My Journey to Every Country in the World
Nov 9, 2011, 12:03 pm
#136
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MAN
Programs: LH, BA, Hilton
Posts: 1,409
I've asked myself a similar question about lists in the past and ended up with this spreadsheet which made counting easier. See what you think - feedback welcome!
Spreadsheet of Soverign States and Associated Territories
Spreadsheet of Soverign States and Associated Territories
I've taken a copy and added conditional formatting to collour the country green when visited.
Thanks,
Nov 9, 2011, 12:25 pm
#137
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Lake Tahoe (RNO)
Programs: Depends on the card offers :)
Posts: 127
Keep in mind the stop over allowances you can get with the BA awards on Lan. Depending on how much time you have, you should be able to do both Easter Island and BsAs.
Easter Island was def. something special, and in my opinion the type of place that is way more reasonable if you're using miles. Also, be sure to splurge for business class on these trips. The SCL-IPC segment is technically domestic but the service is essentially international
If you make it to IPC, and you have some American Airlines miles, check out their intra-South Pacific award. 20k in economy or 30k in business will get you from IPC to Tahiti or Australia.
Personally, SYD-AUK-PPT-IPC in business for 30k was a very enjoyable use of miles!
Easter Island was def. something special, and in my opinion the type of place that is way more reasonable if you're using miles. Also, be sure to splurge for business class on these trips. The SCL-IPC segment is technically domestic but the service is essentially international
If you make it to IPC, and you have some American Airlines miles, check out their intra-South Pacific award. 20k in economy or 30k in business will get you from IPC to Tahiti or Australia.
Personally, SYD-AUK-PPT-IPC in business for 30k was a very enjoyable use of miles!
...but I'm feeling a little guilty of thread-hijacking. Happy to keep focused on Every Country counts!
Nov 9, 2011, 12:54 pm
#138
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
I just hit country #124 (Laos) or #118 if I don't count the airport-only transit cheaters, and 168 on the TCC List (again a few cheaters).
You will also want to book your BA award in the next week before their award chart changes... most likely the LAN awards will change considerably since they are going to distance-based zones.
You will also want to book your BA award in the next week before their award chart changes... most likely the LAN awards will change considerably since they are going to distance-based zones.
Last edited by hauteboy; Nov 9, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Nov 13, 2011, 10:03 am
#139
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP 2 .5 MM
Posts: 56
Chris have you tried G 3 Visa services. Big firm I use and I can say have been good for me especially on the hard ones. Also have you heard of a friend of mine known as Global Henry? His name is Henry Biernacki and he is working toward the same commn desire as you. He has a little advantage as he is also a captain for Virgin but now that does not get him to many new places. Check out his web site and the book he wrote. He is a great adventurer like you and a lot of us here.
Mike The Plant Hunter
Mike The Plant Hunter
Nov 15, 2011, 3:15 pm
#140
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PDX and Everywhere
Programs: *Alliance, OneWorld
Posts: 248
hauteboy,
Congrats on #118/124!
mikeinmiami,
I've been using VisaHQ, with mostly good results. There have been a few hangups and delays, but I also know I'm giving them a pretty tight schedule (and applications to random embassies) to work with.
Not sure I know Global Henry. Sounds good to me, though -- the more, the merrier.
Congrats on #118/124!
mikeinmiami,
I've been using VisaHQ, with mostly good results. There have been a few hangups and delays, but I also know I'm giving them a pretty tight schedule (and applications to random embassies) to work with.
Not sure I know Global Henry. Sounds good to me, though -- the more, the merrier.
Nov 15, 2011, 8:01 pm
#141
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,530
I second VisaHQ. I usually head over there in person since they're a few blocks from my office, and they've managed to grease a few wheels that I couldn't. Being in DC I can usually take care of most things in person myself, but for some of the trickier ones...I highly recommend them.
Mar 7, 2012, 1:41 pm
#142
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
At #129 now after my recent trip to Central Africa. I'm in the process of applying for visas for Central Asia -stans now (will be #134 or #135 if I get the Iran visa)... but Uzbek visa is taking awhile, 2+ weeks so far. I don't use a visa service, I send my applications directly to the embassy.
Apr 8, 2012, 8:08 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,530
Just booked my latest trip which should bring me up to 116 - nowhere close to the experts here, but I'm rapidly getting there!
Jun 8, 2012, 2:00 pm
#145
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
I'm at #139 now after a 10-country visit to the -stans and southern Balkans. Got denied our Iranian visa the day before I left for Central Asia.. 
so ended up booking flights to Erbil/Tirana (not Tehran).
so ended up booking flights to Erbil/Tirana (not Tehran).
Last edited by hauteboy; Jun 8, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Jun 8, 2012, 6:16 pm
#146
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,530
Would love feedback on the Stans....that's on my plan for next spring.
Jun 8, 2012, 6:48 pm
#147
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
I'll be posting a trip report soon, will keep you updated.
Aug 31, 2012, 12:50 pm
#149
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PDX and Everywhere
Programs: *Alliance, OneWorld
Posts: 248
Greetings, all. For anyone who has been following along here, I made it to Yemen and Congo recently and now have just six countries remaining:
Guinea Bissau
Sao Tome
Seychelles
Tuvalu
Kiribati
Norway
We'll be having a party in Oslo on April 6, 2013 for anyone who wants to hop over (details forthcoming before the end of the year).
I'm excited but also somewhat apprehensive about the journey coming to an end.
Hope you guys are doing well and still traveling.
Guinea Bissau
Sao Tome
Seychelles
Tuvalu
Kiribati
Norway
We'll be having a party in Oslo on April 6, 2013 for anyone who wants to hop over (details forthcoming before the end of the year).
I'm excited but also somewhat apprehensive about the journey coming to an end.
Hope you guys are doing well and still traveling.
Sep 1, 2012, 4:14 pm
#150
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
Greetings, all. For anyone who has been following along here, I made it to Yemen and Congo recently and now have just six countries remaining:
Guinea Bissau
Sao Tome
Seychelles
Tuvalu
Kiribati
Norway
We'll be having a party in Oslo on April 6, 2013 for anyone who wants to hop over (details forthcoming before the end of the year).
I'm excited but also somewhat apprehensive about the journey coming to an end.
Hope you guys are doing well and still traveling.
Guinea Bissau
Sao Tome
Seychelles
Tuvalu
Kiribati
Norway
We'll be having a party in Oslo on April 6, 2013 for anyone who wants to hop over (details forthcoming before the end of the year).
I'm excited but also somewhat apprehensive about the journey coming to an end.
Hope you guys are doing well and still traveling.