Couchsurfing: If you're not doing it, you're missing out!

(Thomas)

Couchsurfer #1: Charlottesville, VA

Meet Drew,

An enthusiastic traveler, husband, and hilarious host. 

He was the individual that first allowed Daniel and I to accompany his homestead through Couchsurfing on this trip. His process of screening CS travelers like us? 

"I always press accept before reading the request" Amazing. 

Eventually our exchange of words, like most conversation, lead to Drew's profession - a most intriguing subject.

His Profession: Freelance Writer

What He Writes About: How to Travel for free

Yes, free.

Before playing an intense game of Ultimate Frisbee at a local park in Charlottesville, Daniel and I filled the air between us and Drew with questions about his blogging career. Drew holds a unique position. He writes about how to travel, for free. Yes, that's right. Travel. For free. How much sweeter could 2 words be combined? We had to press Drew for the details, but his story slowly unraveled the more we questioned. Essentially, Drew is in the business with credit card companies. And when I say "business" I mean he describes ways in which to sign up for "multiple credit cards to get the miles bonus" and use those bonuses to travel anywhere. Yeah, anywhere. Through various and mildly complicated procedures, Drew can get these bonuses from just about any credit card company that offers it. "I sign up for a new credit card every 3 months... from every bank" Drew told us. Most credit cards these days require a certain level of spending to receive the frequent flier miles many of you probably have heard of, if not used. But what Drew has figured out is a way to "manufacture spending" in such a way that his money is always re-routed back to where it came from: right in his own pocket. Sometimes this might mean buying coins from the US mint and re-exchanging them for cash, other times paying his wife through PayPal (the computers don't know the difference, they just see credit transactions). Regardless, the results are inarguable; with this system Drew and his wife Carrie have traveled across the globe many times over. Anywhere from Europe to China to Indonesia to Bali to Mexico. You name the place, they either have already been there--or are planning it for their next vacation. Drew alleges he spends, annually, approximately 25% of his time at home, and the other 75% traveling with his wife. Any ethical reservations Drew and Carrie may have are outweighed by the understanding that banks are always cheating people out of their money (usury rates or 2007 house bubble, anyone?)--so why can't the scams go both ways? 

Needless to say, Daniel and I were captivated - tangled in a deep net of hopes and dreams that someday we too could take our wives, family, and friends to anywhere in the world, never paying for a plane ticket again. We also learned that this trick isn't really a trick at all.. in fact, many websites give the same information, and banks are well aware of the trend. The trick is to always be one step ahead of the credit card companies.

 If you wish to investigate, here's a link to Drew's website: 

http://travelisfree.com/

Professional shenanigans aside, we had a great time with these two incredibly generous and engaging hosts. You two rock! Thanks again!

Thomas, Daniel, Drew and Caroline (Carrie). 

Some really great people, and friends. 

Couchsurfer #2: Lexington, VA

In Lexington, Daniel and I lucked out by contacting and staying with Dirk, who opened his house up to us both and treated us like sons. Dirk, 45, lives on the edge of town and frequently opens his doors for travelers like us. When we texted him as we we approached the city, he responded by letting us know that he would be home from work within the hour, but to "go on inside and make yourself comfortable, the front door is open"! We couldn't believe it.

Need another example of this man's boundless generosity? After he got home and we had said our introductions, Dirk informed us that from 4:30 to 8:00 he would be coaching his daughter's soccer league in the neighboring town of Straunton, but that, should we want to hang out, he had plenty of drinks in the fridge. When we responded that we'd thought about heading into town for groceries, he tossed us the keys to his jeep, $25, and said "fill her up and you can take the truck into town, that oughta save you some time."

You've gotta be kidding me!

As if that weren't enough, when we got back Dirk had bought steaks, corn, asparagus and onions to grill out, and treated us to a delicious and hefty meal before sending us off to bed.

When we asked him how the heck he got to be this way, he said that "I've traveled a lot over the years, and people around the world have showed me lots of kindness. I guess this is just my way of giving back and returning the favor."

That favor did not go unnoticed. Dirk? We promise to pay it forward someday. Word's aren't enought to express how grateful we are. Thanks so much for your kind hospitality. You're awesome.