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You’re reading Cheers to Travels Letters, a slow newsletter about living, loving, and traveling on our own terms. Each edition shares real stories, lessons, and moments from life as digital nomads and a throuple, exploring the world with purpose, connection, and curiosity.
Let’s wander together..
LETTER NO 9
The $30 Upgrade That Felt Like First Class
We were flying from Medellín to Rio with a quick layover in Lima. Normally, I breeze right past the seat upgrade section when booking but this time, something caught my eye. LATAM was offering a Premium Economy upgrade for just $30 per person for the whole trip ($15 per leg).
That’s less than what you spend on airport coffee and snacks. With a full travel day ahead, we thought, why not?
We had already purchased full-fare economy tickets to include checked luggage, so the upgrade felt like an easy yes. What surprised me wasn’t the price, though, it was how genuinely nice the experience turned out to be.
From boarding, the service felt almost like business class. On LATAM’s Airbus A320s, there’s no separate cabin or oversized recliners like United’s Premium Plus. Instead, the center seat in each row is blocked off, leaving you with a little breathing room, space for your bag, your elbows, your peace. If you’re traveling with a partner, even better, it feels like your own small corner of calm.
Then came the thoughtful touches that I didn’t expect for a short-haul flight. Each of us received a small toiletry kit with socks, an eye mask, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a reusable bag, simple, but surprisingly considerate. The blankets and pillows were also softer than I remembered from most economy cabins, the kind that make you actually want to nap instead of pretending to.
Meal service was another pleasant surprise. Instead of the usual rushed “chicken or pasta?” moment, the attendants handed out printed menus so you could choose your meal calmly. A small gesture, but it felt intentional, like someone actually cared about how your day was going.
And then, after landing in Rio, the premium tag on our luggage really paid off, quite literally. The attendants had already pulled our bags and set them aside before the carousel even started turning. When you’ve been traveling all day, that kind of service feels priceless.
It’s funny how something so small can change the rhythm of an entire travel day. The $30 upgrade didn’t just buy us extra space, it gave us ease.
~Cheers To Travels
“Sometimes luxury isn’t about flying first class, it’s about saying yes to the little comforts that make the journey feel effortless.”
TRAVEL GEMS
Our Favorites
▶ Favorite Airport Snack: Starbucks
▶ Carry-On Essential: Gum
▶ Playlist Pick: Anything by The Weeknd
▶ Next Trip Dreaming: An actual vacation without work
REFLECTIONS
The Comfort We Forget to Value
When was the last time you said yes to something small that made your day feel a little more special?