How to get filthy rich in Europe

Good morning and welcome back to Daily Drop, the Takoyaki of newsletters. Despite the rough exterior of our deadpan demeanor, we’re really just a gooey blob of octopus meat on the inside.

The analogy worked better in my head. Maybe I’m just hungry…

And I’m sure you’re hungry for travel hacking tips after the weekend, so here ya go:

• 🏃‍♂️ Mike on the Move: How to get filthy rich in Europe

• 🍪 Tasty Travel Tidbits

• 🏨 IHG Singles Day sale

🏃‍♂️ Mike on the Move: How to get filthy rich in Europe

Now that I’m back home in Toronto, let me tell you a story from being on the move last week in Europe.

After having an underwhelming trip through Scotland (I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but bring it up again) and a less underwhelming trip to Prague, it finally came time to get home.

I had a nice, easy itinerary from Prague to Zurich, then nonstop home to Toronto.

Nice and easy, right?

WRONG.

My flight got canceled. Again. 😑

When I heard the news that my Swiss Air flight had been canceled, however, I jumped for joy.

Why would I do this, you ask?

Because now I’m RICH! 🤑🤑🤑

You see, anytime a flight to, from, or within Europe gets canceled or delayed, you are entitled to some big-time compensation.

This is due to EU261, the law that protects passengers from crappy airlines and crappy airline behavior.

Based on the length of your flight and length of delay (or cancellation), the airline is required to compensate you to the tune of the amounts below:

Of course, if the cause of the delay is extraordinary (usually mother nature-related), this does not apply… sadly.

In my case, the cancellation was due to my plane losing the ability to steer while we were rocketing toward the runway… so that was fun.

But after that situation, I filled out a form online with Swiss and raked in ANOTHER €665.79 (which shakes out to EXACTLY one thousand Canadian dollars) from this ordeal.

I say “another” because, as you may remember, this exact thing happened to me back in May when Lufthansa canceled a one-hour flight of mine, and they also paid me CAD $1,000.

Why did they pay me more than they had to? I have no clue. And I don’t plan on finding out.

If you remember my newsletter about this trip a couple of weeks ago, you’ll know that I paid a grand total of $0 for the whole trip to Scotland.

So this money paid for all of my trip expenses and then some.

I wrote a newsletter earlier this year that includes some more specifics about EU261, the law that requires airlines to compensate passengers in this way.

So check it out if you want a refresher and links to some other resources to explore if you find yourself in a similar situation in Europe.

Thanks again, Europe, for the money. Always a pleasure doing business with you. 😉

🍪 Tasty Travel Tidbits

• 🏨 Marriott revamps their “Suite Night Awards”

• 😥 Yikes… hostage situation at Hamburg Airport in Germany

• ✈️ Two fairly major Canadian airlines merge

🏨 IHG Singles Day sale

If you’re single and looking to mingle, IHG has got you covered. Kind of. Honestly, it’s a little confusing what’s going on.

Basically, here’s the deal:

In some Asian countries, there is an unofficial holiday called “Singles Day” on November 11th, celebrating those who aren’t currently in relationships.

As a person who somewhat recently became a member of this demographic, I love this.

Apparently, IHG also loves this.

Because to celebrate “Singles Day,” they’re holding a big boy flash sale for hotels in Asia with a discounted rate of up to 45%.

The sale itself has nothing to do with singles or solo travelers, however, other than the date on which the sale is happening. It’s just a nice, healthy discount.

Here are the details:

• The sale only lasts from tomorrow, November 7th, through November 13th

• The valid stay dates are unclear… But certainly valid through early 2024

• Hotels in Southeast Asia, Korea, and the Maldives are offering 35% off

• IHG members (free to sign up) get an additional 10% off

Overall, this is a great option for anybody looking at booking travel in the foreseeable future to East Asia.

A 45% discount is nothing to turn your nose up at. Considering how affordable many of these hotels already are, this is a fantastic way to see an awesome part of the world while saving your hard-earned money and points.

For example, this property in the Maldives (which is on the list of participating hotels for this sale), normally costs $257 per night.

With this sale, you could theoretically stay in the Maldives for only $141 per night… 🤯

I know most people think of the “bucket list” hotels like St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, etc. when they think of going to the Maldives.

But the Maldives is the FREAKING Maldives… And honestly, the beaches at the Holiday Inn are going to be just as nice as any other… It might even be better knowing you got it for so cheap. 😎

I’d pay $141 per night over shelling out hundreds of thousands of points any day of the week.

So if you’re like me and want to use travel to mask the pain and loneliness of being single, jet off to Southeast Asia and stay with IHG’s Singles Day sale.

Honestly, doesn’t feel like a terrible idea. Though my therapist might disagree with that 🥴

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That’s all for today, kiddos! We’ve definitely got some fun content on the docket this week, so make sure you keep tuning in!

But I’m curious how many of you have had bad flight experiences and been able to get compensated, so tell me:

Take care and see you tomorrow ❤️

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