In a captivating episode of BagFuel, travel expert Shakeema Smith—better known as Passport Abuser—shared her incredible journey from being stranded in Amsterdam to becoming a master at flying for nearly free. With 91 countries under her belt, a thriving online community, and a 12-week course teaching people how to maximize airline miles, she’s turned travel hacking into a business and a lifestyle.
Stranded & Solo: The Birth of Passport Abuser
Smith’s travel journey began unexpectedly when she found herself stuck in Amsterdam on her birthday after a friend abandoned her over relationship advice. Instead of letting the setback ruin her trip, she embraced solo travel and has since explored 91 countries—often at little to no cost. Now living in Antigua and Barbuda, she advocates for independent travel, citing fewer conflicts and more freedom as key perks.
Mastering the Art of Travel Hacking
Smith has built a system to help travelers leverage airline miles, credit card rewards, and partnership programs to fly affordably. Some of her top strategies include:
- Shopping Portals – Buying everyday items through airline portals (like Delta or JetBlue) earns extra miles. High-end purchases like designer goods can rack up points even faster.
- Gas & Coffee Perks – Linking rewards programs to essentials like gas (Shell + American Airlines) and coffee (Delta + Starbucks) can accumulate thousands of miles over time.
- Dining & Rideshare – Programs like Delta SkyMiles Dining offer miles for eating out, while Marriott Bonvoy members can earn extra points with Uber and Uber Eats.
- Car Rentals & Utility Bills – Renting a different car daily instead of weekly boosts miles, while switching utility providers through airline partnerships can provide additional travel credits.
She also stays ahead of airline compensation policies, knowing exactly when to claim miles for delayed baggage or flight disruptions.
Why She Left the U.S. & Never Looked Back
Smith made the decision to leave America after witnessing racial injustice cases like Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery. Moving abroad made her realize she had trauma responses to police presence, leading her to first settle in Pretoria, South Africa, before making Antigua and Barbuda her permanent home.
“I could never raise kids in the U.S.,” she admitted, explaining that she feels safer and freer abroad.
Dream Destinations & Least Favorite Spots
When it comes to luxury travel, Smith has favorites:
✔ Qatar Airways’ Q Suites for the ultimate flying experience
✔ Bora Bora (her go-to birthday retreat)
✔ Seychelles & Mauritius in East Africa
✔ St. Lucia’s black sand beaches
✔ Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
However, not every destination has left a good impression. She vows never to return to St. Kitts, and the interviewer admitted to disliking Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Building a Travel Empire
Through her Fly for Free University program and YouTube channel, Smith has built a 12,000-member community eager to learn her methods. As she continues to share her knowledge, she hopes to empower more people—especially women—to explore the world without financial barriers.
“Travel doesn’t have to be expensive if you know how to play the game,” she said.
