I’m a travel hacking junkie.

From a young age, I’ve loved immersing myself in new cultures and learning languages.

That led me to launch an alternative travel business in Brazil’s favela communities in 2012 that was featured in Forbes, CNN, and The New York Times. Specifically, to generate significant income for favela families and break negative stereotypes about these communities via cultural immersion, we built the first favela homestay online marketplace (like Airbnb). I even became my own customer, booking a one-way ticket to Rio de Janeiro right after I graduated college to live in Brazil’s largest favela.

Though I was in a stunning place, I soon became jealous of my own customers.

Many of them were traveling around the world while I was stuck. I wanted to explore as they were exploring, and do so without a restrictive itinerary.

The only problem was I couldn’t afford it.

Luckily, a friend introduced me to the concept of travel hacking–and I fell in love quickly and dove deep into the hobby.

While there are many varieties, I learned travel hacking’s most lucrative and accessible method is earning credit card points (especially via big sign-up bonuses) and redeeming them for free or heavily-discounted travel. That started my obsession with credit cards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and luxury travel. I devoured blogs, forums, and instructional videos, scouring the internet for hot deals and insider information that could power a long-term backpacking expedition across Asia.

Soon, I amassed nearly 1 million points from over a dozen credit cards and set off on my own with a carry-on across 17 countries over 15 months. I experienced the highest of highs, literally crossing the world’s highest mountain pass on a 19-day trek in Nepal’s Himalayas, and figuratively as I reveled in Malaysia’s tropical fruit bounty. I felt the lowest of lows, literally going deaf in one ear for a month while getting Scuba-certified in the Philippines and figuratively as I languished alone in Thailand for three weeks while processing what I left behind in Brazil. Ultimately, I had unforgettable experiences and learned a ton about myself and new cultures along the way.

I also experienced the magic of luxury travel, staying in five-star beach resorts and even flying in a $17,000 first class “apartment” on Etihad Airways for only $6.

The length, depth, and variety of my trip couldn’t have been possible without the power of travel hacking.

The more I traveled, the more my friends and family asked for help with their own trips. I was fortunate to be able to help many of them take life-changing trips that they couldn’t afford without travel hacking.

My last stop was the bustling and multi-faceted country of India, where I landed in 2015 and have lived ever since.

After a few years, I met the love of my life Vrinda, who was also an avid traveler.

Together, we visited Egyptian pyramids, Colombian jungles, and much more using credit card points. Then, when it came time to propose, I used my travel hacking skills to use points for an all-inclusive $2,000 per night wellness resort in the Arizona desert frequented by the likes of Oprah.
 

After she said yes, we got married and planned our honeymoon on points in the Maldives. We had an unforgettable six-night stay at a luxury private island resort in the Indian Ocean, including thrilling seaplane transfers and staying in one of the famous overwater bungalows. 

With that experience, I’ve helped many couples plan incredible honeymoons, ranging from safaris in Masai Mara, Kenya to beach holidays in Tulum, Mexico and Zanzibar, Tanzania. I find joy in helping my clients save $10,000-$20,000 on their luxury honeymoons with my honeymoon hacking coaching. Moreover, they value my overall honeymoon recommendations from visiting 35+ countries and living abroad for 13+ years.

Now, I’m energized to make these once-in-a-lifetime celebrations more memorable and radically affordable for my clients through coaching and courses.

If you’re curious to see how we can hack honeymoon, let's talk.