Five Days in New York City for Free

July 23, 2012 - Andy

How to have a free fantastic 5 days in Manhattan… All flights, hotels, attractions and entertainment 100% free (using points) with only food and ground transport not included. We will even point out great value but superb restaurants for an absolute minimum spend.

It is fitting for such a mammoth and diverse city that even it’s nickname the “Big Apple” has many and long explanations to it’s origin. Apparently a colorful 1920s horse-racing columnist named John Fitzgerald heard the term from stable hands in New Orleans who lovingly referred to New York City’s racetracks as “…the dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred. There’s only one Big Apple. That’s New York.” In the 1930s, the term was adopted by jazz musicians, when Harlem was the site of all the choicest gigs.

It truly is a city where dreams are made and also crushed; a city not exclusive to skyscrapers but when you are there it feels like it owns the right to kiss the sky. I spent Christmas and New Years 18 months ago, and we had an awesome time. Maybe ’twas the season but we felt nothing but a welcoming spirit. New York has grown up and mellowed in her old age. How do we go about visiting her?

GETTING THERE

A sample flight from Chicago to New York’s La Guardia using British Airways Avios only 7,500 points each way, or from Austin or Dallas 10,000 each way. Paid for these flights could run up to $1,000 or more for a couple. (Sorry for the typo!)

A lucrative credit card offer is the United Mileage Plus for 50,000 bonus and with effectively two airlines in one now after the merger with Continental, what is great is that availability is strong with a major hub in Newark, JFK, and La Guardia also served. On checking for flights from Florida to NY for next month, there were multiple flights every single day available for 12,500 miles. Take your pick!

Remember folks to consider our trusty Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express which if we have 20,000 SPG points they can be transferred to either 25,000 BA Avios or US Airways miles which can also be used on United. Do not transfer them directly to United as the rate is terrible at 2:1 (10k Starpoints = 5k United miles)

So travel junkies we have our free flights booked and we are on our way. Stay tuned for Days one and two in the Big Apple with all activities planned are the princely sum of $0

Ucipass

? where is the rest of the article
Tim

Why would CHI-NYC cost $1000 one way?
Ross

Where did you come up with a paid flight from chicago to new york costing $1,000 +
I looked on southwest airlines and you can find a one way ticket any day between now and then end of december between $100 and $200 with the mode being $111.
Jamesbond007

Since when do flights to NYC cost $1000 or more?
MNscout

1. Flights from ORD to NYC do not cost $1,000 even for a couple, or (let’s rephrase) they can almost always be found for around $200+.
2. Blowing 30,000 Avios (for a couple) is an awful redemption for this very cheap flight.
3. If you goal is to prove that it CAN be done for free, then mission accomplished. Otherwise, not so much.

http://www.frugaltravelguy.com Andy

I take your point entirely MNscout and I always check whether I can get a cheap fare before blowing 15,000 Avios each, but fares over certain peak periods can be high of course. If people have to fly over certain dates due to vacation schedule etc, then this is when it can make sense, and only then. So you make a very valid comment, and thanks! On a personal note, I do like to keep Avios for long haul especially if I can avoid the pesky fuel surcharges on non BA metal. But for other people flying on shorter but expensive domestic routes they CAN offer good value redemptions. Thanks for your input
Andyyac

I take your point entirely MNscout and I always check
whether I can get a cheap fare before blowing 15,000 Avios each, but fares over
certain peak periods can be high of course

If people have to fly over certain
dates due to vacation schedule etc, then this is when it can make sense, and
only then. Appreciate the comment, completely valid, and thanks!

On a personal note, I
do like to keep Avios for long haul especially if I can avoid the pesky fuel
surcharges on non BA metal. But for other people flying on shorter but
expensive domestic routes they CAN offer some great redemptions. Thanks for
your input

MNscout

Then I take it back. And I do happen to love Avios on short but expensive hops. Of course, everyone’s needs are different. Have fun in my town.

Andyyac

Well…good catch guys. It was a typo, it meant to say $1000 for two people. Meaning normal fares on major airlines on a day to day basis.
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Five Days in New York City for Free

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