For the last few years, Rob has taken my boys skiing our West over MLK weekend. In 2015, they had free flights on American and stayed at the Westin Riverfront in Beaver Creek on SPG points. In 2016, they skied at Vail and had free United flights. They stayed for free at our Sheraton timeshare in Avon, Co.
This year, we are changing things up a bit. They are going to Park City Utah for 3 nights. Just like the 2 prior years, I was able to work it so that both their flights and hotel were booked using rewards.
First, recall that I just received an easy 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points as the sign-up bonus for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Well, I used most of them for these flights to Salt Lake City. Why not! I am not really saving them for anything right now and have most of our 2017 trips planned already. So yup, I used 82,038 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for 3 American Airlines flights that would have cost $412 each. I saved about $1,200. Also, don’t forget, since I used Chase points to book the flights, the flights count as paid fare and Rob and the boys earn American AAdvantage miles on the flights.
As for the hotel, I booked 3 nights at the Park City Marriott. This hotel is a Category 8 property and I used 40,000 Marriott Rewards points per night to book the stay. The room would have cost $370 per night. Here I chalk up another $1,100 on savings.
How did I do in terms of value? Hmm, I don’t care! Rob and the boys are only going because we deem it a free weekend away. As long as I can keep hooking them up with free flights and nights, they will hopefully continue this tradition for many years to come.