CHRIS Reynolds’ heartbreak could be your lucky break, providing your name is Samantha Reynolds.
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The 28-year-old Novocastrian was planning a Christmas holiday to the US with his wife. But then they broke up.
Now Mr Reynolds, who works as a barista at Ground Floor cafe in Hunter St, is looking for someone to take her place.
There is just one catch. Your name must be Samantha Reynolds and you must hold an Australian passport.
Last week Mr Reynolds heard about Jordan Axani, a Canadian man who had booked around-the-world flights for he and his girlfriend Elizabeth Gallagher.
It was to be a romantic Christmas holiday, travelling to New York, Milan, Bangkok, New Delhi, Prague and Paris. But the couple broke up well before take-off. Mr Axani posted an announcement on Reddit searching for another Elizabeth Gallagher to take the trip with him.
His plea has gone viral and he has since been approached by several women named Elizabeth Gallagher. He is yet to decide which one he will take.
Mr Reynolds has booked two return tickets, flying out from Sydney to Los Angeles on December 17, and returning to Sydney from Las Vegas on January 5. There are also domestic flights between Los Angeles and Boston, and Boston to Las Vegas, all paid for. The tickets cost more than $3000 and are non-refundable with a no-name-change policy.
The former Mrs Reynolds told the Newcastle Herald on Thursday she gave her blessing to any other Samantha Reynolds who might like to go in her place and enjoy the holiday.
‘‘I think it’s an awesome idea,’’ she said.
Mr Reynolds said he had made his own travel plans within the US and whoever ended up with the ticket would be expected to do the same.
‘‘It’s just an amazing opportunity for someone to get a random free holiday,’’ he said.
He has not decided how he will chose which Samantha Reynolds, assuming he gets multiple applicants, but said he would be looking for someone who he could happily sit next to on a 17-hour flight.
Mr Reynolds has used Facebook to spread the message: ‘‘If you are Samantha Reynolds and have an Australian passport and are willing to be spontaneous and take up an opportunity for a randomly free USA holiday, please email searchforsamantha@hotmail.com’’.
The Herald spoke with the Flight Centre through whom the tickets were booked and they confirmed it was ‘‘technically’’ possible for another woman with the same name use the ticket.
