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I love the points/miles game. We get to do absurdly wonderful things, like spend weekends in other cities, for not too much cash. Over the past 5 weeks, we’ve been to 4 cities for relatively little out-of-pocket cash.

Philadelphia

First up was Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia. We probably overspent on airfare (30k each on AA), but we got the schedule we wanted. More importantly, we got to see a long-time friend get married and explore a town that deserves more of our attention.

Cost breakdown

• Airfare: 60K American Airlines miles + $11.20 for 2 econ tickets (ORD-PHL, PHL-ORD)
• Hotel: 2 nights at the Notary Hotel (1 Marriott cert, 1 night booked on Rocketmiles [$350]), 1 night at the Four Points Philadelphia Airport hotel (17,5000 Marriott points)
• Transfers: $56 (Lyft: home to ORD), $12.50 (SEPTA: PHL to Center City for me and Chris), $25.92 (Lyft: Center City to PHL), $10 (CTA: ORD to home for me and Chris)

Net points/miles

• 2 elite night credits with Marriott
• 4000 AA Loyalty points
• 261 Bilt points from Lyft

Amsterdam

In mid-June 2023, Chris had to be in the Netherlands for work. So, of course, I had to be in the Netherlands too! He extended his stay there by a few days, I found a GREAT points ticket deal (which got even better thanks to a voluntary bump!), and we spent a few points on a hotel. And thanks to that voluntary bump, I got to have drinks with my newly-married friends in Philly!

Cost breakdown

• Airfare: his was covered by work; mine cost 30K American Airlines miles + $5.60 for econ (upgraded to business) (ORD-PHL-AMS) and 17K Citi Thank You points transferred to Flying Blue + $167.15 for econ (AMS-ORD)
• Hotel: 1 night at Doubletree Philadelphia (60K Hilton points), 3 nights at the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam (1 Marriott free night cert, 36K Hyatt points [transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards])
• Transfers: $2.25 (CTA: home to ORD), $8 (SEPTA: PHL to Center City), $6.25 (SEPTA: Center City to PHL), ~$5 (train from AMS to Amsterdam Centraal), ~$11 (train from Amsterdam to AMS for me and Chris), $48.65 (Lyft: ORD to home)

Net points/miles

• 1 elite night credit with Hilton
• 3 elite night credits with Hyatt
• $1125 AA trip credit for voluntary bump
• 133 Bilt points

Knoxville

In late June, we had a family event in Knoxville. We got to enjoy great food, some fun walks, and family time.

Cost breakdown

• Airfare: 46,514 AmEx points for 2 econ AA tickets (including the 35% Business Plat rebate)
• Hotel: 2 nights at Hyatt Place Knoxville (24k Hyatt points, transferred from Bilt and Chase Ultimate Rewards)
• Car: Hertz Rewards points + $30 + ?? (gas)
• Transfers: $4.50 (CTA: home to ORD for me and Chris), $10 (CTA: ORD to home for me and Chris)

Net points/miles

• 3366 AA Loyalty Points
• 2 elite night credits with Hyatt

NYC

In early July, Chris needed a trip to anywhere to complete his United status challenge. So I tagged along using points and we enjoyed a visit with friends and brief visit to NYC’s Financial District.

Cost breakdown

• Airfare: 28,977 AmEx points for my econ AA ticket (including the 35% Business Plat rebate), ~$348 for Chris’ ticket (to get him United Gold status through 2024)
• Hotel: Hotel Indigo Financial District (1 IHG free night cert)
• Transfers: $23.12 (Lyft: home to ORD), $60.75 (Lyft: LGA to Upper West Side), $4.50 (NYC Subway: Upper West Side to hotel for me and Chris), $58.38 (Lyft: hotel to LGA), $10 (CTA: ORD to home for me and Chris)

Net points/miles

• 1 elite night credit with IHG
• 4268 AA Loyalty Points
• Chris secured UA Gold (and Star Alliance Gold) status to 2/2025