Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-travel-daily/id1842162269
Travel Daily Podcast 12/14/2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Goa, Kerala remain top winter destinations for Indian travellers: Report
Read the full story | Author: PTI | Date: December 13, 2025
An Airbnb report finds 55% of Indians plan winter trips, with Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and the Himalayas topping interest thanks to beaches, backwaters, heritage, and cool-weather experiences. Younger travelers are boosting demand for spiritual-leisure spots like Varanasi and Vrindavan, while travel groups often include partners, friends, and multi-generational families. Emerging pockets like Lakshadweep’s Agatti and smaller cities in Punjab are also gaining traction.
Permata Bank x Japan Airlines Travel Fair 2026 di Lippo Mall Puri
Read the full story | Author: n/a | Date: December 13, 2025
The Permata Bank x Japan Airlines Travel Fair runs January 15–18, 2026 at Lippo Mall Puri (Atrium 2), featuring special JAL fares, up to Rp14,000,000 in combined discounts/cashback, and 0% installments up to 12 months. Perks include free seat selection, extra baggage, and complimentary shuttle services. Quantities are limited, so travelers planning early-2026 trips to Japan may want to lock in deals during the event window.
I wanted to prioritize travel for my family of 5, so I learned how to maximize credit card points and started a travel fund
Read the full story | Author: Kris Ann Valdez | Date: December 13, 2025
A family of five stretches their travel budget by stacking credit card sign-up bonuses, pooling transferable points, and booking trips with friends to split lodging and food costs. Tactics include transferring points to airlines like Southwest, leveraging referral bonuses, and using tools like Omio to compare ground transport. A dedicated travel fund and a mix of “splurge-and-save” lodging choices keep trips enjoyable and sustainable.
HSBC x ANA Travel Fair 2026 di Central Park Mall
Read the full story | Author: n/a | Date: December 13, 2025
From January 22–25, 2026, the HSBC x ANA Travel Fair arrives at Central Park Mall (Laguna Atrium) with exclusive ANA fares, cashback for HSBC credit card users, and on-site activities. It’s positioned as a one-stop planning event to kick off 2026 trips with sharper pricing and payment perks. Offers apply only during the fair and follow ANA/HSBC program terms.
Altitude Reserve descending, year-end moves we’re making, and more [week in review]
Read the full story | Author: Nick Reyes | Date: December 13, 2025
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve’s Real-Time Mobile Rewards travel redemptions drop from 1.5¢ to 1.0¢ per point effective December 15, prompting a final call to redeem for higher value now. The roundup also covers sudden closures of Mesa Homeowners credit cards and strategies for using year-end credits and optimizing points combos. Travelers may want to revisit their redemption plans and consider alternative point ecosystems if transfer partners and value shift.
Singapore Airlines passenger (36) complains about airline denying his birthday cake
Read the full story | Author: Sebastian Powell | Date: December 13, 2025
A Premium Economy traveler criticized Singapore Airlines after being denied a complimentary birthday cake for a flight two days after his birthday—outside the carrier’s stated window for Economy/Premium Economy. The post notes SIA’s policy is stricter for lower cabins (typically ±1 day) and more flexible in premium cabins (often ±3 days). The takeaway: confirm celebration policies and timing before requesting special services.
New nationwide train timetables come into effect from Sunday
Read the full story | Author: n/a | Date: December 13, 2025
Irish Rail’s new timetables take effect Sunday, with notable peak-time changes on Cork-area services using Kent Station’s new Platform 6 and minor timing adjustments across multiple routes. The autumn “leaf-fall” schedule ends, reverting services to normal timings. Travelers are urged to check updated departures in the Iarnród Éireann app or at irishrail.ie—especially for marginally earlier departures.
Google Fi hit 300Mbps on my trip to Italy. Should you ditch your travel eSIM for good?
Read the full story | Author: Joe Maring | Date: December 13, 2025
Head-to-head tests across Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome show Google Fi’s Unlimited Premium plan often beating a 20GB Saily eSIM, with Fi hitting ~300Mbps downloads in Rome. Fi also offers broader coverage (200+ countries) and calling/texting, though eSIMs can still win on price for short trips or light data use. If you already have Fi, upgrading to Unlimited Premium for international travel can deliver faster speeds and simpler connectivity.
