I figured I would start a series of posts which go into detail how I've booked some of the trips we've been on. I'll talk more about some of the strategies I've used in both redeeming and earning points, the actual process of booking flights and hotels, and deciding when paying cash might be a better option over redeeming points.
In summer of 2019, we took advantage of one of the best points redemptions available - first class flights on ANA to Tokyo. Once in Japan, we spent 4 nights at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, probably the most famous hotel in Japan known as the filming location of the move Lost in Translation. After Tokyo, we stayed 4 nights at the Ritz Carlton Kyoto, hands down the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at. Following Japan, we flew to Seoul in Asiana Airlines Economy and stayed at the Aloft Seoul Myeongdong for 4 nights. On our return, we had a 1 night stay at the Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport before our departing flight the next day.
Itinerary (Per Person)
United Airlines Economy ORD-IAD: 10,000 United Miles +$6
1 night at Courtyard Dulles Airport Chantilly: Marriott Free Night Certificate
ANA First Class IAD-NRT: 93,000 Citi Points (transferred to Virgin Atlantic) + $342 (roundtrip)
4 nights at Park Hyatt Tokyo: 120,000 Hyatt Points
Japan Rail Pass: $230
4 nights at Ritz Carlton Kyoto: 240,000 Marriott Points
Asiana Airlines Economy KIX-ICN: 16,000 United Miles + $53 (roundtrip)
4 nights at Aloft Seoul Myeongdong: $515
Asiana Airlines Economy ICN-NRT: Included in roundtrip
1 night at Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport: $93
ANA First Class NRT-IAH: Included in roundtrip
United Airlines Economy IAH-ORD: 10,000 United Miles + $6
Kabukicho - Tokyo 2019
ANA First Class
Redemption: 93,000 Citi Thank You Points + $342 (roundtrip)
Cash Price: $21,179 (22.8 cents/point)
ANA FIrst Class Seat - IAD-NRT 2019
ANA's first class product is widely considered one of the best out there due to the service and offerings including rare whiskeys like my favorite Hibiki 17 Year (Hibiki 21 Year on New York, Frankfurt, and London routes). You can find my complete review of this amazing experience here.
The main purpose of us taking this trip was to experience ANA FIrst Class, but the process of actually finding availability took quite some time. I spent several weeks searching for 2 available seats on every single date over the summer and from various airports. As nothing was available from ORD, the only availability I ended up finding was outbound from IAD and inbound to IAH. Once I found the availability, the booking process was very straightforward which I will detail in another post.
Normally, the roundtrip cost would be 120,000 Virgin Atlantic Miles (which you then use to book the ANA flight), but at the time there was a transfer bonus from Citi, so I ended up only needing to transfer 93,000 Points from Citi Thank You to Virgin Atlantic. I use the Citi Prestige card as my primary credit card for restaurants and airfare as it earns 5x points on those categories, so I have a healthy bank of Citi Thank You points. This card is discontinued, but the Citi Premier card is a good alternative offering 3x points on airfare, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets on top of the sign-up bonus is usually 60,000 points but can vary higher.
Park Hyatt Tokyo
Redemption: 120,000 Hyatt Points (4 nights) Cash Price: $1,891 (1.6 cents/point)
Park Hyatt Tokyo - Tokyo 2019
The Park Hyatt Tokyo is probably the most iconic hotel in Tokyo as it was the filming location of the movie Lost in Translation in 2003. While I don't think they've changed any of the decor in this hotel since that movie, this hotel is still a great luxury hotel with phenomenal service. You can read my full review here.
The World of Hyatt is my favorite hotel program because it's one of the few programs left that has a fixed award chart (peak and off-peak pricing was introduced in 2021) meaning you always know how many points this hotel will cost regardless of cash price. Additionally, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, which is probably my biggest use of Chase Points.
Knowing that I wanted to stay at this hotel, I took advantage of a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points for the World of Hyatt Credit Card and then transferred the remaining points I needed from Chase.
Ritz Carlton Kyoto
Redemption: 240,000 Marriott Points (4 nights)
Cash Price: $7,222 (3.0 cents/point)
Japanese Breakfast at the Ritz Kyoto - Kyoto 2019
The Ritz Carlton Kyoto is by far the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at and would recommend anyone to stay there if there is an opportunity. You can read my full review here.
At the time I booked the hotel, I didn't even realize the G20 Summit was happening in Osaka at the same time. I was lucky to get a room because this hotel was completely full when we stayed. Even better, I was able to book it just after the SPG and Marriott merger, before points prices went up - it was only 60,000 per night. We didn't even take advantage of the 5th night free perk, but looking back I wish I had!
Through work travel, I had a decent amount of Marriott points built up, but after the announcement of the new Marriott Bonvoy program, there were some good sign-up bonuses on the co-branded credit cards. I was able to take advantage of a 100,000 point sign-up bonus with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card.
Asiana Airlines Economy
Redemption: 16,000 United Miles + $53 (roundtrip) Cash Price: $307 (1.6 cents/point)
Gyeongbokgung Palace - Seoul 2019
After our time in Japan, we traveled to Seoul. Asiana Airlines is a Korean based airline that is part of Star Alliance, so you can book flights using United Miles. At 8,000 miles per leg, this seemed like a no-brainer and I figured I could probably survive in Economy for a flight under 2 hours.
Aloft Seoul Myeongdong
Redemption: $515 Cash
I was running very short on points after our time in Japan, so we chose to stay at the Aloft Seoul Myeongdong as it's centrally located, but still was only about $130 per night.
Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport
Redemption: $93 Cash
On our return from Seoul, we had 1 evening back in Tokyo before our flight back to the States. We were already landing in the evening so it didn't seem to make sense to trek all the way back to central Tokyo. The Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport was only $93, so we just stayed there for the night which was just fine for an airport hotel and made it easy to get back to the airport the next morning.
United Airlines Positional Flights
Redemption: 20,000 United Miles + $12 (roundtrip)
Cash Price: $373 (1.8 cents/point)
Normally I opt for direct flights as much as possible even if it's a bit more expensive. In my opinion any money you might save by adding a connection is immediately lost and then some if you miss that connection. However, since this trip was completely built around the ANA First Class experience, we did have to take some unecessary flights to IAD and back from IAH. Fortunately, there were options available for only 10,000 United Miles per segment. With United Premier 1K Status (As of 2023 this applies to all members regardless of status), you also have the ability to change or cancel award tickets without penalty which is a really nice option to have in case plans change last minute.
Trip Booking Summary
36,000 United Miles
93,000 Citi Points
120,000 Hyatt Points
240,000 Marriott Points
1 Marriott Free Night Cert
$1,245
The Virgin Atlantic redemption for ANA First Class is one of the most, if not the most valuable redemption available. This trip was truly once in a lifetime and being able to stay at some of the most premier hotels in the world on top of the First Class flight made it even more memorable. The only downside is that it will certainly be difficult to top this trip, but I will certainly be trying!
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