Travel Hacking Case Studies: My 6 Best Award Points Redemptions
Saving money on travel hacking case studies does not have to be complicated. We rounded up the essentials so you can spend less and skip the guesswork.
Key Takeaways
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- If you’re new to the world of travel hacking, the possibilities can be hard to fathom.
If you’re new to the world of travel hacking, the possibilities can be hard to fathom. Can points and miles really take you to luxury resorts, or score you first-class tickets for you and your family?
The answer is a resounding “yes.”
In this post, I’ll highlight some of my most memorable travel experiences to show you what’s possible when strategically redeeming points and miles. For a recent update on my travels, check out How We Used Points and Miles For $90K In Travel Value.
Understanding the potential rewards can be inspiring and instructive if you’re starting your journey into travel hacking. So, let this article serve as your roadmap to what’s possible.
Table of Contents
Toggle#1. First-Class Tickets from Chicago to Buenos Aires
- Type of redemption: Airline booking with British Airways (flown on American Airlines).
- Points used: 50,000 per ticket.
- Travel date: 2011.
- Estimated value: $3,000 per ticket. (Note: Current prices are around $5,000, when adjusted for inflation.)
In 2011, my foray into travel hacking began with a first-class flight from Chicago to Buenos Aires, thanks to a now-expired 100,000-point bonus offer from a British Airways credit card.
The trip was not only luxurious but also life-changing, as it was on this vacation that we learned we were expecting our first child. This experience ignited my passion for travel hacking and marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
The value of this redemption was one of the highest I’ve ever booked. Similar tickets today run for $5,000. Of course, this was over a decade ago, so my best estimate is that the cash value of this fare would have been $3,000 to $4,000 per ticket.
While the specific British Airways card offer I used for my Buenos Aires trip is no longer available, there are plenty of other ways to earn points for your dream trip. Check out my tips on earning points and miles for the latest strategies.
Beyond the numbers, Buenos Aires was quite memorable. We spent just $1,500 for a month-long rental and enjoyed fine dining almost every night that cost a fraction of what we’d pay in the U.S.
The city and the trip hold a special place in our hearts, forever linked to a pivotal life moment.
Initially, I was hesitant to dive into the points and miles game, fearing it would negatively impact my credit score. However, a deeper understanding of how credit scoring actually works not only alleviated my concerns but also paved the way for what’s now been more than a decade-long hobby. For more insights, check out my article on the impact of travel hacking on your credit score.
#2. The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale
- Type of redemption: Hotel booking with Starwood Preferred Rewards (which has since merged with Marriott Bonvoy.
- Points used: Just over 60,000 for five nights.
- Estimated value: $600 per night.
- Travel date: 2016.
In 2016, my wife and I enjoyed our first getaway after the birth of our second child, thanks to 60,000 points accumulated on the Starwood Preferred Rewards credit card. This card used to be a go-to option before the landscape of rewards programs changed (Marriott and Starwood merged).
We stayed at the Phoenician, a five-star resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. The experience was further enhanced by a Marriott perk that’s still available: book four nights and get the fifth night free, bringing our total to just over 60,000 points for five nights.
While the specific redemption for the Phoenician Resort at 12,000 points per night is no longer available due to program changes, don’t be discouraged. There are still plenty of opportunities to book luxurious stays with points.
For instance, some exceptional Hyatt hotels start at just 20,000 points per night.
For a deeper dive into maximizing value on hotel bookings, check out my article on booking hotels with points.
#3. Family Trip to Switzerland and Italy
View of the Dolomites captured during our Plose hike, just a short drive from our cozy stay in Brixen, a charming northern Italian town.- Type of redemption: Airline bookings using Aeroplan and LifeMiles.
- Points used: 40,000 per ticket (Aeroplan, Chicago to Zurich), 30,000 per ticket (LifeMiles, Rome to Chicago).
- Estimated value: Roughly $2,500 per ticket round trip.
- Travel date: 2023.
For our family’s first European adventure, we managed to book a direct flight from Chicago to Zurich for 40,000 points in economy class per ticket. The flight was through Air Canada’s Aeroplan program and flown on Swiss Air.
Then we booked a return flight from Rome to Chicago, on a direct flight with United Airlines, for 30,000 points per ticket via LifeMiles.
This reward booking made what could have been an expensive peak-season journey surprisingly affordable.
The value of this redemption is hard to overstate. United has priced the one-way tickets at $1,413 from Rome to Chicago (totaling over $7,000 in cash) for the summer of 2024.
One-way direct flights from Chicago to Zurich are priced over $1,000. So, the cash value here is roughly $2,500 per ticket (multiplied by five people in our family).
Thanks to our strategic use of points, we were able to allocate our budget to exploring Italy, with our itinerary including the Lake Como region, the Dolomites and Tuscany. We found affordable Airbnbs in remote areas and opted to pay cash for our stays, making our three-week Italian adventure incredibly cost-effective.
For tips on maximizing your points, see my article on tips for finding award airfare.
#4.Family Trips to Florida
- Type of redemption: Airline Booking with British Airways Avios (flown on American Airlines).
- Points used: 7,500 per one-way ticket.
- Estimated value: Varies depending on the trip.
- Travel date: Multiple.
Our trips to Florida may not be luxurious (we stay with my parents), but they’re invaluable for the simple joy of spending time with family. After all, it’s not always about five-star hotels or first-class flights; sometimes it’s about using travel rewards to make frequent visits to see family more attainable.
Unlike numerous carriers that cost their tickets based on cash value, British Airways operates differently, using a distance-based award chart. This chart outlines how numerous points you’ll need for flights based on their distance.
Final Thoughts
Before you check out, double-check travel hacking case studies against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.
Originally published at thewaystowealth.com.
R.J. Weiss
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