How We Used Points and Miles For $90K In Travel Value (2024 Recap)
If used points miles 90k is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.
Key Takeaways
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- 2024 was a standout year for my family in terms of travel rewards.
2024 was a standout year for my family in terms of travel rewards. As a family of five, we took major trips during winter, spring and summer breaks, as well as several smaller getaways.
While I’ve always used rewards to cut travel costs, this year was special: our kids are 5, 9 and 12, which means their schedules are still somewhat flexible, and they’re capable enough to handle some longer travel times.
In total, we enjoyed approximately $90,000 worth of travel by using rewards in 2024. Spending that amount out-of-pocket wouldn’t have been an option for us, but with the help of reward points, we made some incredible memories.
In this post, I’ll break down the estimated value of each trip and explain how I booked them.
Table of Contents
Toggle2024 Reward Travel Overview
Here’s a rundown of the trips we took in 2024, both big and small.
Stays
- Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo (Christmas break). Two rooms for eight nights. Estimated value of $24,000.
- Kauai Vacation Rental (summer break). A two-week stay in a three-bedroom house with a loft and guest house on Anini Beach. Estimated value of $20,000.
- Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (Summer Break 2024). Two rooms for seven nights, including a suite upgrade. Estimated value of $16,000.
- Anniversary Trip to Austin Miraval with Suite Upgrade. One room for five nights at the all-inclusive resort. Estimated value of $9,400.
- Naples (Florida) Vacation Rental (spring break). Three-bedroom vacation rental to visit family. Estimated value of $9,800.
- Park Hyatt Paris (wife’s 40th birthday). Three-night stay at Park Hyatt Paris with Guest of Honor upgrade. Estimated value of $3,300.
- Mexico City Andaz. Three-night stay with a suite upgrade. Estimated value of $1,400.
Flights
- Rome to Chicago for five people. Direct flight. Estimated value of $2,750.
- Chicago to Costa Rica for five people (Christmas break). Direct flight on United. Estimated value of $2,000.
- Costa Rica to Chicago (Christmas break) for five people. One-stop flight on Southwest. Estimated value of $1,400.
- Chicago to Naples (FL), returning from Fort Lauderdale (spring break 2024) for five people. Direct flights. The estimated value of this round-trip airfare is $3,200.
- Round-trip airfare from Chicago to Kauai for five people. One-stop flights each way. Estimated value of $2,400.
- Round-trip airfare from Chicago to Austin for two people. Estimated value of $1,050.
- Round-trip airfare from Chicago to Paris for two people. One way in business class, and the other in economy. Estimated value of $4,000.
- Round-trip airfare from Chicago to Mexico City for two people. Estimated value of $600.
- Round-trip airfare from Chicago to Phoenix for my 40th birthday. Estimated value of $500.
Other Miscellaneous Trips
- Three-night stay in Ann Arbor for a conference. Estimated value of $900.
- Two separate one-night getaways at Park Hyatt Chicago with suite upgrades. Estimated value of $2,000.
#1. Family Vacation In Costa Rica
I took some surfing lessons in Costa Rica. My daughter commented afterward, “I didn’t think I’d be better than you.”Summary: We traveled over winter break to the Andaz Costa Rica Resort. We booked two rooms for 350,000 Hyatt points, with individual rooms priced at $1,817 per night. Flights on the way down were booked from Chicago to Costa Rica (direct) for 62,500 Aeroplan points (total), plus approximately $355 in fees. On the way back, we flew through Houston, booking with Southwest for 72,625 Rapid Rewards points (total) and $298.45 in fees.
This trip was one of our first experiences as a family staying at a luxury resort for seven nights, and we loved it so much that we’re already planning to return.
The Andaz Costa Rica Resort is perfect for families, and we can’t recommend it enough.
Since I have “Globalist” status in the World of Hyatt program, we enjoyed free breakfast, and the resort even had a unique, separate breakfast location just for Globalists during our stay.
The rooms were wonderful and side-by-side, with the boys in one and the girls in the other.
What really stood out was how the staff went above and beyond for my daughter, who has severe food allergies. The chef personally made her special pancakes every morning, prepared separately from everything else. It was such a thoughtful touch that truly made us feel cared for and appreciated.
The flights for this trip turned out to be a valuable learning experience. Initially, I had booked tickets on American Airlines using British Airways Avios, but those flights included a stopover in Charlotte and required a 6:00 a.m. departure , meaning we’d have to get to the airport at around 4:00 a.m.
Luckily, I had alerts set up through PointsYeah, and about a week before the trip, I noticed that United opened up partner award availability for a direct flight from Chicago to Costa Rica. I quickly booked this option using Aeroplan points by transferring Membership Rewards points from American Express.
We’re excited to return to Costa Rica this year, but with a slightly different plan. One thing we learned is that the Andaz, while an incredible resort, is located on the west side of the country, which is quite remote.
If you want to explore rainforests or other nature activities, doing so requires about a three-hour drive. To make the most of our trip this time, we’re starting with three nights in the cloud forest of Monteverde before heading back to the Andaz.
If you’re considering a stay at the Andaz Costa Rica, keep in mind it’s a high-demand Hyatt property because of its incredible value. I highly recommend booking early.
#2. Failing to Climb Pico de Orizaba (Mexico’s Highest Mountain)
My first attempt at summiting a serious mountain didn’t go so well…Summary: I went to Mexico with friends to attempt to summit Pico de Orizaba. Initially, I booked direct
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: a little research on used points miles 90k goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.
Originally published at thewaystowealth.com.
R.J. Weiss
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