn out well.
Safe travel!
Your family and you are in our prayers and thoughts.
No need to apologize. Hope you get home quickly and safely. Our thoughts are with you.
Don't Worry about us Ben. We understand. I can write posts if you want. Anything to help!
Sorry about the horrible news but you are doing the right thing being with your loved ones!!
So sorry to hear about whatever it is that happened. This type of thing always concerns me some when we leave for an extended trip. Hope things turn out as best they can.
Hope everything is OK.
Hope all turns out for the better and soon.
Oh, no! I really hope the horrible news isn't *that* horrible, but thoughts are with you.
Don't worry about the blog - you have some great guest authors who many of us enjoy reading (sorry, haters), and "real life" simply has to come first.
Good luck and as you take care of things, don't forget to take care of YOU.
Sorry to hear the bad news Ben, I hope everything works out.
Hey Ben! You're in my families thoughts and prayers!
Melissa
Ben, very sorry to hear. Thoughts, prayers, and best wishes to you and yours. Your fans are thinking of you.
I'm glad you were able to get a quick return. Safe travels to my favorite blogger.
Sorry to hear. Best of luck
Hope everything is OK. Family/friends come first.
Good luck Ben. As the nickname implies, I hope you and those impacted come out lucky on this one.
Focus on yourself and your family / friends now.
Wish you all the best :)
Best wishes for you Ben. Hope you are able to manage through whatever the situation is.
Safe travels home.
Hope all is alright, Ben. I know nothing is more stressful than hearing bad news when away from family.
Wishing you clarity, peace and calm in your current situation. I hope you and everyone else is dealing with the situation as best as can be expected given the circumstances.
Hope everything is okay Ben... have a safe flight back!
Oh no! I hope everything turns out okay. Love and prayers and good energy with hopes that whatever it is, is resolved quickly!
Hope everything is ok Ben.
My prayers and thoughts are with you, your family, and friends. I hope everything is OK in the end.
Hope all is well Lucky.
I hope you can find some comfort from your friends and family at this time. Don't worry about us. -we'll be here when you come back. Take care.
Always one of my worst fears that something horrible happens back home when I'm on the road working or traveling for fun. Had that happen two months ago. The flight home was awful. My best to you and your family.
Godspeed, Lucky
Ben, our prayers are with you. Guessing sucks! Hope Tiffany, your family, everyone is or will be ok.
I hope everything is ok. Safe travels Ben
I'm sorry to hear that Lucky! Hope everything goes all right for you over the next few days
Take care and godspeed
Prayers are with you. Take time off; your readership understands and wants you to be there for family and friends.
Take care if your personal business. Love the blog but it can wait.
hope everything is ok. be safe
Good luck Ben.
Best of luck
family & friends go first
Ben,
I hope everything is OK, in the meantime forget about us. No one doubts your dedication to this blog and no one will if you take a few days off. Please take as much time as you need and I hope everything turns out to be OK.
Lucky,
Sorry to hear something bad came up. Best wishes from my wife and I to you and your family (assuming it's a family emergency)
Steve
Safe travels, hope everything is ok.
Take care Ben! Hope everything will be fine, fingers crossed!
Good wishes being sent your way. Hope everything is okay.
Godspeed Lucky. Don't worry about us readers!
I appreciate your blog so much. Hope the situation resolves favorably while you are in the air.
Hope everything is OK. Just curious if you had any form of trip insurance for this?
Best wishes with your emergency. Glad that you were able to get back home as quickly as you were.
Prayers and good thoughts with you and your family/loved ones.
best of luck with whatever has happened, Ben.
Hope everything is fine with you Ben