Hey Reader,

I just got back from two weeks in Northern Ireland, and it was unlike any trip I've ever taken. The bulk of my time was spent volunteering at a horse trekking operation — riding and working with 3- and 4-year-olds being trained for holiday trekking careers. Long days, basic farmhouse living, and an incredible group of fellow volunteers. It was worth every sore muscle.

Before and after the volunteer stint, I did some solo exploring in Dublin and Belfast. And crucially, my flights, hotels, and airport perks were covered by points or travel credit card benefits.

Here's the full breakdown:

• BOS to DUB (JetBlue - economy)
  • 49k points + $5.60 taxes/fees
  • Transferred 28k points from Chase Ultimate Rewards + 21k points that I already had in JetBlue
• Hotel in Dublin
  • FREE IHG annual award night via my IHG One Rewards Premier credit card​
• Hotel in Belfast
  • 30k IHG points + $72
• DUB to BOS (Aer Lingus - business class)
  • 50k Avios points + $216 taxes/fees
  • Transferred 42k Chase Ultimate Rewards points with a 20% transfer bonus to Avios
• Free airport lounge food and drinks thanks to Priority Pass via my Capitol One Venture X card

I booked these flights back in late March, when economy prices were already climbing fast. But with Aer Lingus: they use a distance-based award chart, which means their redemption rates don't move with demand. Business class to Europe costs a predictable number of Avios based on season and distance, not whatever the market decides that week. Here's what that looks like.

That predictability is what made this possible for me. I knew exactly what I'd pay months in advance and timed the Chase → Avios transfer to save even more points with a 20% bonus that was ongoing. Fair warning: flying business class across the Atlantic may ruin economy forever.

The volunteer portion of the trip wasn't free in the traditional sense. I paid with 3–6 hours of riding young, unpredictable horses every day, plus more ground work with the youngest ones. It was physical, mentally demanding, and genuinely hard. But I came home with new skills, new friendships, and a level of experience and true immersion you can't get from a tour package.

See more from the trip on my Instagram.

Have you ever done a work-exchange or volunteer trip like this?

OR would you consider traveling in exchange for skills and labor? I'd genuinely love to hear your take.

Talk soon,

Michelle

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