Asia is calling me

Planning a trip based on an irresistible flight deal

I wasn’t planning to go to Asia in January. I am going to Italy in six weeks and have two big group trips lined up for 2027—Africa and Machu Picchu. But as a points and miles enthusiast, I am always looking for a good award deal. Asia has been in the back of my mind as a place I want to return to.

I was in Taipei on my way to Vietnam last January. It is a safe city, easy to navigate, with delicious food. My mouth waters when I think about the scallion pancakes, dumplings, and night markets. From that first trip, I knew I would be back.

Wenchang Temple in Taipei decorated for Lunar New Year — Wenchang Temple in Taipei preparing for Lunar New Year

So, when I got an alert for a January 2027 Starlux business class seat to Taipei for 85K miles on Alaska Airlines, I took notice. I flew Starlux business class on points to Taipei last January and it was amazing. Food, service, cleanliness, lie-flat seats, and a picture of Snoopy on my boarding pass. How could I pass this up?

It was late morning by the time I checked for the Starlux flights, and sadly most were gone. I took a little more time to check some dates in January, having no idea what I was going to do in Asia. Nothing. I was so disappointed. But then I thought to myself: Am I really going to Asia in January?

Something about missing out on the Starlux flights drove me to keep looking for flights to Taipei. Deep inside, I really wanted to return to Asia! Then one night when it was way too late for me to be looking at flights on my phone, I saw an EVA business class flight, nonstop from Los Angeles to Taipei in mid-January for 85K points. That is a saver! In the points and miles world, this is a flight you book first and think about later. That is what I did. It was one of the craziest things I have done since I started traveling on award flights. I booked a flight with absolutely no planned trip, travel partner or idea of where I would go in Asia.

The adrenaline rush of finding and booking this flight kept me up late into the night. I was very excited. But I also said to myself: Am I really going to do this?

I now have a ticket to Asia. No tour. No companion. No preexisting plan.

The next morning, still in shock that I had booked this, I started thinking about what I might do in Asia next January.

I went through several ideas. I could meet up with a group in Thailand if I could get the dates to line up. I could go to Thailand alone. Maybe my friend with family in the Philippines would meet me there. I almost booked a group trip in Thailand. But something wasn’t quite right about that. With two group trips already planned in 2027, I had the urge to travel independently. There is something appealing about being able to wander at my own pace.

Chefs making dumplings behind the glass kitchen at Din Tai Fung in Taipei — Dumpling making at Din Tai Fung in Taipei

So I asked myself many questions: How much time do I want in Taiwan? Where else in Asia should I go? What will the weather be like?

Then, weeks after the booking, it came to me. Japan! I have wanted to go back since my first trip in 2024. There are so many places I didn’t get to that I would love to visit. I thought about where in Japan I might go and how cold it would be. Then I decided: I am okay with the chilly weather. If it is cold, I will eat more ramen. Go to the amazing malls and temples. Dress in layers.

Bowl of tonkotsu ramen at Ichiran in Shibuya, Tokyo — Ramen at Ichiran in Shibuya

I have been interested in going to the foodie city of Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu and checked flights from Taipei to Fukuoka. There was a nonstop flight. Then I studied the map and realized I could take a short train ride from Fukuoka to Osaka, then head to Tokyo for a few days before going home. This sounded like a perfect adventure. Bonus—I could use some of my 2026 hotel credits from my credit cards.

Once I made peace with the cold, I knew Japan was right for this trip. I love Japan. It is safe, easy to get around by train, and the food is incredible.

Planning the itinerary—I am really going!

I had to get somewhat clear on an itinerary so I could figure out my flight home. I decided to start off in Taipei at Beitou Hot Springs—which I didn’t get to last time—for a few relaxing days to ease the jet lag. Then I will spend four nights in Taipei, possibly take a day trip outside the city, meet my friend who lives there, and fly to Fukuoka. From there: four nights in Fukuoka, three nights in Osaka, and two nights in Tokyo.

Rainy view of Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo at night — My first glimpse of Shibuya Crossing—an “I can’t believe I’m actually here” moment

Now that I had an itinerary of sorts, I started to work on my return flight. Once I had a flight that I was happy enough with, I started to book hotels. As I booked these hotels and flights, I realized: I am really going!

This will be a different kind of adventure from my last few trips. I am truly solo on this trip but feel like I will be in somewhat familiar places. Japan and Taiwan are both safe and easy to navigate, so I feel comfortable doing this.

Time for a spreadsheet

Now I am deep into the work of planning the trip. I am booking hotels and figuring out trains and transfers. I am about to email some guides and look at food tours. While I am still thrilled about going, trip planning does get tedious. There are a lot of details to figure out. Enter the spreadsheet!

As I work on this trip, I know I really need to pivot to my trip to Italy with my sister. In fact, that trip came to life because of an award deal too. She wanted to meet me in Naples, but with several other trips already planned, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go. When I found a saver award to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, that sealed it. I will do a two-night solo stopover in Istanbul, then fly to Naples.

More on Italy in another post. Stay tuned as I figure out my trip to Taiwan and Japan.

Have you ever booked a trip in this way, where a deal inspired an adventure? Let me know in the comments below.