Well, I’ve been back in the US for a couple of weeks now and I just realized that I needed to catch my readers up on the points and miles used on the final legs of my Australia & New Zealand trip. It’s been nearly a month since my Catchup in Canberra post.
Old Parliament House in Canberra Australia
So… on Saturday April 21 I flew economy from Canberra to Melbourne on Qantas for 10,000 American Airlines points + $25.70 otherwise it would’ve been $180.
Melbourne
From Saturday to Wednesday, I spent 4 nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street for 131,000 Hilton points otherwise it would’ve been $606. As a Hilton Gold status member (courtesy of American Express Platinum Business Card) I was upgraded to King Room with a partial view of Flinders Street.
View of Melbourne Australia CBD from above the Yarra River
Wednesday April 25 I flew Qantas business class to Sydney for 20,000 American Airlines points + $14.00 otherwise $402.
Sydney
From Wednesday to Sunday, I spent 4 nights at The Westin Sydney for 48,000 SPG points otherwise it wouldv’e been $1825. As an SPG Gold status member (courtesy of American Express Platinum Business Card) I was upgraded to a Tower Premium King room on the 17th floor.
View of Martin Place Clock Tower and other Sydney Australia buildings from 17th floor of The Westin Sydney
Sadly on Sunday April 29 I flew back to Washington DC but pretty happy about how much money I saved!
Points and Miles used from April 21 to April 29
GRAND TOTALS FOR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TRIP
Around 2,000,000 miles and points used with a cost savings of $20,000 dollars.
That’s a lot of moolah but not quite 3 million!
Let’s just say that I also used some points and miles for Cabo, Cancun and Puerto Rico vacations in addition to some domestic destinations such as Boston and Denver in 2017.
Nonetheless, I jet off to Europe tomorrow for some summer sunshine!
Follow me on Instagram or Twitter as @DaniLew_1 to see where I end up next…
