Harlan Vaughn

About Harlan

Just a dude living in Memphis, traveling, and working toward financial independence.

Last Summer, Bumped off Delta Flight. This Fall, Free Business Class Flights to Mexico City

July 17, 2018 by Harlan 6 Comments

a man taking a selfie with mountains in the background

This time last year, I was hiking through the mountains of Glacier National Park in Montana. I wrote about how I booked the trip and the one and only time I’ve ever had to use rental car insurance to file a claim.

I also got to stay at Granite Park Chalet with my dear friend Angie for 3 nights of mountain views, good company, and sneaky shots of whiskey before bed. 😵

Glacier National Park is one of my favorite places on earth

On the way home, I got bumped off my original departing flight. And ended up leaving 30 minutes later, getting home an hour earlier, and now – scoring a free flight to Mexico City with my $500 Delta voucher for taking the bump.

All in all, I came out ahead on this one!

Turning a Delta bump into more free flights

This Thursday (7/19): Join the Dallas Frequent Flyer Meetup at Sundown!

July 17, 2018 by Harlan 2 Comments

It’s that time – this Thursday, July 19th, Out and Out is hosting another Out for Miles frequent flyer meetup in Dallas!

This one is in the trendy Lower Greenville neighborhood, close to 75 and 635 for those coming from all points.

Join us for a great happy hour in a relaxed venue this Thursday

We’ll be there a little before 6pm to welcome everyone. There’s a fantastic happy hour until 7pm with cheap drinks and light bites.

Out for Miles event details

Yay! A Huge 89-Point Jump for an Authorized User’s Credit Score!

July 13, 2018 by Harlan 3 Comments

Or, Lightning Strikes Twice!

I shared how my brother’s credit score jumped 100+ points in a month after I added him to one of my credit cards. He had literally nothing on his credit report.

Last month, I added an authorized user to a 5-year old (no annual fee!) credit card with a $13,000 credit limit. The statement closed on July 3rd. And on July 11th (a week later), we pulled his credit report.

My AU’s credit score went up 89 points in under a month

His new score (according to Credit Sesame) is now 732 – 89 points more than it was this time last month! (FWIW, it was the same on Credit Karma, too.)

After adding my brother, and now with this new experience, I’m convinced how beneficial it can be to add authorized users to old cards with a high limit. And why it’s so important to have a couple of cards with NO annual fees in your wallet.

This AU had one negative mark, but all my info transferred

3 Days in Iceland: What You Should Know About Your Stopover Trip

July 12, 2018 by Harlan 16 Comments

It’s easier than ever to spend three days in Iceland:

WOW! Air frequently has $99 one-way sales to Iceland (and around $200 coming home)
Icelandair lets you add a free stopover – up to 7 days – on your way to mainland Europe
American, Delta, and United all fly there seasonally from their hubs

Of course, with all this competition, fares are rock bottom. I’ve seen them as low as $287 round-trip to visit the Land of Fire & Ice.

Planning a visit to Iceland? You should – it’s easier than ever

I say Iceland deserves a full week to appreciate. The weather is unpredictable and if you hit a rainy patch, that’ll be unfortch. That said, if you’ve never been it’s beyond worthwhile to add a bonus side trip to Iceland. A friend asked what to do with 3 days in Iceland, to which I said…

Even three days in Iceland is expensive

6 Cards to Consider If You’re LOL/24 (No Chase on This List!)

July 5, 2018 by Harlan 14 Comments

There’s zero doubt Chase cards are the best to get first. Their products have high sign-up offers, excellent ongoing benefits, and strong category bonuses.

But… Chase shutdowns are increasing – even if you haven’t opened a Chase card in recent past. And, they have aspirations to use their 5/24 rule for ALL their cards. (Which is ridiculous, especially for the co-branded cards because you want people to actually get them, right?)

I’ll have to accept this was the last Chase card I might ever get 🙁

I just earned 100,000 British Airways Avios points on the Chase British Airways card. But between shutdowns and 5/24… I might be done with Chase for a while.

I regret not ever having the Chase Freedom Unlimited for everyday non-bonus spending. Although with my current cards, I should be good for lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards with organic spending.

Anyhoo, I’ve been thinking of card options if you’re helplessly over 5/24, or just don’t want to mess with Chase any more.

Here are the 7 best!

Best cards over 5/24 and/or done with Chase

Tomorrow: I’m Chatting Live With The Credit Card Nerd on YouTube @ 3pm CT!

June 29, 2018 by Harlan Leave A Comment

Set a reminder! There’s a new podcast in town. The Credit Card Nerd hosts a weekly discussion of points & miles news every Saturday at 3pm CT.

And tomorrow, I’m the featured guest on the fourth episode!

Watch me and Chase talk shop on Saturday, June 30th @ 3pm CT

We’ll go over lots of recent news, my latest trip to the Faroe Islands, and take your questions – live!

Out and Out on Credit Card Nerd Podcast

Koks Restaurant Review: Dining Experience of a Lifetime in the Faroe Islands

June 29, 2018 by Harlan 10 Comments

a table with plates and a chair in a room with wood walls

My first day in the Faroe Islands was packed:

Got to airport in Vagar at 11am
Checkin at Havgrim Hotel shortly after 12pm
New Norse-inspired tattoo at 4pm
And by 6pm, off to Koks for dinner at 6:30pm!

This was also the Summer Solstice in the Land of the Midnight Sun. I didn’t know what to expect from Koks. That I’d be there 4+ hours. And that it wouldn’t just be a (very decadent) meal – but truly the experience of a lifetime.

Koks is in an old turf house on an isolated bay in the Faroe Islands

Here’s my experience (the only word to describe it!) at Koks, complete with #foodporn pics of the 20+ courses served that night.

My Koks restaurant review

Get $200 Matched for Opening 2 Fidelity Accounts – Including My Fave Checking Account!

June 29, 2018 by Harlan 4 Comments

a blue background with text and colorful flowers

Also see:

UPDATE: Dang, this offer is already dead as a doornail! That was fast!

I’ve written about why I love my Fidelity Cash Management account. There are no fees, no minimums, and ATM fees are reimbursed worldwide as soon as the charge posts. I recommend this account to friends. And have had mine for years now.

Here’s an easy win:

Open 2 Fidelity accounts through this link (a Cash Management account and a brokerage account)
Deposit at least $200 into your accounts in any combination
Get $200 more dollars deposited free within 7 days

Easiest checking account bonus I’ve seen

If you’ve never had accounts with Fidelity, now is the perfect time to open a great free checking account and score $200 in the process.

And you can open any brokerage account – I recommend the IRA (it’s the one I use). They’re also free to open. And you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to.

Here’s a closer look at the offer – and one important “gotcha.”

Fidelity checking $200 bonus

Visit to the Faroe Islands: Rugged Cliffs, Endless Waterfalls, & Modern Refinement

June 28, 2018 by Harlan 14 Comments

a cliff with a waterfall and a house on it

I crossed off a huge bucket list item. Last week, I spent 4 days in the wild and rugged Faroe Islands.

The country is made of 18 islands. Of those, I got to visit 3. What I saw reminded me of the ruggedness of Iceland and the brilliant green cliffs of Ireland.

But the Faroe Islands are a unique place in the world. And, it’s challenging to get there.

Based on my short time, I can already say it’s one of my favorite places on earth. And can’t wait to go back.

The Faroe Islands were unlike any place I’ve been, and crazy gorgeous

Here’s more about my visit to the Faroe Islands. And photos of the stunning landscapes that make this place so deeply special.

Visit Faroe Islands – My experience

Review: Icelandair Saga Lounge, Keflavik (KEF)

June 27, 2018 by Harlan 12 Comments

Hello from Iceland! Specifically, the Icelandair Saga Lounge in the center of Keflavik Airport.

One reason I wanted to fly in Business Class home (instead of inbound) was access to this lounge. It’s Icelandair’s single lounge – and the only lounge in Keflavik airport.

Entrance to the Icelandair Saga Lounge in Keflavik

Sitting here now, it’s one of the most spacious and calm airport lounges I’ve ever been to.

You can’t buy day passes to this lounge. But I’ll share how you can get in!

My Icelandair Saga Lounge Review

6 Ways to Save Big on Dining: Find Faves, Get Points + Cashback With Every Visit

June 6, 2018 by Harlan 3 Comments

a patio with tables and chairs and string lights

Eating out is probably my biggest weakness. I give myself a couple of things to spend relentlessly on. And beyond that, I save like a madman.

My 2 things are: eating out and travel. I do well stocking up at Costco and cooking at home most nights. But my god if a good happy hour deal doesn’t get me.

I pay pennies on the dollar when I travel. Dining is easy, too. By enrolling my cards once and having a few go-to places, I get discounts close to 20% off in the form of points, miles, and cashback – and the savings add up!

I love happy hours at this cantina. Plus, I get points, miles, and cashback every time I visit

It’s not hard. Here’s how to do it.

Dining programs + cashback app + points card = big dining discounts

Why I’m Switching Spend to SPG Cards the Next 2 Months (And a Useful Tip!)

June 5, 2018 by Harlan 16 Comments

Welp, the Marriott-Starwood merger looms nigh. On August 1st, 2018, we’ll all wake up and have a new program – with excellent deals through the end of 2018.

Also on that day is an event I’ve dubbed in my mind as “The Triplin’” – because everyone’s Starwood balance will increase by 3X!

So now’s the time to earn as much as possible to take advantage of redemption opportunities later this year.

Marriott’s award chart as of August 1st

In 2019, the new program will be dead to me. I’ve never liked Marriott hotels, and occasionally stay with Starwood. At that point, I’ll go back into my Hilton/Hyatt hole for as long as the water’s nice.

Ah, to be a ~~fairweather traveler~~ free agent.