Lead image from Paris, France, April 2017
Earned:
- Miles & Points: 150,000; 2 free Hilton hotel nights; 2 free Fairmont hotel nights
- Cashback: $709
June saw the completion of the April bonuses and another gift card sale producing a high yield of points. Bank bonuses have been quiet the last two months, but a strong return on cash back cards produced the entirety of the cash back.
Burned:
I had previously been to the Olympics in 2012 and fondly remember that trip as one of the best ones I’v ever taken. I was excited to see that the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea would be not only a good fit for our schedule, but very available on points. We’d be able to pay for the hotel and airfare on points, leaving our only major out of pocket cost being tickets. Plus it seemed as good a time as any for our son’s first trip to Asia
- Miles used for airfare (two travelers and one infant): 336,000
- Taxes and fees for airfare: : 32,467 Arrival miles
- 7 nights hotel in the Seoul: 60,000 SPG points
I strongly considered booking business class (and saving 73,500 miles) but eventually decided to spring for first class since: a) I love Korean Airlines First Class, and I’d get to experience it on the A380 for the outbound and B747-9 on the return; b) the extra space would be beneficial since we are traveling with our son as a lap child; and c) I had the points available, so why not use them. I was able to pay for the taxes using Arrival miles, allowing the booking to be cash-free. For the hotel, I had previously stayed at the Sheraton on a prior trip to Seoul, and I found the hotel itself to be surprisingly wonderful and the location to be perfect. Given hotel prices during this peak time, it was one of my best redemption on a cent-per-point basis, and I am excited to be able to use my platinum status for free breakfast and lounge access during the trip.
