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Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Matthew Orchant who used seven credit card bonus And hotel free night certificate to book an epic honeymoon trip to Japan.
The Orchants opened seven credit cards in eight months, earning about half a million points to make this dream trip a reality.
Earn points when buying flight tickets to Japan
Instead of splurging on luxury flight tickets (which are often harder to find), Orchants decided to book economy class flights with their rewards. This has given them more points to use in Japan.
To finance their flights, both orchestras opened Platinum Card® from American Express with Welcome bonuses targeted through CardMatch (subject to change at any time).
They booked a round-trip, direct flight from Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) for 100,000 Aeroplan points per ticket. For reference, Air Canada Aeroplan does not have the lowest bonus on this route. When x (Star Alliance Economic Award) already have a fare, which is the round-trip cost per person using these programs, all of which are transfer partners of American Express Membership Rewards:
Despite that, Orchants transferred 200,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points to Air Canada Aeroplan for booking an ANA flight (which we were told would cost around $5,000 for two cash tickets), leaving them 100,000 Membership Bonus points remaining from their two welcome bonuses. They will use those points for a future trip.
Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles
Luxury Hyatt Hotels in Japan
For their time in TokyoOrchestra has booked the 52nd floor Andaz Hill Tokyo Toranomonsteps away from some of the city’s top attractions, including the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower.
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Modern Japanese-inspired rooms and suites are in prime locations and equipped with luxury Aesop toiletries that don’t come cheap. For their dates, rooms cost around $1,100 a night. So their 120,000 Hyatt’s World points saved them about $4,400.
IN KyotoOrchestra spent two nights at Park Hyatt Kyoto. Instead of paying in cash, which would cost them $4,000 for their entire stay, they redeemed 35,000 points per night for their stay.
In order for their World of Hyatt account to reach 190,000 points, both Orchants signed up to participate Chase Sapphire Priority Card. Each of their card offers included a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points at the time (now expired). They also used to open Hyatt World Credit Card to earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Because you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt At a 1:1 ratio, Orchants can transfer most of the points they earn from card registrations to Hyatt stays.
Related: 5 Easy Ways to Maximize Hyatt Rewards Redemption
Maximize Marriott Certification
The end of the orchestra’s trip took them to Osaka, where they made good use of it free night certificate for their last three nights. property of their choice? New brand W Osaka.
As they were planning their trip, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card offered a sign-up bonus of three free night prizes (up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night). This offer has also expired. Since there are only 44,000 points per night, they don’t have to use points to their certificate output.
If the orchestra decided to pay cash, they would have spent just over $1,100 on a three-night stay.
Related: Ouch: Not only you, Marriott hotels now have more points
bottom line
The Orchants are about to set off on an unforgettable honeymoon trip. They have earned nearly half a million points by opening seven credit cards, funding their flight and accommodation in Japan. They’ll take a convenient direct flight from Washington, DC, and stay at some of Japan’s most prestigious hotels during the nine-night trip.
If they had paid cash for their trip, the trip would have cost them about $14,500.
Now, it’s worth noting that such a strategy takes time to execute thanks to Various app restrictions from major card issuers – most notably Chase’s 5/24 Rule. However, this story shows how planning ahead can unlock incredible value when you use your rewards.
Congratulations Orchants and safe travels to Japan.
