2017 – Yellowstone/Puerto Rico trip

27 July – 8 August, 2017

Total: $1,356.01 USD + 185.29 United Travel Bank + 49,052 Rapid Rewards + 9,000 Delta Skymiles + 96,000 Wyndham points + 24,000 Hilton Honors + 15,000 Marriott

Plane Ticket (for 1 person)

Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL) -> Indianapolis (IND): Economy Class on United Airlines
$185.29 United Travel Bank
Indianapolis (IND) -> San Diego (SAN) -> Salt Lake City (SLC): Economy Class on Southwest Airlines
16,671 Rapid Rewards + $5.60 USD (Free Companion with Companion Pass)
Salt Lake City (SLC) -> Denver (DEN) -> Austin (AUS) -> Fort Lauderdale (FLL): Economy Class on Southwest Airlines
13,877 Rapid Rewards + $5.60 USD (Free Companion with Companion Pass)
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) -> San Juan (SJU): Economy Class on Southwest Airlines
8,496 Rapid Rewards + $5.60 USD (Free Companion with Companion Pass)
San Juan (SJU) -> Fort Lauderdale (FLL) -> Indianapolis (IND): Economy Class on Southwest Airlines
10,008 Rapid Rewards + $5.60 USD (Free Companion with Companion Pass)
Indianapolis (IND) -> LaGuardia (LGA) -> Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL): Economy Class on Delta Airlines
9,000 Skymiles + $5.60

Hotel

Super 8 West Yellowstone (27-29 July)
30,000 Wyndham points

Super 8 Gardiner/Yellowstone Park Area (29-30 July)
3,000 Wyndham points + $93.50 USD

Super 8 Driggs (30 July-31 July)
3,000 Wyndham points + $70.20 USD

Motel 6 Jackson (31 July-1 August)
$208.64

Fairfield Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport (1-2 August)
15,000 Marriott points

Hampton Inn Ft. Lauderdale/Downtown Las Olas Area (2-3 August)
24,000 Hilton Honors points

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa (3-7 August)
60,000 Wyndham points

Car Rental

Hertz (Intermediate car) (27 July-2 August)
$387.31 USD (including SLI)

Hertz (Intermediate car/free upgrade to Cadillac CTS) (2-3 August)
$65.58 USD (including SLI) + $20 USD hotel parking

National (Intermediate car/free upgrade to Nissan Rouge) (3-7 August)
$236.95 USD (including SLI) + $33.45 hotel parking + $22.60 toll

Hertz (Compact car/free upgrade to Cadillac ATS) (7-8 August)
$73.38 USD (including SLI)

Attraction

Bio Bay Tour (Paradise Scuba & Snorkeling) at La Parguera
$94 USD for two persons (including fee)

2017 – BKK/Ho Chi Minh City

8 – 29 June, 2017

Total: $122.80 USD + $63.35 CAD + ฿1,797 + 9,000 Delta Skymiles + 35,000 Alaska Mileage Plan + 80,000 United Mileage Plus + 14,000 SPG points

Plane Ticket (for 1 person)

Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL) -> John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Economy Class on Delta Airlines
9,000 Delta Skymiles + $63.35 CAD
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) -> Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) -> Bangkok (BKK): Premium Economy Class on Cathay Pacific
35,000 Alaska Mileage Plan + $67.50 USD
Bangkok (BKK) -> Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN): Economy Class on Air Asia
฿1,797
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) -> Istanbul Ataturk (IST) -> Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): Business Class on Turkish Airlines
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) -> Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL): Business Class on Air Canada
80,000 United Mileage Plus + $55.30 USD

Hotel

Le Meridien Saigon (23-25 Jun)
14,000 SPG points

Misc.

Vietnamese Sim Card (Mobilfone)
10,000 VND per day

 

2016 – Chicago/Osaka/BKK/Istanbul

5 – 25 December, 2016

Total: $765.19 + ¥33,325 + 50,000 AS miles + 25,000 BA Avios + 160,000 UA miles + 30,000 SPG points

Plane Ticket (for 2 persons)

Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL) -> Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Economy Class (free Main Cabin Extra) on American Airlines
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) -> Tokyo Narita (NRT): Economy Class (free Main Cabin Extra) on American Airlines
50,000 Alaska Airlines miles + $163.92
Kansai (KIX) -> Bangkok (BKK): Economy Class on Japan Airlines
25,000 British Airways Avios + $68.46
Bangkok (BKK) -> Istanbul Ataturk (IST) -> Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL): Business Class on Turkish Airlines
160,000 United Airlines miles + $52.40

Hotel

Westin Osaka (9-12 Dec)
30,000 SPG points

Transportation

Rapid Train (NRT->Tokyo)
$22.99 (¥2,640)

Shinkansen (Tokyo->Osaka)
$231.87 (¥26,627)

Airport Limousine (Osaka->KIX)
$27.02 (¥3,100)

Local Train+Bus
¥7,180

Attraction

Tenryu-ji entry permit
¥1,000

Kinkaku-ji entry permit
¥800

Food + Grocery + Misc.
$92.14 + ¥13,105

Shopping
$106.39+ 11,140 THB

2016 – Hawaii Big Island trip

26 June – 3 July, 2016

Total: $1,212.46 + 40,000 Flexperks points + 100,000 IHG points + 35,000 Krisflyer miles + Marriott Category 4 Reward Certificate + $56 spothero credit

Plane Ticket

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) -> Seattle (SEA) -> Kona (KOA): Economy Class (upgraded to First Class) on Alaska Airlines
40,000 Flexperks points
Kona (KOA) -> Los Angeles (LAX): Economy Class (Free Economy+) on United Airlines
Los Angeles (LAX) -> Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Economy Class (upgraded to First Class for one seat) on United Airlines
35,000 Krisflyer miles + $11.16 tax/fee

Hotel

Chicago Marriott O’Hare (26-27 Jun)
Marriott Category 4 Reward Certificate

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona (27-29 Jun, 30 Jun-2 July)
120,000 IHG points (20,000 points were bought for $130 through IHG point buying trick)

Hilo Seaside Hotel
$84.54

Car Rental

Avis (Economy car)
$180.63 + $58.36 in fuel + $20 hotel parking

Hertz (Full-size SUV for Mauna Kea)
$92.65 + $26.12 in fuel

Attraction

Big Island Botanical Garden
$30

Akaka Fall permit
$5

Volcano National Park permit
$20

Swim with Mantra
$236.67 + $20 tips

Food + Grocery + Misc.
$297.33

Airport Parking

Chicago Marriott Suites O’Hare via Spothero
$56 spothero credit

2016 – Tokyo/BKK trip

23 March – 18 April, 2016

Total: $2,195.61 + 18,000 Hyatt points

Plane Ticket

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) -> Tokyo Narita (NRT): Economy Class (Free Economy+) on United Airlines
Tokyo Narita -> Bangkok (BKK): Economy Class on ANA
Bangkok (BKK) -> Tokyo Narita: Economy Class on ANA
Tokyo Narita -> Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Economy Class on ANA
$1,493.12

Hotel

Hyatt Regency Tokyo
$281.45 (¥31,689) + 18,000 Hyatt points

Car Rental

Budget Rent-a-car (Home -> ORD)
$70.58 + $8.77 in fuel

Budget Rent-a-car (ORD -> Home)
$120.44 + $10.08 in fuel

Attraction

Ramen Museum + Made your own ramen workshop
¥1,100

Landmark Tower entry permit
¥1,000

Shinjuku Gyoen entry permit
¥400

Transportation

Narita Airport Limousine Bus
$79.30 (¥9,000)

Local Train + Bus
¥3,860

Food + Grocery + Gift
$276.33 + ¥6776

2015 Cancun Trip

23 – 28 December, 2015

Total: $1,109.03 + 20,912 Southwest RR points + 21,000 SPG points + Marriott Category 4 Reward Certificate

Plane Ticket

Chicago Midway (MDW) -> Cancun (CU): Economy Class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
15,732 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $53.02 tax/fee
Cancun (CUN) -> George Bush Houston (HOU) -> Chicago Midway (MDW): Economy Class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
5,180 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $69.32 tax/fee

Hotel

Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge (23-24 Dec)
Marriott Category 4 Reward Certificate

The Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun (24-27 Dec)
21,000 SPG points

AirBnb (27-28 Dec)
$76

Car Rental

Thrifty
$165.94 + 730 MXN in fuel

Transportation

Taxi from CUN Airport
$36

Bus in Cancun
106 MXN

Attraction

Gran Cenote
300 MXN

Airport Parking

Midway Airport – Orange Line Park & Ride (24-30 Dec)
$70 spothero credit

SIM Card + Refill

Telcel
$32.81

Food + Grocery + Misc.
$204.06 + 427 MXN

Lost to theft
$350 + 437 MXN

2015 Aspen Trip

25 – 27 September, 2015

Total: $324.95 + 21,299 Southwest RR points

Plane Ticket

Indianapolis (IND) -> Denver (DEN): Economy Class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
6,505 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $11.20 tax/fee
Denver (DEN) -> Indianapolis (IND): Economy Class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
14,794 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $11.20 tax/fee

Hotel

Stonebridge Inn (25-26 Sep)
$53.19

Rodeway Inn Estes Park (26-27 Sep)
$77.36

Car Rental
$39.18 + $26.62 Fuel

Attraction

Ashcroft entry ticket
$6

Airport Parking

IND Airport
$13.50

Fuel to/from IND Airport
$4.61

Food
$82.11

2015 Tokyo/BKK/Sydney Trip

9 July – 15 August, 2015

Total:

$2,129.13 (credit card)
$265 AUD (cash)
160,000 UA miles
100,000 Club Carlson points
48,000 HHonor points

Plane Ticket

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) -> Tokyo Narita (NRT): Economy Class on ANA
Tokyo Narita -> Bangkok (BKK): Economy Class on ANA
Bangkok (BKK) -> Sydney (SYD): Economy Class on Thai Airways
Sydney (SYD) -> San Francisco (SFO) -> Chicago O’Hare (ORD) -> Indianapolis (IND): Economy Class (Free Economy+) on United Airlines
160,000 MileagePlus + $314.00 tax/fee

Sydney (SYD) -> Cairns (CNS) -> Sydney (SYD): Economy Class on Tigerair Australia
$293.79 (390 AUD)

Hotel

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney (7-8, 12-14 Aug): Atrium Room (Free upgrade to Studio Spa Suite)
100,000 Club Carlson points (Free one night from Club Carlson credit card)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns (9-12 Mar: Standard Room (Free upgrade to Deluxe Room with Ocean View)
48,000 HHonor points + $122.57 ($165.40 AUD)

Car Rental

Budget (West Lafayete -> ORD) (Minivan upgraded to Full size SUV) (9 Jul)
$126.53 [$77.17 after cost sharing including fuel]
Hertz (Cairns) (11 Aug)
$70.43 ($93.52 AUD, including $29.09 AUD Maximum cover excess reduction) + $23.63 fuel
Hertz (IND -> West Lafayette)
$21.66 + $7.15 fuel

Attraction

Featherdale Widelife Park
$43.27 ($59 AUD)
Sydney Sea Life Aquarium
$41.68 ($56 AUD, from full price of $80 AUD through ourdeal)
Daintree Ferry
$18.60 ($25 AUD)
Great Barrier Reef Tour
Seastar Cruise: $266.99 ($390 AUD)

Home

Transportation

Taxi from SYD Airport: $58 AUD
Taxi from CNS Airport: $25 AUD
Taxi to CNS Airport: $19 AUD
Opal card: $14.66 ($20 AUD) + $20 AUD Refill
uber: $11.65 ($15.76 AUD including $50 AUD Free Credit)

Food and Grocery
$120.28 ($162.25 AUD)

Shopping
$165.03 ($222.57 AUD)

SIM Card
Optus SIM card + $10 AUD Refill x2: $16.33 ($22 AUD)

VISA and Medical Examination
$521.90

Others
$143 AUD (cash)

2015 Chicago/Philadelphia trip

1 – 5 July, 2015

Total: $289.03 + 13,661 Southwest RR points + 100,000 Club Carlson points

Plane Ticket

Chicago Midway (MDW) -> Philadelphia (PHL): Economy Class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
4,877 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $11.20 tax/fee
Philadelphia (PHL) -> Chicago Midway (MDW): Economy class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
8,784 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $11.20 tax/fee

Hotel

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago (1-3 Jul)
50,000 Club Carlson points (Free one night from Club Carlson credit card)

Radisson Blu Warwick Hotel (3-5 Jul)
50,000 Club Carlson points (Free one night from Club Carlson credit card)

Parking

225 N Columbus Dr. – Garage (1-3 Jul)
$80 spothero credit

Chicago parking
$2 + $8 spothero credit

Midway Airport – Orange Line Park & Ride (3-5 Jul)
$20 spothero credit

Fuel
$31.50

Attraction

Shedd Aquarium
$61.90

Food
$171.23

2015 Atlanta Trip

7 – 9 May, 2015

Total:$521.37 + 3,242 Southwest RR points + $52.75 uber credit

Plane Ticket

Indianapolis (IND) -> Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta (ATL): Economy Class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
1,621 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $11.20 tax/fee
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta (DCA) -> Indianapolis (IND): Economy class (Free companion) on Southwest Airlines
1,621 Southwest Rapid Reward Points + $11.20 tax/fee

Hotel

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Atlanta I-75 South (7-9 May)
$202.30 [$101.15 after cost sharing]

Car Rental

Hertz
$28.38 [$14.19 after cost sharing]

Fuel
$12.57 [$6.29 after cost sharing]

Parking
$3 [$1.50 after cost sharing]

Transportation

MARTA
$22

Lyft
$11.08

uber
$52.75 uber credit

Luggage Storage
$2

Attraction

Georgia Aquarium
$84.14

Atlanta Zoo
$45.34

Atlanta Botanical Garden
$40.93

Airport Parking
$27 [$13.50 after cost sharing]

Food
$156.86