Booking Tickets for Holidays Now!

Last night, I decided to start booking tickets for the holidays. Why in June? Because it other people aren't thinking about booking the holidays. There is less demand ie possible lower prices.

Photo Credit: www.meme4u.com

I am flush with Southwest Rapid Reward points through getting 2 Southwest credit cards. The benefit of booking with Rapid Reward points is the ability to cancel the ticket with no penalty. 

Last night, I was able to book my ticket back to DC for less than 3,500 points. Less than 3,500 points!

The other benefit of booking with Rapid Reward points is that if the price drops; you have an opportunity to get some points back. For that reason, I bit the bullet and book my ticket to Connecticut. The price was closer to 7,500 points.

My hope is that Southwest has a sale and the price of the ticket drops. However, I am not going to complain about spending 11,000 points for my ticket back to Connecticut for the holidays. Last year, I waited to long and paid close to $350.

If you don't have Southwest points, British Airways Avios points can be useful as well. With US Airways joining the OneWorld Alliance, cheap flights can be found.

The trip from DC to Hartford is less than 500 miles; therefore, a one-way ticket would cost 3,500 Avois points. Unfortunately, I could not find any availability. If I did find availability, I would have transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards points to my British Airways points.

Take a minute and look at December. It will be here sooner than you think.



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Points and Life Update

One of the reasons I am writing this blog is to keep a journal of my crazy doings in my late twenties. Here is a little update on what has happened in Q1 and what I have on deck for the rest of the year:

Quarter 1

• I earned 183,000+ points in Q1, on track for 600,000 for the 2013
• Visit a new state on my trip to Portland, Oregon
• Tried Voodoo Doughnuts (more here)
• Finished my $20,000 spend on British Airways Chase

Quarter 2

• Need to finish my Southwest Companion Pass (2,100 points short), read more here
• Need to complete Hyatt 5,000 bonus miles after $3,000 spend, read more here
• Decided what to do with British Airways and United Credit Cards - Bye Bye or Annual Fee Time???
• What credit cards for next application? Alaskan Airlines? Priority Club?
• Do I participate in this in US Airways Promotion? (HT View From The Wing) 

Upcoming Travel 

• 4/26-4/28 - Connecticut - Haven't been home in 10+ months
• 5/4 - Mileage run to SFO
• 5/10-5/12 - Blogging Conference in COS
• Memorial Day Weekend Trip - ???
• June - New Hampshire or Long Island
• July - Alaska
• August - New York City
• September - Taking my mom to South America
• September - Will Travel for College Football: UCONN
• Columbus Day Weekend - Norfolk, VA
• October - Will Travel for College Football: Northwestern???
• November - Will Travel for College Football: Penn State
• November - 10 Year High School Reunion
• December - Will travel for College Football: D3 Championship
• December - End of Year Trip???

Things I am Working On For The Blog

• Expedia Frequent Stayer Program
• Is Alaska the best airline for newbies?
• Anatomy of a Mileage Run
• Some other things....

Oh, and I have to squeeze in work somehow, tiny little detail. If you need help with financing to buy a new home or refinance your mortgage in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia or Delaware (NMLS #527599), please email me below. I would love to help you out.
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Have a question for us? E-mail us at chris@doitforthepoints.com or jd@doitforthepoints.com

Travel Dilemma

I have my first major travel dilemma, since joining this “game.” One major dilemma in two years isn't too bad. Many of you won’t say this is a “major” dilemma, but its has dominated way too much of my time.  So, what is this dilemma?

Which credit cards do I bring to Tokyo with me?

I have a lot at the moment and I don’t know which combination of card to bring. Here is what I do know:

1)      I need at least two credit cards and my debit card

2)      Credit cards must have no foreign transaction fees

3)      One should give me something extra for at least dining, possible travel expenses

4)      Staying at Hyatt two nights

5)      Staying at Hilton three nights

6)      Only paying cash for one night at the Hilton

I am pretty sure I am taking the Chase Sapphire, but I don’t know if I should bring the British Airways or Hyatt, both have chips, which can sometimes be helpful.

Anyone have a suggestion?

Do you have these problems when traveling or am I making a big deal out of nothing?