SelfishMe Travel - Points and Miles Catch-up in Canberra

Yesterday, I took the opportunity to rest and relax at my good friend’s temporary house in Canberra Australia while she went to work.

And because it’s been more than a month since my Catch-up in Christchurch post, I figured I also needed to catch my readers up on how and where my points and miles were spent since then.

So… on Tuesday March 13, I took a 7:00am one-way bus tour from Christchurch to Queenstown for 31,750 British Avios points otherwise it would’ve been $228.44 on Viator or $81 economy flight and I never would’ve seen Mt. Cook.

Mt Cook’s peak hidden by the constant clouds

Queenstown, New Zealand

From Tuesday, March 13 to Wednesday March 21, I stayed 8 nights at the Coronation Lodge Queenstown for 110,022 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $1,375.

Queenstown as viewed from the Skyline Gondola platform

Wednesday, March 21, I flew economy class back to Sydney Australia on Virgin Australia for 12,912 Citi ThankYou points otherwise it would’ve been $148.

Sydney, Australia

From Wednesday March 21 to Saturday March 24, I stayed 3 nights at the Megaboom City Hotel for 36,252 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $453.

The Queen Victoria Building interior in downtown Sydney

On Friday March 23, I attended Opening Night for La Boheme at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor (a venue across the Quay from the Opera House)

Pre-opera meal with view of Sydney Harbor before the start of La Boheme at Handa Opera

Saturday March 24, I flew economy class on Qantas to Brisbane for 10,000 American Airlines points + $16.80 otherwise it would’ve been $159.

Brisbane, Australia

From Saturday March 24 to Tuesday March 27, I stayed 3 nights at the Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane for 21,000 SPG (Starwood) points otherwise it would’ve been $427.

Sunset view of Brisbane CBD from hotel

Tuesday March 27, I flew Qantas business class to Cairns for 20,000 American Airlines points + $21.50 otherwise it would’ve been $401

Cairns, Australia

From Tuesday March 27 to Tuesday April 3, I stayed 7 nights at the Hilton Cairns for 230,000 Hilton points otherwise it would’ve been $1384. In addition, I was upgraded due to my Diamond status to an Executive Level room with a great view of the Casino and Harbor plus I enjoyed some of the best happy-hour canapés/appetizers I’ve ever had.

Sunset view of the Casino in Cairns

Tuesday April 3, I flew economy to Perth on Virgin Australia for 29,080 Citi ThankYou points otherwise it would’ve been $363.

Perth, Australia

From Tuesday April 3 to Tuesday April 10, I spent 7 nights at the Parmelia Hilton Perth for 255,000 Hilton points otherwise it would’ve been $1290. On March 31, I lost my Diamond status and went back to Gold but I was still upgraded to a Deluxe room with a very large bathroom and balcony with only a view of nearby office buildings.

Perth CBD view from the Elizabeth Station Quay walkable bridge

Tuesday April 10 I took a red-eye economy flight to Ayers Rock on JetStar with a 1-hour layover in Melbourne for 26,100 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $347.83. Note: I will never pay for another JetStar flight again, ever.

Ayers Rock/Uluru, Australia

From Wednesday April 11, I spent 2 nights at the Desert Gardens Hotel for 42,226 Chase points otherwise it would’ve been $633.

Sunset at Ayers Rock/Uluru with wine

Friday April 13, I flew Qantas business class to Adelaide with a 2-hour layover in Alice Springs for 20,000 American Airlines points + $66.40 otherwise it would’ve been $565

Adelaide, Australia

From Friday April 13 to Wednesday April 18, I spent 5 nights at the Holiday Inn Express Adelaide City Centre for 50,000 IHG points + $350.00 otherwise it would’ve been $658. Not my smartest move but it’s what I had left at the time.