Nine travel itineraries arranged by TPG staff using rewards and miles for journeys scheduled in 2023
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Headline: Maximizing Points and Miles in 2023: Nine Staff TPG Award Trips Revealed
Hey there, travel enthusiasts! Have you ever dreamt of jetting off to far-off destinations with a fraction of the usual expense? Well, so have TPG staffers, and today, we're dishing the deets on nine fantasy award trips they've scored for 2023. So, put on your seatbelts, grab a drink, and get ready to embark on an exciting journey!
Buenos Aires, Here We Come!
Kyle Olsen, our points and miles reporter, has always had a soft spot for Buenos Aires. While the city's business-class award options are limited, he's figured out a genius way to snag a seat using LifeMiles—a lesser-known partner of Aeromexico.
Total Cost: Kyle's flight from Mexico City to Buenos Aires will set him back a mere $821, which is a whopping 82% (or $3,000) less than the cash rate on Aeromexico's website!
The Empress of Asia: The Search for Suites
When Singapore Airlines announced they were swapping their Airbus A380 for a Boeing 777-330ER on the JFK to FRA route, it gave Kyle a serious case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). And for a good reason—the luxurious Suites product on their A380 is nothing short of an in-flight palace.
After a SLIGHTLY anxious search, he managed to bag a trip on the Frankfurt to New York route for 143,500 KrisFlyer miles. To sweeten the pot, he transferred his Amex Membership Rewards points to KrisFlyer to score this booking.
For his lackluster continent of choice, (Europe), Kyle found an Emirates business class award on the EWR to ATH fifth-freedom flight. Oh, and since he's such a nice guy, he added a stopover in Athens to extend his stay. The whole shebang cost him 75,000 Amex Membership Rewards points that he simply transferred to Aeroplan.
Austrian Charm
Senitra Horbrook, the credit cards editor, is off on an Austrian adventure with her family reunion planned for August. She had her work cut out for her finding award flights with everyone's schedules meeting at a specific week, but her persistence paid off!
Using a combination of United MileagePlus miles and British Airways Avios, she nabbed sweet pairings for her nieces flying out of Washington, D.C., economy class tickets to Vienna for 33,000 miles, and Aer Lingus tickets bringing them home for only 27,500 Avios.
Husband and wife Senitra and hubby opted for business class, and she managed to secure one-way flights (United and Austrian Airlines in one direction and Austrian and Lufthansa in the other) for a whopping savings of 74,000 miles plus about $100 per person each way. Impressive!
The Orient Express!
Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor, is off to Japan and Vietnam for a two-week trip, marking his first foray into Asia in over three years. To get to Japan, he redeemed 65,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles for a one-way business class flight on Japan Airlines. He's also taking a detour to Disneyland in Tokyo, thanks to his Mileage Plan's free stopover feature. Returning from Taiwan, he'll be flying on EVA in business class using 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points.
The Honeymoon Suite
Ben Glidden, director of content, will soon embark on his honeymoon to Hanoi, Bali, and Singapore. He's been busy transferring Amex points to Singapore KrisFlyer points to book flights from JFK to Hanoi via Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), flights from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) to Singapore, and then flights from Singapore back to New York—all business class seats!
Barbados, Bound and Determined
Sick of layovers and tight connections, Christine Gallipeau, coordinating editor, took matters into her own hands and planned a weeklong trip to Barbados with her husband. She booked JetBlue Even More Space seats using a mix of TrueBlue points and Citi ThankYou points from her Citi Premier card.
They'll be taking Amtrak between New York and Washington, D.C., before and after their flights. To save accommodation costs, she added a one-night stay at a Marriott by JFK and a Kimpton by Penn Station to her itinerary, using Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards points. While in Barbados, they'll be staying at the Fairmont, which Christine plans to book soon through Capital One Travel using Capital One miles.
Fiji and New Zealand: Two Dream Destinations in One Adventure
Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer, has a jam-packed schedule this year, and her highlight is a trip to New Zealand with a stopover in Fiji. She redeemed 60,000 United miles plus $46.20 per person to fly from Atlanta to Houston in United domestic first, Houston to Sydney in United Polaris business, and Sydney to Wellington in Air New Zealand economy.
She's keeping her New Zealand itinerary flexible, hoping to snag an inexpensive RV rental to explore the country. She's already booked a flexible hotel backup, just in case.
For the return to the United States, Katie redeemed 55,000 Alaska miles and $108.87 per person to fly from Auckland to Los Angeles in Fiji Airways business, with a stopover in Fiji. During her Fiji stopover, she'll be staying in simple lodging through Airbnb and spending two nights at the Nanuku Resort (where she's redeemed 30,000 Hyatt points and a Category 1-7 free night certificate).
Hockey in Raleigh-Durham
Taylor Stephenson, technical project manager, will be trading his desk for the rink when he attends the NHL Stadium Series game at Carter Finley Stadium. He redeemed United miles to secure a flight from Los Angeles to Raleigh-Durham.
Aurora Borealis: Undaunted by Previous Failures
Ryan Smith, credit cards writer, has seen the northern lights twice but has yet to share the experience with his wife. Determined to make it a reality, he's hopped on another Alaska Airlines companion fare, this time bound for Fairbanks, Alaska, in mid-March 2023. He'll be staying at a Hyatt Place for 5 nights, costing just 6,500 World of Hyatt points per night.
The Bottom Line
For some TPG staffers, points and miles unlock the door to unparalleled adventures. Whether it's booking premium-cabin seats on a partner airline with a free stopover or simply heading to a sporting event or concert, each of us uses points and miles for what matters most. Don't miss your chance to create your own unforgettable memories in 2023!
- The TPG staff's travel plans in 2023 reveal a diverse range of destinations, from Buenos Aires to Fiji, showcasing the power of travel rewards.
- Some TPG staffers have managed to secure premium-cabin flights at an affordable cost, such as Kyle's flight to Buenos Aires for $821, which is 82% less than the cash rate.
- Kyle also bagged a Singapore Airlines Suites product flight for 143,500 KrisFlyer miles, sweetening the pot by transferring his Amex Membership Rewards points.
- Senitra Horbrook, credit cards editor, found award flights for her family reunion in Austria by combining United MileagePlus miles and British Airways Avios.
- Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor, will travel to Japan and Vietnam, redeeming 65,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles for a one-way business class flight on Japan Airlines and using 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points for return flights.
- Ben Glidden, director of content, will be using Amex points to book business class flights for his honeymoon to Hanoi, Bali, and Singapore.
- Christine Gallipeau, coordinating editor, is headed to Barbados, booking JetBlue Even More Space seats using a mix of TrueBlue points and Citi ThankYou points.
- Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer, has booked a trip to New Zealand and Fiji, using 60,000 United miles for flights and planning to explore the country with an inexpensive RV rental.
- Taylor Stephenson and Ryan Smith will attend an NHL Stadium Series game and witness the aurora borealis, respectively, using travel rewards for their travel and accommodations.
- Overall, the TPG staff demonstrates the various ways travel rewards can be utilized to create unforgettable experiences and adventures.
