It feels like forever since I've been able to get away for a vacation. And it's going to be even longer!
I've been planning my cruise to Australia for over 3 years now. You may say, what you put a deposit on a cruise 3 years ago? Well, yes I did but this girl has done a lot more than that! The spreadsheet was created all those years ago when I was comparing cruise and finding the one that worked the best for me!
Once I chose a cruise, tabs were added to the spreadsheet for the various ports so I could figure out what I wanted to do when I visited.
In addition, reminders were set up on my calendar to check cruise prices and offers. Yes, my friends, if you check cruise prices on a regular basis, you can sometimes find a lower price and have your cruise re-fared. Once you've made final payment, all bet are off though.
But if you deposit cruises early, like I do, you are sometimes lucky enough to get several reductions or even be able to re-fare to an offer that has things like on-board credit or a beverage package. It pays to check! Unfortunately, my cruise has done nothing but increase in price. Although that bodes well for me because I obviously got the lowest price. Things could change though (doubtful), but I still check!
Having decided 3 years ago where I was going, I also decided which reward credit cards would help me get there in the most economical matter. Yes, folks, I am a bit of a points wh*re!!! I don't churn points like some of the bloggers do, but I do sign up for credit cards for the points offers.
The first thing I got was an Alaska Airlines credit card. What? Alaska airlines you say. Well, not that I would use them to fly most places but they do have valuable points AND each year when you renew your card you get a free companion certificate! But I digress. The reason I chose Alaska Air was because of their Travel Partners and the cost of the awards -- points wise. They partner with other airlines like Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airlines to name a few. All of those carriers have routes in and around Sydney and the Far East.
I had an American Airlines card that I used to help finance my trip to Tahiti several years ago. But this card remains in my wallet because I fly American quite a bit. So, I had a ton of points with them.
I buy absolutely everything I purchase with a credit card. So when I was trying to bulk up my points, not only did I do that, but they also have a shopping portal where you can get extra points for stuff you were going to buy anyway. Think Christmas shopping, birthdays or every day things you need at places like Home Depot, Staples etc. And the points grew and grew.
I also have an IHG credit card. I love that card. Each year when you renew, you get a certificate to use at almost any of their family of hotels all over the world. (Places like Tahiti for example) I stay at Holiday Inns or Crowne Plaza usually and they also run specials every so often allowing you to earn fairly large numbers of points for completing a group of things. Like, download their app, stay 2 nights, stay in two different brands of hotels. Things like that. I didn't use the card a lot outside of hotel related things but still the points added up.
A Hilton card is also another hotel card I have and their sign-up is fairly decent. I used the card for a few months fairly recently to top off my miles so I can use them on this trip for a hotel room.
And finally, one of the other cards in my arsenal, a cash back on travel card. This card gives you a huge bonus for spending a couple of thousand dollars in a three month period. Not difficult to do if you plan ahead and know your high spending months. The bonus is 50,000 points which translates to $500 off travel related expenses. Plus, you continue to earn points for every dollar you spend. Depending on the category earning 2-3-4-5 times the points. All you do is when a travel charge posts to your account, you apply your points and BAM your charge is reduced based on the points you've earned.
If you've followed along this far, you may wonder where all this is leading. Well, it's this: I am going on a trip where if I paid cash would cost me over twenty one thousand dollars..............but I am not paying nearly that much.
Here is how the trip breaks down, Fares and rates are as of today!
October 17th Flight from Tampa to Honolulu 1st class $2045 My Cost $0
I chose an overnight layover to break up the trip and I am hoping to meet my cousins for a late dinner! Then I can sleep at a hotel and begin the next part of my trip refreshed and hopefully not jet lagged!
Overnight at Crowne Plaza Seatac $205 My Cost: $0 (no taxes or resort fees with a free night!)
Once in Honolulu, I am looking at staying at a Hilton Property on or near Waikiki Beach. I've not booked this yet because I am trying to get more points in my account (like 5x for groceries or gas) so I can use a points and cash option as I don't have a lot of these points.
Hilton Waikiki Beach is where I will probably stay for 2 nights before the cruise
Partial Ocean View room: $604.51 My Cost: $336.83 based on the points I have now.
Holland America 19 night cruise from Honolulu to Sydney:
Inside Cabin for 1: $3618.00 My Cost: $2800.00 based on the points I have now plus what I expect to add.
I also have some decent on board credit for the ship: Probably about $400 to buy drinks of the day!
This is in part because I have 100 shares of Carnival Stock. A cruise this long nets $150 in on board credit. And you can get credit as many times during the year as you like. !!!!!!
Once I get to Sydney, I will only be there for 3 nights but I am hoping to get a ton of sight-seeing done! I already have my room booked at the Holiday Inn Rocks!
Holiday Inn Rocks 3 nights: $789.54 My Cost: $00
And finally, the long journey back to the United States.
Cathay Pacific 1st Class one way from Sydney: $13,986.00 My Cost: $139.42 for taxes
So there you have it folks. An average person with average spending habits managed to save for a trip that costs $21,248.05 and paid $3306.25. I will still have some charges for the excursions on the cruise and my meals and any tours I take in Sydney or Honolulu--but Groupon is your friend!
And the most important thing--I paid my credit cards off EVERY month!
My advice to you is figure out where you want to go and then match yourself with the credit cards that can get you there for little money!
'Good Luck and Happy Travelling!
jilly
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