Daniel sources Daily Drop's points and miles deals and is the friendly voice of the support desk. He splits time between Vietnam and the American Midwest with his family in tow, and has a lengthy travel portfolio - 86 countries visited, from Uruguay to Uzbekistan, with some bucket list flights along the way. His first points redemption was for the United Island Hopper through Guam, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, and he loves a great fifth-freedom flight. Changi Airport is his happy place (he's one of those people who check in 24 hours early for a flight to plane spot) and he's just as happy in economy or first class—so long as he's getting the very best deal.
What is your favorite country or travel experience? Like many travelers, I adore Japan. I particularly gravitate to Shikoku and the Seto Inland Sea, in part because it's an area where Japan slows down, as bullet trains give way to coastal ferries or tramways, and the crowds thin out. As much as I love flying, there's some irony to the fact that I'd almost always prefer a long afternoon on the deck of a ship or in a train compartment.
Do you have a favorite travel hack that you've done? I'm a disciplined carry-on only packer, but it took some practice to get there. The first thing I do when I get home from a trip is unpack my suitcase and separate out everything I carried with me into two piles - things I used, and things I didn't. I then remove everything I didn't need during the trip, and snap a picture - now I have my packing list for my next vacation all laid out. Sticking to a system and routine for what I take with me not only saves time and money, but it means that I can also be more spontaneous and unplanned when I'm traveling light.
