Cash vs. Points
Hawaii & Paris
Check out the difference between what I paid in points for my trips vs. what the trips would’ve cost in cash (if I didn’t use points)
Hawaii: Cost Comparison
Cash price for this trip : $13,825
Price when you use points : $56
Flights: 100,000 points
Hotel: 352,000 points
Paying with points saves: $13,769
Trip Summary
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I used Capital One points to book United flights through their partner, Turkish Airlines
I transferred my Capital One points to my Turkish Airlines loyalty account and then called Turkish Airlines to complete the booking
With Turkish Air, the flights were 10,000 points per person, each way. That is an amazing deal for the East coast to Hawaii. This is the standard rate (currently) for Turkish Airlines. I didn't do any special tricks to secure this rate.
I paid 100,000 points in total for our family of 5 for roundtrip tickets
The out of pocket cost was $56. Taxes and fees were super cheap on these domestic flights!
This is an exceptional redemption. However, I will admit this was by far the most difficult redemption I have completed.
I wasn't able to complete the booking on the Turkish website and emails with their reps were unresponsive.
It took me several very long phone calls...but $56 total to get a family of 5 to Hawaii from the East coast is amazing. Worth every ounce of frustration encountered during the booking process.
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The Hyatt Regency Maui is an amazing resort right on the famous Kaanapali Beach in Maui. It is super kid friendly, has tons of free activities and an amazing pool area.
Other awesome perks are:
They have LAUNDRY!
They have rooms that come with Club Access.
The Club is a place in the hotel where you can go for free food and drinks throughout the day!
Breakfast, snacks, dinner appetizers and drinks are all free and served at different times throughout the day.
Food costs in Hawaii are astronomical. So this was a big money saver, even more so than if we had gotten an AirBnB and cooked (groceries are still crazy expensive!). With this route, I paid $0 for a good amount of food each day for all 5 of us.
Hyatt does not charge any fees or taxes for rewards stays.
I literally just paid in points: 352,000 total and $0 out of pocket.
This is a gorgeous resort in a great location, so it is well worth the points!
Hawaii Flights
The Turkish Air website is glitchy, but these flights are the same exact route on the same exact dates
One image shows the price I paid in points, when I booked the United flights through Turkish Air (partner airline)
The other image shows how much the flights would cost if I paid in cash alone (without points)
Paying with Points
The total points for each roundtrip non-stop ticket came to 20,000. We had 5 people, so 100,000 miles total
Taxes and fees after using points came to $11.20 per person, so $56 total out of pocket cost for 5 roundtrip flights
Paying with Cash
If I had purchased these flights without points, I would have paid $4,068 through United Airlines
Hawaii Hotels
The Hyatt Regency Maui (same room type with club access & same dates)
One image shows the price paid using points
The other image shows how much the same exact hotel room would cost if I paid in cash alone (without points)
Paying with Points
The total points for 8 nights in 1 room that has 2 queen beds, partial ocean view and club access came to: 352,000 points
Taxes and fees are $0 when booking Hyatt award night stays
Paying with Cash
If I had purchased the same exact room (8 nights in 1 room that has 2 queen beds, partial ocean view and club access came), it would have cost $9,757
Paris: Cost Comparison
Cash price for this trip : $8,813
Price when you use points: $701
Flights: 235,000 points
Hotel: 364,284 points
Paying with points saves: $8,112
Trip Summary
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I booked Delta flights through Air France. Delta charges WAY more points than Air France, so I saved hundreds of thousands of points by doing this workaround.
Delta has lower taxes & fees than Air France, so choosing a Delta flight (on the Air France website) was the right choice for me.
I could have chosen an Air France flight that cost less points, but much more in taxes and fees. I rather keep actual money spent to a minimum and spend more in points.
I used a combination of Chase + AmEx points, transferred to Air France, to complete this booking.
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This is a small Parisian hotel that has connecting rooms, available to book with Hyatt Points--a game-changer for families and very rare in Europe!
Typically in Europe, a family of 5 would need to book 2 separate rooms.
This hotel only recently became part of the Hyatt family, so I was excited to stay at a smaller, more authentic hotel.
I booked this hotel using Chase points transferred to my Hyatt account.
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I really wanted to stay at this hotel for at least one night because it has exceptional views of the Eiffel tower (especially at night!).
I was able to book a suite for all 5 of us using Hyatt Points. This is also a rare find (I searched high and low for this room).
I confirmed with the hotel that they would allow us to stay in the suite; as the website lists max occupancy at 4. They were super nice and accommodating, thankfully.
The room also includes access to the Regency Club: free food and drinks throughout the day at the club.
Club access rooms cost more points than standard rooms (no cash fees though)
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This was booked through the Chase travel portal. It is an 1,100 square foot apartment with separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and laundry!
Its location is amazing, right next to Luxembourg Gardens.
The Chase travel portal usually has much more of a variety of rooms and hotels to choose from (rather than booking directly with hotels). For families, especially in Europe, this is a lifesaver!
Bookings in the portal also include any taxes and fees payable with points. It's a great way to keep out of pocket costs low.
Having a place that is over 1,000 square feet with a kitchen and laundry is unheard in Paris!
Paris Flights
These are the same flights.
One image shows the price I paid in points, when I booked the Delta flights through AirFrance (partner airline).
The other image shows how much the same exact flights would cost if I paid in cash alone (without points).
Paying with Points
The total points for 5 roundtrip non-stop tickets came to 235,000
Taxes and fees after using points came to $701 total for 5 roundtrip flights
Paying with Cash
If I had purchased these flights without points, I would have paid $3,104
Paris Hotels
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Maison Breguet (Hyatt): Cash Rate
The cash price for this would have been $3,042 for 4 nights.
I booked deluxe connecting rooms.
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Maison Breguet (Hyatt): Points Rate
The per night rate was 51,500 points. So for 4 nights I paid 206,000 points total and $0 since Hyatt does not charge taxes and fees on award stays.
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Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile: Cash Rate
The cash rate for 1 night at the Hyatt Regency Paris would have been $953 for the Regency Suite.
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Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile: Points Rate
The Regency Suite cost 24,000 points and $0, since Hyatt does not charge taxes and fees on award stays.
Chase Portal Booking
Residence & Spa Le Prince Regent
2 nights: 3 bedroom apartment
Points cost: 134,284 points
Cash rate: $1,714
When you book hotels in the bank travel portal, you can often access a bigger variety of rooms and properties.
I found this apartment in Paris that was more than 1,000 square feet, had separate bedrooms, laundry, a pool and in a great location! A great deal for families.
