On exploration and evolving as a traveler. | YPHM, Jan. 27 ✈️

Living and loving New York, business class to Lagos for paid members, and an opportunity for my followers.

Happy Saturday, kinfolk 👋🏾

2023 was a slow travel year for me. Just trips to Montego Bay and Stockholm, plus a quick flight to New Orleans for my homegirl’s wedding. And if I’m being real? I wasn’t mad about it. I traveled slower, yes — but I moved my body more, healed more, loved more, cried a lot more, and was more present.

I was also in New York considerably more. Where some may find the city’s ebullience a shock to the nervous system, I embraced the chaos.

When you’re in the throes of your day-to-day routine, it’s easy to forget that New York is the preeminent travel destination. One would only need to look at the data — 61.8 million travelers in 2023 — not to mention the throngs of tourists standing on the left side of the escalator instead of the right.

I’m coming up on five years in this city. I didn’t think I’d last that long, what with my propensity for cleanliness.

But I have a go-to bodega (and have graduated from “my friend” to “my sister”) and a favorite liquor store where the owner takes a bit off the total when I bring my dog. I explored museums and bookstores, ate good-ass ramen, learned from Black elders about the history of my neighborhood, got followed home, and kissed boys at Fort Greene Park. I explored a new block or street every week. I learned a little something new every day. As much as this is a travel newsletter, I encourage you to view where you live as a place of exploration and learning.

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Who knows what this year will bring? I have some trips planned for self-care, a wedding, mileage runs, and story assignments — not in that order — but I plan to move with the same purposefulness I did last year.

I’m almost done musing, but there’s one bit of housekeeping before we get to the deals.

During the first iteration of my newsletter, I offered free memberships for returning citizens from prison and members of the military. I did that because I emphatically believe that travel should be accessible to all who want to see the world.

For both groups, access to travel can be restricted due to work obligations or legal barriers, which are unnecessary deterrents.

If you are a returning citizen or an active duty or reserve military member, please send me a note by replying to this email for a free lifetime membership to my newsletter. You’ll get all of my free deals, plus paid members-only deals. I wish you a lifetime of good travel!

✈️ Deal of the Day: New York to Curaçao for $248 round-trip (March 2024)

Flights to most of the Caribbean are usually cheap, even if you’re booking the last-minute travel. This American Airlines flight offers a basic economy ticket (the most restrictive) for just $248 round-trip. Main Cabin is an extra $90, so book that option if you want to board earlier and bring a checked bag.

Miami to San Andrés for $296 round-trip (April 2024)

Miami is one of my favorite cities to search for flight deals because they are just. so. cheap. Economy, premium economy, business — it doesn’t matter because there’s a good chance I can find something for under $1,000 round-trip. This deal is on LATAM to San Andres, a Caribbean island part of Colombia home to some of the most pristine beaches you’ll find in the region.

Baltimore to Copenhagen for $299 round-trip (April 2024)

This deal is on Play Airlines, a new European airline. Play operates as a low-cost airline (think Frontier or Spirit), so expect to pay for checked bags, seat selection, etc. Still, it is a decent airline, especially for a short flight across the Atlantic.

Newark to Belize City for $318 round-trip (May 2024)

Flights from the East Coast to Belize are usually on Copa and include a stop in Panama City. This nonstop flight between EWR and BZE is affordable, but the cheapest ticket is in basic economy. United’s basic economy is highly restrictive, so book regular economy if you need to check bags or pick seats.

Atlanta to Nairobi for $850 round-trip (April 2024)

There’s not much to say about this deal. It’s a pretty cheap ticket to Nairobi from Atlanta on Turkish Airlines. You’ll stop in Istanbul each way, and, depending on your dates, you can extend your time in the city with a long layover.

New York to Hanoi for $1,249 round-trip (April/May 2024)

Similar Asia deals to this one pop up pretty often, but finding availability to Hanoi is rare. Given the price, this is an excellent deal for Vietnam because of the premium economy seats. The flight is on Singapore’s nonstop between JFK-SIN on the longest flight in the world with a flying time of 18 1/2 hours.

Houston to Manchester for $1,952 round-trip (May 2024)

You should book this business class deal if you live in Houston (or can get there easily). Singapore’s A350 offers a fully lie-flat seat, which is a steal considering that similar business-class seats on this route can cost $3,000 or more.

Even if Manchester isn’t your final destination, you can use the flight to position yourself for other European destinations!