Help Me Decide if the travel expense is worth it.

[Doc Harry]

Curious to know the $$$$ you spent on such travels.

per person
Dive cruise $5k incl. park fees, fuel surcharges, and tips
Airfare $11k
Hotels $1k
We're retired, can't take money with us when we're gone.

This past year-and-a-half we did three trips to the western Pacific and Maldives. We used our points for the first trip to the Maldives, including a week at the Waldorf in London for free. After this last trip we have a ton of airline and AMEX points, the next trip overseas will cost almost nothing in terms of airfare and lodging. Looking at Bali or the Philippines. I hear both places are extremely expensive.

 

[tridacna]

Curious to know the $$$$ you spent on such travels.

I bet that you spend as much if not more on your travels!

 

[Dan]

I bet that you spend as much if not more on your travels!

Yes. but I went to many dive trips in a year. I made 7 dive trips in 2021, 13 dive trips in 2022 and 8 dive trips in 2023, including at this moment. I’m on the way to Maldives, but I don’t go on business class, just premium economy.

Maximum fare / trip was $3000. Premium economy is good enough for me. I can save enough $$$$ flying on 3 premium economy rather than on 3 business class for another overseas trip to Indonesia or Philippines.

 

[scrane]

We're retired, can't take money with us when we're gone.

I'm too cheap. Any money left over goes to the kids. My parents gave my wife and I a head start and I intend to pass it on.
I flew from Paris to the states once in Business Class as a perk from Delta for loading bags on planes at $8.75/hr. It was fun, but even the aforementioned Premium Economy is a seldom purchased luxury. I usually buy the cheapest flight I can, only taking flight time and # stopovers into consideration. I can put up with a little inconvenience to prevent $3K-$4K from flying out of my pocket.
I just realized that with the money I save I could buy a TFX ! ? ... nah.

 

[tridacna]

Yes. but I went to many dive trips in a year. I made 7 dive trips in 2021, 13 dive trips in 2022 and 8 dive trips in 2023, including at this moment. I’m on the way to Maldives, but I don’t go on business class, just premium economy.

Maximum fare / trip was $3000. Premium economy is good enough for me. I can save enough $$$$ flying on 3 premium economy rather than on 3 business class for another overseas trip to Indonesia or Philippines.

I have spent $42,782.74 on United Airlines this year. One more trip to London on Monday (returning on Wed) then I’m done for 2023.

 

[Dan]

I have spent $42,782.74 on United Airlines this year. One more trip to London on Monday (returning on Wed) then I’m done for 2023.

That’s a boatload of money on just United Airlines!

 

[ReefHound]

That’s a boatload of money on just United Airlines!

I could live year-round in a 3BR oceanfront condo in Cozumel for less!

 

[tridacna]

That’s a boatload of money on just United Airlines!

Loyalty has its benefits. I haven't seen what goes on behind the curtain for a while. Makes traveling to Indo a much more pleasant experience.

I could live year-round in a 3BR oceanfront condo in Cozumel for less!

My clients "might" object to that.

 

[rmorgan]

Given there are other places to go and other places to dive I need help deciding if it is worth it. I have dove most of the great places in the world, with my desire being large animals. Anyone have an opinion?

I am a big fan of the photography and writing of Don Silcock, who specializes in the hard-to-get-to. His website has two recent articles about Tubbataha, which may be of interest to you. Diving The Philippines - Tubbataha in the Heart of the Coral Triangle

 

[Centrals]

Looking at Bali or the Philippines. I hear both places are extremely expensive.

Philippines extremely expensive?
It is all depend how you would like to spend the money. However, in all the diving places that I had been in the country, it is far from true. And I only used reputable operator.
As a diver you ought to go to Tubbataha and there is NO excuse not to. First dived there in 1997 and had returned couple of time.
Anilao + Tubbataha should make a very enjoyable and inexpensive trip.

Bali is the same.