Sunday Success Story

November 27, 2011 - Rick

Dear Rick, I just want to say thank you for starting my hobby! I am a stay-at-home mom with three kids. I used to work, travelled a lot and loved it! Thanks to your blog, along with some of the others that you have suggested, we are still able to travel. Here is our upcoming trip that I am SO excited about next week!

Two airline tickets on American Airlines from CLE-MIE. Used points from the 75,000 offers that both my husband and I got earlier this year w/ the Citi AAdvantage card.
One night hotel stay at the Sheraton Miami Airport hotel. Used 4000 SPG points. Thanks for the Starwood AMEX cards we opened.
Three nights at the Hyatt Key West resort and spa. Used our free nights for opening the Hyatt card.
Car rental through autoslash.com. I booked this several months ago. They’ve found a cheaper rate three times! We are getting an intermediate size car. Went from $185 then down to $177, now down to $135 just today! That is $22 per day, plus all of the taxes! We are splitting this with another couple so it will cost us less than $70 and gas of course.

The best part is, we get to be in Key West with family and be a part of our cousin’s wedding and get to spend some kid-free time with family—which we haven’t done in YEARS! Oh, and of course, being there for a wedding has it’s perks: free meals for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding! J

I’m also planning a girls’ weekend in NYC with my daughter! Redeemed some Chase points for Amtrak points. We are visiting wtih some family in DC and will be taking the train from DC to NYC. Booked some more free nights at hotels. More importantly, I’m creating wonderful memories for my little girl!

Now I’m hoping to use our Hyatt points (that we transferred from Chase Sapphire) for a fabulous family vacation sometime within the near future!

Thanks again!!

Jessica H.

Anonymous

"I'm lamenting at the coffee shop this horrible dilemma in my life and I ask my buddy Harry if he had any ideas."

This is the definition of a First World Problem.
Ian

Which one are you going to, trinidad, or tobago? They are two distinct islands although they are the same country. Trinidad is more industrialized with the oil industry (although there are interesting tourist activities if you know where to look), and tobago would be more of your traditonal caribbean sun & sand destination.
FrugalTravelGuy

The Hyatt is in Port of Spain Trinidad, but we'll hop over to Tobago as well.

Anon: Agreed. I like to call them high class problems
Anonymous

It's too bad you're not going a month later, during the Carnival (similar to Rio carnival) – that would have been a great time to see a lot of the culture of Trinidad…

… Trinidad itself (as Ian said) is very industrial-looking. Port of Spain, where the Hyatt is located, is really not a pretty city… but be sure to check out the "magnificent seven" houses around the Port of Spain savannah … also be sure to eat some roti and curry at a local place (leave the Hyatt for this)… out of town you should check out the Caroni Swamp (if you like being immersed in nature) … but certainly, spend more time in Tobago – nice beaches, slower pace… hope you have a good time
Anonymous

Rick, what type of Hyatt gift cards do you have? I ask because mine I got from C1 are only good in the US. They are called a Hyatt TravelCard.
Jim
Anonymous

Edit- Hyatt TravelCard
Hyatt Hotels $900 Gift Card (U.S., Canada, and Caribbean Travel Only) -
Paddy in BA (Quickroute)

As mentioned above the Carnival is fantastic fun especially if you participate which can be done for a fraction of what Rio, Brazil charges. You do need to be careful in Trinidad as crime is rife and there has been a news of a potential assassination attempt on the Prime Minister in the last few days by rogue police officials – google "bbc news trinidad"
Anonymous

Anonymous- Rick probably got the original hyatt gift certificates (I got them as well)..they were good for any hyatt property. But soon after the C1 promotion..they stopped giving out gift certificates and gave out gift cards. This detail can be found on flyertalk:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-gold-passport/1197341-capital-one-900-hyatt-check-certificates.html
Rishi

Hi Rick
I'm a regular reader – As a Trini travel blogger … If you have a full day in Trinidad … you can hang out in Port of Spain … but the traffic is ridiculous or find something out of the city. Here is a link of all things you would want to do in Trinidad.

http://www.rishiray.com/category/1-all-trinidad-posts/
james

Remember, those 3 remaining Hyatt diamond suite upgrades can be used to make reservations by the end of Feb. for stays until end of Feb 2013.
MileCard Insider

I've stayed at that Hyatt.

I know Continental uses it as a crew hotel. The physical property is outstanding, beautiful architecture, back in '09 they gave champagne at check-in. The executive lounge is on the ground floor but has a nice little patio and good selection. Unfortunately had no desire to explore the rest of Trinidad, it felt too rough around the edges. But I hear Tobago is delightful.

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