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Please follow and reach out to @TravelBluez for our Travel handle! This is a personal handle for random posts on life.
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LifeBluez
114 posts
LifeBluez
@amarkedia
Founder @TravelBluez | Ex-Institutional Equity Research Analyst (India Industrials) | Observer
Mumbai Katılım Nisan 2024
14 Takip Edilen124 Takipçiler
LifeBluez retweetledi
Two years ago, I walked away from a well-paying corporate career of 20 years.
I finally called it quits to pursue FIRE.
It wasn’t an easy decision. I had been contemplating it for years, always setting a "just one more quarter" target. Here’s what I learned. 🧵👇
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@milespointspro @shutapdiya @ccg33k RC has? Been a very long time for me there but wasn't there about 15 yrs ago 😅
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Among all the fab reviews and feedback for Fairmont Singapore, 2 sore points that stood out for me -
1) There is just one plug point in the entire room, apart from a wireless charger. With a laptop, 3 phones in the family and then some other needs this was a major pain point.
2) There is literally no wardrobe space - just two slim cupboards and drawers with barely any shelf space (only hangers).
Functionality went for a toss over form.
TravelBluez@TravelBluez
Fairmont Singapore room tour kicking in @imYadav31 don't sue me for copyright infringement 😉
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LifeBluez retweetledi
Ready for the ultimate Family Getaway? 🌿✨
Unwind at Evolve Back and enjoy exclusive Resort Credits for your next vacation:
✨ Stay 3+ Nights = ₹15,000 Credit
✨ Stay 2 Nights = ₹5,000 Credit
Treat your family! Redeem your credits on gourmet dining, relaxing spa treatments, souvenirs, or premium experiences. 🍽️💆♀️
🗓️ Limited Period Offer: Valid for stays from April 1 - Sept 30, 2026. Book your escape today!
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LifeBluez retweetledi
India’s Private Airports: Perennially Under Construction? The Shocking “Gold Plating” Truth Exposed!
You’ve seen it: gleaming terminals like shopping paradises… always under construction. Sky-high UDFs on every ticket. That ₹500 coffee. Here’s the real reason:
- Private operators get a guaranteed 16% p.a. return on every rupee they spend.
- Bigger, fancier, over-the-top terminals = bigger profits.
- Delhi’s ₹12,700cr Terminal 3 blowout, Mumbai’s upcoming T1 teardown, Bengaluru’s garden paradise, Hyderabad’s triple-size expansion - it’s all engineered to max the Regulatory Asset Base (RAB).
I break it ALL down in my latest long-form:
• How the math literally rewards “gold plating”
• Why duty-free mazes trap you (and who pockets the 70%)
• Real scandals - shell companies, CBI/ED raids, CAG audits
• Why Changi keeps fares low while we pay premium for marble
The wins? World-class infrastructure.
The losses? You’re literally financing the luxury.
This is the explainer every Indian flyer needs right now. Stop wondering why your ticket just got pricier - read the full exposé here:
TravelBluez@TravelBluez
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LifeBluez retweetledi
Did you know you could cross over to Italy from Zermatt in Switzerland through a cable car?
It is amongst the most beautiful experience one can ever go for!
Touch the clouds. Stand with one foot in Switzerland, the other in Italy, at the highest border crossing in the Alps.
The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing is the journey of a lifetime.
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LifeBluez retweetledi
Diwali’s travel season is winding down but Winter 2025 and Summer 2026 are heating up.
Before you lock in any bookings, check with us first. These are our strength zones - where we deliver unmatched access, pricing, and perks:
1. Kenya Safari Packages
Fairmont trifecta, Sarova, Serena, transfers, game drives - our relationships unlock the best of Kenya.
2. Evolve Back Resorts
Best pricing, exclusive access and a few delightful surprises.
3. CGH Earth, The Serai & More
Authentic stays and insider rates.
4. Switzerland & Japan Itineraries
Precision-crafted routes and hotel pairings that elevate every moment.
5. UAE Trips
End-to-end packages with activities, transfers and local insight.
6. Singapore
Seamless planning and tailored experiences.
7. Vietnam & Thailand
End-to-end packages
8. Maldives & Mauritius Honeymooner benefits, great deals, and dreamy escapes.
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LifeBluez retweetledi
Aligning our focus even more towards Luxury trips going forward.
We started out as a Luxury Travel Advisor but have been taking up requests even for budget trips. We tried to scale up the team but have been unsuccessful so far, as we couldn't find the right fit with like minded passion.
Given limited bandwidth and the need to focus more on self-health, we will henceforth only take Luxury trips/itineraries from new clients.
Existing clients can feel free to reach out to us for all kinds of trips.
We will continue to book budget or mid-range hotels but only when it is a part of our itinerary planning package or when the exact hotel is told to us and only a price quote is needed.
TravelBluez@TravelBluez
Diwali’s travel season is winding down but Winter 2025 and Summer 2026 are heating up. Before you lock in any bookings, check with us first. These are our strength zones - where we deliver unmatched access, pricing, and perks: 1. Kenya Safari Packages Fairmont trifecta, Sarova, Serena, transfers, game drives - our relationships unlock the best of Kenya. 2. Evolve Back Resorts Best pricing, exclusive access and a few delightful surprises. 3. CGH Earth, The Serai & More Authentic stays and insider rates. 4. Switzerland & Japan Itineraries Precision-crafted routes and hotel pairings that elevate every moment. 5. UAE Trips End-to-end packages with activities, transfers and local insight. 6. Singapore Seamless planning and tailored experiences. 7. Vietnam & Thailand End-to-end packages 8. Maldives & Mauritius Honeymooner benefits, great deals, and dreamy escapes.
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LifeBluez retweetledi
🌿 Luxury, minus the crowd - at the Postcard Hotels, Goa
If you crave a serene escape with personalised service, anytime breakfast and food that lingers in memory - Postcard Hotels in Goa are your quiet luxury haven.
✨ Think:
– No buffets. Just curated meals, served when you want.
– Fewer rooms. More attention.
– Heritage/Local charm meets modern indulgence.
💼 Perfect for solo retreats, romantic getaways or family downtime - without the noise.
💰 Prices start at ₹20–25k/night.
📩 DM to unlock exclusive deals and curated stays.
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LifeBluez retweetledi
🌍 Our Travel Advisory service isn’t just a glamorous role - it’s seeped in years of travel
As a travel advisor, when I curate or plan for others, I don’t just recommend destinations. I’ve walked the streets, savored the flavors and curated the memories myself. Whether it’s for work, holiday or planning for others, every city on this map is part of the story I bring to the table.
🔵 Cities I've been for work extensively:
New York, Boston, Denver, Kansas City, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Budapest, Milan, Zurich, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Singapore, Hong Kong++
🔴 Cities I've explored on holiday - mostly relaxed pace and sometimes more than once:
Munich, Salzburg, Interlaken, Zermatt, Bern, Geneva, St Moritz, Lucerne, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ankara, Bodrum, Antalya, Muscat, Bidiyah, Nizwa, Jebel Akhdar, Ras Al Jinz, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Colombo, Bentota, Krabi, Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Taman Negara, Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Halong Bay, Tokyo, Sapporo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Bintan++
🟠 Cities I've booked or planned (most of them extensively) for others:
Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Split, Hvar, Sibenik, Plitsvik, Baku, Quba, Shahdag, Tbilisi, Almaty, Doha, Cairo, Helsinki, Tallinn, Rovaniemi, Lapland, Iceland, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Weligama, Galle, Mirissa, Koh Samui, Sapa, Hue, Hiroshima, Nagano, Nairobi, Masai Mara, Mount Kenya, Amboseli, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Mauritius, Maldives, Bali, Nusa Penida, Manila, Boracay, Bohol, Florida++
✨ Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, a multi-generational escape, or a high-stakes business retreat - we bring more than just recommendations. It's often soaked in lived experience, emotional intelligence and a connector’s instinct.
Let’s make your next journey unforgettable.
📩 DM to start planning.
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LifeBluez retweetledi
Guess the place! - have a happy client there right now
#NotKenya
DM to book the best safari tris across India and Outside.
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LifeBluez retweetledi
LifeBluez retweetledi
A lot of trips came to a closure over the last few weeks where I was engaged as a Travel Advisor. For many of them, I acted as a Travel Advisor for everything - hotels, activities, transfers etc., while for some it was just hotel bookings or itinerary planning.
Some of the clients have been generous with their public posts about their experience working with me, while some have restrained their comments possibly because I did not stand up to their requirements. Apologies wherever I missed - I continuously strive to better myself. What gives me even more joy is that the trips span across different countries - a collation of all the cherished memories below.
South Africa
x.com/murthyshwetha2…
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LifeBluez retweetledi
Direct flights to Philippines are here and we too are ready with our Custom Luxury Packages.
DM us now.
Akash@ccg33k
🇮🇳 ✈️ 🇵🇭 Air India connects Delhi & Manila! Air India has launched non-stop flights between Delhi & Manila - the first-ever direct service by an Indian carrier to the Philippines earlier this month. 🗓️ 5x weekly (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun) ✈️ Airbus A321LR — Biz / Premium Eco / Eco (Vistara Aircraft) 🕐 DEL 1:20 PM → MNL 10:40 PM 🕛 MNL 11:40 PM → DEL 3:50 AM Bonus: 🇵🇭 Visa-free entry for Indians (14 days) Miles Requirements : Economy : 22K miles + taxes Premium Economy : 38K miles + taxes Business : 55K miles + taxes (Onward taxes are a bit higher than return taxes) With availability of upto 6 seats in Biz Cabin (out of total 12 seats) - this is also a great option for Family travellers for a 7 hour + flight. Anyone been to Philippines yet? I've heard it's beautiful ! #CCGeek #CCGeeks #CreditCards #TravelOnPoints @airindia
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LifeBluez retweetledi
After a few sleepless nights…
Let’s be clear: Travel Advisors don’t just book trips. We absorb chaos.
Until this morning, I was staring down the barrel of a ₹6 lakh penalty. Not for something I did. Not for something the client did. But because a hotel’s IT system glitched - and somehow, three booked rooms turned into six on their end.
Earlier this week, a client arrived at an upscale hotel in Singapore, excited for their stay. At check-in, they were told they had six rooms reserved. Confused, they clarified: “We only booked three.”
But the hotel insisted: “Six rooms. Three no-shows. Penalty applies.”
We had no confirmation emails for the duplicate booking. No alerts. No visibility.
Just a system bug - and a bill with my name (potentially) on it.
Here’s the part most clients never see:
- Booking platforms can duplicate reservations out of thin air.
- Hotels can charge for no-shows we never booked.
- Systems can auto-cancel or ghost-book without warning.
- And when it hits the fan, it’s the Advisor who steps in.
So I did.
Polite, firm, relentless.
Multiple rounds of back-and-forth.
A final call to the Director of Sales, someone I’ve built rapport with over time.
And yes, this hotel happens to be my #2 in lifetime booking value. That helped.
Eventually, the penalties were waived.
But if they hadn’t been? I’d have had to pay it.
Now, let me say this out loud:
I tend to make 10% gross margin on every transaction.
Not just for profit.
It’s my insurance policy.
It’s the buffer that lets me say, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” when the system breaks.
Here’s the cautionary tale:
If you’re trying to squeeze your Advisor down to the bone, you might be setting yourself up for zero cover when things go sideways.
So to clients reading this:
You’re not just paying for bookings.
You’re paying for protection.
For advocacy.
For someone who’ll fight for you when the system fails.
And to my fellow Advisors:
Hold your margin.
Protect your peace.
You’re not just a planner - you’re the parachute.
Travel Advisor Life!
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LifeBluez retweetledi
We Are There When Things Go Wrong and Why That Matters
Most of the trips we organize go off without a hitch. Clients return happy, memories are made, and all is well.
But sometimes, things go awry - often for reasons beyond our control. And how we respond in those moments is what makes us human (or, more precisely better Travel Advisors).
Here’s one such story -
A Loyal Client’s Kenya Trip: What Went Wrong, What We Did
One of our most loyal clients recently traveled to Kenya. Before that, he stayed at Fairmont Mumbai, which overcharged him ₹5,900.
Then came Fairmont Mara, which didn’t honor the complimentary night. And finally, Fairmont Norfolk charged him for a meal he never had.
To top it off, there were issues with the vehicle en-route to Amboseli.
Resolution? Swift and sincere.
Our driver partner in Kenya stepped up - personally drove to Amboseli on short notice, stayed overnight and brought the client back the next day. No extra charge. Just commitment. We’re grateful to have such partners.
We followed up with all the hotels to secure refunds. Most processed them promptly. Norfolk’s is still in progress.
Why We Care - Even When It’s Not “Our Fault”
These may sound like small hiccups. But they take time, energy and emotional bandwidth.
It’s easy to say, “Not my problem.” But we don’t. If it’s a genuine issue, and we can help, we will.
We’re not a PE- or VC-funded business.
Frankly, this isn’t even a capital-intensive business - when things go right. But when they don’t, unforeseen liabilities emerge. We’ll write about those once the dust settles.
So if you’re comparing us to a random VC-backed venture - on price, service, or responsiveness -
you might be doing yourself a disservice.
Think Luxury Travel. Think of Us.
Because when things go wrong, we show up.
And when things go right, we make them unforgettable.
TravelBluez@TravelBluez
Couldn't have woken up with a better wish to 😍
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LifeBluez retweetledi
And then there are trips, where we don't even have to step in even once. Our trusted vendors handle it all. We are of course there in the background for any emergency.
By the way, we don't just do Kenya trips - the world is our canvas!
TravelBluez@TravelBluez
We Are There When Things Go Wrong and Why That Matters Most of the trips we organize go off without a hitch. Clients return happy, memories are made, and all is well. But sometimes, things go awry - often for reasons beyond our control. And how we respond in those moments is what makes us human (or, more precisely better Travel Advisors). Here’s one such story - A Loyal Client’s Kenya Trip: What Went Wrong, What We Did One of our most loyal clients recently traveled to Kenya. Before that, he stayed at Fairmont Mumbai, which overcharged him ₹5,900. Then came Fairmont Mara, which didn’t honor the complimentary night. And finally, Fairmont Norfolk charged him for a meal he never had. To top it off, there were issues with the vehicle en-route to Amboseli. Resolution? Swift and sincere. Our driver partner in Kenya stepped up - personally drove to Amboseli on short notice, stayed overnight and brought the client back the next day. No extra charge. Just commitment. We’re grateful to have such partners. We followed up with all the hotels to secure refunds. Most processed them promptly. Norfolk’s is still in progress. Why We Care - Even When It’s Not “Our Fault” These may sound like small hiccups. But they take time, energy and emotional bandwidth. It’s easy to say, “Not my problem.” But we don’t. If it’s a genuine issue, and we can help, we will. We’re not a PE- or VC-funded business. Frankly, this isn’t even a capital-intensive business - when things go right. But when they don’t, unforeseen liabilities emerge. We’ll write about those once the dust settles. So if you’re comparing us to a random VC-backed venture - on price, service, or responsiveness - you might be doing yourself a disservice. Think Luxury Travel. Think of Us. Because when things go wrong, we show up. And when things go right, we make them unforgettable.
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LifeBluez retweetledi
How I Saved ₹8,000 on Flights and earned additional points - all this Without Compromising Flexibility?
Sometime back, I booked return flights for three of us for November. Since the trip was still uncertain, I opted for the SME fare, which offers a significantly lower cancellation penalty - just ₹499 per person per sector.
Fast forward to today:
The fare dropped by 30%. With the trip now almost confirmed, I cancelled the original tickets and rebooked at the lower fare via TravelEdge.
The Outcome:
- 💸 Net savings: ~₹8,000
- 🎯 Extra earnings: 10% more ERs
- 30% ERs on MB via TravelEdge vs 17.5% on AEP previously.
Why SME Fare Is a Smart Move
When you book flights with us, you can choose the SME fare, which comes with:
- ✅ Lower cancellation penalties
- 💼 Slightly higher premium than regular fares
- 🚫 Not to be confused with the airline’s own flexi fares, which are usually priced much higher
This option is ideal for uncertain plans or clients who value flexibility without overspending.
A Quick Reminder on How We Book Flights
✈️ We book flights only as part of packages - that means your itinerary must include at least a hotel or land component, booked through us.
🔁 For repeat clients or high-value flight bookings (₹1 lakh+), we do offer standalone flight bookings. But here’s what we need:
- A screenshot of the exact flight and date (we won't search flights for you)
- The final price you’re getting elsewhere (including convenience fees)
🚫 Please don’t reach out for standalone flight bookings under ₹1 lakh.
TravelBluez@TravelBluez
🌟 Announcing Flights Booking with Reduced Cancellation Penalty! 🌟 Are you uncertain about your travel plans or seeking more flexibility? Look no further! I’ve got you covered. 😊 DM me for flight bookings that offer greater flexibility at a nominal premium compared to regular fares. You’ll find these options even more affordable than the Flexi fares directly offered by airlines. For instance, consider Air India example below: By paying just Rs 141 extra, you gain access to significantly lower cancellation penalties and the ability to change your travel dates. 🛫✨ Let’s make your travel experience smoother and stress-free! Feel free to reach out over DM. 🌎🌍🌏 See more sample illustrations in the🧵below -
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LifeBluez retweetledi
This was the Gondwana Game Reserve, near Capetown, South Africa.
Think Luxury Safari trips in Africa or India, Think of us!
TravelBluez@TravelBluez
Guess the place! - have a happy client there right now #NotKenya DM to book the best safari tris across India and Outside.
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